This weekend marks the world premiere of The Debutante’s Ball at History Theatre, written by Eric “Pogi” Sumangil and directed by Randy Reyes.
Sumangil says he wrote the play as a way to share his experiences growing up as a teenager within the world of debutantes and escorts in the Filipino community:
“The play is written from the perspective of teenagers, so I hope anybody who has been a teenager and comes to the show can relate to at least some part of it. I think that I’m most nervous for other former debutantes and escorts to come see it. I think because the play is told through the lens of teenagers, it will definitely resonate with younger people. It’s where the story lives, and easy for this generation to understand.”
He also hopes that people of all ages, races and backgrounds can learn something about the Filipino experience in Minnesota, and something about themselves as well.
“I would love it if people questioned their own assumptions about different cultures, and even different generations. I mean, for my generation, rap and hip-hop was our thing that the older folks didn’t understand. For my parents’ generation it was rock and roll, Elvis, and the Beatles. So if people walk away realizing that we’re all actually more alike than we are different, then I’d be really happy with that.”
The Debutante’s Ball opens Saturday, March 21st at History Theatre in collaboration with Mu Performing Arts.
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