Phantom of the Opera is officially hitting Shanghai later this year so it’s looking more and more likely that a Manila run is on the horizon for 2027.
We probably won’t get an announcement anytime soon but this is exciting. ❤️🎭
Like other members in this group, I watched Les Mis in Singapore because Base Asia announced it months before GMG announced the Manila stop. I didn't mind at all, I love watching shows at Sands Theatre anyway. But I was scared we wouldn’t get Lea Salonga as Madame Thénardier.
With the recent rant about the Jesus Christ Superstar, where an auntie was singing along throughout the show, I felt compelled to share how respectful, and frankly, better, the audience is in Singapore.
As I took my seat, I saw locals dressed up as characters from the show. Ngl, they were loud, but I was just as excited as they were, so it didn't bother me. They were a group of friends who occupied the entire row behind me. Still, I wasn't worried about any noise during the show. Because I was in Singapore, hehe.
Before the show started, one member reminded the group to put their phones on silent. The show happened. And not a word or sound came from them.
What did bother me was my seatmate, puro siya kuyakoy. He made it clear he was only there to accompany his wife, not to watch the show. Aside from that? No noise. No singing along.
And here's something I really appreciated, I didn't feel the urge to not stand during curtain call. No entitled person behind me shouting to sit down because they're filming (yes, I experienced that during Into The Woods).
So yeah. Overall, I'd choose to watch shows in Singapore. Just more motivation to make more money.
We went to see Jesus Christ Superstar yesterday, May 10 at 6:30PM. It was my first time seeing Jesus Christ Superstar and I went in completely blind as I always have.
My gf and I went on our seats minutes before the show. Seated behind us were a group of 5 - 7 women in their 50s/60s. One woman in particular was talking nonstop about the musical and even told her friends na pagpasensiyahan siya kung mapakanta siya as she won't be able to help herself. I thought she was just kidding, I couldn't be more wrong.
As soon as the musical started, she indeed started singing as well! Okay, I thought maybe simula lang but she continued with the next songs. Nilingon ko siya (she was behind my gf) multiple times and only her friend on her right side would take notice of me. She sang 90% of the songs, and often she would start singing even before the actors! In between songs, she would provide commentary about what's happening and yung isang friend niya on her left ang laging magrereply sa kanya.
I admit I should've just told her, I couldn't handle the situation better, they were old women and I was with my gf. I thought I'd just learn to ignore her, but it was too distracting to enjoy the show.
Maski sa intermission, she would nonstop talk about what to watch out for in the second act. In between talking, she would nonstop sing, it was insufferable. I regret not going out to tell the ushers.
By Act 2, I was able to focus and ignore her better, but at this point, I haven't established as much connection with the characters and the plot. I'm sure I would've enjoyed it more. Still, the performances were incredible. And yes, she kept on singing.
Now, I'm thinking about seeing it a 2nd time while it's still here and try to fit it in my already busy schedule, not to mention the cost. By the way, this woman was on seat HH 27, 28 or 29.
Next time, I'm gonna have to practice calling audiences like her out properly.
Another one of TGA's "nakilala na sa teaser pa lang" but nonetheless, THIS IS EXCITING!! She completes the Allies!!!!!
ICYMI:
Sheena Belarmino is Younger Allie
Morissette Amon is Middle Allie
and Miss Celeste Legaspi is Older Allie
This just leaves us with the Noahs. Any guesses?
Benedix Ramos is Younger Noah
??? is Middle Noah
??? is Older Noah
Hello! Am I the only one who’s concerned about the weekday shows of JCS? Parang 70-100 tix lang Ang sold for tonight’s show.
I’m watching on Sunday matinee and the seats are not that full too. Any chance ba to get upgraded to a different seat if di puno ung theater? Thanks!
Sharing my experience upgrading my seat.
Bought my Balcony Center seat (cheapest) last March, with a 10% discount from my Les Mis ticket. Saw the chika about the 50% off sa Solaire app and wanted to upgrade sana. Got to the ticket booth but they said there’s a minimum of two so they can’t upgrade me (solo goer here). Gave up and proceeded to enter.
At the door, I was asked if I wanted to upgrade for ₱300. Gulat ako sa price! Pero iilan lang kasi ‘yung tao sa section namin. I think dalawa? So sinabi ko na gusto ko talaga mag-upgrade and that tinanong ko na yung ticket booth, pero hindi ako pinayagan. Then they said upo muna ako sa actual seat ko and they’ll ask again.
