After the forced hiatus brought about by the pandemic, the Philippine stage is now back with a vengeance. Be it by university-based organizations or professional theater groups, shows are filling up the calendars of local theater fans.

Some actors are newbies who are just now dipping their toes in the world of theater. Case in point are Alexa Ilacad and KD Estrada, who played the young lovers Julia and Tenyong in PETA’s Walang Aray.

There are also theater veterans who are excited to return to their roots. For instance, actress Kim Molina recently played the lead in Ateneo blueREP’s “ Zaturnnah the Musical… ‘Yun Lang!, a cult classic comedy based on Carlo Vergara’s graphic novel. Playing Ada, her alter-ego, was actor Adrian Lindayag.

Karylle Tatlonghari also took a break from her regular It’s Showtime hosting duties to play the role of Baroness Elsa von Schraeder for the Philippine leg of the international tour of The Sound of Music. Another local celebrity who joined the production was Markki Stroem, who played Rolf.

The shows just keep on coming, so make sure that you take note of some of the upcoming productions this 2023.

Mula sa Buwan

This original Filipino musical set in 1940s Manila is based on the story of Cyrano de Bergerac. This musical about love and defiance deconstructs a classic story by making it a rock-sarswela. A proshot of the musical was shot during the August to September 2022 run, and was streamed online last March 2023.

Fun Fact: Its lead actor Myke Salomon surprised everyone when he proposed to co-star Gab Pangilinan onstage during the show’s closing run last September 2022. The two finally tied the knot last February 21, 2023 in a beach ceremony surrounded by family and friends.

For those who missed it or those who want to relive the love, Mula sa Buwan will again stream online this April 7 to 9, 2023.

Joseph the Dreamer in Concert

This biblical musical comes just in time for the Holy Week. Be inspired by the vocal and acting prowess of a cast that includes veteran actors Audie Gemora and Bituin Escalante. 

The one-day only concert features songs from the musical, such as “He Will Carry You,” “He Opens a Window,” “Praise His Name,” “See it Happen”, and “Colours”, among others.

Joseph the Dreamer in Concert will be staged for free at the Bonifacio High Street Theater on April 9, 2023 at 5 pm.

DickTalk

Real talk can be hard, but the five actors staging the counterpart of Eve Ensler’s Vagina Monologues have no qualms with talking about sexuality, social expectations, and toxic masculinity, among  others.

Joining the cast is Kapamilya actor Jake Cuenca who plays escort Peter North Teves. 

“[My character] is very proud that [he’s] an escort for 15 years, and [he has] a big dick and all these types of things. But then what I found in the script was that it’s such a soul-eating job. I’m sure it takes away at him every single time he has a customer. But then he has to be proud of it because it’s the only thing he has to do,” explained Jake of his character. “I’m compelled to highlight what guys go through. I was compelled to do this material because it’s a voice.”

Fun Fact: Jake studied at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York. He had his theatrical debut in 2018 for Duncan Macmillan’s Lungs, for which he was named Best Actor (Play) and Best Crossover Artist (Mainstream to Theater) by BroadwayWorld.

DickTalk will be performed at the RCBC Theater from April 15 to 23, 2023.

READ: Jake Cuenca plays a male escort in new stage play

Ibarra

Piolo Pascual is truly a man of many talents, and this time he is trying his hand at musical theater. His vocal skills will be put to the test as he plays the titular character Crisostomo Ibarra in Tanghalang Una Obra’s Ibarra, a musical based on Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere. Also joining him in the cast playing Elias is actor-director Jeffrey Hidalgo.

“I'm just really excited to do this role. It's a dream come true for me,” admitted Piolo. “Back in high school, I saw this play in FEU. I also taught 'Noli Me Tangere' in high school during the Filipino week. (This is) coming in full circle for me because this is one of my favorite books.”

“To be given a chance to play the most coveted role of Ibarra is really something significant for me,” he added. “We all know this ignited the revolution during the 1896 Philippine revolution.”

Fun Fact: Piolo is also part of another historical project. He plays Padre Pedro Pelaez in Jesuit Communications’ film GomBurZa, which stars award-winning actor Dante Rivero as Padre Mariano Gomez, theater and movie thespian Cedrick Juan as Padre José Burgos, and Kapamilya actor Enchong Dee as Padre Jacinto Zamora.

Ibarra will be staged at the GSIS Theater from June 8 to 18, 2023.  

READ: FIRST LOOK: Piolo Pascual stars in the historial musical ‘Ibarra’

Hamilton

This Broadway musical that holds the record for the most number of Tony Awards is soon coming to the Philippines. Creator Lin-Manuel Miranda officially confirmed that the Asian premiere of Hamilton will happen on the Philippine stage. 

“We’ve had so many incredible Filipino company members, part of the Hamilton pamilya all over the world, and now we get to bring the show to your beautiful country very soon,” said Lin-Manuel.

Fun Fact: Many Filipino talents have been part of the Hamilton cast, including Rachelle Ann Go, Christine Allado, Karla Puno-Garcia, and Marc dela Cruz.

Hamilton is set to be shown at The Theatre in Solaire this September 2023.