We’re on the final stretch of the year and it’s still proving to be as busy as ever. The holiday rush is about to get into full swing, so if you’re looking for more things to do while you’re already out, or thinking of a good gift for your drama-loving friends, here are some shows to check out.
Twenty Questions
Nov. 10 to 19
Theatre Titas
The Mirror Studio, Poblacion, Makati
The iconic Juan Ekis two-hander celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. After a successful run last May, “Twenty Questions,” produced this time by Theatre Titas, is once again returning to the stage this November.
“Twenty Questions” follows two friends, Jigs and Yumi, who are stuck together in a hotel room overnight as a result of their barkada’s annual tradition. They play a game of 20 questions, fielding each other questions that force them to think deeper about love, intimacy, and each other.
Tabing Ilog the Musical
Nov. 10 to Dec. 17
PETA Theater Center, Quezon City
Our favorite barkada drama series of the 2000s gets the theatrical treatment with “Tabing Ilog the Musical.” Expect a tale of teenage friendship, with the intricate issues of family, identity, dreams, and love woven into the mix. The production features a mix of theater veterans and up and coming Star Magic talents.
The Last Five Years
Until Nov. 12
Barefoot Theater Collaborative
Power Mac Center Spotlight Black Box Theater, Circuit Makati
A story of love and loss told in two opposite but intersecting timelines, “The Last Five Years” is having the final extension of their run this November. The hit musical runs until Nov. 12.
[READ: Even with just two actors, ‘The Last Five Years’ delivers a cataclysmically full-hearted show]
Snow White and the Prince
Nov. 11 to Dec. 17
Repertory Philippines
Onstage Theater, Greenbelt 1, Makati
A story fit for the whole family, “Snow White and the Prince” is a retelling of the classic fairytale, made for the stage. This is Repertory Philippines’ final production at the iconic Onstage Theater before Greenbelt 1 closes for renovation.
Prinsipe Bahaghari
Nov. 10 to 19
Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas
Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio Teatro Papet Museo, Teacher’s Village, Quezon City
“Prinsipe Bahaghari” is a Filipino puppet play adapted from the French classic, “The Little Prince.” Much like the original story, it follows a young prince who meets a number of different characters as he searches for a suitable companion to help care for his beloved flower, a Gumamela.
La Boheme
Nov. 11 and 12
Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box Theater), CCP Complex, Pasay
Puccini’s opera, “La Boheme,” produced here by Viva Voce Voice Lab, is getting restaged this month at the CCP Black Box Theater. The story follows the lives of a seamstress and her four artist friends. “La Boheme” was also the opera that inspired Jonathan Larson’s “Rent.”
This staging of “La Boheme” is set in 1960s Paris.
Sandosenang Sapatos
Nov. 17 to Dec. 3
Tanghalang Pilipino
Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box Theater), CCP Complex, Pasay
A heart-wrenching tale of family, love, and magic, “Sandosenang Sapatos” follows the story of Susie, a young girl who wishes to fulfill her shoemaker father’s dream of having a ballerina daughter. The problem is that Susie was born without feet. The musical is based on a short story by medical doctor and children’s book author, Luis P. Gatmaitan.
C.A.S.T. Staged Readings: ‘Tis The Season – In Search of Christmas Spirit
Nov. 20, Nov. 27, and Dec. 4
Company of Actors in Streamlined Theatre (C.A.S.T.)
The Mirror Studio, Poblacion, Makati
The festival of staged readings by C.A.S.T. is back after their pandemic hiatus, this time bringing three plays revolving around “everything we love (and hate) about Christmas.” There will be one play to be performed at each show date.
“As is custom with the C.A.S.T. staged readings, the titles of the plays will not be revealed to encourage audiences to experience all three plays as a thematic whole,” the group says in their social media announcement of the festival.
Hamilton
Until Nov. 26
GMG Productions
The Theatre at Solaire, Parañaque City
The rap musical on America’s founding history continues its Manila run until Nov. 26. This is the production’s first stop in its Asia tour, before heading to Abu Dhabi and then Singapore.
[READ: ‘Hamilton’ is coming to Manila, and we don’t think we can say no to this]