Two minutes before 8:00pm they called me and said na pwede na raw ako mag-upgrade, but I’ll have to enter after the first song kasi magsisimula na. I said okay, and medyo kinakabahan kasi di ko alam if ‘yung actual price ba, ‘yung Solaire price, or the ₱300 (eh nagtitipid ako huhu) When they processed it, they said they’ll just choose the best seat available and that it’s ₱317.40 in total.
May live feed naman sa door so napanood ko pa rin first song. :)
1809.20+317.40=₱2,126.6 for an Orchestra row 13 (the 50% off price would’ve been ₱3438.50).
Baka lang makahelp sa mga gusto rin mag-upgrade!
Sobrang naiinis ako when I read "glowing" reviews about a local production tapos they would say that they were "not expecting much kasi it was a local production" or kasi "the cast is comprised mostly of local talent".
It's such a backhanded compliment that tells me they know nothing about the local industry and local talent.
Oo, bigay na natin sa ibang foreign productions that they have the money to execute production amazingly from a technical perspective pero iba yung talent ng Pinoy.
Consider this, most foreign, touring, or even productions that you will watch abroad run for long stretches. Some even Years. Their performances might look calculated, very rehearsed, for efficiency and also sustainability. Local Production usually only run for WEEKS, bihira lang tumatagal ng lagpas isang month or two. They only have very limited runs and shows to prove themselves and share their story.
Anyway.... stop underestimating local theater! Support it! Iba ang talentong Pinoy!!!
First time writing a review here, but really felt like I had to. We watched the May 10 1:30 PM show with no idea what to expect, as we’d never watched JCS before.
IT WAS SO GOOD. Yes, Act 1 felt a little rushed and it was a bit hard for me to get into the flow of the story. But the singing? The dancing? The stage? Still so so good. Judas in Act 1 was just crazy. Galing nilang lahat pero stand out si Judas sa Act 1. Gab rin as Mary was just so beautiful. Plus the Pharisees!!! Grabe the voices 😭
Act 2 was just *chef’s kiss* so so good. Grabe yung vocal performances nilang lahat, from Jesus to Judas to Herod to Pontius Pilate. Basta lahat sila. Tapos ang ganda ng choreography and transitions. Yung tipong gusto ko na mag cheer after every number 😂 The story was also easier to get into in Act 2. Di ko namalayan na malapit na siyang matapos.
Overall I had so much fun with the show. I’m just sad cause I think the audience during our run wasn’t able to give back yung energy na deserve ng cast because they really did such an amazing job 🥹 Also ang daming empty seats huhu.
TLDR: To anyone who’s unsure about if it’s worth it to watch or not, sobrang worth it!!! You won’t regret it. Bring ur friends or family and don’t be shy to cheer and be loud hehe feel ko mas maganda ang viewing experience of this particular show if mataas ang energy ng crowd
From the point of view of a producer. What if di naman alam ng producers na magkakaroon ng issue? Tickets are already selling and there’s no turning back. Paano yung ilang inosenteng tao na mawawalan ng kabuhayan pag na cancel ang show vs. that 1 alleged person.
How about the innocent artists na umaasa na sa kabuhayang ito? Really torn. What should we do?
Correct me if I’m wrong but I think Barefoot only addressed the allegations made on Facebook (with the comment section disabled at that). Co-founders are also silent about the matter despite being active on every social media site (Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram) the past couple of days. I understand that the matter is sensitive, and they might be doing stuff behind the scenes, but the way that they are publicly addressing the situation seems lacking.
I know the “darling of PH theatre” has an upcoming show but damn was I disappointed with her and her husband’s lack of response, and how they are posting regular stories everyday.
I think I have enough information to predict the entirety of the next GMG season with only one uncertainty (I could be entirely wrong about these)
October/November 2026 - MJ
Early 2027 (Feb/March) - The Phantom of the Opera
Early summer 2027 (or any point up to September) - Moulin Rouge
I was initially thinking of Cats instead of Phantom for next year but the lead I got on Phantom was too good to ignore, plus they'd probably want Joanna Ampil or something to return for Cats. GMG claims the market is big enough to support 3-4 shows a year so maybe they could slip in Cats somewhere next year
Hopefully they release one of thos teasers soon because I'm itching to see what shows they do bring (personally can only afford to go to two at most and its a shame because it might be a really stacked season 😭)
Going to Manila this later next month and I know if there's any shows that are worth seeing at this time. May or may not go depende sa budget ko.
