By Marivir R. Montebon
Postal Madness: Laughing My Pain of Stereotypes
Since when did racism and sexism become funny? Normally, never. But watch Postal Madness, showing until October 4, 2015 at the LaTea Theater on 107 Suffolk Street in lower Manhattan, and you will know what I mean.
Stereotyping is one of New York’s taken-for-granted sins. While in reality it could stir an upheaval in the community, this comedy show pokes fun at our pain, and at the end of it, simply allows for realizing how insane it is to stereotype.
Postal Madness just brutally plays it out to you in the characters of Connors (Brian Wicker), the wicked white boss of a postal office who dehumanizes his subordinates Loco (Joe Genesis), the black union representative who moonlights in another job during his downtime; Fantasy (Liza Marie-Galletti), the voluptuous Latina; Phak Yu (Luis Pedron), the hardworking Thai; and Marty (Paul David Miller), the rich Jewish worker.
The crazy cast of Postal Madness
Inspector Crow (Will Strong) comes to their office for a staff evaluation in preparation for a massive lay-off plan at the post office. This sends jitters to everyone. At the restaurant of Billy (Mark Mason), the conflict in the story arises when the psychic Sister Maria Concheta (Frances Lozada), Loco, and Connors meet.
Written by Perry Crowe and directed by Frances Lozada, the play began in September 10 and closes early October. Kudos to producers Michael Anthony, Joe Genesis, and Frances Lozada for putting up the comedy show.
All of the actors are in their best element. One would feel like yanking the mean boss with a white supremacist attitude for his atrocious bullying skill, and laugh. Each time the voluptuous Latina flirts with her co-workers and supervisor, one could not help but sneer and hiss and laugh. The hardworking Thai evokes sympathy and laughter.
Each speaking line is so brutally mad and true. Truth hurts but it makes us laugh as well. So go, watch Postal Madness.
Here is a thumbs up from Dr. Mariliz Policarpio:
“If you’re wondering what to do this weekend, then I suggest you head on down to Teatro LaTea to watch the hilarious play “Postal Madness” by Michael Anthony. My group and I were invited by one of the actors, our friend Luis Pedron, who played Mr. Phak Yu – a seemingly mild-mannered Asian postal worker. The setting is in the back room of a US post office, and it’s based on real life. You’ll be introduced to eight dynamic characters from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and witness the strife that goes on between the management and employees. The dialogue was very relevant in today’s social atmosphere, and the jokes tested the limits of political correctness. The jokes were so funny that sometimes we were almost falling out of our seats!
So get in from the rain and catch this Off-Broadway comedy in its final weekend. Go watch Luis Pedron in “Postal Madness” and get ready to laugh your socks off!”
POSTAL MADNESS
Teatro LaTea
107 Suffolk St, New York, NY (2nd fl.)
Oct. 2 to 4, 2015
Fri, Sat 8PM / Matinees Sat, Sun 3PM
F, M, J, Z trains to Delancey/Essex Station
Tickets $20
Saulog: A Night of Serenade by Cebu’s Singing Priests
Filipinos in New York had a taste of inspirational and Cebuano songs from five singing priests who flew in from Cebu just to entertain them on September 4, 2015 in a fund-raiser concert called “Saulog” (celebrate) – A Night of Serenade.
Fr. Jun Gutierrez, Fr. Kipling Agravante, Fr. Zachary Zacarias, and Msgr. Guillermo Gorre, of the Cebu Clergy Performing Artists, performed before a packed St. Sebastian Catholic Church in Woodside for an hour-and-a-half. The audience happily sang with the priests the old favorites Usahay, Matud Nila, among other renditions.
Serenading Queens
The performing priests at their best.
The Cebu Inc. Sinulog Dancers closed the concert with their award-winning performance of the Sinulog in the 2015 NYC Philippine Independence Day parade.
The Saulog concert was put together by the Cebuanos Engaging in Building Unity Inc. (Cebu Inc.), led by Fr. Jovito Caronggay, in cooperation with the Archdiocese of Cebu. The concert was for the 5th International Eucharistic Congress which will be held in Cebu in 2016.
The singing priests will also do a concert tour in New Jersey, Chicago, Texas, and Los Angeles.
Cebu Inc. dances the Sinulog
The Filipino Spirit: A Manifestation Exhibit at the Philippine Center
Artists Celso Pepito and Fe Madrid Pepito opened their most recent works of art to the public together with sculptor Angelico Villanueva in an art exhibit called The Filipino Spirit: A Manifestation at the Philippine Center on September 21, 2015.
The exhibit was formally opened by guests of honor Consul Kerwin Tate, Ms. Luchie Vivas, Mr. Francisco Guerra, Ms. Aurora Aquino, Ms. Cynthia Ballenas, and Mr. Timothy Derham. It will be up until October 4, 2015, Saturday.
(With photos by Christopher Fallarme)
Fe and Celso Pepito (middle) with New York fashion queen Ms. Luchie Vivas (right) and Ms. Cynthia Ballenas of the Team United Foundation.
Sculptor Angelico Villanueva with this writer. The bronze fisherman casting his net is an awesome piece of art.
For details, please contact Nina Purugganan nina.ayalalandintl@gmail.com or call at +12018508639
