DEBUT

A Filipino Debut, Reimagined—And Coming Home to Rizal Center

CHICAGO —

CIRCA Pintig presents Debut: Coming of Age in Filipino America, a new one-act comedy by Nate Cozens, directed by RJ Silva. A Filipino drag queen approaching 30 throws himself a traditional debut party—and discovers that family love may prove more transformative than a perfect celebration. The production plays 11 performances at Filament Theatre, Bughouse Theater and the Rizal Center from November 5 through December 4, 2026.

Jomar, a 29-year-old drag performer at a crossroads, reclaims the debut—a Filipino celebration traditionally marking a young woman’s 18th birthday—as his own fresh start. His family rallies around his elaborate plans, but as the party venue falls through and the lechon never materializes, the celebration takes on another meaning. The result is an affectionate, flamboyant look at queer identity, generational expectations, family and belonging.

Playwright Nate Cozens drew on his experience of turning 30: “If anything, I felt like I was just getting started.” For director RJ Silva, Jomar’s story suggests that “at any age, we can always find ourselves and find our
home.” Lead actor AJ Lingad describes telling queer Asian stories as central to his practice: “It has always been my mission as an artist to tell stories that represent the queer/asian community.”

The cast features AJ Lingad (Jomar), Stephanie Fongheiser (Ysabel), Ginger Leopoldo (Gloria), Larry Leopoldo (Regino), Nina Mae Vidal Howard (Lola Corazon), and Steven Cristi (Zack), with understudies Rich Adrian Lazatin, Mari Joy, and Jill Raz. The stage manager and technical director is Alishiana Uyao; production designers are Noel Henry and Larry Leopoldo, with sound design by Mikael Silan and costume design by Emma Li.

The Rizal Center has long been a place for Filipino Americans to gather, celebrate, tell stories, and pass along traditions. That spirit comes to the stage this December when CIRCA Pintig brings Debut: Coming of Age in
Filipino America to the Center for two final performances. Its December 4 gala, including dinner, is an invitation to celebrate community while enjoying an exuberant story about family, identity, and belonging.

Larry Leopoldo, Ginger Leopoldo, Stephanie Fongheiser, AJ Lingad, and Steven Cristi in Debut, photography by Ty Yamamoto

BRING THE CELEBRATION HOME

For the Rizal Center community, Debut offers more than an evening of theater. Its questions—how families support one another across generations, how traditions adapt, and what it means to feel at home—echo the
Center’s commitment to cultural preservation, inclusive community-building, and connection. In the spirit of bayanihan, the December performances invite friends, families, neighbors, and first-time visitors to gather at a place that has become a home away from home for so many Filipino Americans.

Come for the laughter and the Filipino party energy; stay for the conversations that a shared story can begin.
The December 4 gala also offers an opportunity to celebrate CIRCA Pintig’s season with dinner. For other Rizal Center cultural programs, volunteer opportunities, and community events, visit rizalcenter.org.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS

RIZAL CENTER
1332 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago, IL 60613
Thu, December 3
7:30 PM — Rizal Center performance
Fri, December 4
7:30 PM — Season gala; $50 including dinner
FILAMENT THEATRE
4041 N. Milwaukee Ave. | Nov. 5–9
BUGHOUSE THEATER
1910 W. Irving Park Rd. | Nov. 12–14
TICKETS & UPDATES: circapintig.org/productions/debut/