Philippines Theatre + Broadway News

Voting Opens for the 2012 BroadwayWorld.com Awards - Vote Now on the Best of the New York Season!

(5/3/2012) The TONY Awards Nominators had their say earlier this week and now it's your turn! We're pleased to announce that voting has now opened for the 10th Annual BroadwayWorld.com Awards!

Photo Flash: GOD OF CARNAGE Poster Featuring Lea Salonga Released

(4/25/2012) Atlantis Productions (In the Heights, Disney's The Little Mermaid) has just released the poster for its upcoming production of Yasmina Reza's Tony Award-winning play God of Carnage, starring Lea Salonga (Les Miserables, Miss Saigon), Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo (Next to Normal, Love, Loss, And What I Wore), Adrian Pang (The Full Monty, They're Playing Our Song), and Art Acuña (The Romance of Magno Rubio, Kitchen Musical). To be directed by Bobby Garcia (In the Heights, Disney's The Little Mermaid), God of Carnage will premiere in Manila in July, and in Singapore in November through a partnership with Singapore Repertory Theatre. Check it out below!

It’s Official: Valdez to Join Wilson in Resorts World Manila’s THE KING AND I, Starting 9/15

(4/23/2012) Leo Valdez, Cameron Mackintosh’s “favorite Engineer" in "Miss Saigon,” joins Monique Wilson, “Miss Saigon” alumna-turned-women’s rights activist, in Resorts World Manila’s (RWM) third major stage production, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s beloved Broadway musical “The King and I,” which premieres on September 15 at RWM’s Newport Performing Arts Theatre on Newport Boulevard, Pasay City.

CIRQUE MOTHER AFRICA Ends Run at Resorts World Manila Tonight

(4/22/2012) For the first time in Manila, the world-renowned Cirque Mother Africa (created by professional acrobat Winston Ruddle) will dazzle and mesmerize local audiences with wild African music, dance and performance in a two-hour showcase.

Salonga, Volante, Seguerra et al. To Guest Star in FORBIDDEN BROADWAY Manila, 5/11-27

(4/19/2012) Joel Trinidad, Upstart Productions’ president, announced at a press conference on Tuesday that theater bigwigs Lea Salonga, Aiza Seguerra, Nyoy Volante, Jett Pangan, Iya Villania, Nikki Valdez, Markki Stroem, and Gabe Mercado will guest star in the theater company’s summer production of Off-Broadway parody “Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits,” written and originally directed by Gerard Alessandrini, and top-billed by Liesl Batucan, Caisa Borromeo, OJ Mariano, and Lorenz Martinez. The musical will run at Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza on Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue from May 11 to 27.

CIRQUE MOTHER AFRICA Set for Resorts World Manila Tonight

(4/19/2012) For the first time in Manila, the world-renowned Cirque Mother Africa (created by professional acrobat Winston Ruddle) will dazzle and mesmerize local audiences with wild African music, dance and performance in a two-hour showcase.

Photo Coverage: CARE DIVAS to Debut at OnStage Theatre, 4/27-29

(4/17/2012) Considered as pillars of Philippine Theater, Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) and Repertory Philippines (Rep) – coincidentally, both theater companies celebrate their 45th anniversary this year – are joining forces to bring one of PETA’s highly successful original Filipino musicals, “Care Divas,” to Rep’s home at Greenbelt 1’s OnStage Theatre on April 27 to 29.

BWW Interviews: BARE’s Reb Atadero Talks RIZAL X, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR & ONCE

(4/11/2012) Ateneo de Manila University alumnus-turned-stage actor, musical director Reb Atadero first appeared in Blue Repertory's 2006 production of "Hope for Flowers," a rock musical inspired by Trina Paulus' book of the same title. Apparently, Reb fell in love with the process of putting on a play, and since then has kept the ball rolling. By attending workshops handled by stage veteran Robbie Guevara, he studied musical theater, which he admitted was initially unknown to him. However, right after seeing the video version of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s seminal rock musical “Jesus Christ Superstar,” he said to himself, “Where have you been all my life, musical theater? Such a progressive art form is a fantastic medium for telling stories!”

