Jude Cartalaba

Mental health a few years back wasn't something very alarming, but due to high rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide, it has become more and more a growing concern. In 2025, the staging of the 2008 American rock musical 'Next to Normal' (with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt) is indeed a timely move by The Sandbox Collective.

Sexy, seemingly sharp Diana Goodman is one challenging character in 'Next to Normal,' which centers on a mother who struggles with worsening bipolar disorder and the effects of managing her illness on her family.

The 32-year-old Kapuso actor Martin del Rosario is making his professional debut onstage via 'Anino sa Likod ng Buwan,' a Bulwagang Gantimpala Playwriting Competition grand prize-winning piece by writer-filmmaker Jun Robles Lana.

In the film 'Isang Himala,' directed by Pepe Diokno, actress Neomi Gonzales plays Chayong, the closest friend to faith healer Elsa. Portraying Chayong isn’t Gonzales' first time, though. She played the same role in a new 'Himala: Isang Musikal' production by The Sandbox Collective and 9 Works Theatrical in 2018.

The 1982 film 'Himala,' directed by National Artist Ismael Bernal, follows the story of a barrio Cupang lass, Elsa, played by a young Nora Aunor, who allegedly saw an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 'Himala,' retitled 'Isang Himala,' is back on the big screen as a musical film, an official entry to the 50th-anniversary of the annual Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

TV film actress Iza Calzado is Sugar in the Philippine premiere of the play 'Tiny Beautiful Things,' produced by The Sandbox Collective, celebrating its 10th anniversary.

Henry VIII's ex-wives take the stage in the international smash hit musical 'Six,' written by Tony Award winners Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss.

JM Cabling and PJ Rebullida, dancers and choreographers, learn, unlearn, and relearn from each other. They currently work together in a production of the Tony Award-winning musical 'Once On This Island,' book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and music by Stephen Flaherty, co-produced by 9 Works Theatrical and Ticket2Me.

The Sandbox Collective's production of 'Little Shop of Horrors,' Alan Menken and Howard Ashman’s 'bloodthirsty' musical comedy set in the ‘60s is directed by Toff De Venecia. In this production, De Venecia teams up with scenographer Mio Infante and the puppet designer Kayla Teodoro.

Although the summer season in the Philippines has officially ended this year, we’re still thrilled to join the rest of the global theater community in rounding out our top picks of must-see shows running this month and the next few months.

Independent record label Kadasig presents the first public reading of HOOK UP, a new musical written and directed by award-winning songwriter Jude Gitamondoc. Performances will be on June 28, 2024, at Hillary 1 & 2 of Quest Hotel, with doors opening at 1 and 3:30 p.m., and shows starting at 1:30 and 4:00 p.m., respectively.

RENT, the late Jonathan Larson's masterpiece, was a cultural sensation in 1996, winning the Tony Award for Best Musical and a Pulitzer for Drama. But does it still resonate with today’s younger audiences?

Like her idol, Lea Salonga, and any aspiring singers, Natalie Grace Yanson began performing at family gatherings or parties.

While the Kim-Chris-Ellen love triangle may be the more widely discussed, the Chris-Kim-Thuy love triangle in the ongoing run of the hit musical 'Miss Saigon' holds its interest. This lesser-explored dynamic adds a layer of complexity to the show’s story.

When the buzz of adapting to the stage one of the Philippines’ top-grossing films, 'One More Chance,' which starred John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo, came out, it took the local theaterdom by storm.

Performing onstage is second nature to the Filipino dancer, singer, and actress AC Bonifacio.

'Magic Men Australia' takes center stage with 10 of its hottest male performers for a two-night show of temptation, mystery, and fun. Part of its world tour, 'Magic Men Australia' plays at Newport Performing Arts Theatre at Newport World Resorts.

Former cast members in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s 'The Sound of Music,' young actresses Krystal Brimner and Becca Coates reunite in the Tony Award-winning musical 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.'

Until Friday, February 2, films from different genres from the 49th annual Metro Manila Film Festival in the Philippines, will be screened during the inaugural Manila International Film Festival at the TCL Chinese Theatre, Hollywood Boulevard.