Hollywood-approved Fil-Am play ‘Monkeys’ scores encore stage in LA
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Picture this: It’s (finally) the end of a restless week. You’ve trudged through endless meetings and deadlines, survived leg-numbing traffic, and battled sleep deprivation and caffeine-induced jitters.
It has been hectic, to say the least, and you’re craving some much-needed time off. You may opt for your usual weekend routine of sleeping in—but hey, why not switch things up this time and indulge in an evening of laughter, drama, and historical enlightenment?
Enter “Monkeys,” a Filipino-American period comedy play that recently had four sold-out shows at the Hollywood Fringe Festival. It has also received the Hollywood Encore Producers’ Award, which guaranteed its return for a one-night encore performance on July 14 (8 p.m.) at The Jaxx Theatre in Los Angeles.
Fil-Am play ‘Monkeys’ is a workplace comedy set in the 1930s
Written and directed by Fil-Am Bernard Badion, “Monkeys” takes you back to the 1930s in San Joaquin County. It plunges you into the world of Filipino farm laborers who are grappling with abysmally low wages, discriminatory laws, and the harsh realities of being at the bottom of society.
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It’s a story that sheds light on the forgotten history of Filipino immigrants. It also features their fight for rights during a time when speaking out was potentially life-threatening.
Now, you might be thinking—how can a play about laborers and historical struggles be a way to cap off a stressful week? If anything, you’d expect it to be a somber experience.
Well, don’t let the heavy themes deter you because “Monkeys” isn’t your typical heavy-handed production. It injects humor, wit, and a bit of romance into its narrative. “I always describe it as a workplace comedy at a very, very horrible workplace,” said Badion.
An all-Filipino lead cast
At the center of the production is Eugene Cordero, a Fil-Am actor who has been steadily making waves in Hollywood. You might recognize him from his role in Marvel Universe’s “Loki.” Or maybe you have noticed his involvement in the hit animated show “Star Trek: Lower Decks.”
Taking a break from his TV commitments, Cordero stepped onto the stage as the lead in “Monkeys.” He immersed himself in the lives of Filipino laborers.
“Unfortunately right now, there’s still not that many opportunities for us to have this deep of a Filipino cast to do a play [or] even just be showcased in different ways. So, it’s awesome. I’m most excited about everybody here together,” said Cordero.
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Fil-Am actors Mike Cabellon (known for his role in “Mr. Mayor”), Gilbert Galon, Tony Garbanzos, EJ Cabasal, and Jason Rogel are also part of the ensemble cast. They added an extra layer of authenticity and relatability to the play.
“There’s a plethora of Filipino talent out there that plays all kinds of different characters,” said Badion in an interview with Kollective Hustle. “This doesn’t happen all the time where you have an all-Filipino lead cast, so it’s been great to see [them] come together.”
Furthermore, the California-raised Filipino musician JR De Guzman produced the play’s original song, “Seeds of Love.”
