Theater in Manila: Shows to See Onstage From July to September

(SPOT.ph) The first half of 2023 was busy for theater-goers, especially with back-to-back opening weekends of Walang Aray and Pag-Uusig in February, the gala night of The Sound of Music in March, a long rerun of Ang Huling El Bimbo, and the twin-bill offerings of Pride Plays and Sandbox Fest. But Philippine theater is not taking a break anytime soon as we try to catch more stage plays and musicals all the way until September.

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Here are the stage plays and musicals you can watch in Metro Manila from July to September:

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream gets an all-female rendition through an upcoming production by The Playbook Club. On the director's chair is Nelsito Gomez, while Sarah Facuri serves as associate director. Rounding up the cast are Nikki Bengzon as Oberon/Theseus, Erika Rafael as Titania/Hippolyta, Enna Yap as Bottom, Dippy Arceo as Puck/Philostrate, Barbara Jance as Egeus/Peter Quince, Chez Cuenca as Helena/Snob/Cobweb, Pia Cruz as Hermia/Starveling/Mustardseed, Giselle Georgia as Lysander/Peaseblossom, and Teia Contreras as Demetrius/Flute/Mote.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream runs on July 27 and from July 29 to 30, 7 p.m., at The Mirror Studios, 5/F SJG building, 8463 Kalayaan Avenue, Makati City. Tickets, priced at P350, are available through their Google Form.

Ibalon

Philippine Ballet Theater opens its 37th season with a full-length Filipino ballet titled Ibalon, which takes inspiration from the Bikol epic of the same title. With Ronilo Jaynario leading as artistic director and choreographer, the production promises a reimagination of the love story between Handyong (played by Matthew Davo) and Oryol (Played by Jessa Tangalin) told through original music by Paulo Zarate.

Ibalon runs from July 28 to 29, 8 p.m., at the Samsung Performing Arts Theatre, Circuit Makati, Makati City. Tickets, priced from P350 to P2,500, are available through Ticketworld.

Coppelia

Ballet Philippines jumpstarts its 54th season with Coppelia from 1870. It is a comic ballet that revolves around the story of Professor Coppelius' enigmatic daughter, Coppelia, in a small town. When asked why they're returning to a beloved classic, Ballet Philippines’ President Kathleen Liechtenstein said: "As we dedicate the season to unveiling the power of dance, this performance will be an uplifting and inspiring experience that families can share at the theatre."

Coppelia runs from August 4 to 6 at The Theater at Solaire, Solaire Resort and Casino, 1 Aseana Avenue, Parañaque City. Tickets, which are priced from P600 to P3,000, are available through Ticketworld.

The Reconciliation Dinner

After back-to-back sold-out shows in May, Floy Quintos' The Reconciliation Dinner returns to the stage in August at a bigger venue. Staged in November 2022 by Dulaang UP for one weekend, it's a dark comedy exploring dynamics among friends with diverse political views post-2022 elections. The cast includes Stella Cañete Mendoza as Dina Medina, Frances Makil Ignacio as Susan Valderama, Randy Medel Villarama as Bert Medina, Jojo Cayabyab as Fred Valderama, Nelsito Gomez as Ely, Mica Pineda as Mica, and Phi Palmos as Norby.

The Reconciliation Dinner runs from August 5 to 6, August 12 to 13, and August 19 to 20 at the PETA Theater Center, No. 5 Eymard Drive, New Manila, Quezon City. Tickets, priced from P800 to P2,000, are available through Ticket2Me.

Also read: Theater Review: The Reconciliation Dinner at Kung Bakit Tayo Mahilig sa Dedma (2021)

tick, tick...BOOM!

tick, tick...BOOM!, an autobiographical musical by Jonathan Larson, gained more fame with a Netflix movie-musical in November 2021. Andrew Garfield played Jon, the aspiring composer in 1990s New York, torn between his day job and passion for writing. But before all that, the show was already staged locally by 9 Works Theatrical in 2016 with Jef Flores and Tanya Manalang. For the 2023 restaging, Flores alternates with Khalil Ramos for the role of Jon, Manalang alternates with Kayla Rivera for Susan, and Reb Atadero and Vien King alternates to play the role of Michael.

tick, tick...BOOM! runs from August 5 to 27 (extended until September 3) at RCBC Plaza, Ayala Avenue, Makati City. Tickets, priced from P1,500 to P3,000, are available through Ticket2Me.