Anna Maria Perez de Tagle Holds Benefit Concert On Board Cruise Ship, 5/7

(4/9/2012) GODSPELL star Anna Maria Perez de Tagle holds a benefit concert for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital on Monday, May 7, on board the Hornblower Hybrid (embarking at 7 p.m. from Pier 40), featuring de Tagle's GODSPELL costars Corbin Bleu, Wallace Smith, Nick Blaemire, Eric Krop, and George Salazar, and Filipino-American television and film actor and singer Sam Milby. Sonny Paladino is musical director.

It’s Official: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA To Premiere in Manila, 8/25-10/14

(3/29/2012) It is better late than never for Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, Francis Lumen, Smart, and Citibank Philippines. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s megamusical THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, based on the French novel "Le Fantôme de l'Opéra" by Gaston Leroux, gets its Philippine premiere after 24 years since the production opened on Broadway. An international touring production of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, featuring cast members from the United Kingdom, United States of America, Australia, and South Africa, runs at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ main theater from Saturday, August 25 to Sunday, October 14. Tickets go on sale to general public starting Tuesday, May 1. For Infinity (Powered by Smart) subscribers and Citibank cardholders, pre-selling of tickets is from Monday, March 19 to Monday, April 30.

Photo Flash: GOD OF CARNAGE Poster Featuring Salonga, Yulo Released

(3/27/2012) Atlantis Productions has just released the teaser poster for its upcoming production of Yasmina Reza’s Tony Award-winning play GOD OF CARNAGE, starring Lea Salonga, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Adrian Pang, and Art Acuña. To be directed by Bobby Garcia, the play will premiere in Manila in July, and in Singapore in November through a partnership with Singapore Repertory Theatre.

New Voice Company Holds Another V-Day Fundraiser, 3/31

(3/27/2012) New Voice Company, whose founder, Monique Wilson ("My Name Is Rachel Corrie," "The Good Body"), is one of the most provocative voices in Philippine contemporary theater, brings back THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES, Eve Ensler’s Obie Award-winning play, and V-Day 2012, a global movement that raises money for community organizations fighting violence against women, at Music Museum, Greenhills Shopping Center on Saturday, March 31 at 8 p.m.

Photo Flash: JEKYLL AND HYDE Opens in Manila

(3/23/2012) Repertory Philippines’ current 45th theater season reaches fever pitch with the premiere of composer Frank Wildhorn and book writer and lyricist Leslie Bricusse’s overtly melodramatic, pop rock-laden Broadway musical JEKYLL AND HYDE. However, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, director for JEKYLL AND HYDE, along with her team, seems to have been rising above the original Broadway production’s bad reputation since the local production opened last weekend. Whereas American critics find Wildhorn’s body of work as “gallumphing, dunderheaded musicals that make everything by Andrew Lloyd Webber seems like great art,” says Linda Winer of "Newsday"; Filipino critics find Repertory Philippines’ stripped-down incarnation of Wildhorn’s most popular undertaking as nothing short of a miracle. “By doing away with the stage spectacle [without the high-tech gimmickry that marked its Broadway run], the focus was redirected to the actors – and rightly so,” says Vladimir Bunoan of ABS-CBNNews.com.

Photo Coverage: GODSPELL Meets Filipino-American Press

(3/19/2012) Anna Maria Perez de Tagle and George Salazar, Filipino actors and singers who are making their Broadway debuts in the current production of GODSPELL, and the rest of the show’s cast were in full force to welcome the Filipino-American press, and Filipino-American TV and film actor Sam Milby, at a cocktail reception at Bambo 52 sushi bar and lounge in New York City, on Thursday, March 15, followed by an evening performance of GODSPELL at Circle in the Square Theatre, and a post-show talk back with KABABAYAN LA’s Janelle So.

STAGE TUBE: Lin-Manuel Miranda Joins Manila's IN THE HEIGHTS Curtain Call!

(3/17/2012) A different kind of "Lin-sanity" is happening in Manila! Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator, original leading man, and Tony and Grammy Award-winning composer of the critically-acclaimed Broadway musical In the Heights, visited the Philippines for the first time, and led, March 16, Friday night's opening night curtain call for Atlantis Productions' restaging of In the Heights - the show's first ever licensed production in Asia, which features an all-Filipino cast - at Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City.

