I am a firm believer in serendipity. For me, life has been a series of happy coincidences, with things falling into place in ways I never thought possible. Everything from getting into theatre to coming to Singapore has been a product of serendipity.

And so it is with this Singapore staging of All I Want. Despite two successful stagings in Manila in 2008, not to mention a short film version, I never really thought about putting it up here. I never even dreamed of directing my own work (I made a conscious decision back then that I wouldn’t direct my own plays). But things have a funny way of falling into place. By some twist of fate, I picked up a copy of MyPaper one morning (something I don’t do very often), which happened to have an article about the SPORE Art Salon. I sent an email indicating that I was interested in staging All I Want at a future Art Salon, and the rest, as they say, is history.

This project has been a godsend for all involved. It brought together people who were frustrated creatively, who haven’t been involved in anything theatrical or creative in a long time. The opportunity to explore, direct, perform, and even memorize lines was a welcome blessing for all of us. For that, much love and thanks go out to Ryan Daniel Beck for bringing the Art Salon to Singapore. A million thanks as well goes to the SPORE crew here in Singapore – Olivia, Wendell, Kitty, and everyone else behind the scenes – for giving this little one-act romantic comedy a shot.

“The most fun moments are the unplanned ones,” says Vince at the end of the play, and it certainly describes the experience of putting up the show. I had a blast working with my talented actors, Jason Miller and Crista Leopardi. I am grateful for the time and energy that they spent on this little production, not to mention the feedback and input that they provided during the rehearsal process. We strove to keep the atmosphere light, especially considering this was an unpaid side project, and I think that sense of fun was nothing but good for the show.

The experience would not be complete without a couple of aces up my sleeve. Thank you Ace Bigcas for being our Stage Manager on such short notice, and helping us promote the show all over USS. Thank you Ace Patrick Dequina for the gorgeous photography and the amazing poster that has made my friends from back home even more jealous that they can’t see the show.

Thanks to everyone who has showed their support in one way or another, both here in Singapore and back home in the Philippines. It means a lot to me and my crew that you’re all supporting not just our effort, but the arts as a whole.

I hope you enjoy the show!

Photography by Ace Patrick Dequina.

“What are you looking for in a partner?” Watch Vince and Amy try to answer this age-old question that has plagued single people all over the world in the charming romantic comedy ALL I WANT. A lighthearted romp through the perils of singledom and the quest to find The One, this one-act play is written and directed by playwright Ren Robles. ALL I WANT stars Jason Miller as Vince and Crista Leopardi as Amy, two old friends who stumble, bumble, and fumble their way to finding out just what they’re looking for.

ALL I WANT in Singapore runs for one night only on 29 August 2011, Monday, as part of SPORE Art Salon.

REN ROBLES (Playwright and Director) finished with a degree in Psychology but pursues his passions in theatre as a veteran of Repertory Philippines Children’s Theatre as well as the Asian premiere of the stage version of HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL directed by Chari Arespacochaga for Ateneo Blue Repertory in Manila.

JASON MILLER (Vince; Ba. Musical Theatre at CQUniversity) has played Lennox and understudy for Banquo and Malcolm in MACBETH: THE CONTEMPORARY ROCK OPERA (2009), directed by Beth Child at Cremorne Theatre, QPAC.

CRISTA LEOPARDI (Amy; BS in Dance Management) is mostly a dancer but proudly credits roles in CHILDREN OF EDEN (Ensemble), BEND (an Original staging), and ANNIE GET YOUR GUN (Winnie).

ACE BIGCAS is Stage Manager for this production.

Bwahahahahahaha.

Bonus points if you got the joke without seeing the Addenda.

This is what I’d been busying myself with the past few months. Here are a few highlights from All I Want, a one-act romantic comedy which I wrote. The show starred Pol Doble and Sab Jose, and was directed by Joy Alano.

The play has also been turned into a digital short film by theater director Robbie Guevara, starring the same people. You can check it out at http://gallery.mac.com/roguedmg .