Theater in Manila: Shows to See Onstage From October to December

(SPOT.ph) After a long wait, Hamilton and The Last Five Years finally opened last September. And Philippine theater is not taking a break anytime soon as we try to catch more stage plays and musicals all the way until December.

Stage plays and musicals you can watch in Metro Manila from October to December 2023:

Prinsipe Bahaghari

Antoine de Saint-Exupery's The Little Prince is a well-loved 1949 novella that follows the story of a pilot who crashes his plane in the Sahara Desert and meets a young prince who has fallen to Earth from a tiny asteroid called "B-612." It has been translated into many languages and adaptations, including the upcoming Filipino puppet play version Prinsipe Bahaghari by Vladimeir Gonzales. It will be staged by Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas, using the traditional Japanese Bunraku puppetry form.

Prinsipe Bahaghari runs from November 10 to 12 and 17 to 19 at the Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio Teatro Papet Museo, 64 Mapagkawanggawa Street, Diliman, Lungsod Quezon City. Tickets are available for P800 through Ticket2Me.

Hamilton

If, for some reason, you don't know yet: Hamilton in Manila runs until November 26. This Broadway musical, created by Lin-Manuel Miranda, tells the story of Alexander Hamilton (Jason Arrow), one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. The musical blends hip-hop, R&B, and traditional musical theater styles to narrate Hamilton's rise from a poor immigrant to a key figure in the American Revolution and the early days of the United States. It explores his relationships with other historical figures like George Washington (Darnell Abraham), Thomas Jefferson (David Park), and Aaron Burr (DeAundre' Woods), while also delving into his personal and political struggles. 

Hamilton runs until November 26 at The Theatre at Solaire, Solaire Resort and Casino, 1 Aseana Avenue, Parañaque City. Tickets, which range from P2,645 to P8,993, are available through Ticketworld.

Snow White and the Prince

Repertory Philippines brings back its Theater for Young Audiences production through a classic: Snow White and the Prince by Janes Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman. It's the last show before Greenbelt 1, along with it, the Onstage Theater, is officially torn down for renovation. For the three-month run, the role of Snow White is alternated by four artists: Jillian Ita-as, Kiara Dario, Anyah de Guzman, and Pappel. The show is directed by REP’s Theater for Young Audiences Founder and Creative Director Joy Virata.

Snow White and the Prince runs until December 17 at Onstage Theater, Greenbelt 1, Makati City. Tickets, which are priced from P800 to P1,500, are available through Ticketworld.

Tabing Ilog The Musical

Tabing Ilog, the Musical returns to the stage in November after its 2020 run was halted by the COVID-19 pandemic. But the 2023 edition has a new cast, new script, and new music. The show is now directed by Phil Noble with a script and additional lyrics by Eljay Deldoc. (The previous book was by Jade Castro.) Musical director, composer, and lyricist is still Vincent A. De Jesus.

Tabing Ilog, the Musical runs from November 10 to December 17 at the PETA Theater Center, No. 5 Eymard Drive, New Manila, Quezon City. Tickets, priced from P1,200 to P2,500, are available through KTX.ph.

Twenty Questions

Theatre Titas is bringing back Juan Ekis' Palanca-winning play, Twenty Questions, for a limited two-weekend run in November following a successful season in May. The play revolves around college friends Jigs (Diego Aranda) and Yumi (Isabelle Prado), who find themselves locked in a hotel room for 24 hours as part of an annual tradition. To pass the time, they engage in a game of twenty questions, leading them to open up about their perspectives on love, life, and sex. This particular rendition is aimed at a younger audience and is directed by Cheese Mendez, offering a modern take on the play's themes.

Twenty Questions runs from November 10 to 19 at The Mirror Studios, 5/F SJG building, 8463 Kalayaan Avenue, Makati City. Tickets, priced at P600, are available through Ticket2Me.

Sandosenang Sapatos

Tanghalang Pilipino brings back Layeta Bucoy's Sandosenang Sapatos this November. The family musical is directed by Jonathan Tadioan, a member of TP's Senior Actors Company. The narrative beautifully portrays the profound love shared between a father and his daughter, Susie, who was born without feet. Sandonesang Sapatos is based on the short story of Dr. Luis Gatmaitan. The music is composed by Joed Balsamo and Noel Cabangon.

