BART GUINGONA (left) and David Bianco lead the cast of Repertory Philippines' latest offering 'Next Fall'.

MANILA, Philippines — Repertory Philippines ushers its 45th year this 2012 with its first production titled “Next Fall”.

Written by playwright Geoffrey Nauffts, “Next Fall” is a very moving story of Luke and Adam, a gay couple agonizing over differences in their religious faiths.

The play portrays the ups and downs of this unlikely couple’s five-year relationship with sharp humor and unflinching honesty. And when an accident changes everything, Adam must turn to Luke’s family and friends for support and answers.

“Next Fall” is a romantic comedy, a tragedy, a family drama, an issue play, and a coming-of-age story. It won the 2010 John Gassner Award for Geoffrey Nauff ts.

In the same year, the play was also nominated for the Drama Desk Awards - Outstanding Play; Tony Awards — Best Play; Outer Critics Circle Awards - Outstanding New Broadway Play.

The cast features noted thespian Bart Guingona as Adam, a commi t ted cynic , atheist and hypochondriac.

As an actor he has essayed roles as varied as Oedipus, Hamlet, Mitch Albom (Tuesdays with Morrie), Charlie Brown. As a director, he is known for his eclectic selection of material: everything f r om the classics (Shakespeare) to the contemporary (Rabe’s Hurlyburly).

David Bianco plays Luke, Adam’s boyfriend, a born-again Christian and aspiring actor. David hails from Michigan and this is his first foray in the local theatre scene.

Liesl Batucan is Holly, Adam’s fag hag best friend, while Niccolo Manahan plays Brandon, Luke’s friend, a property manager. Juno Henares plays Arlene, Luke’s mother, a former wild child who has since settled in to middle aged eccentricity. Juno recently appeared in Moose Murders, Romeo and Bernadette and Jack and the Beanstalk. Miguel Faustmann plays the role of Butch, Luke’s father and Arlene’s ex-husband, a deeply religious man.

Some of Miguel’s theater credits include Equus, The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, The Merchant of Venice, Les Miserables, Man of La Mancha, The Woman in Black, Visiting Mr. Green and Tuesdays with Morrie.

Veteran actor/director Audie Gemora directs the play. Co-presented by the City of Makati, Enderun Colleges and Bellaroca Island Resort and Spa “Next Fall” is ongoing until Feb. 5 with shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and matinee shows on Saturdays and Sundays at 3:30 p.m.

All performances are at Onstage, Greenbelt 1, Makati City. For tickets, inquiries and other information, call Repertory Philippines at 571-6926 or 571-4941 or email info@ repertory.ph. Tickets are also available thru Ticketworld at 891-9999 or www.ticketworld.com.ph.