Also read: Theater Review: tick, tick…BOOM! Gives the Struggling Artist a Fighting Chance (2016)

Dancing in a New World

Dancing in a New World is a performance by the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, led by the late National Artist for Dance, Ramon Arevalo Obusan. The show presents a new repertoire that addresses vital issues in philippine folk dance, such as inclusivity, empowerment, cultural appropriation, and representation. Directed by Floy Quintos, the production showcases the artistic visions of ROFG's senior dancers, who pay homage to their mentor's research while expanding the company's repertoire and carrying Obusan's legacy into the future.

Dancing in a New World runs from August 18 to 19 at the Manila Metropolitan Theater, Ermita, Manila. Tickets, which are priced from P300 to P500, are available through Ticketworld.

Ibong Adarna

Ballet Manila ends its 25th season with Gerardo Francisco's Ibong Adarna. Based on the 16th-century korido, it follows the story of three brothers, Pedro, Diego, and Juan, as they go on a quest to look for a magical bird.

Ibong Adarna runs from August 19 to 20 at Aliw Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City. Tickets, which are priced from P1,000 to P2,000, are available through Ticketworld.

Red

After a restaging in June, Red by John Logan returns this September. It delves into the life and art of abstract expressionist painter Mark Rothko, focusing on his studio and the conflicts between art, commerce, and personal identity. Bart Guingona returns as Mark Rothko, joined by JC Santos portraying Ken. The play was first staged at the College of Saint Benilde - School of Design and Arts in 2013 with the leads played by Guingona and Joaquin Valdes.

Red runs from September 1 to 3 at PETA Theater Center, No. 5 Eymard Drive, New Manila, Quezon City. Tickets, priced from P800 to P1,800, are available through their Google Form.

Uncle Jane

Company of Actors in Streamlined Theatre (CAST, for short) returns with a restaging of Uncle Jane, a modern-day English adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s Russian classic, Uncle Vanya. The piece is adapted and directed by Nelsito Gomez. The cast features Missy Maramara, Topper Fabregas, Justine Peña, Justine Narciso, Leo Rialp, Jay Glorioso, and Jaime Del Mundo. It was previously staged in February.

Uncle Jane runs on September 2, 3, 8, and 10 at The Mirror Studios, 5/F SJG building, 8463 Kalayaan Avenue, Makati City. Tickets, priced at P700, are available through their Google Form.

Rama, Hari

Filipino rock opera ballet Rama, Hari, directed and choreographed by National Artist Alice Reyes, showcases top talents from the music and theater scene. It is based on the ancient Sanskrit epic Ramayana, and features Gian Magdangal and Arman Ferrer as Rama, Karylle Tatlonghari and Shiela Valderrama-Martinez as Sita, and Poppert Bernadas and Mathew San Jose as demon Ravana. Audie Gemora plays King Dasaratha. It is presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Alice Reyes Dance Philippines.

Rama, Hari runs from September 15 to 16 and from September 22 to 23 at the Metropolitan Theater, Padre Burgos Ave, Ermita, Manila.

Bawat Bonggang Bagay

Jon Santos stars in the Filipino translation of Duncan MacMillan's Every Brilliant Thing. The one-person play takes us to the world of a child, who starts listing down every brilliant thing that makes life worth living in an effort to cope with her mom's struggles with depression. It is narrated by the child's grown-up version, who spends decades completing the list.

Bawat Bonggang Bagay runs from September 15 to 24 at Zobel de Ayala Recital Hall, Maybank Performing Arts Theater, Bonifacio Global City. Tickets are available through The Sandbox Collective at 09171525560 or Ticketworld.

Hamilton

Much to the delight of Lin-Manuel Miranda fans, Hamilton is coming to Manila in September. Rachelle Ann Go is also coming home to reprise the role of Eliza Hamilton, a role she originated in the West End production back in 2017. The groundbreaking musical tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, one of America's founding fathers. Through hip-hop, R&B, and other musical styles, it chronicles Hamilton's rise from an orphaned immigrant to a pivotal figure in shaping the United States' history.

Hamilton opens on September 17 at The Theater at Solaire, Solaire Resort and Casino, 1 Aseana Avenue, Parañaque City. Tickets, which are priced from P2,600 to P8,900, are available through Ticketworld.

The Last Five Years

After Mula sa Buwan and Pride Plays, Barefoot Theatre Collaborative brings us The Last Five Years. The musical explores the five-year relationship between novelist Jamie Wellerstein (Myke Salomon) and actress Cathy Hiatt (Gab Pangilinan). The narrative unfolds through 14 songs, with Jamie's timeline progressing chronologically and Cathy's in reverse, intersecting at a pivotal point in their journey.

The Last Five Years runs from September 29 to October 15 at Power Mac Center Spotlight, Circuit Makati, Makati City. Tickets, which are priced from P2,700 to P3,200, are available through Ticket2Me.