10 Theater Shows in Metro Manila to Enjoy With Your Loved Ones Many concerts and movies are happening and being shown, but these are not the only way to have fun and to bond with your loved ones. Theater shows can be just as entertaining, fun, and even educational! Although the holidays are approaching and the year is already drawing to an end, there are still many spectacular shows to watch. Below is a list of theater shows that will take place in the last three months of 2017. WHAT: Beauty and the Beast When: August 12 to December 14 Where: Onstage Theatre, Greenbelt 1 Prices*: PhP470.25 for Balcony PhP574.75 for Lower & Upper Orchestra Left and Right PhP679.25 for Lower & Upper Orchestra Center * inclusive of ticket fees and ticket protect
The ‘tale as old as time’ gets a new version from REP. “Beauty and the Beast” is about a cursed selfish prince who must find a woman who would love him for who he is despite his beastly appearance. This beloved fairy tale classic will have a theater adaptation by the premier theater group REP Theater for Young Audiences (RTYA). In RTYA’s version, the story is much lighter and is filled with more humor compared to the original tale and its Disney version. The play is directed by Joy Virata. Tickets are available through REP or Ticketworld website. How to get to Onstage Theater: Take the MRT-Line 3 to Ayala and walk towards SM Makat, which is connected to Greenbelt. The theater is on the second floor of Greenbelt. Read: 6 Comfy Café Hangouts Around the Central Business District of Makat
WHAT: The Sound of Music When: September 27 to October 22 Where: The Theater at Solaire Prices*: PhP1,500 for D Reserve (Balcony Back) PhP3,500 for C Reserve (Balcony Front) PhP4,500 for B Reserve (Orchestra, Premium Gold) PhP5,800 for A Reserve (Orchestra, Premium Gold) PhP7,000 for VIP (Orchestra Center) * inclusive of ticket fees and ticket protect
The Sound of Music is one of the most beloved musicals of all time. Almost every generation knows a few words from the catchy songs of The Sound of Music. One of the most popular theater musicals, The Sound of Music is based on the true story of the Von Trapp family singers—a famous singing group that emerged after World War II. Set during the period of the Nazi’s takeover in Austria, the play is a combination of romance, comedy, and politics. Tickets are available at the Ticketworld website How to get to Solaire : Alight at the MRT-Taft Avenue station and ride a jeep to SM Mall of Asia. Wait for a free Solaire service shuttle located at the terminal front.
WHAT: Rody Vera’s Fly Me to the Moon When: October 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, and 22 Where: : Arts Above, Artist Playground II, 112 West Venue Building, West Avenue, Quezon City Prices*:
PhP600 for free seating * inclusive of ticket fees and ticket protect
The play is a staging of the Palanca Awards entry of the same name. Fly Me to the Moon tells the story of Melanie, a woman who aspires to help her family by going to Japan. She uses her charm to board a ship full of flesh-hungry crew. While on board, Melanie adjusts to her situation with the help of a karayuki-san (Japanese prostitute). The two found comfort with each other after they realized the parallels of their lives and, soon, their own stories. How to get to Arts Above: Cross the overpass from SM North EDSA to the corner of West Avenue (across Paramount Building). Ride a jeepney that plies the West Ave route. Alight at 112 West Venue Building.
WHAT: Ballet Manila’s The Exemplars: Amada and Other Dances
When: October 20 to 22 Where: : Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo, CCP Main Theater, Pasay City Prices*: PhP500 for Zone 5 PhP600 for Zone 4 PhP1,000 for Zone 3 PhP1,200 for Zone 2 PhP1,500 for Zone 1 * inclusive of ticket fees and ticket protect
Ballet Philippines is known to produce internationally acclaimed shows especially during the 70s and 80s. In the first show of their retrospective series, younger generations will have a chance to watch unseen and internationally-renowned classics from Ballet Philippines including Denisa Reyes’ “Muybridge Frames” and Gener Caringal’s “Ang Sultan.” The show is named after Alice Reyes’ “Amada,” which is one of the first pieces that Ballet Philippines performed. “Amada” is based on
one of Nick Joaquin’s stories, “Summer Solstice”. Besides the graceful performances, viewers can also expect a beautiful set and costumes. Tickets are available at TicketWorld. How to get to CCP : Ride the LRT-Line 1 and drop off at Vito Cruz station, ride a jeepney bound for CCP.
WHAT: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang When: October 21 to November 12 Where: : Newport Performing Arts Theater, Solaire Prices*: PhP1,075.60 for Bronze PhP1,828.52 for Silver PhP2,581.44 for Gold PhP3,334.36 for VIP PhP4,087.28 for SVIP * inclusive of ticket fees and ticket protect
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is visually satisfying musical. An all-Filipino ensemble will star in the stage adaptation of Ian Fleming’s novel Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. This is the British musical’s first time in the country and Resort World’s theater production aims to reinvent the classic family musical to fit the taste of Filipino audiences. GMA artist Gian Magdangal will lead the cast as Caractacus, a struggling inventor, who along with his children Jeremy and Jemima, went on a journey using a restored flying car to a land called Vulgaria. Tickets are available at Ticketworld online. How to get to Solaire: Follow instructions previously given.
