Play ‘Mga Gerilya sa Powell Street’ to open in San Francisco in July

PHOTOS BY BINDLESTIFF STUDIO

SAN FRANCISCO, California – The English-language world premiere of playwright Rody Vera’s “Mga Gerilya sa Powell Street” (The Guerrillas of Powell Street) opens July 12 (through August 2) at Bindlestiff Studio.

Based on the award-winning novel of the same title by former San Francisco Chronicle reporter and current INQUIRER.net columnist Benjamin Pimentel, the play dramatizes the lives of a group of elderly Filipino World War II veterans as they wait for the full military benefits promised to them for fighting alongside US troops.

The veterans pass the time near the Powell Street cable car station, reminiscing about women they’ve loved, family members they’ve left behind in the Philippines and memories of war.

As real-life fixtures in SoMa’s large Filipino-American community, the men depicted the novel is based have gradually passed away before receiving full recognition for their service.

“This production is a tribute to their bravery in the face of war and tenacity in the face of indifference, and Bindlestiff Studio, located in the heart of 6th Street, is tremendously honored to stage this long-awaited production,” said the studio in a press statement.

“Mga Gerilya sa Powell Street” shows Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 3 p.m. with a post-show talkback with author Benjamin Pimentel and members of the creative team.

TICKETS

Students/Seniors: $10 Regular: $15 Support the Artist: $20

Purchase tickets online: https://guerrillas.bpt.me/

LOCATION

Bindlestiff Studio

For tickets and more information, call 415-255-0440 or go online https://guerrillas.bpt.me/ Visit: https://www.bindlestiffstudio.org/gps/