What I liked
I cannot fully express how incredible Arianna Basco’s portrayal of Sisa was. The character arc Basco artfully journeys through show how even the most noble of people can be pushed past their breaking point when the systems put in place to keep them oppressed suffocate their lives.
Overall, the cast’s moment-to-moment choices and physicality lent itself to a rich tapestry of performances that proved that Filipinos are not a monolith. We are a people of many stories, mistakes, and victories all wrapped up into a collective diaspora.
What I didn't like
Honestly? I can’t really think of anything that needs to be changed. There were some lighting cue hiccups, but nothing glaring or detrimental to the play’s story.
My overall impression
As a Filipino-American, I see this production as vital to our community. The themes that the cast and crew explored with a revamped version of Jose Rizal’s novella are as relevant now as they were decades ago. Additionally, the artistic decision to make clear how a pre-colonial matriarchal nation has suffered under the trappings of the patriarchy and its inherent greed was nothing short of brilliant.
