Theatre Shows We Are Excited For This August
August 4, 2025
From big star-studded musicals, to returning critically-acclaimed shows, the Manila theatre scene is looking so bring this August.
Here are the shows on our watch list this month.
Read more below.
Side Show The Musical
Side Show The Musical by The Sandbox Collective is a Broadway musical with a book and lyrics by Bill Russell and music by Henry Krieger. Inspired by the true story of conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton, who became vaudeville stars in the 1920s and 1930s.
This is the last production helmed by Toff De Venecia who recently announced his hiatus to pursue his post graduate studies.
Featuring Krystal Kane and Molly Langley alternating with Marynor Madamesila and Tanya Manalang as the Hilton Twins. Alternating in the role of the press agent and Daisy’s love interest, Terry Conor, are theater leading men Reb Atadero and CJ Navato. Theater mainstays Marvin Ong and Joshua Cabiladas alternate in the role of Jake. Stepping into the role of The Boss is comedian, host, and TV and film actor Jon Santos.
Side Show The Musical opened on July 26 and will run until August 17, 2025 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight in Circuit Makati.
Tickets are available through Ticket2me.
Bonifacio "Ang Supremo"
Philippine Stagers Foundation (PSF) marks its 25th season with Bonifacio, Ang Supremo: Isang Musikal, a powerful tribute to Andres Bonifacio.
Directed and starred by Atty. Vince Tanada as the titular role, with Dave Pajanustan as understudy.
The cast Johnrey Rivas and Ken Intano as Jacinto, Vean Olmedo, Kanishia Santos, and Ella Cristofani as Hilaria Aguinaldo, and Yvonne Ensomo and Abbey Romero as Gregoria de Jesus. The role of Tandang Sora rotates among Sarah Javier, Adelle Ibarrientos-Lim, and Daffodil Abear.
Running from August at St. Scholastica’s College Theater in Manila. This musical is set to tour various provinces all the way until April 2026.
Follow @PhilStagersFoundation on Facebook for tour schedules, ticket reservations, and updates.
Into The Woods
Theatre Group Asia (TGA)'s production of Sondheim's Into The Woods is a star-studded cast lead by Olivier and Tony Award-winning Lea Salonga as The Witch, with Nicc Chien as Jack, Eugene Domingo as Jack's Mother, Arielle Jacobs as Cinderella, Joreen Bautista as Rapunzel, Mark Bautista as Rapunzel's Prince, Nyoy Volante and Mikki Bradshaw-Volante as the Baker and Baker's Wife, Sarah Facuri and Kakki Teodor as Cinderella's Step Sisters, Tex Ordoñez-De Leon as Cinderella's Step Mother, Teetin Villanueva as Littel Red Riding Hood, Rody Vera as The Narrator, Carla Guevarra Laforteza as Granny and the Giant, and Jamie Wilson as Cinderella's Father and The Steward.
Recently, Josh dela Cruz was announced to take on the role as Prince Charming and the Wolf.
Directed by Charri Arespacochaga with co-director and executive producer, Clint Ramos, this production will not be the exact replica of the Broadway show but will be "uniquely Filipino".
The show sold out only after two days of selling, prompting to add more show dates.
Running from August 7 to 31 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theatre.
Currently all shows are sold out.
Quomodo Desolata Es?
Isang Dalamhati
This August, one of Philippine literature’s most enduring works takes center stage once again—not as a revival, but as a stirring reinvention that speaks to our times.
Quomodo Desolata Es? Isang Dalamhati is a new Filipino adaptation of Nick Joaquin’s seminal 1955 play, A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino.
Quomodo Desolata Es? Isang Dalamhati reframes Joaquin’s exploration of family, art, and identity through a fresh, visceral lens—challenging audiences to confront the lingering shadows of the past in a rapidly evolving cultural landscape.
This staging promises to introduce a new generation to the power of Joaquin’s language and themes, while offering longtime fans a reinvigorated perspective on a national classic.
The ensemble cast features some of the most respected and dynamic talents in Philippine theater today, including:
Gab Pangilinan
Delphine Buencamino
Omar Uddin
Brian Sy
Vino Mabalot
Maita Ponce
Mika Regis
Meyanne Plamenio-Cortezano
Jason Sanchez
Roldine Ebrada
Jethro Tenorio
Rafael Jimenez
JJ Ignacio
Chantei Cortez
Running only from August 8 to 10, 2025 at
Hyundai Hall of Areté, Ateneo de Manila University
Ticket Prices:
P1,499 (Premium) | P999 (Regular)
Tickets available via arete.helixpay.ph.
