News

Theater review: 'Waitress' serves sweet songs, delicious performances

Vladimir Bunoan, ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Nov 16 10:54 AM

With a cast led by the award-winning Joanna Ampil, a score by international pop superstar Sara Bareilles, and a story based on a much-loved indie movie, “Waitress” is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.  Read more »

Theater review: Dulaang UP's 'Dressing Room' is ethereal, enriching

Fred Hawson
Updated as of Nov 15 07:36 PM

To close their current season, Dulaang UP chose to stage a play about the theater, a 1997 Japanese play called "The Dressing Room" by Shimizu Kunio.  Read more »

Theater review: You will love 'Mula sa Buwan' to the stars and back

Jeeves de Veyra
Posted at Nov 15 05:52 AM

“Mula Sa Buwan” is perhaps the most faithful reinterpretation of “Cyrano de Begerac,” changing the setting and time period but not the story nor the circumstances.  Read more »

Theater review: You'd want to sing along while watching Air Supply musical

Fred Hawson
Posted at Oct 23 05:19 PM

For an additional bonus for us opening night audiences, Russell Hitchcock and Graham Russell joined the cast during the curtain call, perfectly capping off this night of '80s nostalgia.  Read more »

Theater review: 'Mamma Mia' is hard to resist

Vladimir Bunoan, ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Oct 19 11:53 AM

“Mamma Mia,” that grand dame of jukebox musicals, returns six years after it made its Philippine premiere at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in 2012.  Read more »

Theater review: 'Guadalupe' musical is a blessing for theatergoers

Jeeves de Veyra
Updated as of Oct 05 09:36 AM

Local theatergoers have been blessed with a great year of original Filipino musicals. "Guadalupe: The Musical," about the miracles of Guadalupe and Saint Juan Diego, is the latest addition to this remarkable list of original works. Read more »

Theater review: Jake Cuenca, Sab Jose breathe life into 'Lungs'

Fred Hawson
Posted at Sep 28 10:44 AM

Duncan McMillan's "Lungs" is an intimate straight play with only two actors.  Read more »

Theater review: Lauchengco-Yulo dominates 'A Doll's House Part 2'

Fred Hawson
Posted at Sep 22 01:00 PM

This play marked the debut performance of Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo in a Red Turnip production, as well as the debut of Cris Villonco to direct a play, the last Turnip to do so. Read more »

Theater review: Dulaang UP opens new season with a play about a play

Fred Hawson
Posted at Sep 19 09:13 AM

"Six Characters in Search of an Author" was part of DUP's maiden season in 1976-77, directed by Tony Mabesa, who 40 years later also directs this new production. Read more »

Theater review: RS Francisco still owns 'M. Butterfly' nearly 30 years later

Fred Hawson
Posted at Sep 13 12:25 PM

David Henry Hwang's "M. Butterfly" won the 1988 Tony Award for Best Play. Read more »

Theater review: 'Balag at Angud' celebrates art, passion

Fred Hawson
Posted at Sep 07 10:53 AM

"Balag at Angud" was an eye-opening and emotional journey into the genius of an artist, both intimate and grand in its scope. Read more »

Theater review: 'Side Show' connects with twin star turns

Fred Hawson
Updated as of Sep 06 08:07 PM

Gab Pangilinan and Kayla Rivera will surely enchant you as Daisy and Violet to guarantee your ticket is worth its price.  Read more »

Theater review: Bonifacio as superhero in 'Supremo Redux'

Fred Hawson
Posted at Aug 27 08:06 PM

Surveys had shown that many young people were not aware of the actual circumstances by which the Bonifacio died. Read more »

Theater review: Seeking comfort in loud and proud 'Gee Gee at Waterina'

Vladimir Bunoan, ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Aug 25 12:34 PM

After a slew of jukebox musicals, several original Filipino musicals are set to take the spotlight starting with Artists Playground's “Gee Gee at Waterina.”  Read more »

Theater review: A star is born in APO musical - Danny Javier's son Jobim

Vladimir Bunoan, ABS-CBN News
Posted at Aug 09 06:57 PM

It feels right and probably providential that “Eto Na! Musikal nAPO!” will be remembered for the breakout performance of Jobim Javier, the son of APO member Danny Javier.  Read more »

Theater review: Edgy Eraserheads musical keeps it real - and dark

Vladimir Bunoan, ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Jul 29 11:07 PM

“Ang Huling El Bimbo,” which features songs from the beloved OPM band Eraserheads, made its much-awaited debut to a prolonged standing ovation from the packed audience who braved the rains to attend its opening night last Friday at Resorts World Manila. Read more »

Theater review: 4 must-watch plays in Virgin Labfest 14

Vladimir Bunoan, ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Jul 10 06:41 PM

The personal trumps the political at this year’s Virgin Labfest, the CCP’s annual theater event for “unpublished, unstaged, untested and untried” plays. Read more »

Theater review: 'Binondo' musical celebrates Chinese-Filipino connection

Fred Hawson
Posted at Jul 03 01:17 PM

A major labor of love, "Binondo: A Tsinoy Musical" made its world premiere at The Theater at Solaire last weekend. Read more »

Theater review: 'Changing Partners' makes triumphant return to PETA stage

Jeeves de Veyra
Posted at May 18 07:58 PM

“Changing Partners” has come a long way.  Read more »

Theater review: 'Sa Wakas' promises one last cry in farewell run

Vladimir Bunoan, ABS-CBN News
Posted at Apr 24 05:03 PM

Five years after its debut, the wildly successful indie musical that brilliantly uses the songs of Ebe Dancel and Sugarfree continues to draw crowds in its third and farewell run at the Power Mac Center Spotlight at Circuit Makati.  Read more »