Plays and musicals to watch in the final quarter of 2026
WELL INTO the ’ber months, also known as the Philippines’ extended Christmas season, the theater scene continues to heat up, closing the year with a wide variety of plays and musicals from October to December.
There are new shows, and for those who missed them the first time, some restagings set to fill up theater lovers’ calendars until the end of 2026.
Rizal 3000
Oct. 15 to Nov. 30
The Philippine Stagers Foundation presents Rizal 3000, an original Filipino musical that asks, “What if a nation forgets its heroes?” Written and directed by artistic director Vincent Tañada, with music by Pipo Cifra, the production invites audiences to revisit the legacy of Dr. Jose Rizal through a vision of a future where history itself has been erased. Blending science fiction, historical drama, and original Filipino music, Rizal 3000 explores themes of memory, truth, identity, freedom, and sacrifice. The cast is led by Tañada, Vance Larena, Johnrey Rivas, John Arcenas, Ken Intano, James Ramada, Peter Parker Tañada and Toby Nicanor. The production will be staged in multiple venues throughout October and November. Upcoming shows are on Oct. 15 at the Novaliches Convention Center, Quezon City; Oct. 23-24 at St. Scholastica’s College, Manila; and on Nov. 29-30 at SM North EDSA, Quezon City. Tickets are priced at P500 and must be reserved through 0976-501-5558.
A Number
Oct. 16 to 18
WHYNoT and The Necessary Theatre stage Caryl Churchill’s A Number for a limited run this October. JC Santos and Bart Guingona reunite onstage after appearing together in the 2023 production of Red. This is Santos’ directorial debut. A Number follows a father who secretly had his son cloned and is eventually forced to confront the consequences of his actions. Santos takes on the roles of Bernard 1, Bernard 2, and Michael Black, while Guingona plays their father. A Number has performances on Oct. 16, 17, and 18 at WHYNoT, 4/F Karrivin Studios, Makati. Each performance is limited to 80 seats, with free seating. Tickets are priced at P2,800 and are available via Ticket2Me.
About Us But Not About Us
Oct. 16 to 25
IdeaFirst Live is restaging About Us But Not About Us, which ran last February. This time it has performances until Oct. 25 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater, Circuit, Makati. Based on Jun Robles Lana’s film of the same name, which revolves around a dinner between a professor and his student which unravels as secrets, lies, and long-buried truths begin to surface. The play features the same cast as the film: Romnick Sarmenta and Elijah Canlas. Joining them and reprising their roles from the original run are Epy Quizon and Andoy Ranay, plus Kobie Brown, and Tuxqs Rutaquio, who also directs. Tickets are priced at P3,920, P3,360, and P2,800, and are available via Ticket2Me.
Tententenen
Oct. 17 to 25
Teatro Marco — which previously presented Ampalaya Monologues and Dami Pang Gustong Sabihin — is staging Tententenen, a new Filipino comedy inspired by Pinoy meme culture and online trends. It has performances on Saturdays and Sundays until Oct. 25 at Teatro Marco, 3/F, 65 Maginhawa Street, Quezon City. Written and directed by Mark Ghosn, it follows Miss Bu, CEO of Bubu Beauty Company, as she prepares for her upcoming wedding — that is, until gossip about her future husband threatens the event, the company, and the brand. It stars Janine Lloce, Kcedrick Balagat, Lucky Charles, Jin Mikado, Deane Tria, JP Ortiz, Abby Reynes, Sonson O., Rai dela Cruz, Joni Gee, Hannah Salvan, Rem Delos Reyes, and Yan-yan Gervero. Free-seating tickets are priced at P850 and are available through TeatroMarco.com and Ticket2Me.
Fiestas y Muertos
Oct. 23 to Nov. 15
Dulaang UP presents its 49th season theater opener, Fiestas y Muertos, at the IBG-KAL Theater in UP Diliman, Quezon City. It is a contemporary reimagining of Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere, with the goal of contrasting the grandeur of public celebrations with the hidden realities of oppression. It is directed by José Estrella, based on Virgilio S. Almario’s Filipino translation of the original text, and stars Jerom Canlas, Justine Peña, Peewee O’Hara, Ross Pesigan, and Elora Españo. Tickets, priced at P1,200, are available via Ticket2Me.
El Fuego del Alma
Oct. 24-31
Porvenir, as part of Circuit Makati’s ARTober celebration, presents an adaptation of Summer and Smoke by Tennessee Williams. Titled El Fuego del Alma, it is a Filipino translation by Eljay Castro Deldoc, directed by Mark Mirando and starring the same cast from its first run at SinePop in Quezon City earlier this year: Nour Hooshmand, Hariette Mozelle, Opaline Santos, Sandino Martin, and Vincent Pajara. It will be staged at Art Directed Studio, located at the Upper Level of Circuit Lane, next to Blackbox Theater at Ayala Malls Circuit, Makati City. Tickets, priced at P1,250, can be purchased through the Google Form here: https://tinyurl.com/EFDACircuit.