Photo Flash: Lin-Manuel Miranda Leads IN THE HEIGHTS Manila Curtain Call

(3/16/2012) A different kind of “Lin-sanity” is happening in Manila! Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator, original leading man, and Tony and Grammy Award-winning composer of the critically-acclaimed Broadway musical In the Heights, visited the Philippines for the first time, and led last night’s opening night curtain call for Atlantis Productions’ restaging of In the Heights – the show’s first ever licensed production in Asia, which features an all-Filipino cast – at Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City. Esteemed talent manager, theater producer Girlie Rodis shares her opening night photographs with BroadwayWorld.com.

STAGE TUBE: IN THE HEIGHTS' Lin-Manuel Miranda on TalkThursday

(3/16/2012) Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator, original leading man (Usnavi), and Tony and Grammy Award-winning composer of the critically-acclaimed Broadway musical In the Heights, appears on this TalkThursday to promote Atlantis Productions Inc.’s restaging of In the Heights – its first ever licensed production in Asia, which features an all-Filipino cast – tonight on Friday, March 16 at Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City.

Lin-Manuel Miranda Lands in Manila for the Restaging of IN THE HEIGHTS, 3/16-25

(3/14/2012) Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator, original leading man (Usnavi), and Tony and Grammy Award-winning composer of the critically-acclaimed Broadway musical IN THE HEIGHTS, just landed in Manila to attend the opening night of Atlantis Productions Inc.’s restaging of IN THE HEIGHTS – its first ever licensed production in Asia, which features an all-Filipino cast – on Friday, March 16 at Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City, Philippines.

Photo Flash: De La Salle University Restages A FIRE IN THE SOUL

(3/13/2012) The De La Salle Brothers, Roman Catholic religious brothers who dedicate their lives to educating young people, recently celebrated the centennial anniversary of De La Salle University (DLSU) in the Philippines, and commemorated their colleagues who were killed by Japanese soldiers in World War II via the restaging of the cantata (a vocal chamber work) A FIRE IN THE SOUL, which features libretto by Vicente Groyon III, music by Von de Guzman, and direction by Peque Gallaga.

Follow BroadwayWorld on Pinterest!

(3/13/2012) Are you one of the thousands already following BroadwayWorld.com, the biggest theatre site on the net on Twitter and Facebook?

Photo Flash: Blue Repertory’s Production of BARE

(3/5/2012) Manila theatergoers have until Saturday, March 10, to catch Blue Repertory’s production of Off-Broadway musical BARE at Teatrino, Promenade, Greenhills Shopping Center. Theater and film actress Ana Abad Santos directs the production, starring Bibo Reyes and Jaime Barcelon.

De La Salle University Restages A FIRE IN THE SOUL, 2/27

(2/26/2012) Before moving to New York, I taught public relations courses at De La Salle University (DLSU-Manila) Department of Communication, where I also pursued studies in organizational communication and applied media. My alma mater turns 100 this year; and, I’m encouraging you to take part in its year-long celebration. Catching the restaging of the cantata (a vocal chamber work)A FIRE IN THE SOUL, featuring libretto by Vicente Groyon III, music by Von de Guzman, and direction by Peque Gallaga, at DLSU’s Teresa Yuchengco Auditorium, 7F Don Enrique T. Yuchengco Hall on Monday, February 27, 8 p.m. would be greatly appreciated.

Mio Infante Talks Designing Costumes & Sets for CHARLIE BROWN, LITTLE MERMAID & More

(2/26/2012) Actor turned designer Mio Infante has both or either designed scenography and costumes of some of the biggest and arguably the best children-centric musical theater productions of the past 11 years: Trumpets’ LITTLE MERMAID(2001) and THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE(2002); and Atlantis Productions’ Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST(2005) were some of the magical worlds he has created on stage.

ALADDIN to Make Asian Premiere in Manila This November

(2/24/2012) According to their website, Atlantic Productuctions will present the Asian premiere of Disney's Aladdin. The show will open at Manila's Meralco Theatre in November 2012. Casting has not yet been announced.

