Lea Salonga and Dolly de Leon to Headline the Limited Run of Request sa Radyo
During the preview run of Bawat Bonggang Bagay at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater (SPAT) last Friday night, June 21, SPAT Managing Director Chris Mohnani hinted that something big is coming to the theater at Circuit Makati. We find out later that it's the local staging of German playwright Franz Xaver Kroetz's Wunschkonzert (Request Concert/Request Program), starring no other than Tony and Olivier Award-winning artist Lea Salonga and Golden Globe and BAFTA nominee Dolly De Leon.
Request sa Radyo is a "strictly limited engagement" with 20 performances running from October 10 to 20. De Leon and Salonga are set to alternate for the one-woman show.
About Franz Xaver Kroetz's Wunschkonzert (Request Concert/Request Program)
Franz Xaver Kroetz's Request Concert/Request Program is a haunting and poignant exploration of solitude and the human condition. This silent monodrama, which was written in 1971, delves into the mundane yet deeply affecting life of Fraulein Rasch, a 45-year-old woman living alone in a meticulously tidy apartment. For 70 minutes (without intermission), the audience is invited to witness her evening rituals, devoid of any spoken words, transforming the ordinary into a mesmerizing theatrical experience.
The play begins with Fraulein Rasch returning from her job at a stationery factory. Her actions are deliberate and precise—she puts away her groceries, fixes her appearance, and prepares a solitary meal. The radio program "As You Wish" serves as her only companion, its host reading letters and playing songs for listeners, creating a stark contrast to her own lonely existence. The radio host, though never seen, becomes a silent partner in her life, emphasizing her isolation.
"When I was asked by Clint and Bobby if I was interested at all in this project, an experience that told a probable and possible story that absolutely applies to our people, I said sure, even before knowing the details. It will be a challenge though, but hopefully will lend a figurative voice to those who are suffering," Salonga said in a press release.
Dolly de Leon graced the cover of Esquire Philippines in January 2023
"I’m so looking forward to coming back to my first love, the theatre after five long years and I am equally excited that it is in Request Sa Radyo–a play that is relevant and timely," De Leon added.
Not much has been revealed about Request sa Radyo's run at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, but those interested can already sign up for the ticket waitlist through Request sa Radyo's website.
Request sa Radyo is produced by Clint Ramos, Bobby Garcia, Christopher Mohnani for Ayala Land, and GMG Productions.
In a joint statement, the producers said, "We are thrilled to bring this groundbreaking piece of art to life in Manila. Blurring the line between theater and performance art, Franz Xaver Kroetz’s wordless play speaks to the silent struggles of isolation and the deep human need for connection. Through its minimalist approach and profound storytelling, grounded in a specific Filipino lived experience, this production invites audiences to find extraordinary meaning in the everyday. Featuring Tony and Olivier winner Lea Salonga and Golden Globe and BAFTA Nominee Dolly De Leon, two of the most internationally celebrated actors of their generation, Request Sa Radyo is the can’t-miss event in international theatre in 2024."
Check out this staging of Request Concert at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in 2016:
UPDATED (June 25, 8 a.m.): This article has been edited to include press statements.