The Play That Goes Wrong
Nov. 6-22
GMG Productions presents the Manila leg of the world touring production of the Olivier and Tony Award-winning comedy The Play That Goes Wrong at The Theatre at Solaire in Parañaque. It depicts an amateur theater company’s attempt to stage a classic murder mystery, which quickly unravels as collapsing sets, disappearing props, forgotten lines, and a series of mishaps derail the performance. It has been staged in more than 50 countries worldwide. Tickets, priced from P999 to P4,000, are available through TicketWorld.
The Art of Breaking Up
Nov. 6-Dec. 6
ABS-CBN Teatro Kapamilya, together with PETA Plus, will be presenting The Art of Breaking Up, based on George de Jesus III’s play Kung Paano Maghiwalay, which was initially staged in 2009. This time, it will be performed at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City. Updated to reflect the present day, it follows a couple who, after years together, confront the reality that love alone may no longer be enough to sustain their relationship. The play is directed by Dudz Teraña and stars a big cast of theater artists, television actors, and emerging talents: Teroy Guzman, Carlos Siguion-Reyna, Ruby Ruiz, Bibeth Orteza, Jake Cuenca, JC Alcantara, Janella Salvador, Nikki Valdez, AJ Sison, Anna Luna, and Yen Santos. Tickets, priced from P1,236 to P2,575, are available through TicketWorld.
Constellations
Nov. 13-22
Stages Production Specialists, Inc., with MusicArtes, Inc., will be staging Constellations by Nick Payne. Directed by Italian-American Fulbright Specialist Kiara Pipino, it follows Marianne, a quantum physicist, and Roland, a beekeeper, who meet at a barbecue. Their relationship is repeatedly tested across parallel universes, with different choices and circumstances leading to different versions of their lives together. It stars Missy Maramara, Jenny Jamora, and Topper Fabregas. It will be staged at The Mirror Studio Theater, SJG Bldg., 8463 Kalayaan Ave., Makati City. Tickets, priced at P1,500, can be purchased through the Google Form here: https://tinyurl.com/ConstellationsMNL2026.
Gregoria Lakambini, A Pinay Pop Musical
Nov. 13-29
Tanghalang Pilipino’s musical based on the titular heroine of the Philippine Revolution, Gregoria Lakambini: A Pinay Pop Musical, is back for another run. Its entire cast returns, including Marynor Madamesila as Gregoria de Jesus. Using the sound and energy of P-pop, the musical follows her journey of love and revolution as written by Nicanor Tiongson and Eljay Castro Deldoc, with music by Nica del Rosario and Matthew Chang. It is directed and choreographed by Delphine Buencamino. It will run at the Proscenium Theater in Rockwell, Makati City. Tickets, priced from P1,500 to P3,000, are available through TicketWorld and Ticket2Me.
Gabriela: The Musical
Nov. 13-Dec. 6
The Barefoot Theatre Collaborative will stage Gabriela: The Musical. This original Filipino production is helmed by the same trio behind Bar Boys: The Musical: director Mikko Angeles, musical director Myke Salomon, and librettist Pat Valera. It will run at the Hyundai Hall in Areté, Ateneo De Manila University, Quezon City. Set in 18th century Ilocos, the musical reimagines the story of Gabriela Silang through myth, magic, and mystery, presenting her as a co-author of the revolution and later tasked with holding it together as it starts to fracture. It stars Gab Pangilinan in the titular role. Tickets, priced from P999 to P3,199, can be purchased through http://bit.ly/gabrielatickets.
Boy
Nov. 27-Dec. 6
Boy is Mad Child Productions’ season finale this year. It is a staging of the 2016 play by Anna Ziegler, which is loosely based on the real-life story of David Reimer, born male but raised as a girl. Directed by Cholo Ledesma, the play raises questions about gender identity and nature-versus-nurture as it follows the repercussions of Adam’s upbringing. It stars Zoë de Ocampo and Topper Fabregas, with Jam Binay, Toni Go-Yadao, and Marvin Ong in the supporting cast. It runs at The Mirror Studio Theater, SJG Bldg., 8463 Kalayaan Ave., Makati City. Tickets, priced at P1,500, are available via the Google Form: https://tinyurl.com/2ds8pu57.
The Child
Nov. 28-Dec. 6
CAST PH’s final production of the year is The Child, a new play adapted and directed by Nelsito Gomez from Henrik Ibsen’s The Wild Duck. It will run for six performances at The Mirror Studio Theater in Makati City. Set in present-day Norway, the play follows married couple Gina and Hans Ekdal as they prepare for their daughter Hedvig’s 13th birthday, which is disrupted by the unexpected arrival of Gregers Werle, a man from Hans’ past whose hidden agenda sets in motion a chain of events with devastating consequences. It stars Marco Viaña, Alfredo Reyes, Caisa Borromeo, and Teia Contreras. Tickets, priced at P1,500, are available via the Google Form: https://tinyurl.com/4cwt54bw. — Brontë H. Lacsamana