the bells of balangiga

so, on a related note...

Pintig Cultural Group &
the Center for Immigrant Resources & Community Arts (CIRCA)
invite you to....

The Bells of Balangiga the Musical
Book & Lyrics by Rodolfo Carlos Vera
Music and Direction by Louie Pascasio

"The Bells of Balangiga features a remarkably unbiased book by Rodolfo Vera (who blames the war, not the warriors) and a quasi-operatic score by Louie Pascasio that includes rousing patriotic anthems, inspirational prayers, sweet lovers' ballads and rowdy soldiers' choruses... (It) reaches beyond agitprop pageantry and emerges as an ambitious, professional production that explores a chapter in history that's still still relevant to mainstream audiences." Mary Shen Barnidge, Chicago Reader, 1997 Premiere of "The Bells of Balangia"

Light Opera Works/McGaw YMCA Child Care Auditorium
1420 Maple Ave., Evanston, IL 60201
(Davis stop on the Purple Line)

April 27 Thursday, 8 pm, preview night, $10
April 28 Friday, opening night, 8 pm
April 29 Saturday, & April 30 Sunday, 3pm
May 5 Friday, & May 6 Saturday 8pm
May 6 Saturday, & May 7 Sunday, 3pm
May 4 Thursday, Industry Night (2 for 1 for theater folks, bring headshots/programs)
April 29 Saturday 8pm, Gala Night, $35-50 with food
Students/Seniors/Groups of 20 or more, $15.00
Regular tickets are $25

For tickets & for more information, please call CIRCA (312) 222-1551; Lani (773) 814-9679; or Angela (773) 480-4824; or email circatheater@yahoo.com

Synopsis:
In 1901, during the U.S. occupation of the Philippines, a small town rose up against American colonial soldiers stationed in the southern island of Samar. It was the church bells that announced the early morning attack that left 45 American soldiers dead and 22 wounded. The U.S. retaliation was swift. "I want no prisoners," Brigadier General Jacob W. Smith was said to have ordered Major Littleton Waller, the soldier he assigned to the duty. "I wish you to kill and burn, the more you kill and burn, the better you will please me." Targeted were Filipinos 10 years and older and "capable of bearing arms." Over 50,000 were killed reducing Samar's population to one-fourth.

This production is funded in part by the Illinois Arts Council, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs (CityArts I) and Nuveen Investments; community sponsors include United Church of Christ Montclare; HAPAG

now the interesting little tidbit that i just read about the bells of balangiga is that they have been in the possession of the us (at warren air force base) for over 100 years. they were taken from balangiga as war booty. the people of balangiga have asked for their return and apparently in 1994, clinton had promised to give the bells back - but it never happened. (yeah, go figure.) here's a philippine news story that was just written about it.

sorta makes me wanna get all political and get the bells back to their rightful belfry...