As May 10 is nearing, TGA posted yet another teaser for Older Allie. While a popular initial thought was Miss Shamaine Buencamino, I'm now having second thoughts if this is her based on the video. The teaser also said she's an OPM veteran which is another contrary to her being Miss Shamaine. Any idea?
lengthy review ahead, but i wanted to write this because i hope more people still check out jesus christ superstar while it is running, especially given the rather lukewarm reaction the production seems to have received from some audiences.
jesus christ superstar is the kind of musical that needs excess. it needs voices that can cut through the room, bodies that can carry the weight of spectacle, and a space that allows the story to feel less like something being watched and more like something being witnessed. in this production, the performers clearly had the first two. the vocals were powerful across the board, with several moments that felt genuinely electrifying. the live band also gave the show the grit it needed, keeping the score alive instead of letting it become too polished or distant.
technically, the production was very strong. the set design was clean and effective, the choreography was sharp, and the dancing brought a lot of texture to the staging. the ensemble work deserves particular attention because the movement did not feel like filler. it helped build the world of the musical: the crowd, the followers, the unrest, the worship, the violence. there was a clear sense that the production understood jesus christ superstar not just as a sung-through musical, but as a piece that depends on atmosphere, rhythm, and bodies in motion.
that said, act 1 felt quite fast-paced, and the energy of the room did not fully settle until act 2. this is not to say that the cast lacked energy. they were clearly giving the material what it required. the issue was more about connection. during the first act, the exchange between stage and audience felt uneven. people were not as quick to clap or respond, and the room felt somewhat hesitant. by the second act, that changed. the audience seemed more present, the stakes landed more clearly, and the production finally began to feel as charged as it probably should have from the beginning.
part of this may have had to do with the audience situation. there were many latecomers, and the show somehow ended with more people than it had when it started. even if the house was not full, the continuous arrival of people disrupted the concentration of the first act. a musical like this depends heavily on collective attention. once that attention is broken, the performers can still perform well, but the atmosphere takes longer to form.
i also kept thinking about the venue. the production was strong, but the space did not completely do it justice. jesus christ superstar makes sense as something that began in an open-air theatre context. it has the scale of a procession, a protest, a concert, and a senakulo all at once. it needs crowd energy. it needs proximity. it needs that strange feeling that the audience is somehow part of the public watching this figure rise, fall, and be consumed by the same crowd that once adored him.
indoors, especially in a venue that creates too much distance, some of that charge gets contained. the cast had the vocal and physical force to fill the space, but the story itself seemed to want something more immediate. it wanted to spill out. a more intimate venue, even if still indoors, might have made the production feel more dangerous and alive. the material works best when the audience does not feel safely outside the event.
overall, this was a technically impressive and vocally powerful production. its strongest moments came when the music, movement, and crowd energy finally met each other, especially in act 2. what held it back was not a lack of talent or polish, but the difficulty of making a large indoor space feel as immediate, communal, and ritual-like as the musical demands. still, when it worked, it really worked. the production reminded me that jesus christ superstar is not just a biblical retelling. it is theatre about spectacle, power, devotion, betrayal, and the frightening speed at which a crowd can turn. despite my reservations, i do think people should definitely catch the show while it is still running. there is too much talent, craft, and force in this production to dismiss it based on lukewarm word of mouth alone.
Hi, I just read a review from someone famous in Lit field that it is panget daw and Gab Pangilinan saved the show, is it true? Thinking if I am gonna watch.
As someone na gusto maging isang aktor I looked for endless ways to improve my craft. Noong nagtanong ako sa mga tao saan ang okay para mag take ng acting classes, this one came highly recommended. I was excited kasi I wanted to be in a community with people who were passionate about the same thing I was passionate about. Noong nakwento ko to some people who are veterans in the industry na kukuha ako ng classes sa school na to na warn ako to be careful and not share anything personal. Noong narinig ko ito I just thought they were looking out for me in general kasi I will be in a class with strangers hindi naman ako dapat mag share ng anything personal pero I wish nakinig ako when they told me to be careful.
