Philippine Concerts

Category: Theater

  • REQUEST sa RADYO — PAG ASA!

    REQUEST sa RADYO — PAG ASA!

    Internationally acclaimed actress and BAFTA and Golden Globe-nominated Dolly De Leon had a sit-down interview with the members of the media ahead of their play Request sa Radyo.

    Dolly revealed that she first became interested in the play last year due to its focus on mental health, a topic she holds dear. She shared that she decided to accept the play immediately, without consulting her team or anyone else. She hopes that the play will raise awareness about mental health and the misconception that people who appear happy are actually not. So, the hope is that it opens people’s eyes and mouths and makes them sensitive.

    “We need to have a little empathy and improve sensitivity and kindness so that we make everyone’s lives more living.”

    “I can only hope that people, especially those who have relatives working abroad, will be overly empathetic and more sensitive to what they are going through.” The play aims to promote understanding that people may carry inner struggles despite outward appearances.

    Request sa Radyo (Wunschkonzert/Request Program) is Franz Xaver Kroetz’s landmark theatrical piece that captures the poignant solitude of a woman through her meticulous evening routine. This masterpiece transforms the mundane into a powerful exploration of isolation and the human condition. This unique theatrical experience transforms the mundane into the extraordinary through silence and leaves you contemplating the depths of solitude long after the curtain falls. Dolly shared she relates to the character of Miss Reyes, but their lives differ as Miss Reyes doesn’t have children or an immediate family.

    The play is the coming together of some of the country’s (and world’s) bests. All multi-awarded and all considered sources of Philippine pride, this project delves on their vision and dedication in bringing the powerful and compelling narrative to the Philippine audience.

    As an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), Dolly expressed her desire for every Filipino residing overseas to have access to a community of mental health experts for collective consultation. Featuring Tony and Olivier winner Lea Salonga and Golden Globe and BAFTA nominee Dolly De Leon, two of the most internationally celebrated actors of their generation, ‘Request Sa Radyo’ is the can’t-miss event in international theater in 2024.

    Request sa Radyo will have a limited engagement with 20 performances that will begin on October 10, 2024, until October 20, 2024, at the Samsung Performing Arts Theatre. Request Sa Radyo is presented by Ayala Land, John B. Echauz & Joanna Silayan-Echauz, Bobby Garcia, and Clint Ramos, BPI, as the official bank partners. Support provided by Ayala Corporation, AC Health, Ayala Land Premier, Alveo, Philippine Airlines, the official carrier, and Seda, the official residence.

    Don’t Miss Theatrical Masterpiece! A wordless play speaks to the silent struggles of isolation and the deep human need for connection. Through its minimalist approach and profound storytelling, grounded in a specific Filipino lived experience, this production invites audiences to find extraordinary meaning in the everyday. Secure your tickets via Request Sa Radyo tickets | Samsung Performing Arts Theater | Ticketworld.

  • Miss Saigon’s Timeless Themes Find a home in the heart of Manila!

    Miss Saigon’s Timeless Themes Find a home in the heart of Manila!

    “Miss Saigon” The widely acclaimed musical that tells the tragic love story between an American GI named Chris and a Vietnamese girl named Kim during the Vietnam War. Set in the tumultuous backdrop of Saigon in the 1970s, the musical explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the harrowing impact of war on individuals caught in its crossfire.

    Manila has been a significant stop for “Miss Saigon” productions since the Philippines, with its own history intertwined with the Vietnam War era, that provides a unique perspective for audiences experiencing the show in Manila. The emotional depth of the storyline resonates with many Filipinos, given their own experiences of war, love, and sacrifice.

    1. Relevance – During the press conference, the cast discussed how the show is still relevant in 2024, saying, “We’re still seeing the emotional tolls of war going on in the world, and this shows better after 35 years, and we’re still seeing how relationships are shaped and affected by war, and so I think it’s something that we wish we weren’t seeing anymore. When we turn on the TV and see what’s going on around the world, it’s still happening. We still haven’t learned our lessons. We are still living in a world of war. The show flawlessly staged this scene. Kim, Chris, and The Engine-Queer were able to put the audience into the emotion that the show required.

