theater-review | ABS-CBN News

Theater review: This isn't your parents' 'Carousel'

Jeeves de Veyra
Posted at Dec 02 02:20 PM

In Rep's 'Carousel,' the audience is transported to a gritty grimy vision in the 1920s Great Depression America where this tragic romance of Billy Bigelow and Julie Jordan is set. Read more »

Theater review: Why 'The Reconciliation Dinner' is a must-see

Fred Hawson
Posted at Nov 20 08:15 AM

Playwright Floy Quintos had practically summarized the uneasy experience of Philippine society in the past 6 years into this 1-1/2 hour-long one-act play. Read more »

Theater review: 'We Will Rock You' is a kind of magic

Vladimir Bunoan, ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Nov 05 09:51 PM

Plans to bring the crowd-pleasing musical to Manila have been brewing even before 'We Will Rock You' ended its original 12-year run in May 2014. Read more »

Theater review: 'Anak Datu' is fresh, frank, fearless

Fred Hawson
Updated as of Sep 18 11:01 AM

Playwright Rody Vera's complex multi-layered script also involved the Imao family during the 1970s, as well as key events in the history of the Muslim conflict in the Philippines. Read more »

Theater review: Myke Salomon has truly arrived in 'Mula sa Buwan'

Fred Hawson
Posted at Aug 29 01:40 PM

'Mula sa Buwan' is the Filipino musical adaptation of Cyrano's story by Pat Valera and William Elvin Manzano based on Soc Rodrigo's Filipino translation of Rostand's original verses. Read more »

Theater review: Gary V still the total entertainer in 'Joseph the Dreamer'

Leah C. Salterio
Posted at Jul 23 03:41 PM

Now that the COVID 19 protocols have eased, “Joseph the Dreamer” becomes the first musical to return onstage, much to the pride of its cast and producers. Read more »

Theater review: 'Doc Resureccion' returns to jolt voters

Fred Hawson
Posted at Apr 18 03:01 PM

The significance of this play in the current election season cannot be denied, and its precautionary message about the election process is sobering. Read more »

Theater review: Bullet becomes Bonifacio in '2Bayani'

Fred Hawson
Posted at Apr 17 01:01 PM

This year, Areté in partnership with Tanghalang Ateneo took on this historical musical again, mounted as an online theatrical production through KTX.ph. Read more »

Theater review: Rep returns with fun Christmas musical

Fred Hawson
Updated as of Nov 20 04:49 PM

This is the first Filipino theatrical musical production that had been specially filmed to be streamed on an international online streaming site. Read more »

Theater review: Met's 'Lapulapu' musical makes history

Fred Hawson
Posted at Oct 25 12:31 PM

After being closed down 25 years ago, the Metropolitan Theater was restored, renovated and reopened this year. Its first major stage production is 'Lapulapu, Ang Datu ng Mactan.' Read more »

KTX review: Gerald Santos soars in 'I Will' musical

Fred Hawson
Posted at Oct 18 08:35 PM

"I Will: The Musical" is a new inspirational musical theater production with 24 original songs based on the life and times of doctor of the masses and aspiring politician Dr. Willie Ong. Read more »

Review: Sensational and sad 'Diana: The Musical'

Fred Hawson
Posted at Oct 04 06:00 PM

In a bold marketing move, this filmed version of "Diana" was released on Netflix first a full month before its Broadway premiere. Read more »

KTX review: 'Tao Po' puts a human face to EJK

Fred Hawson
Posted at Sep 05 09:18 AM

This 2021 film preserves the 2017 CCP one-woman show for posterity, directed by Mae Paner herself. Read more »

KTX review: 'First Name' gets an update for the music video generation

Fred Hawson
Posted at Feb 28 08:51 AM

"First Name" is acknowledged as the first English-language Gospel musical in the history of Philippine theater. Read more »

Theater review: 4 must-watch plays in Virgin Labfest 2020

Vladimir Bunoan, ABS-CBN News
Posted at Jun 24 12:17 PM

Virgin Labfest, the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ annual theater event for “unpublished, unstaged, untested and untried” plays, goes further into the unknown in its 16th year as it forges into unchartered territory by venturing into the digital realm. Read more »

Theater review: TP tackles Christian-Muslim relations in must-watch 'Batang Mujahideen'

Fred Hawson
Posted at Mar 06 07:14 AM

Tanghalang Pilipino's 'Batang Mujahideen' was written by Malou Jacob, whose main output had been political plays since the 1980s. Read more »

Theater review: Sing hallelujah, 'Joseph the Dreamer' is back

Fred Hawson
Updated as of Feb 28 08:17 AM

This year, "Joseph the Dreamer" goes onstage again for the benefit of the next generation, as well as for those of past generations who missed it. Read more »

Theater review: Rousing 'Dekada '70' continues fight against oppression

Fred Hawson
Posted at Feb 27 07:03 PM

"Dekada '70" is a popular Palanca Award-winning literary classic by Luwalhati Bautista first published in 1983, recognized for its brave political and feministic stand. Read more »

Theater review: Maramara, El Tayech sizzle in Rep's 'Stage Kiss'

Fred Hawson
Posted at Feb 13 09:56 PM

For its first show of their 83rd season, Repertory Philippines chose to stage a play by Sarah Ruhl, one of the most prolific American playwrights in this new century. Read more »

Theater review: PETA's 'Under My Skin' entertains and informs about HIV/AIDS

Fred Hawson
Posted at Feb 13 07:11 PM

"Under My Skin," a new play written by Rody Vera, attempts to reeducate its audiences with how people nowadays get HIV-AIDS and what can be done about it. Read more »