Noong simula normal class lang siya pero slowly nakita ko yung mga shift pag off the job na yung main teacher (MT) at yung mga staff(minions) niya. Madalas after class kumakain sa labas si MT and minions niya. Noong una hindi ako sumasama kasi late na natatapos yung class eh maaga pa yung pasok ko sa trabaho the next day kaso nabalitaan ko na pinaguusapan nila yung mga student dun. So isang gabi sumama ako kasi gusto ko din malaman kung ano sinasabi nila. Noong pumunta ako dun sa dinner nagulat ako kasi iniisulto nila yung mga studyante na wala dun. Hindi lang sa work nila sa class kundi mga personal attack din. Ang dali isipin ngayon na mali yun pero noong time na yun bilib pa ako kay MT at naniwala ako na mahusay siya kaya naniwala din ako sa mga insulto niya sa mga kaklase ko. Dahil dito medyo nagkaroon ako ng distance with my classmates. Ayoko kasi ma associate sa mga taong hindi gusto ni MT. Eventually napagusapan din naming ng mga kaklase ko itong mga insults na naririnig namin tungkol sa isa’t isa and na realize namin na kung wala ka sa room paguusapan ka talaga. Naging resigned kami sa fact na ito ang nag decide kami na mag focus nalang sa ano pwede namin matutunan.
Pero hindi namin magawa yun dahil slowly nag eescalate na din yung mga sinasabi niya.
Ito yung ilan sa mga narinig ko or ng mga kaklase ko na sinabi ni MT about students:
“was she dropped on her head as a baby” - tungkol sa isang student na feeling niya hindi nakakaintindi
sinabi niya na may affair yung isa sa mga students niya.
“bobo siya” - tungkol sa student na may tinanong sa kanya sa class
“meron siyang mommy issues” - after magkwento noong student sa kanya tungkol sa personal life niya
“____ does not have the intelligence to understand the technique”
“Wala na ba silang ibang ma award?” - when a student (or even a team member) receives a nomination or a win
“Gusto ko siya sapakin” - about several students
“si ___ tanga nakikita ko bakit siya inaabuse.” - after magkwento noong student sa kanya tungkol sa personal life niya
“depressive narcissistic siya” - about a student who had a panic attack during class
Spoke about a student’s financial situation, that they are insecure about not being able to provide for their family "naiinsecure siguro siya kaya ganyan siya umaarte"
madami pang iba pero wala akong consent mula sa mga nakarinig so ito lang ma share ko for now.
Noong natapos na yung batch ko and I was able to have time away from all this dun ako nagka clarity sa lahat ng na experience ko. Ang hirap talaga ma identify ng abuse when it’s psychological. Ang galing niya mang manipulate. Sobrang pinaisip niya sakin, sa amin ng mga kaklase ko na we were part of this inner circle. Pero ang importante lang sa kanya ay yung sarili niya. So habang iniisulto niya kami behind each others’ backs to make us dislike or even hate each other, yung sarili niya inaangat niya.
May mga times na tinatanong ako ng mga tao kung nandun padin ako sa school na yun. Tuwing sinasabi ko na hindi at yung dahilan kung bakit hindi madami sa response ng mga tao ay “Ganyan parin pala siya” “Di na siya nagbago” so matagal niya na palang reputation ito hindi lang siya na ca-call out.
At balita ko iniwan na siya ng ilan sa mga minion niya.
Finally they’ve announced it omg eto pala yung tinatago nila!!!! 🫣
Does this mean we’ll expect to see Alex Diaz and Omar Uddin on the show soon??? Wonder who the first ep will be and whennnnn!!! Ang exciting naman mehehe
Sana isa rin sa guests si Sheena!
Soooo my cousin and I watched JCS last night (May 8) and it was Luke Street’s first night last night (there was a different Jesus on the first few days of the show) and honestly, iba yung take nya. I really enjoyed the show, despite the other negative reviews I have read here in reddit pero ikaw nga to each their own hehe pero personally, it is worth it naman also given na may mga promos si Solaire lately, if you’re thinking to watch this is the sign. Idk when na ulit magkaka JCS here in Manila soooo 😊
Alsoooo, we have a different Judas last night, nit Jevon na ineexpect ko but surprisingly again, ANG GALING NYAAA 🥺 the vocals are really giving
The prod and all, I dont know but hindi naman siya makalat as what I have read siguro since ilang days na nakalipas since opening, they are improving.. hopefully for the latter days also hehehehe