Sandosenang Sapatos runs from November 17 to December 3 at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Pasay City. Tickets, priced at P1,500, are available through Ticket2Me.

Puso ng Pasko

Puso ng Pasko is a full-length, all-Filipino Christmas ballet by the Alice Reyes Dance Philippines. Conceived by Ronelson Yadao and featuring musical arrangements by National Artist for Music, Ryan Cayabyab,it is an expansion of the 2020 dance film "Tuloy ang Pasko." The story revolves around Lolo Val, who fondly recalls cherished Filipino Christmas traditions and passes them on to his granddaughter, Angelita.

Choreography for this full-length dance production involves the talents of Erl Sorilla, John Ababon, AL Abraham, Dan Dayo, Bonnie Guerrero, and Lester Reguindin, alongside Ronelson Yadao. Additional contributions come from Eric Cruz for production design, Barbara Tan-Tiongo for lighting design, co-librettist Eljay Castro Deldoc, and insights from Carlos Siguion-Reyna for the filmed scenes.

Puso ng Pasko runs from December 1 and 2 at the Manila Metropolitan Theater, Ermita, Manila; and on December 22 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theatre, Circuit Makati, Makati City.

The Last Five Years

After sold-out weekend shows, Barefoot Theater Collaborative decided to extend The Last Five Years' run until October 29. This musical by Jason Robert Browne explores the tumultuous relationship between a struggling actress, Cathy (Gab Pangilinan), and a successful novelist, Jamie (Myke Salomon). Unlike traditional narratives, the story is told from two perspectives: Cathy's side unfolds in reverse chronological order, while Jamie's perspective starts at the beginning of their relationship and progresses linearly.

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

Walang Aray

The Filipino musical Walang Aray, a humorous reimagining of the classic zarzuela Walang Sugat by Severino Reyes, returned for a three-week run at the PETA Theater Center. If you haven't seen it, you still have until October 22 to catch the show. It combines wit, humor, and references to the iconic zarzuela, tackling themes like love, nationalism, and patriotism with catchy tunes and irreverent humor. Walang Aray had a successful 41-show run in 2022 and recently received 21 citations from Gawad Buhay.

Walang Aray runs until October 22 at the PETA Theater Center, No. 5 Eymard Drive, New Manila, Quezon City. Tickets, priced from P1,200 to P2,500, are available through Ticketworld.

Carmen and Other Spirits

Carmen is a ballet production with choreography by National Artist for Dance Alice Reyes, and music primarily composed by Georges Bizet, with additional music by Antonio Solera and Paco De Lucia. The dance performance, which premiered in 1984, offers a unique perspective on the story of Carmen: a woman fully in control of her femininity, an emancipated woman who values her freedom and decision-making. She is willing to face death rather than be with a man she no longer loves or respects. The 2023 restaging is conducted by Ejay Arisola and features the original set and costume design by late National Artist for Theater Design Salvador Bernal.

Carmen and Other Spirits is on October 20 and 21 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theatre, Circuit Makati, Makati City. Tickets, priced from P350 to P2,500, are available through Ticketworld.

Silver Lining

Silver Lining is a brand new Filipino musical that features modern rock and pop music, taking the audience on a journey of rediscovery in two timelines. It explores the challenges of the '70s while delving into the struggles and conflicts faced by today's youth, blending moments of humor and drama. Featured artists include Ricky Davao, Noel Comia Jr., and Krystal Brimner.

The production is directed by Maribel Legarda with a script by Palanca-awardee Joshua Lim So, lyrics and music by Jack Teotico, and additional music, lyrics, and musical direction by Vince Lim, complemented by choreography by PJ Rebullida.

Silver Lining runs from October 20 to 22 and from October 27 to 29 at Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati. Tickets, priced from P1,500 to P5,000, are available through Ticket2Me.

Also read:
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UPDATED (October 25): This list has been updated to include more shows in November.