Esteban Mara Plays Dodong in Zsazsa Zaturnnah
Esteban Mara will play Dodong, Ada's love interest, in Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze Parteeeh!, the Filipino musical's 20th-anniversary staging. The Wishbone Collective production is scheduled to open in April 2027, with Chris Millado returning as director.
Millado, who directed the original 2006 production of Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze Muzikal, has a specific brief for Dodong. The man can turn heads. He just shouldn't look as though he knows it.
Dodong's charm comes with a condition
Asked what makes Mara a fit for the role, Millado offers a concise list: "Disarming smile, swoony charm, croony voice. And abs."
Millado adds that Dodong should possess those qualities without realizing how charming he is.
Mara is drawn to Dodong's character as much as his romantic appeal. He describes him as hardworking and courageous, with an uncomplicated acceptance of love. Those are qualities he admires personally, and he says he wants to approach the role with care and sincerity.
From Dulaang UP to Dodong
Mara began his acting career with Dulaang UP in 2017, taking the title role in Bagong Cristo. His theater credits include Dekada '70 and Love on the Brain at Virgin Labfest. Unsaulicited readers may also recognize him from the cast of the 2026 stage adaptation of ENDO.
On screen, he has appeared in the Cinemalaya film Padamlagan and Puregold's BL series Got My Eyes on You.
A full-scale musical is something Mara says he has long wanted to do. He has already started taking voice lessons for the production and has previously watched Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze Muzikal. Dodong now brings him into a show he first encountered from the audience.
Love, with a few unusual obstacles
Millado connects the musical's continuing appeal to friendship, belonging and the pursuit of love, particularly when self-doubt and discrimination get in the way. Its exaggerated characters give the actors room to play, though he also describes them as challenging to perform.
His summary of what he hopes the anniversary staging will leave with audiences keeps the show's absurdity intact: "Love wins. You just need to defeat a giant frog and English-speaking aliens."
Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze Parteeeh! is scheduled to open in April 2027. The October 13, 2026 casting announcement does not include exact performance dates, ticket prices or booking details. Further cast announcements are still to follow.