About the Project
In Anak ni Tapia: Leaving Mother, Lani T. Montreal embarks on a deeply personal and poignant journey through memory, identity, and reconciliation. This solo performance unpacks the complexities of her life as a queer Filipina immigrant, a daughter living in the shadow of a larger-than-life mother, and a woman discovering her own voice.
The story begins with the death of Lani’s mother, Mely Tagasa, a beloved Filipino actress and writer best known for her iconic role as “Miss Tapia” in a popular sitcom. As Lani reflects on their complicated relationship, she weaves through formative moments: her mother’s relentless dedication to her craft, their turbulent family dynamics, the scars of betrayal, and the sharp tensions between cultural expectations and personal identity.
Through vivid storytelling, humor, and heartfelt introspection, Lani revisits her journey from the Philippines to America, tracing her mother’s influence and her own evolution. As Lani reconciles her mother’s contradictions—a stern and passionate provider, a star whose shadow loomed large, and a woman who, despite her imperfections, loved deeply—she discovers a way to honor her legacy while claiming her own identity.
Interspersed with music, cultural references, and audience participation, Anak ni Tapia: Leaving Mother is a powerful exploration of family, loss, and the enduring bonds between mother and child. It is a celebration of resilience, a reckoning with identity, and an invitation to embrace the beauty of imperfect love.
Directed by Daisy Castro: Daisy has been involved in Chicago theatre for 25+ years both on and off stage as a dancer, performer, tech hand, administrator, producer and director. She was part of the second generation of Stir-Friday Night! as writer, actor and development coordinator. In 1991, she was cast as the love interest of Carlos Bulosan in Pintig Theatre group’s maiden production, America’s in the Heart. This started her long, complicated, and fulfilling relationship with the organization. What a privilege to witness its evolution from concept to the present incarnation.
Music design and collaboration: Vincent Reyes. Vince has been playing professionally for over 40 years beginning with jazz trumpeter Billy May. He studied with Grammy Award winning classical guitarist Scott Tennant and composition with Delta Omicron awardee Ruth Schonthal and Guggenheim awardee Marc Antonio Consoli at NYU. He has composed music for films “Searching for Elliott Smith” and “Brown Soup Thing”, Human Arts’ Theater Company’s production of Arthur Miller’s “After the Fall” as well as for USC’s Viterbi Awards for ThreeTwoOne Productions. He was Music Director for productions of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”, “Free to Be You and Me”, “The Book of Ruth”, and “Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp”. Vincent has been performing with the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO) as it’s Principal Guitarist, in several productions with EastWest Players including the Ovation Award winning production of “Next to Normal” and had been awarded Instrumentalist of the Year by Jazz-Phil USA. Vincent can be heard playing jazz at the World Stage in Leimert Park and around Southern California.
Live sound by Jayden “Jade” Lopez (she/her): Los Angeles-based actor, singer, musician, Jade is a Jack of all trades. She is finishing up her bachelor’s at CSULB this fall for Theatre Arts. Favorite credits include Pablo Escobar in Dear Dead Drug Lord and working sound technician in the Hunchback of Notre Dame musical.
The production is co-sponsored by CIRCA-Pintig Cultural Group in Chicago. CIRCA-Pintig’s roots trace back to the early 1980s when our founders, newly arrived from the Philippines, found support and inspiration in the immigrant communities of Chicago. Born from the experiences of political refugees and economic migrants, our organization embodies the resilience, creativity, and communal spirit of immigrant communities. The name “Pintig,” meaning “heartbeat” or “pulse” in Filipino, reflects our commitment to keeping the vibrant pulse of immigrant cultures alive and strong in America’s multicultural landscape. For over three decades, CIRCA-Pintig has been dedicated to empowering immigrant communities, honoring our founders’ experiences, and paying forward the gifts of life and love that sustained us in our early years.
Learn More at filinthegap.com
Production Team
