The curtains are all the way up! Live performances are alive in the Philippines, and here are some musicals to get you started with the art of theater—starring our very own Filipino talents.
RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Miss Saigon Cast on Coming Home and Why Filipinos Will Always Relate to the Musical
When Filipino artistry takes the stage, riveting performances, striking sets, and captivating stories enthrall even the least of fans—but leave the theater wanting more. After the success of Hamilton and Ang Huling El Bimbo’s Manila legs, here are some others—local and international—starring Filipino cast members that capture the dynamic quality of this form of entertainment and are the lifeblood of Manila’s thriving theater scene.
1. Rent
Get ready for the seasons of love. Local theater company 9 Works Theatrical takes the reins for the rock musical Rent by Jonathan Larson. This award-winning show follows a group of friends struggling to survive in Manhattan under the shadows of poverty, love, the AIDS epidemic, and—well—rent. This musical gets a whole touch of Filipino blood featuring theater artists such as Anthony Rosaldo, Molly Langley, Thea Astley, Ian Pangilinan, Reb Atadero, Justine Peña, and Jasmine Fitzgerald among others.
Rent will run from April 20 to May 24 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, Makati. Tickets are still available through Ticket2Me.
2. Pingkian: Isang Musikal
After running since March 1, Pingkian: Isang Musikal announced two more final shows this April 12 at the GSIS Theater. Tickets are available through Ticketworld or through the Google Forms for the 3:00 PM and 8:00 PM show. Watch the full-length musical depicting the life of one of the most revered katipuneros, Emilio Jacinto. Written for the stage by acclaimed playwrite Juan Ekis, the musical spotlights Vic Robinson as Emilio Jacinto and Gab Pangilinan as Catalina de Jesus. Other cast members include Bituin Escalante, Kakki Teodoro, Paw Castillo, among others.
3. Miss Saigon
The heat from Saigon brings itself to Manila under the direction of Cameron Mackintosh. The critically acclaimed musical that tells the timeless story of Kim and the war-torn city of then-Saigon, that launched Lea Salonga to international stardom is now in the Philippines, continuing until May 5. The musical stars Filipino-Australians Abigail Adriano, Seann Miley-Moore, and Filipina P-Pop star Kiara Dario. Some tickets are still available at Ticketworld.
4. Bar Boys: A New Musical
A film-to-stage adaptation from Barefoot Theatre Collaborative brings you Kip Oebanda’s Bar Boys, set to take the stage this May 2024. Bar Boys revolves around four friends in their journey to become defenders of justice—what it takes and how far are they willing to get there. Pat Valera will be directing alongside Mikko Angeles; Myke Solomon will be debuting his original music. Leading the cast as the titular bar boys are Alex Diaz as Chris, Benedix Ramos as Erik, Jerom Canlas as Torran, and Omar Uddin as Josh. The musical will be staged for three weeks only from May 3 to 19 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater, Circuit Makati. Tickets may be purchased through Ticket2Me.
5. Othello
Coming to you in October, included in CAST PH’s lineup is Nelsito Gomez breathing new life into William Shakespeare’s Othello. Gomez sets the tone of the renowned tragedy and brings it to the Philippine stage with his own touch on the themes of jealousy, betrayal, and manipulation. The show stars Tarek El Tayech as Othello, Gab Pangilinan as Desdemona, Maronne Cruz as Emilia, and Reb Atadero as Iago. Some other cast members include Davy Narciso, Rafael Jimenez, and Dippy Arceo. Show dates and other details are yet to be announced.
Photos and Featured Image: 9 WORKS THEATRICAL, TANGHALANG PILIPINO, MISS SAIGON INTERNATIONAL TOUR, BAREFOOT THEATRE COLLABORATIVE, CAST PH (Via Instagram)
