Beat the Summer Heat With These March 2024 Theater Shows in Manila

The theater scene is off to a graceful start this 2024 as the curtain draws open, welcoming new stories and performances to take on the theater stage around the metro. From well-loved films announcing their musical adaptation, including the classic Filipino film “One More Chance” and the comedy-drama film “Bar Boys,” to a special musical stage featuring the iconic songs of the OPM band Parokya ni Edgar, there's bound to be one to tickle your interest.

With international, local, and ballet shows happening throughout the month of March, theater fans are surely delighted to witness such a work of art.

Sit back, relax, and let The Beat Asia give you a list of theater shows you should not miss to beat the summer heat this month.

Miss Saigon Manila

Starting off with an international theater play that attracted more than 38 million viewers worldwide, the highly acclaimed musical theater “Miss Saigon” is set to grace the Manila stage with its first show on March 23 that will go on until May at The Theater at Solaire.

Bringing the tragic love story between Kim, a Vietnamese girl, and Chris, an American soldier, during the fall of Saigon, catch the international production featuring Filipino theater artists and how they will be giving life to the beautiful story laid with a beautiful musical piece.

How much: P8,464, P6,348, P4,761, P4,020, P2,962, P2,116 / Buy here

Location: The Theater at Solaire, 1 Aseana Avenue Entertainment City Tambo, Paranaque City

Pingkian: Isang Musikal

Witnessing a historical music play about the lives of Filipinos should be on everyone’s bucket list, and “Pingkian: Isang Musikal” has arrived just in time if you’re looking for something heroic to watch this month.

The play follows the story of Emilio Jacinto at the end of the Philippine-American War and how the ghosts of his friend, Andres Bonifacio, and his role model, Jose Rizal, visit him as he fights for his life. Witness the voices, his own determination, and the meaning behind achieving Lady Freedom as stated in his work, “Pahayag.”

How much: P1,545 / Buy here

Location: CCP Black Box Theatre, Pasay City

Betrayal

If you’re seeking a modern theater play, you might want to consider booking your ticket for this one. Taking pride as an Olivier awardee for Best Play, Harold Pinter’s “Betrayal” tackles the hurdles of a relationship inspired by the playwright’s own seven-year affair.

Structured in a reverse-chronological way, the play unveils the story between the connection of Emma, Jerry, and Robert with each other and the extramarital affair between them set in London and Venice over a nine-year period.

How much: P2,575, P2,060, P1,545 / Buy here

Location: Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, Northeastern corner of Podium 4, Tower II, RCBC Plaza, Makati City

Limang Daan

Get your beautifully sewn Filipiniana ready as Ballet Philippines proudly introduces “Limang Daan” to audiences, elegantly portraying a captivating slice of the Philippines' 500-year history from a feminist perspective and highlighting the lives of Filipinas from then and now.

Staging the same production through a video in 2022, “Limang Daan” is stepping into the live stage set to premiere on International Women’s Day on March 8, which will run until March 10 at The Theater Solaire, featuring some of the most sought-after artists in the country.

How much: P3,000, P2,500, P1,800, P1,500, P800, P600 / Buy here

Location: The Theater at Solaire, 1 Aseana Avenue, Entertainment City Tambo, Paranaque City

Papet Pasyon

In line with the holy week of the Catholic Church, Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas celebrates the life of Jesus with its annual play “Papet Pasyon,” set to take stage on Palm Sunday, March 24. Written by National Artist Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio, witness the theater house’s longest-running play at Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio Teatro Papet Museo.

The theater play tells the life, death, and passion of Jesus through a puppet play, attracting kids and Catholics of all ages to celebrate and witness the life of the Savior.

How much: Free admission

Location: Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio Teatro Papet Museo, #64 Mapagkawanggawa St., Diliman, Quezon City