Three Hares / Access Theater 2019 — On This Side of the World

WORKSHOP PRODUCTION: ACCESS THEATER 2019

On May 2, 2019, Three Hares opened a workshop production of ON THIS SIDE OF THE WORLD at Access Theater in Downtown Manhattan. The show ran for 12 sold-out performances over two weeks.

The workshop production was supported by a Cultural Engagement grant from the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, as well as donors to a crowdfunding campaign that exceeded its goal within two weeks of launch.

Click here to view the production’s souvenir program. Scroll down to view the production gallery, press coverage, cast and creative team.

GALLERY

Balikbayan-box-themed artwork for the show

"From A Letter Written Somewhere Over the Pacific, Between Hawaii and California"

PRESS HIGHLIGHTS

REVIEW: “BEST BET! On This Side of the World may play best with immigrant audiences, but the themes of separation, love, and perseverance are relatable even to those who have never set foot outside of their home country. Tiról’s song cycle underscores how each experience is wholly unique, so that each song begins to feel like a love letter to an individual American dream. Audiences won’t be able to stop cheering (when they’re not weeping) for this ambitious underdog of a show.”— Maria Paz Alegre in Theatre is Easy, May 12, 2019

REVIEW: “On This Side of the World is at once delightfully simple and unspeakably complex in what it accomplishes and aspires to. If taste and justice prevail, it should well prove itself to be a seminal work in the ever-developing story of the American musical.”
— Matthew Blank in OnStage Blog, May 18, 2019

REVIEW: “On This Side of the World explores the transgenerational Filipino immigrant experience in the United States through song — and what songs they are! Through the talents of Composer/Lyricist Paulo K Tiról, each of the show’s 17 numbers is an award-worthy performance in itself. That said, the sum of the show’s parts is no less than extraordinary... On This Side of the World may be Tiról’s love letter to the Filipino community, but the show’s universal themes will be related to and appreciated by all. You’ll cry, you’ll laugh, you’ll want to sing along." — Jed Ryan in Lavender After Dark, May 7, 2019

REVIEW: “On This Side of the World, now playing at Access Theatre, has a cast that would make any production green with envy. From song to song they deliver both a technical high gloss and a go for broke sincerity. They perform with the conviction of actors who know that what they’re undertaking is important and, indeed, it is. What is offered by this hour and a half long song cycle is a rare ground floor view of the lives of the Filipino community.
— Wesley Doucette in BroadwayWorld, May 24, 2019

FEATURE. “Paulo Tirol’s ‘On This Side of the World’: From a school project to a full musical experience." Momar Visaya in Asian Journal, May 10, 2019.

FEATURE. "New Musical Captures Filipino Experience in the US." Walter Ang in Inquirer.Net, April 26, 2019.