Theater in Manila: Exciting Shows to See Onstage This December

(SPOT.ph) After more than two years of hiatus, Philippine theater is now more alive than ever as plays and musicals return to the physical space. Theater companies are slowly (and surely) welcoming back the audience with open arms (and disinfected hands), artists and creatives are all fired up, and tickets are selling out.

Also read: Photography, Comics + More Art Exhibits to Check Out This December

Here are the shows we're excited to see this December in Philippine theater:

Mula sa Buwan

Following a successful 13-show run at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Makati City from August 26 to September 18, Mula sa Buwan returns this December for two weekends only. Real-life couple Myke Salomon and Gab Pangilinan reprise their role as Cyrano and Roxane, while Christian will now be played by MC Dela Cruz (who formerly played the role of Maximo). Mula sa Buwan is based on Edmond Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac and Francisco "Soc" Rodrigo's Filipino translation of the French classic.

Mula sa Buwan runs from December 2 to 4, and from December 9 to 11 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, Hippodrimo Street, Circuit Makati, Makati City. Tickets, which range from P1,000 to P3,400, are available through Ticketworld and the ground floor of Samsung Performing Arts Theater.

Puso ng Pasko

Alice Reyes Dance Philippines' Puso ng Pasko is a full-length, all-Filipino Christmas ballet that serves as an expansion of the 2020 dance film production Tuloy ang Pasko. It is conceptualized by Ronelson Yadao with musical arrangement by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab. Puso ng Pasko features the story of Lolo Val who reminisces about Paskong Pinoy and passes them on to his granddaughter, Angelita. The memories are told in song and dance, which includes beloved scenes of Simbang Gabi, eating bibingka and puto bumbong after the dawn mass, and decorating the plaza with big parols.

Puso ng Pasko runs from December 2 to 4 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Main Theater, CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City. Tickets, priced from P500 to P1,000, are available through Ticketworld.

Turandot

Live opera returns to the Cultural Center of the Philippines with Italian composer Giacomo Puccini's masterpiece, Turandot. It is most famous for the tenor aria "Nessun Dorma." Featured in this production are soprano Lilla Lee as Princess Turandot; tenor Allesandro Liberatore as Prince Calaf; bass Jinsu Lee as Timur, the exiled Tartar King; soprano Rachelle Gerodias as Liu, a young slave; baritone Byeong In Park as Ping, Grand Chancellor; tenor Ivan Nery as Pong, Grand Intendant; tenor Nomher Nival as Emperor Altoum; and baritone Greg De Leon as Mandarino.

Turandot is on December 9 and 11 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Main Theater, CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City. Tickets, priced from P1,500 to P6,000, are available through Ticketworld.

Carousel

Carousel follows the story of carousel barker Billy Bigelow (Gian Magdangal), who falls in love with millworker Julie Jordan (Karylle Tatlonghari). The Repertory Philippines production was originally scheduled to open on May 1, 2020, with the intention of rescheduling in July or August of the same year—which, of course, didn't happen.

Carousel runs until December 18 at Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Pasay City. Tickets, priced from P1,000 to P3,000, are available through the CCP Box Office and Ticketworld.

The Nutcracker

Ballet Philippines marks the holidays with a classic: The Nutcracker. The two-act ballet is adapted from E. T. A. Hoffmann's story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King and Alexandre Dumas' adapted story The Story of a Nutcracker. It follows the story of young girl Maria's magical journey on Christmas Eve.

The Nutcracker runs from December 17 to 18 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Main Theater, CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City. Tickets are available through Ticketworld.

Cinderella

Ballet Manila brings back well-loved fairytale and ballet classic Cinderella. The masterpiece starts with dancers draped in colorful costumes portraying birds, raccoons, frogs, and mice. As the story goes, these little friends of Cinderella are later magically transformed into coachmen, footmen, and white horses—all through an enchanted spell courtesy of the Fairy Godmother. It is a lights show reminiscent of theme park parades, an eye-catching treat that would leave even the kids at heart amazed.

Cinderella runs from December 25 to 30 at Aliw Theater, Vicente Sotto Street, CCP Complex, Pasay City. Tickets, priced from P500 to P800, are available through Ticketworld.