Photo by Saul de Jesus. I went into the Pinocchio press con at Ayala Malls Feliz on August 22 already knowing the story, or at least the version of it most of us carry around in our heads. There is Geppetto, a wooden puppet who wants to become a real boy, a nose that refuses to cooperate with lies, and one bad decision after another until Pinocchio finally learns what becoming "real" is supposed to mean. What I did not expect was to leave thinking less about the puppet and more about the young company Ephesus Teatron Group is putting around her. Brie Mosquito plays Pinocchio when the musical runs October 9 to 11 at the Activity Center of Ayala Malls Feliz in Pasig, and what stood out to me was how present she remained throughout the afternoon. She performed, stayed for the conversation and answered for herself when the microphone reached her while the adults around her listened. Later, Brie stood as the discussion continued. Nobody made a grand point out ...

Production images from the Ambon, Ulan, Baha media release. No photographer credit appears in the available materials. Ambon, Ulan, Baha was already talking about deforestation, flooding, and the cost of unchecked development in the 1970s. Almost 50 years later, it is heading back to the Metropolitan Theater. Frank G. Rivera's ethno-pop-rock zarzuela will be staged at the MET in Manila on September 26 and 27, 2026. CJ Navato and Thea Astley play Nonoy and Inday, with Anton Juan, Rendell Sanchez, Nazer Salcedo, Onyl Torres, Shermaine Santiago, and Sweet Buchanan also in the cast. The 2026 staging is presented by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Metropolitan Theater, and produced by Pixel Art Media Production Co. This is not a newly written environmental story borrowing an old setting. The material itself goes back nearly five decades. The problem at its center never really left. The work started as Kaingin in 1976, part of MSU...

Disney’s Frozen The Broadway Musical will make its Philippine premiere in April 2027 at the Proscenium Theater in Rockwell, Makati. Official logos courtesy of 9 Works Theatrical. Manila theater already has one of its biggest 2027 titles, and we do not even have a cast yet. 9 Works Theatrical is bringing Disney’s Frozen The Broadway Musical to Manila for its Philippine premiere in April 2027 at the Proscenium Theater in Rockwell, Makati. Yes, Manila is going to Arendelle. The musical is based on Disney’s 2013 animated film, with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Filipino-American composer Robert Lopez, and a book by Jennifer Lee. It also arrives with a built-in problem for whoever stages it: almost everyone already knows what Frozen is supposed to look, sound, and feel like. Frozen Manila 2027: what has been announced Production: Disney’s Frozen The Broadway Musical Producer: 9 Works Theatrical Venue: Proscenium Theater, Rockwel...

[MANILA, APRIL 2018]: The sensational feel-good musical MAMMA MIA! makes a triumphant return to Manila and will play at the Theatre at Solaire for a strictly limited season from 29 September as part of the show’s International Tour. Tickets go on sale on 11 April 2018 through Ticketworld. Described as ‘the sunniest of all musicals’ (Sunday Express, UK) and ‘ABBA-solutely fabulous’ (Bristol Post, UK), MAMMA MIA! is Judy Craymer’s ingenious vision of staging the story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs with an enchanting tale of family and friendship unfolding on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father, brings three men from her mother's romantic past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. “The perfect ticket for a feel-good night out!” The Daily Telegraph, UK To date, the smash hit musical has been seen by more than 60 million people in 50 productions in 16 different languages. When...

Cebu’s runaway theatrical hit - the original Bisrock jukebox musical, GUGMANG GIATAY will be holding limited shows in Manila on Sunday, November 26, 4 p.m., during BGC Passionfest, and again from Tuesday, November 28 until Thursday, November 30, 8 p.m. All Manila performances will be at the Globe Auditorium of the Maybank Performing Arts Theater, BGC Arts Center, Taguig. Written by award-winning songwriter Jude Gitamondoc and Internet sensation Rowell “Medyo Maldito” Ucat, GUGMANG GIATAY is your (a)typical romantic comedy, with a good dose of maoy moments, hugot lines, and acerbic Bisaya humor. The musical features landmark Bisaya hit songs, both contemporary and classic, written by such iconic talents as Max Surban, Cattski Espina, Insoy Niñal, Jude Gitamondoc, Medyo Maldito, and Junior Kilat, among others. A small, close-knit neighborhood is #shookt when Inday, a down-to-earth girl, lets slip that all is not well in her relationship with Undo, her long-time musician boyfriend...

Shout it out to the whole Philippines: BROADWAY IS COMING TO MANILA! Renowned Broadway producer, Jhett Tolentino, has just set up Jhett Tolentino Productions Inc. to bring the authentic Broadway experience to the Filipino audience this December 11 and December 17. On its first night, "A Very Broadway Christmas in Manila" will be the first production to be staged in the BGC Arts Center in Taguig. Days later, on December 17, Central Philippine University's Rose Memorial Hall in Iloilo City will house the concert. The concert will feature a mix of holiday tunes, Broadway anthems, and a surprise mix of Original Pilipino Music. Produced and directed by Jhett Tolentino himself and under the musical direction of Ceejay Javier, the repertoire will have fresh arrangements for audiences of all ages to enjoy. Featured in the concert is Broadway's Andrew Keenan-Bolger who was recently Jesse Tuck in Tuck Everlasting, Crutchie in Newsies, in Mary Poppins, Seussical, Beauty a...