    1. Empowering and Inclusiveness and the Asian Representation – As Claude-Michel Schönberg said, when he came to the Philippines, he heard a voice he had never heard before. It’s beautiful, and it’s amazing! Without the Philippines, the show will not open. You were born into a soup of talents. All thanks to this comment, and thanks to Miss Saigon for putting the Philippines on the map. The Asian representation in the cast was overflowing, as Seann Miley Moore said, Asian excellence and this cast are giving Slay-Asian pride. Even at the stage during the opening night, it was amassed, making each Filipino audience feel the big Asian pride. “I am actually involved, and this culture is quite close to my heart,” Nigel Huckle shared. “When I was really little, I lived in Singapore, and I had a nanny who lives in Ilo-Ilo. In 2016, we brought her to see the show, and we reunited after almost 20 years, and she’s coming here again to see the show!” I was nurtured by a Filipino so early in my life, and I’m learning and loving being in the Philippines.”
    1. Creativity and Freedom – During the press conference, the cast revealed that they had the freedom to fully embody their roles, setting a promising stage. Seann Miley Moore, who played the engineer, definitely steals the show by giving some tagalog quips! He added his own flair and a touch of Filipino authenticity to 1 of the segments. The cast members’ performances were heartfelt and captivating, taking the audience into the emotional journey of each of the characters. The set design, costumes, and choreography all come together seamlessly to transport the audience to the war-torn streets of Saigon.

    Manila audiences should brace themselves for a rollercoaster of emotions, from the passionate love between Chris and Kim to the heart-wrenching realities of war and its aftermath. The musical’s powerful message about the enduring power of love in the face of adversity will strike a chord, especially for a country that understands all too well the struggles and sacrifices of wartime love. The musical’s impact goes beyond entertainment, as it will leave a lingering sense of awe and reverence. The musical’s legacy lives on as this is not just a theatrical production – it is a powerful reflection of the universal themes of love, sacrifice, and resilience that resonate with audiences and serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of storytelling.

    The cast of the Miss Saigon Asian Tour is led by Abigail Adriano as Kim, Seann Miley Moore as the Engineer, Nigel Huckle as Chris, Laurence Mossman as Thuy, Kiara Dario as Gigi, Sarah Morrison as Ellen, and Lewis Francis as John. Miss Saigon’s Manila stop runs from March 23 to May 12, 2024.

  • Miss Saigon Arrives in Manila this March 2024

    Miss Saigon Arrives in Manila this March 2024

    FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER IN THE PHILIPPINES DIRECT FROM A TRIUMPHANT RUN AT SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE CAMERON MACKINTOSH’S ACCLAIMED NEW PRODUCTION OF BOUBLIL & SCHÖNBERG’S MISS SAIGON ARRIVES IN MANILA THIS MARCH 2024

    The heat is on in Manila as GMG Productions, in association with GWB Entertainment, has announced that Cameron Mackintosh’s globally acclaimed production of Boublil & Schönberg’s “Miss Saigon” is heading to The Theatre at Solaire this March 2024. 

    The internationally acclaimed new production of “Miss Saigon” opened in London in May 2014 to record-breaking advance sales and critical acclaim, winning an unprecedented 9 Whatsonstage Awards. It then opened on Broadway and a hugely successful US Tour followed with The New Yorker calling it “A Dynamite Broadway revival”. UK’s The Daily Telegraph wrote, “This thrilling new production spills out beyond theatre and speaks directly to the times we live in – magnificent performances.” The Daily Mail said, “The greatest musical of all time just got even better!”. It has just completed a hugely successful run at Sydney Opera House and, following limited seasons in Melbourne and Adelaide, the show will land in Manila, a city that has a deep connection with this musical, in March 2024. 

