“Celdran takes a metaphorical scalpel to the beloved/hated, infamous former first lady, Imelda Marcos, to reveal how she has influenced Philippine history and the Filipino identity for better or for worse. ”
During a performance in New York City. Photo by Ma-Yi Theater Company.
To celebrate their 10th annual KULTURA Filipino Arts Festival, Kapisanan Philippine Centre for Arts and Culture will feature a four-show run of “Livin’ La Vida Imelda” at OCAD University.
This gossipy theatre performance featuring “disco, dictators, and a whole lotta dirty laundry” puts a spotlight on Imelda Marcos, the former first lady of the Philippines, and her controversial place in history beyond her incredible collection of shoes.
“Carlos Celdran is a hilariously eccentric one-man show of Filipino history and trivia.”
The play is by Carlos Celdran, the famed Manila tourguide whose “Walk This Way” tours are consistently listed in the top ten activities in Manila. Self-described as “performance art in the guise of a walking tour,” Celdran’s tours intertwine history and theatre in an accessible, engaging way for Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike.
Audiences may recognize Celdran for his presence in the 2011 “Names You Need to Know” list by Forbes Magazine, or for his Reproductive Health Bill activism which led to jailtime and international news coverage for interrupting an ecumenical meeting at the Manila Cathedral.
Poster from Celdran's performance at the Silverlens Gallery in Manila, 2012.
Celdran first premiered “Livin’ La Vida Imelda” at Queen West’s Twist Gallery in 2011. He then brought the play to the Philippines, Dubai, and off-Broadway in New York City.
Broadway.com described Celdran as an “artist, activist, raconteur, and recent jailbird,” and the New York Times called his play a “gleefully gossipy study guide.”
His theatrical production is no dry textbook reading. This play features rare archival photos, popular music, intriguing historical figures, and of course, Celdran’s inimitable charm, enthusiasm, and dry wit.
For those who are unfamiliar with Philippine history, Celdran’s show is the ultimate introduction by a bonafide Manila tourguide and Pinoy icon.
Apart from booking a ticket to Manila, Philippine culture just doesn’t get more authentic than this.
Show Details:
Performances are in English.
Location: OCAD University Auditorium, 100 McCaul Street, Toronto.
Performance Times:
Wednesday, August 5, 6:00 pm (Opening Night Fundraiser)
Thursday, August 6, 8:00pm (Doors open at 7:00)
Friday, August 7, 8:00pm (Doors open at 7:00)
Saturday, August 8, 2:00pm (Doors open at 1:00)
Cost: $30.00/ticket*
*$10.00 student tickets available. Contact info@kultura.ca for more information.
*$15 tickets for groups of five or more can be booked through Eventbrite.