I was bummed that I didn’t get to see Pingkian, Tanghalang Pilipino’s glowingly reviewed original musical based on the writings of Emilio Jacinto. I wanted to write about it here. But while I was nursing my broken heart for not catching the show and praying for a rerun, I remembered that there are so many good things happening right now in the theater community that I’d love to talk about, too.

Theatermakers and actors were some of the most affected when the pandemic hit four years ago. After all, their art form relies heavily on contact and community, a live exchange of energy between audience and performer. But I guess nothing fuels passion for the craft more like having been disallowed to practice it, because now, after regaining momentum over the past couple of years, Philippine theater has never been so alive!

And the diversity of options the audiences have? Incredible. From university-based staging of a beloved Filipino play to adaptations of beloved materials, from a smash Broadway show to jukebox and original musicals, our theater scene has got it for you.

Rent

9 Works Theatrical’s production of the iconic Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway show loosely based on Puccini’s La Bohème will be opening soon. Set in the late 80’s to the early 90’s, it follows the struggles of young New Yorkers in love and life amidst the AIDS crisis.

Buy tickets here.

Book, Music, Lyrics: Jonathan Larson
Director: Robbie Guevara
Dates: April 19 to June 1
Venue: Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza
Production: 9 Works Theatrical

Kung Paano Nanalo sa Karera si Rosang Taba

I was able to catch Rosang Taba when it opened Dulaang UP’s 45th season last year and actress Kiki Baento is incredible as the woman who defied the odds and ultimately changed the course of history. Now, this adaptation of Dean Francis Alfar’s Palanca Award-winning children’s story is back with a promise of being new and improved! Be sure to catch her this time! 

Buy tickets here.

Writers: Rodolfo Vera and Meynard Manansala, based on a children’s story by Dean Francis Alfar
Director: José Estrella, Issa Manalo Lopez, Mark Daniel Dalacat
Dates: April 19 to May 5
Venue: IBG-KAL Theater, UP Diliman
Production: Dulaang UP 

Dalaga

When choosing university-based productions to watch, we tend to gravitate towards the usual suspects, UP or Ateneo. But MINT College’s MINTeatro is up to something intriguing: a stage adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel Little Women. If you need another dose of the March sisters again, this could be your chance!

Buy your tickets here.

Writer: Dippy Arceo, Rafael Jimenez, adapted from the novel by Louisa May Alcott
Director: Giselle Giorgia
Dates: May 3 to 11
Venue: Playhouse, MINT, 2F, CIP Building, McKinley Hill
Production: MINTeatro

Anatomiya ng Pag-ibig

This Allan Lopez favorite has got to be one of the most beloved plays to have ever come out of Virgin Labfest. It’s been staged several times in the last two decades and even got a film adaptation. If you haven’t seen this collage of twelve stories about love yet, don’t miss it this time. 

Buy your tickets here.

Writer: Allan Lopez
Director: Jojo Malasig
Dates: May 17 to 18
Venue: FEU Auditorium
Production: BoxStage Manila

Buruguduystunstugudunstuy

It was bound to happen, I thought. Titled after Parokya ni Edgar’s hit sophomore album, this jukebox musical featuring the songbook of the nation’s favorite band tells the story of four women and their journey towards “self-discovery, resilience, and unbreakable bonds.”

Buy tickets here.

Music: Parokya ni Edgar
Book: Rodolfo Vera
Musical Director: Ejay Yatco
Director: Dexter Santos
Dates: April 26 to June 8
Venue: Newport Performing Arts Theater
Production: Full House Theater Company

One More Chance: The Musical

Cathy Garcia-Molina’s masterpiece was an instant classic when it came out in 2006. No band today has captured the hearts of the Filipino music lover quite like Ben&Ben. Pair these two together and it’s a merging of two generations of Filipinos who love romance and know about heartbreak. I don’t think I even need to try to sell this, honestly! You probably already have a ticket!

Buy tickets here.

Music and Lyrics: Ben&Ben
Book: Michelle Ngu-Nario
Director: Maribel Legarda
Assistant Director and Dramaturg: J-mee Katanyag
Dates: April 12 to June 16
Venue: PETA Theater Center

Bar Boys The Musical

The beloved Kip Oebanda 2017 film gets a theatrical adaptation, too! Helmed for the stage by Pat Valera (Mula sa Buwan, Dekada ‘70), Bar Boys is about four men pursuing their dreams of becoming a lawyer while navigating individual challenges as adults, with music by Myke Salomon.   

Buy tickets here.

Book: Pat Valera
Music: Myke Salomon
Director: Mikko Angeles and Pat Valera
Dates: May 3 to 19
Venue: Power Mac Center Spotlight Black Box Theater, Circuit Makati
Production: Barefoot Theatre Collaborative 

Grace

In the late 1940’s, Sister Teresita Castillo claimed that the Virgin Mary appeared before her and ushered in documented miracles of healing and donations from the faithful to build what is now the famous pilgrimage site in Lipa, Batangas. In 1951, however, these miracles and apparitions were alleged to be demonic in nature and Sister Castillo was asked to leave her life as a nun.

These real events inspired prolific playwright Floy Quintos’ new play, and with a powerhouse cast that includes Stella Cañete-Mendoza, Shamaine Buencamino, Frances Makil-Ignacio, Missy Maramara and many more, this is not to be missed.

Buy tickets here.

Writer: Floy Quintos
Director: Dexter M. Santos
Dates: May 25 to June 16
Venue: Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater, Circuit Makati

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