    Sir Cameron Mackintosh has shared his enthusiasm for bringing the title to the Philippines.  “I’m absolutely thrilled to be bringing my spectacular new production of Miss Saigon to Manila. Without a doubt, it is the best production of Saigon I have ever produced, with one of the most brilliant casts that have ever performed the show around the world. I can’t envisage another show of this scale being done in Manila for the foreseeable future.” 

    Carlos Candal, GMG Productions’ CEO added that “Following the incredible success of Hamilton, and continuing with GMGP’s commitment to bringing the absolute pinnacle of musical entertainment to Manila, I could not be more excited to be presenting “Miss Saigon” at the Theater at Solaire. Filipinos have a deep connection with “Miss Saigon” because it has been the stage where countless Filipino artists have had their moment to shine.” “The production has given talents like Lea Salonga, Jon Jon Briones, Joanna Ampil, Rachelle Ann Go, and countless others a platform to showcase their extraordinary skills and passion, and we’re excited to welcome a new company of world-class performers to share the new staging of this phenomenal production” 

    Torben Brookman, Director of GWB Entertainment, shares “After witnessing the Opening Night of this production in Sydney recently, audiences are in for an absolute treat with the best production of this incredible show that I’ve ever seen – the heat will be on in Manila! 

    Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Boublil and Schönberg’s classic musical first premiered in London’s West End in 1989. The Tony® and Olivier award-winning musical has been seen by 38 million people worldwide, staged in 32 countries, in over 350 cities, and in 15 different languages for the past 34 years.

    A retelling of Giacomo Puccini’s classic opera, Madame Butterfly, Miss Saigon moves the love story to 1970s Vietnam. The audience follows a young Vietnamese woman named Kim as she navigates the chaos of Saigon during the Vietnam War, falls in love with an American G.I. named Chris, and embarks on an extraordinary three-year quest for reunion, all while harboring a heart-wrenching secret. 

    Miss Saigon has music by Claude-Michel Schönberg with lyrics by Richard Maltby Jr. and Alain Boublil, adapted from original French lyrics by Alain Boublil, with additional lyrics by Michael Mahler. The new production is directed by Laurence Connor with musical staging by Bob Avian and additional choreography by Geoffrey Garratt. The production design is by Totie Driver and Matt Kinley based on an original concept by Adrian Vaux; costume design by Andreane Neofitou; lighting design by Bruno Poet; projections by Luke Halls; sound design by Mick Potter; and orchestrations by William David Brohn. Music supervision is by Alfonso Casado Trigo and Guy Simpson.

    The Manila season is presented at The Theatre at Solaire by GMG Productions, with tickets on sale on November 6 only through TicketWorld. Theatre fans can also enjoy exclusive first access to the show with UnionBank of the Philippines as the show’s official sponsor and pre-sale partner or through the GMG Miss Saigon waitlist at www.gmg-productions.com. Pre-sale period will run from October 23 to November 3. 

    Don’t miss the opportunity to witness Miss Saigon, landing at The Theatre at Solaire in March 2024. For updates and exclusive announcements, visit www.gmg-productions.com or follow us @gmg.productions.

  • Hamilton Musical is coming to Manila

    Hamilton Musical is coming to Manila

    Hamilton Musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda is coming to Manila this September 2023.

    As posted by GMG Productions in their Facebook Page, waitlist for pre-sale access available at gmg-productions.com/hamilton.

    More details about Hamilton in Manila here: HAMILTON Musical in Manila 2023

    HAMILTON is the story of America then, told by America now. This “theatrical landmark has transformed theatre and the way we think about history.” – The New York Times

    Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, HAMILTON has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theatre – a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics and education.

    With book, music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, HAMILTON is based on Ron Chernow’s acclaimed biography.

    The Tony®, Grammy®, Olivier and Pulitzer Prize winning musical will be playing at the Theatre at Solaire from September 2023

  • The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber

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    A new theatrical event featuring a stunning cast of Australian Musical Theater talent.

    Venue: Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo, CCP
    Perfomance Dates: June 24 to July 3, 2011
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