ONGOING
‘Tao Po,’ BGC Arts Festival, Nov. 26/10:30 a.m., Maybank Performing Arts Center, BGC
“Tao Po,” a monologue play written by Maynard Manansala and performed by Mae Paner, explores in four vignettes—featuring different characters based on real-life Filipino citizens and their stories—the consequences and implications of the government’s war on drugs. Now on tour, the show will have a one-off performance at the Globe Auditorium of BGC’s Maybank Performing Arts Center tomorrow, Nov. 26, 10:30 a.m., as part of the BGC Arts Festival.
Call 8919998 or visit ticketworld.com.ph
‘Gugmang Giatay,’ Nov. 26, 28-30, Maybank Performing Arts Center, BGC
The hit Cebuano “Bisrock” musical comedy, written by Jude Gitamondoc and Rowell “Medyo Maldito” Ucat, features landmark Bisaya hit songs, both contemporary and classic, written by Max Surban, Cattski Espina, Insoy Ninal, Jude Gitamondoc, Medyo Maldito and Junior Kilat, etc. The Manila staging is headlined by award-winning actor Bong Cabrera, and is directed by Edison Jingle Saynes with choreography by Vince Gaton.
Visit www.ticketworld.com.ph
‘Pamantasang Hirang,’ Nov. 23-25, Black Box, DLS-CSB School of Design and Arts
Students of the Arts Management Program Batch 114 of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, School of Design and Arts present Tim Dacanay’s “Pamantasang Hirang (Sa Dilim Man),” directed by Tuxqs Rutaquio—a satirical, one-act play about brotherhood and coercion in a fictional university fraternity. Venue is the Black Box, 6/F, School of Design and Arts Campus, DLS-CSB, Manila.
Call 09293989949, 09069430232.
Dulaang UP’s ‘Bagong Cristo,’ until Dec. 3, Guerrero Theater
Aurelio Tolentino’s 1907 proletarian play that uses the Christ story to highlight the struggles of Filipino workers is given a new staging by Alexander Cortez, in commemoration of the revolutionary playwright’s birth sesquicentennial. Boo Gabunada plays the peasant leader Jesus Gatbiaya; others in the cast include Rica Nepomuceno, Greg de Leon, Niño Mendoza, Gel Basa, Jojo Cayabyab, Randy Villarama and the Dulaang UP Ensemble.
Call 09178239531 or 9261349/9818500 loc. 2449; e-mail dupguevara@gmail.com
Atlantis Theatrical’s ‘Matilda,’ until Dec. 10, Meralco Theater
Playwright Dennis Kelly and composer Tim Minchin’s smash West End and Broadway musical “Matilda,” based on Roald Dahl’s children’s story about a young girl empowered to stand up for herself and her bullied peers, is mounted by Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group under Bobby Garcia’s direction. Esang De Torres, Kyle Napuli and Uma Martin alternate in the lead role, supported by 16 other kids plus Joaquin Valdes, Cris Villonco, Carla Guevara-Laforteza, Jamie Wilson, Nel Gomez, et al.
Call 8919998 or visit ticketworld.com.ph
Repertory Philippines’ ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ until Dec. 14, OnStage Greenbelt 1
Rep’s production of “Beauty and the Beast,” pitched to its young audiences, has been running since August and is set to close Dec. 14. The musical (book by Peter del Valle and John Ahearn, music by Michael Valenti and lyrics by Elsa Rael), which hews more to the original 19th-century French novel than the Disney movie versions, has scenic design by Joey Mendoza and is directed by Joy Virata.
Call 8433570, 8919999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph
Repertory Philippines’ ‘Hair,’ until Dec. 17, OnStage Greenbelt 1
Broadway’s iconic “tribal love-rock musical,” about the free-flowing loves and lives of the hippie counterculture of the late 1960s (book/lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado, music by Galt MacDermot), is directed for Repertory Philippines by Chris Millado, with musical direction by Ejay Yatco. The cast includes Markki Stroem, Topper Fabregas, Caisa Borromeo, George Schulze, Cara Barredo, Maronne Cruz, et al.
Call 8433570, 8919999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.
OPENING
Peta’s ‘Ang Buhay ni Galileo,’ Nov. 29-Dec. 1, Rajah Sulayman Theater, Intramuros
As part of its 50th anniversary celebration, Peta brings back for three nights only one of its landmark productions, “Ang Buhay ni Galileo,” about the maverick life and legacy of Galileo Galilei as retold by German playwright Bertolt Brecht (Filipino translation by Alan Glinoga). First staged in 1981 at Peta’s old home, the open-air Rajah Sulayman Theater in Intramuros, the latest production will make a return to the same stage under Rody Vera’s direction, with Joel Lamangan, the original Galileo, also back to play the role.
Call 8919999 or 09053696003.
Tanghalang Pilipino’s ‘Lukot-lukot, Bilog-bilog,’ Dec. 1-17, CCP Little Theater
Tanghalang Pilipino, the resident theater company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, offers a new Christmas production, “Lukot-lukot, Bilog-bilog,” a comedy about saving money and saving relationships. The play, featuring the TP Actors’ Company, is written by Eljay Castro Deldoc and directed by Abner Delina Jr.
Call 09156072275, 09998843821; or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph
9 Works Theatrical and Globe Live’s ‘A Christmas Carol,’ Dec. 7-27, BGC Globe Iconic Amphitheater
Bidding to make the show a traditional Christmas offering for families and communities nearby, 9 Works Theatrical and Globe Live brings back the Alan Menken-Lynn Ahrens musical version of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” after a successful run last year. Robbie Guevara once again directs, and Miguel Faustmann reprises his role as Scrooge. Also in the cast are Franco Laurel, Noel Rayos, Arman Ferrer and Laurence Mossman, among others. Choreography is by PJ Rebullida.
Visit www.ticketworld.com.ph
UP Dulaang Laboratoryo’s ‘Lam-Ang, Ang Sugo ng Nalbuan,’ Dec. 12-14, Palma Hall Rm. 400, UP Diliman
A musical adaptation of Pedro Bukaneg’s Ilocano epic “Biag ni Lam-Ang,” UP Dulaang Laboratoryo’s “Lam-Ang, Ang Sugo ng Nalbuan” features text and libretto by Jen Darlene Torres, direction by Fitz Edward Bitana and lead performances by Beryl Nae Ong and Yohani Jumalon. The play is free admission.
Call Liza Dalacat, 09260572881.