Photo Flash: 9 Works Theatrical Presents YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN

(2/21/2012) For its first offering this year, 9 Works Theatrical presents the musical comedy YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN – based on the comic strip "Peanuts" by Charles Schulz; featuring book by John Gordon; and music and lyrics by Clark Gesner. The show runs at Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City until Saturday, March 3.

Suzue Toshiro’s FIREFLIES Plays Final Week at Ateneo de Manila University, 2/22-25

(2/20/2012) Tanghalang Ateneo and Ateneo Fine Arts Production, together with the Japan Foundation and the Department of English of Ateneo de Manila University, present Japanese playwright Suzue Toshiro’s contemporary play FIREFLIES whose story follows three interlinked Japanese couples that are caught up in an emotional alienation. Directed by Ricardo Abad and BJ Crisostomo, and translated in English by David Goodman, FIREFLIES plays its last week at Rizal Mini Theatre, Ateneo Manila University from Wednesday, February 22 to Saturday, February 25 at 7 p.m., plus a Saturday matinee performance at 2 p.m. Toshiro will also give a lecture on contemporary Japanese theater on Friday, February 24 at Fine Arts Studio, Loyola Schools at 4:30 p.m.

MAMMA MIA! In Manila Extends Till 2/19

(2/19/2012) True blue ABBA fans have an additional one week to catch the international touring production of composers and lyricists Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, and book writer Catherine Johnson’s smash musical MAMMA MIA! at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Previously slated to close on February 14, Concertus Inc., one of the local producers behind MAMMA MIA!, has just announced the show’s final extension: must close February 19.

Photo Flash: Meet the Cast of Blue Repertory’s Revival of BARE

(2/17/2012) Ateneo Blue Repertory of the Loyola Schools Performing Arts Cluster brings back one of its hit musicals from Off-Broadway, BARE: A Pop Opera, at Teatrino, Promenade, Greenhills Shopping Center on February 29 (opening night); March 1 to 3; and March 7 to 10. Once again, theater and film actress Ana Abad Santos directs the production, which stars Jaime Barcelon and Bibo Reyes.

Photo Flash: PETA’s Filipino Adaptation of Shakespeare’s KING LEAR

(2/14/2012) Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), together with the British Council and the National Commission for Culture and Arts, presents the first-ever Filipino adaptation of William Shakespeare’s more renowned tragedy HARING LEAR(KING LEAR) at PETA Theatre Center until Sunday, March 4. National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera does the text adaptation and veteran theater director Nonon Padilla directs this production.

Photo Flash: Ken Ludwig’s LEADING LADIES Opens In Manila

(2/10/2012) Premier theater company Repertory Philippines (Rep) opened Ken Ludwig’s (CRAZY FOR YOU, LEND ME A TENOR) rib-tickling play LEADING LADIES last night at Onstage Theatre, Greenbelt 1, Makati City. Circle in the Square School (N.Y.)-trained actor Topper Fabregas and Rep regular James Stacey topbill the production.

NEXT FALL Opens Repertory Philippines’ 75th Season, 1/13-2/5

(2/5/2012) Repertory Philippines (Rep.), the country’s premier English-speaking theater company, is celebrating 45 years in business by opening its 75th season with New York University Tisch School of the Arts alumnus and playwright Geoffrey Nauffts’ Broadway dramedy NEXT FALL, a moving story of a gay couple whose religious differences add tensions and contradictions to their five-year romantic relationship. Rep.’s staging of NEXT FALL runs from January 13 to February 5, 2012 at Onstage, Greenbelt 1, Makati City; evening performances are on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., and matinee performances are on Saturdays and Sundays at 3:30 p.m.

CIRQUE MOTHER AFRICA Set for Resorts World Manila, 4/19-22

(2/4/2012) For the first time in Manila, the world-renowned Cirque Mother Africa (created by professional acrobat Winston Ruddle) will dazzle and mesmerize local audiences with wild African music, dance and performance in a two-hour showcase.

Photo Flash: Meet the Cast of Repertory Philippines’ LEADING LADIES

(1/31/2012) The cast of Repertory Philippines’ (Rep) LEADING LADIES, a rib-tickling play by Ken Ludwig (CRAZY FOR YOU, LEND ME A TENOR), recently held a photo op during a press conference at Rep's main office in Ortigas Center. LEADING LADIES is Rep’s second offering for its 75th season.

