What’s in store for Manila theater in 2020?
Twelve new musicals (from revivals of Trumpets’ “Joseph the Dreamer” and Black Box Productions’ “Dekada ’70,” to the Philippine premieres of the Gloria Estefan jukebox musical “On Your Feet!” and the Tony Award-winning “The Band’s Visit”) and 10 straight plays (from reruns of Tanghalang Pilipino’s “Katsuri” and Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas’ (Dulaang UP) “Nana Rosa,” to university productions of Malou Jacob’s “Macli-ing” and Caryl Churchill’s “Top Girls”)—and that’s not including the yet-to-be-announced slate of new one-act plays for Virgin Labfest 16.
We’re counting, of course, only the companies and productions that have officially announced their offerings for the year.
Tomorrow, Jan. 12, the theater calendar officially begins with the first set of dramatic readings by the Company of Actors in Streamlined Theatre (CAST), to be held at Pineapple Lab, Makati City. After that, we already have 24 other productions to look forward to. Here’s the updated list:
1. “When Music Plays”: Staged Readings (CAST)
Jan. 12, 19 and 26, Feb. 2 at Pineapple Lab, Poblacion, Makati City.
Two performances per date: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tel. 0915-3167365
2. “The Quest for the Adarna” (Repertory Philippines)
Until Jan. 26 at Onstage Theater, Greenbelt 1, Makati City.
ticketworld.com.ph
3. “Ang Pinakamakisig sa Mga Nalunod sa Buong Daigdig” (Boxstage Manila/FEU Theater Guild)
Feb. 5-15 at PCC Center Studio, Far Eastern University Manila.
Tel. Primo at 0917-1605300, Tuks at 0999-1525176; bit.ly/ExperienceEsteban
4. “Stage Kiss” (Repertory Philippines)
Feb. 7-March 1 at Onstage Theater, Greenbelt 1, Makati City.
ticketworld.com.ph
5. “Under My Skin” (Peta)
Feb. 7-March 22 at Peta Theater Center, Quezon City.
ticketworld.com.ph or ticket2me.net
6. “Joseph the Dreamer” (Trumpets)
Feb. 21-March 6 at Maybank Performing Arts Theater, Bonifacio Global City.
7. “Dekada ’70” (Black Box Productions)
Feb. 21-March 8 at Doreen Black Box, Areté, Ateneo de Manila University.
ticket2me.net; visit the Facebook page for a list of show buyers
8. “Batang Mujahideen” (Tanghalang Pilipino)
Feb. 21-March 8 at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino, Cultural Center of the Philippines.
ticketworld.com.ph
9. “Nana Rosa” (Dulaang UP)
Feb. 27-March 22 at Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, Palma Hall, University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman.
Tel. Nico at 0917-5198879
10. “Matilda, The Musical” (GMG Productions)
March 5-15 at The Theatre at Solaire, Pasay City.
ticketworld.com.ph
11. “Next to Normal” (Ateneo Blue Repertory)
March 6-22 at Ateneo de Manila University.
Tel. Belle at 0939-4020071
12. “The Band’s Visit” (Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group)
March 13-29 at Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City.
ticketworld.com.ph
13. “Anna in the Tropics” (Repertory Philippines)
March 13-April 5 at Onstage Theater, Greenbelt 1, Makati City.
ticketworld.com.ph
14. “The Summer Solstice” (UP Dulaang Laboratoryo)
March at UP Diliman.
15. “Macli-ing” (Ateneo Entablado)
March at Ateneo de Manila University.
16. “Top Girls” (Tanghalang Ateneo)
April at Ateneo de Manila University.
17. “Carousel” (Repertory Philippines)
May 1-24 at Onstage Theater, Greenbelt 1, Makati City.
ticketworld.com.ph
18. Virgin Labfest 16
June 10-28 at Cultural Center of the Philippines.
19. “Oliver!” (Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group)
June 19-July 19, venue unannounced.
20. “Bongga Ka ’Day” (Full House Theater Company)
June at Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila.
21. “Maxie the Musicale” (Bit by Bit Company)
July at Hyundai Hall, Areté, Ateneo de Manila University.
22. “Lam-ang” (Tanghalang Pilipino)
August at Cultural Center of the Philippines.
23. “Snow White and the Prince” (Repertory Philippines)
Sept. 12-Jan. 31, 2021, at Onstage Theater, Greenbelt 1, Makati City.
24. “Katsuri” (Tanghalang Pilipino)
October at Cultural Center of the Philippines.
25. “On Your Feet!” (Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group)
November, venue unannounced.