Kaliwaan
"Betrayal' by Harold Pinter
Kaliwaan is a Filipino translation of Harold Pinter’s modern classic Betrayal produced by Stages Production Specialists, Inc. and co-presented by MusicArtes, Inc.
Translated by Guelan Varela-Luarca and directed by internationally acclaimed director Loy Arcenas, Kaliwaan explores the quiet devastation of relationships fractured by longing, silence, and memory.
Kaliwaan traces the emotional fallout of a seven-year affair between a woman and her husband’s best friend. As the story rewinds, audiences are pulled deeper into a world where trust fades, love is negotiated, and desire comes at a cost. The play asks: what truths do we hide to keep the love we think we deserve?
Starring Missy Maramara as Emma, Ron Capinding as Robert, and Nor Domingo as Jerry.
Running from from August 22 to 31, 2025, at The Mirror Theater Studio, 3/F SJG Building, 8463 Kalayaan Avenue, Makati. The production will have 10 performances, with only evening shows on Fridays, and both matinee and evening shows on Saturdays and Sundays.
The show runs approximately 90 minutes without intermission.
Ticket prices are PHP 1250 for Platinum, PHP 1100 for Gold, PHP 950 for Silver, and PHP 800 for Bronze.
For more details and to purchase tickets, visit bit.ly/KaliwaanMNL2025
3 Upuan
A Play About Time and Grief
Reprising their roles, JC Santos, Jojit Lorenzo, and Martha Comia are back with the rerun of the acclaimed play “3 Upuan,” written and directed by Guelan Varela-Luarca.
Presented by Scene Change, in partnership with Arete and Archive 1984, 3 Upuan is a story about three siblings, Jers (Lorenzo), Jack (Santos), and Jai (Comia), reunite and grapple with the death of a loved one.
Totally Tinio accompanies this production, which is an exhibition featuring the works of National Artist for Theater and Literature, Rolando S. Tinio.
3 Upuan will run on August 23-24, 30-31, 2025 (2:00 PM & 7:00 PM).
Seating is extremely limited, with only 45 seats available per show.
Tickets are priced at P2,500 and are now available for purchase via the group’s Google Form.
To learn more about Scene Change and 3 Upuan, follow them on Facebook at Sc. Scene Change and on Instagram at @sc.scenechange.
Walang Aray
Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) proudly announces the triumphant return of its award-winning musical Walang Aray—a poignant reimagining of Severino Reyes’ sarsuwela, Walang Sugat.
PETA presents a version of this classic that reflects the full spectrum of identities and experiences in our society. A defining element of this revival is its revolutionary and inclusive casting, particularly in its central roles. Among the most notable casting choices is that of Lance Reblando, a multi-talented performer known for their commanding stage presence, who takes on the role of Julia. This casting is a deliberate move by PETA to broaden representation and expand the possibilities of storytelling on the Filipino stage.
Joining Reblando are new cast members bringing their own flair to beloved roles: Rendell Sanchez as Miguel, Divine Aucina as Monica, Gold Villar-Lim as Juana, and Roi Calilong as Padre Alfaro. The ensemble also features James Lanante, MC Dela Cruz, Bomba Ding, Otep Madriaga, Miah Canton, Matel Patayon, and Zoe Damag.
They join the award-winning original cast: Gio Gahol (Tenyong), Jon Abella (Tenyong), Shaira Opsimar (Julia), Marynor Madamesila (Julia), Bene Manaois (Miguel), Kiki Baento (Monica), Carlon Matobato (Lucas), Neomi Gonzales (Juana), Gie Onida (Don Tadeo), Csairus Habla (Don Tadeo), Johnnie Moran (Padre Alfaro), and the quick-witted and sharp supporting cast, Jarred Jaicten, Gerard Dy, Yeyin de la Cruz, Ayla Garcia, and Ada Tayao.
Adding even more star power to this run, Philippine pop culture icons Jolina Magdangal and Ice Seguerra join the cast. Magdangal takes on the role of the outrageous Doña Juana, while Seguerra brings charm and comic flair as Lucas, Tenyong’s loyal sidekick.
Running from August 29 to October 12, 2025, at the PETA Theater Center.
Tickets for the show are via ticket2me.net