NEW YORK -- “Imelda, A New Musical”  opens the 33^rd season of Pan Asian Repertory Theatre with an East Coast premiere  September 22^nd – October 18^th, 2009 at The Julia Miles Theatre, 424 West 55^th Street.  

This was announced by Tisa Chang, Pan Asian’s artistic producing director.

With a book by Sachi Oyama, music by Nathan Wang and lyrics by Aaron Coleman, a press statement said “Imelda” is a portrait of the ambitious and controversial woman often referred to as “The Steel Butterfly.” The musical spans the 1940s to 1980s, the pivotal years after the Philippines gained its independence and Imelda Marcos wanted to set her country as an equal player on the world stage. 

Under the direction of Tim Dang, producing artistic director of East West Players in L.A., the East Coast premiere of “Imelda” stars Jaygee Macapugay as Imelda Marcos, Liz Casasola as Corazon Aquino, Mel Sagrado Maghuyop as Ferdinand Marcos, Brian Jose as Ninoy Aquino and features Alan Ariano, Angelica-Lee Aspiras, Billy Bustamante, Leanne Cabrera, Sacha Iskra, Loresa Lanceta, Jonelle Margallo, and Romney Piamonte. 

The scenic design is by Kaori Akazawa, lighting design by Victor En Yu Tan, costume design by Ivy Chou and hair and makeup by Leslie Espinosa.

New York’s first Filipino-themed musical, Pan Asian Rep’s production of “Imelda”  is presented in Association with East West Players who produced the Los Angeles premiere in 2005. For tickets, call Telecharge.com (212) 239-6200 or visit www.panasianrep.org.  

 Meanwhile in Manila, the government-run Cultural Centre of the Philippines held a special "gala tribute" for former first lady Imelda Marcos on Friday, despite angry protests that she should not be honored. Marcos, widow of deposed dictator Ferdinand Marcos, arrived for the opening of the gala in a maroon gown with ruby jewelry but she left soon afterwards for a family gathering.

But while she was there, she expressed gratitude to the organizers for holding the evening gala that was intended to pay tribute to her for founding the centre in 1969.

As well as this week marking 40 years since the centre's opening, the gala coincides with Friday being her late husband's 92nd birthday.

About a dozen activists picketed the event, saying it is intended to whitewash the image of the Marcos family and government funds should not be used to honor them.

The protesters waved placards saying "Justice for the victims of the Marcos conjugal dictatorship" but failed to disrupt the proceedings.

Cultural Centre trustee Nestor Jardin defended the tribute, entitled "Seven Arts, One Imelda".

"This event should not be looked upon politically. This is purely a tribute to a founding chairman who built the CCP and as part of our culture, we have to look back and thank people who deserve to be thanked," Jardin said.

"She may have been part of the dictatorship but, as a founding chairman of the Cultural Centre of the Philippines, she allowed many artists to have theopportunity to train and be exposed.

"We cannot ignore Mrs. Marcos. It will not be right to do so." Then-president Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law in 1972 and ruled the country as a virtual dictator with his wife serving as a chief aide, carrying out many extravagant projects. – With AFP