The new year has barely started, but Filipino theater fans already have plenty to look forward to.
The Philippine theater scene has grown steadily since the country emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic kept the industry largely inactive for more than two years.
Many people called the return of productions in 2023 “revenge theater”. However, the momentum continued well beyond that year.
In 2025, Philippine theater showed that Filipino performers can match the talent and dedication of their Broadway counterparts.
Local productions of Broadway hits such as Next to Normal, Come From Away and Into the Woods earned strong reviews. They also received recognition from local award-giving bodies.
The stage also welcomed several original Filipino productions. These included Delia D, Gregoria Lakambini: A Pinay Pop Musical and Si Faust.
Reruns and restagings also attracted audiences. Popular shows such as Walang Aray and Bar Boys: The Musical returned to the stage.
Musicals were not the only productions that drew crowds.
Straight plays such as 3 Upuan (3 Chairs), Para kay B (For B), Anino sa Likod ng Buwan (Shadow Behind the Moon) and Dagitab (Sparks) offered powerful stories.
These productions lacked the large dance numbers often associated with musicals. Yet, they still kept audiences engaged and proved the strength of Philippine theater.
Global fan favorites on the local stage
The momentum is continuing into 2026, with several major productions already announced for the first half of the year.
Some international productions will feature Filipino performers. Others will bring all-Filipino casts to the local stage.
GMG Productions will begin the year with Les Miserables: World Tour Spectacular.
The production features Filipino Broadway and West End stars Lea Salonga as Madame Thenardier, Rachel Ann Go as Fantine, Emily Bautista as Eponine and Red Concepcion as Thenardier.
Also known as the “Arena Spectacular”, the production takes a concert-style approach. However, the performers will still appear in full costume.
Available clips suggest that the staging will retain the scale and spectacle associated with the musical.
The show will run at The Theatre at Solaire in Parañaque City from January 20 to March 1.
The TicketWorld listing showed strong demand, with most performances sold out at the time of writing.
Theater fans will also have a chance to see Jesus Christ Superstar.
GMG Productions will bring the Olivier Award-winning revival to The Theatre at Solaire for a limited three-week run in May.
The production will showcase the iconic rock score by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
More Broadway hits with an all-Filipino cast
Following the success of the all-Filipino cast of Next to Normal, The Sandbox Co. will stage another major Broadway musical.
Its next production is Spring Awakening, the award-winning coming-of-age rock musical by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater.
The musical won several major awards, including the Tony Award for Best Musical.
Spring Awakening will open on February 13 at The Black Box at the Proscenium Theater in Rockwell, Makati City.
The production features a mix of veteran performers and rising Filipino actors.
Audie Gemora, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo and Ana Abad Santos will join younger performers Alex Diaz, Nacho Tambunting, Sheena Belarmino, Nic Chien and Omar Uddin.
Theater Group Asia will also return with another Broadway classic.
After staging Into the Woods with an all-Filipino cast and a local twist, the company will present A Chorus Line.
The musical will open on March 12 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Makati City.
The cast includes talented performers from the Philippines and Filipino artists from the diaspora. Conrad Ricamora and Lissa de Guzman will also join the production.
Their involvement adds international Broadway experience to an already strong local cast.
From screen to stage
The Philippine theater industry is also adapting Filipino films for the stage.
One of the upcoming productions is Bagets The Musical, based on the 1984 Filipino coming-of-age comedy film Bagets.
The cast includes Andres Muhlach and Mico Chua as Adie, KD Estrada and Ethan David as Arnel, Milo Cruz and Migo David as Tonton, Jeff Moses and Sam Shoaf as Topee, and Tomas Franco Rodriguez and Noel Comia Jr. as Gilbert.
The Idea First Company will also stage About Us But Not About Us from February 14.
The production adapts Jun Robles Lana’s 2022 film of the same name.
Tuxqs Rutaquio will direct the psychological drama. The story follows literature professor Eric and his student Lance as a casual meal reveals their secrets and lies.
Romnick Sarmenta and Elijah Canlas will reprise their roles as Eric and Lance.
Epy Quizon will play Marcus, Eric’s late partner. Andoy Ranay, Geraldine Malacaman-Villamil and Herbie Go will also appear in selected performances.
Noel Rayos will cover the role of Eric. Jack Denze will play the waiter and Lance Double, while Jao Catarus will cover the role of Lance.
About Us But Not About Us will run until March 8 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater in Makati City.
Another popular Filipino film franchise will also move to the stage.
Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 4: Oh Sh*t! It’s Live Sa Cheter! will expand the satirical world created by the film series.
The production will explore “ego, art, and the messy reality of making Philippine Theater today”, according to the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA).
PETA will stage the show from June 19 to August 16 at the PETA Theater Center.
The full cast has yet to be announced, but Eugene Domingo will lead the production. She previously starred in the franchise’s films and series.
With Broadway favourites, original Filipino productions and film adaptations all on the calendar, Philippine theater is entering 2026 with strong momentum.
The past few years have shown that audiences remain eager to return to live performances. The new season could further strengthen the country’s reputation as an important destination for musical theater and stage talent in Asia.
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