Atlantis Productions’ NINE Pulls Off A Casting Coup, 9/21-10/7

(1/30/2012) In Atlantis Productions Inc.'s upcoming musical NINE, which features Maury Yeston’s music and lyrics, and Arthur Kopit’s book based on Federico Fellini’s semi-autobiographical film 8 1/2, Jett Pangan will portray the role of Italian filmmaker Guido Contini; Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo will play Contini’s wife, Luisa; Cherie Gil will play Contini’s film producer, Liliane Le Fleur; and Eula Valdez will play Contini’s leading lady, Claudia Jenssen.

MAMMA MIA! In Manila Extends Till 2/19

(1/25/2012) True blue ABBA fans have an additional one week to catch the international touring production of composers and lyricists Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, and book writer Catherine Johnson’s smash musical MAMMA MIA! at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Previously slated to close on February 14, Concertus Inc., one of the local producers behind MAMMA MIA!, has just announced the show’s final extension: must close February 19.

Photo Flash: LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT I WORE In Manila

(1/23/2012) Falling in love is sweeter the second time around, and it’s true in the case of LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT I WORE, an Off Broadway play that you would fall in love with, and would love to see over and over again. For that reason alone, Manila-based CTE Productions brought back LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT I WORE for another run at RCBC Theater in Makati City last weekend. Michael Williams and Cathy Azanza-Dy teamed up again as co-directors for LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT I WORE, which was first performed in Manila in July 2011.

Spotlight Artists Centre Holds Auditions for KATY!, 1/29

(1/22/2012) Ryan Cayabyab (music) and Jose Javier Reyes’ (book and lyrics) hugely successful original Filipino musical, KATY!, a musical based on the life and times of the “Queen of Philippine Jazz” Katy dela Cruz (1907-2004), is making its way back to the stage this year! Acclaimed theater and recording artists-cum-performance teachers Isay Alvarez, Robert Seña, and Tricia Amper Jimenez’s Spotlight Artists Centre is on top of this much-anticipated theatrical event.

2011 BWW Philippines Awards Winners Announced!

(1/21/2012) After an intense internal auditing process, the results are in for the 2011 BroadwayWorld (BWW) Philippines Awards!

BWW Phils. Interview: PRISCILLA’s J. Elaine Marcos Talks Ping-Pong Balls, Pink Boas & More

(1/18/2012) TV, film,and Broadway actress J. Elaine Marcos can’t shy away from the fact that she’s a distant relative of the Marcoses, the Philippines’ most controversial political clan. Apart from the obvious last name and broadly similar facial features as Imee Marcos, the current governor of the northern province of Ilocos Norte, J. Elaine even made a cameo appearance as Imee’s mom, Imelda Marcos, the Philippines’ former first lady, in the Broadway musical comedy THE WEDDING SINGER five years ago. Nonetheless, the Marcoses (and Filipinos around the world) should pay attention to this petite, brown-skinned, talented actress – J. Elaine happens to be carrying an impressive Broadway resume that includes MISS SAIGON, FLOWER DRUM SONG, WONDERFUL TOWN, SWEET CHARITY, again THE WEDDING SINGER, A CHORUS LINE, and her latest assignment, PRISCILLA: QUEEN OF THE DESERT, where she does a show-stealing turn as Cynthia, a feisty Filipina mail-order bride who performs the late ‘70s hit single “Pop Muzik” (interspersed with lyrics in Filipino, e.g.“isa, dalawa, tatlo, I’m rapping in Filipino”) while blowing out ping pong balls into the audience.

Photo Flash: Geoffrey Nauffts’ NEXT FALL Opens In Manila, 1/13-2/5

(1/13/2012) Repertory Philippines (Rep.), the country’s premier English-speaking theater company, is celebrating 45 years in business by opening its 75th season with New York University Tisch School of the Arts alumnus and playwright Geoffrey Nauffts’ Broadway dramedy NEXT FALL, a moving story of a gay couple whose religious differences add tensions and contradictions to their five-year romantic relationship. The play “takes a witty and provocative look at faith, commitment, unconditional love, and what goes beyond a typical love story,” according to Rep.