It’s time again for Block Party at Center Theatre Group’s Kirk Douglas Theatre. Once again, three shows that might have slipped under the radar for many theatergoers are presented in brief runs at the Culver City venue. This season of Block Party begins with the play Bloodletting. This show will run through April 8th.
Boni B. Alvarez is the playwright and he also appears in Bloodletting. The play tells the story of two siblings who encounter an aswang while in the Philippines to scatter their father’s ashes. An aswang is a monster in Filipino folklore akin to perhaps a vampire, or witch. This encounter forces the brother and sister to come to some pretty stark realizations about their father and themselves.
Also in the cast are Albert Isaac, Myra Cris Ocenar and Anne Yatco. Bloodletting is directed by Jon Lawrence Rivera who headed the world premiere of the play at the Playwrights’ Arena in Los Angeles where he serves as Artistic Director.