WHAT: Roald Dahl’s Matlda When: November 10 to December 10 Where: : Meralco Theater, Pasig City Prices*:
PhP1,500 Zone 4 PhP2,500 Zone 3 PhP3,500 Zone 2 PhP4,000 Zone 1 * inclusive of ticket fees and ticket protect
The play will have three child actresses to play Matilda. Another children’s’ book classic theater adaptation on the list is Matilda, a book by famous novelist Roald Dahl. Matildais about a smart little girl with psychokinetic abilities but has to deal with bullies at school and her whole family mistreating her at home. The Tony-Award winning musical will star The Voice Kids finalist Telesa “Esang” de Torres as the titular role. The play is fit for family bonding; however, only children seven years old and above can watch. Tickets are available at the Ticketworld website. How to get to Meralco Theater : Ride the MRT and drop off at the Ortigas station, then walk towards Robinsons Galleria. From Robinsons, take a jeep going to Rosario.Get off at Meralco Avenue and walk to Meralco Theater, which is found across Mcdonald’s.
WHAT: Hair-Grand Musicale When: November 17 to December 17 Where: : Onstage Theatre, Makati City Prices*: PhP836 for Balcony PhP1254 for Lower & Upper Orchestra Center PhP1,567.50 for Lower & Upper Orchestra Center * inclusive of ticket fees and ticket protect
You don’t have to have experienced the 60s to enjoy this musical. Inspired by the hippie movement during the 1960s, Hair is a groovy musical that features songs mostly about peace and love. It tells the a love story of Claude Hopper Bukowski, a farmhand who enlisted at the US Army during the Vietnam War, and Sheila Franklin, an upper-class
debutante city girl. The unlikely romance during the time of war is the main theme, and it is propelled by a group of hippies led by George Berger who tries to keep the couple together despite circumstances. Tickets are available at the Ticketworld website. How to get to Onstage Theater: Follow the directions given previously
WHAT: Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s Snow White When: November 25 and 26 and December 2 and 3 Where: : Aliw Theater, Pasay City Prices*: PhP515 for Bronze PhP1,030 for Silver PhP1545 for Gold * inclusive of ticket fees
Ballet Manila’s version will explore more sides of the evil queen. As part of Ballet Manila’s Flights of Fantasy series, the Philippines’ first Prima Ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde will present “Snow White,” her second full-length choreographed work. The piece promises a new perspective that deviates from the popular children’s tale. This version will bring a modern storytelling twist to the classic while still preserving the essence of the story. Tickets are available at TicketWorld. How to get to Aliw Theater : From LRT-2 Recto Station, walk towards the footbridge connecting to LRT-1 Doroteo Jose. Alight train going southbound, drop off at Vito Cruz. Ride one of the jeepney-shuttles bound for the CCP Complex.
WHAT: Edna Vida’s The Nutcracker When: December 1 to 10 Where: : Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo, CCP Main Theater, Pasay City Prices*: Shows without live orchestra: PhP300 for Zone 6 PhP500 for Zone 5 Php600 for Zone 4 PhP1000 for Zone 3 PhP1200 for Zone 2 PhP1500 for Zone 1 Shows with live orchestra: PhP300 for Zone 6 PhP500 for Zone 5 Php600 for Zone 4 Php1500 for Zone 3 PhP2500 for Zone 2 PhP3000 for Zone 1 * inclusive of ticket fees
This version of The Nutcracker shows more of the Philippine culture during holidays. In this adaptation of the timeless tale of the Nutcracker, the story happens during the Spanish colonial era in the Philippines. This version adds Filipino elements to the story such as the familiar scenes of noche buena, Rigon de Honor (square formation dance), fireflies, and bougainvilleas. In addition to these twists, the show also features a set and costumes designed by National Artist for Theater and Design, Salvador Bernal. A live orchestra will also be present on gala performances, but this corresponds to an increase in ticket prices for zones three to one. Tickets are available at Ticketworld online, CCP Box Office, and Ballet Philippines. How to get to CCP: Follow directions given previously.
WHAT: Menken & Ahrens’ A Christmas Carol When: Opens December 7 Where: : BGC Globe Iconic Amphitheater, Bonifacio Global City
Prices*: PhP2090 for reserved seating
The heart-warming tale will melt the coldest of hearts. The holiday season wouldn’t be complete if there weren’t any Christmas-themed shows. Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is one of the most famous Christmas stories; it revolves around the selfish and money-centric Ebenezer Scrooge who is visited by three ghosts—the ghost of Christmas past, the ghost of Christmas present, and the ghost of Christmas future. The play is produced by Globe Live and 9works Theatrical. Tickets are available at Ticketworld online. How to Get to Globe Iconic BHS Amphitheater BGC : Alight from MRT-Ayala station and ride the RCBC bus and get off at 5th Ave. Walk along 5th Ave and turn right, walk past the next intersection of 28th. Turn right to High Street to get to the Amphitheater. Read: Christmas Is Coming! Are You Ready?
Tips for tcket purchasing and watching: • Secure tickets as early as possible, some shows sold out quick. • Be as early as possible. Some shows do not allow late comers to enter as soon as the show starts. Get to the place on time by adjusting your travel time to avoid traffic on the way to the show. • Follow the social media accounts of organizers or the production company to be updated on possible changes and announcements. • Double-check the dates and times of the events and your own schedule to see if you need to make adjustments. • Check the rules and conditions of venue to avoid any inconveniences.