Dear theater fans, the show marathon that was the month of June may have had our hearts filled to the brim with great stories, but there’s still more to come. Much-loved and long-awaited Broadway hits are finally hitting our local stages soon, and there’s a number of great original Filipino work running this July until September, too.
Keep your weekends booked with these shows!
Jump to each month below:
July
Ang Huling El Bimbo
Until July 23
Full House Theater Company
Newport Performing Arts Theater, Pasay
The Eraserheads jukebox musical has set their closing date, and there are absolutely no more extensions. Catch the nostalgic tale of love and friendship earned and lost until July 23.
[READ: Nostalgia made me watch AHEB thrice this year. Here are other reasons you might want to see it]
Sandbox Fest 2023: Lungs and Every Brilliant Thing
Until July 15
The Sandbox Collective
Maybank Performing Arts Theater, BGC, Taguig
Two incredibly intimate plays that tackle the complexities of relationships, human life, and mental health. Aside from the original English plays, Sandbox Fest will also feature a Filipino translation of “Every Brilliant Thing” starring Jon Santos this July.
[READ: ‘Lungs’ and ‘Every Brilliant Thing’ create a safe space for important and intimate conversations]
August
The Reconciliation Dinner
August 5 to 20
PETA Theater, Quezon City
Can we really reconcile and mend friendships frayed by politics? “The Reconciliation Dinner” unearths all the emotions and sentiments we’ve had over the past elections, and asks the important questions, particularly: “One year later, are we happy with how the country is going? Are we happy with our choices?”
tick, tick… BOOM!
August 5 to September 3
9Works Theatrical
RCBC Theater, Makati
The semi-autobiographical musical by “Rent” creator Jonathan Larson is back on the Philippine stage. “Tick, tick… Boom!” follows the story of Jon, an aspiring composer rethinking his decision to pursue his musical theater dreams as he also faces a turning point in his life: his thirtieth birthday.
[READ: On turning thirty and coming of age through ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’]
September
Uncle Jane
September 2, 3, 8, 10
Company of Actors in Streamlined Theatre (C.A.S.T.)
The Mirror Studio, Makati
C.A.S.T.’s “Uncle Jane,” an adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s “Uncle Vanya,” will also be having a rerun this September. The show, which enjoyed sold-out performances in February, will once again feature the same cast members, and will also include a few tweaks and updates to the material.
Rama, Hari
September 15 and 16 (Metropolitan Theater, Manila)
September 22 and 23 (Samsung Performing Arts Theater, Makati)
The Sanskrit epic Ramayana is turned into a Filipino modern rock opera ballet through a collaboration of National Artists Alice Reyes, Ryan Cayabyab, Salvador Bernal, Bienvenido Lumbera, and Rolando Tinio. Among the cast are Gian Magdangal, Arman Ferrer, Vien King, Karylle Tatlonghari, Shiela Valderrama-Martinez, Poppert Bernadas, Audie Gemora, Miah Canton, Raflesia Bravo, Katrine Sunga, Paw Castillo, and Jon Abella.
Bawat Bonggang Bagay
September 15 to 24
The Sandbox Collective
Zobel de Ayala Recital Hall, Maybank Performing Arts Theater, BGC
Following the sold-out run of Sandbox Fest, which concluded last July, The Sandbox Collective is bringing back “Bawat Bonggang Bagay,” the Filipino translation of Duncan Macmillan’s “Every Brilliant Thing.”
Starring acclaimed actor, impersonator, and comedy icon Jon Santos, “Bawat Bonggang Bagay” takes audiences on an interactive narrative and discussion on mental health, told through a Filipino and queer lens. Expect lots of laughs and tears.
Snow White and the Prince
September 16 to December 17
Repertory Philippines
Onstage Theater, Greenbelt 1, Makati
Repertory Philippines is finally putting on the production of “Snow White and the Prince” for their Repertory Theater for Young Audiences. The classic tale was originally slated for their 2020 season. Among the upcoming production’s cast are Jillian Ita-as, Kiara Dario, MC Dela Cruz, Rapah Manalo, Neo Rivera, Carla Guevara Laforteza, and more.
Hamilton
September 17 to November 26
GMG Productions
The Theatre at Solaire, Parañaque
The award-winning historical rap musical on one of America’s forgotten founding fathers is finally making its way to Philippine shores this September. The musical will be making its Manila stop from September to November. It will feature an international touring cast. Rachelle Ann Go, who played Eliza Schuyler in the West End run, will also be reprising her role.
The Last Five Years
September 29 to October
Barefoot Theatre Collaborative
Power Mac Center Spotlight Black Box Theater, Circuit Makati
Barefoot Theatre Collaborative—hot off the heels of “Pride Plays”—just announced that they will be staging Jason Robert Brown’s hit musical “The Last Five Years,” headlined by husband-wife tandem Gab Pangilinan and Myke Salomon. The show is set to open on Sept. 29.
Anak Datu
September 29 to October 15
Tanghalang Pilipino
Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box)
Winner of the 13th Gawad Buhay Awards for Outstanding Play, Tanghalang Pilipino’s “Anak Datu” will be restaged this September. The play is adapted from the short story written by National Artist for Visual Arts Abdulari Imao.
[READ: ‘Anak Datu’ is a brave telling of the crucial stories of Muslim Mindanao]