'We Aren’t Kids Anymore' is a Messy, But Necessary Reality Check
Step into the world of live theatre with "Standing Ovation," your trusted companion for navigating Asia's vibrant performing arts scene. From the neon-lit streets of Hong Kong to the historic stages of Manila, we're scouring the region to bring you honest, engaging reviews of the most talked-about shows. Whether you're drawn to the flawless elegance of ballet, embarking on a musical journey through moving tunes, or the raw emotion of dramatic plays, let us guide you to the performances that will resonate with you. So grab your playbill and join The Beat Asia as we immerse ourselves in the region's dazzling arts & culture scene. The curtain's rising – let the review begin!
As children, we all believed that adulthood meant being certain of our actions and acting without hesitation. But now that we’re all here, it seems that we’re all dealing with an overwhelming number of questions and a yearning for simpler times.
“We Aren’t Kids Anymore” by Drew Gasparini is a stimulating coming-of-age musical that delves deeply into the messy reality of growing up (and its accompanying growing pains). It reflects that point in life when you realize that who you thought you’d be isn’t who you’re becoming, when the dreams you promised to pursue don’t look like what you had imagined, and when the world stops being as simple as it once was.
The musical features a poem by Keith White and orchestrations and vocal arrangements by Justin Goldner and Drew Gasparini. It is a song cycle filled with gut-punching songs that navigate through all the changes while realizing that life does not come with a manual.
Barefoot Theatre Collaborative’s adaptation features an all-star cast. The five characters are played by Gab Pangilinan, Maronne Cruz, Gio Gahol, Luigi Quesada, and Myke Salomon.
The musical is helmed by Rem Zamora as Director, Myke Salomon and Farley Asuncion as Musical Directors, Jomelle Era as Movement Director, Joey Mendoza as Production Designer, Hershee Tantiado as Associate Production Designer, D Cortezano as Lighting Designer and Technical Director, and Aron Roca as Sound Designer.
“We Aren’t Kids Anymore” will be staged for four weeks from May 2 to 25, 2025, at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater in Circuit Makati. The show will run for 90 minutes with no intermission, and there will be no admission for latecomers. The production of “We Aren’t Kids Anymore” is licensed by Concord Theatricals.
The Beat Manila got to watch their amazing opening night last May 1, 2025, and we’re here to tell you why you shouldn’t miss out on it!
The Shared Struggles of Blindly Navigating Through Adulthood
Stories typically feature clear-cut narratives, plotlines, and character arcs that can either be linear or nonlinear. But “We Aren’t Kids Anymore” isn’t any of that; there are no obvious heroes, tidy conclusions. Instead, we are met with a series of deeply personal vignettes done through music. It’s an emotionally raw song cycle that cuts deeply, touching on anything and everything — from ambition, to regret, to mental health, broken dreams, and the slow burn of time.
Every performer – Gab Pangilinan, Myke Salomon, Maronne Cruz, Gio Gahol, and Luigi Quesada – brought out distinctive emotional textures on stage, which helped tie everything together.
Watching each one of them play as characters dealing with the complexities of growing up was like looking into a mirror. They channeled every emotion so deeply, delivering a soulfully intimate performance that felt almost like we were eavesdropping on a therapy session.
There was undeniable power in their vulnerability, creating space for the audience to see themselves reflected in every note and lyric. The intimacy of the venue deepened this connection even more – a quiet permission to feel every emotion openly, even in a room full of strangers, with just enough shadow to keep one’s own feelings safely tucked away.
The live band, featuring Farley Asuncion (keyboard), Jordan Amaca (guitar), Tin Vargas (bass), and Karmi Santiago (drums), also gave the musical a different vibe, making it feel alive and a reminder that says, “You’re here. You’re in the now.”
Fragmented Feelings
But there’s a catch: for someone not steeped in the language of theater, this structure can feel overwhelming and confusing. The absence of a traditional narrative thread – a clear beginning, middle, and end – does leave room for emotional interpretation, but also risks alienation and indifference.
The opening number, “My Name is Drew,” sets a personal tone for the entire show but offers little to no clarity on what or who we’re about to follow.
At times, parts of the musical dangled on the edge of oversharing and a “trauma dump session” – like an emotionally charged journal entry that was turned into a performance. Yes, there was emotional catharsis, but some parts felt overly saturated. Some moments were less storytelling, more extremely revealing monologues with music.
Depending on where you are in life, those parts can either be deeply moving or slightly draining. We suspect, however, that this might be one of their intentions.
The Beauty of Relating in the Rawness of Life
Still, there is beauty in the unfiltered sincerity of We Aren’t Kids Anymore’s ensemble. Marrone Cruz’ performance of the title song was definitely a standout moment — her powerful performance perfectly encapsulated the ache of everyone on stage into one stellar performance.
Luigi Quesada also delivered a memorable turn in “I’ll Stick Around.” His presence throughout the show was subtle at first, until he blooms into a cathartic, emotional release. His portrayal of a character veiled in mystery, silently bearing an unnamed weight, felt incredibly profound once he performed Keith White’s spoken word poetry. This build up to his emotional release was quiet, until it salvoes unrestrained, deeply echoing a message of hope.
“We Aren’t Kids Anymore” speaks to a generation raised on ambition, who are now haunted by the crippling fear of failure and burnout. Adulting is a universal language and a pain everyone understands, and that is what this show aims to show.
The nostalgia, the grief for our childhood, and the desire to find meaning in ordinary – these are far from foreign to any of us. This musical feels like an outstretched hand in the dark, gently patting us on the shoulder that reminds us that we’re not alone. It’s more like a friend whispering, “Hey, we’re in this together.”
Final Thoughts
“We Aren’t Kids Anymore” didn’t tie things up neatly, and maybe that’s the point of it all. Sure, there may have been parts that felt incredibly raw, or moments when we all might have felt a little too exposed. But you know what, maybe that discomfort was totally intentional.
Growing up rarely comes with neat endings or clear outcomes. What this musical offers instead is something more honest: a connection through music, melody, and a gentle acceptance that says, “Hey, we’re growing up, and maybe that’s not a bad thing.”
It might not be for everyone, but for those who are struggling to reconcile who they were with who they’re becoming, this show might feel like a mirror. And for one night, that might be enough.
Overall, we agree that it's a must-watch. You’re going to be in for 90 minutes filled with existential crises, reflection, and well, a much-needed reality check.
“We Aren’t Kids Anymore” runs from May 2 to 25, 2025, at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater in Circuit Makati. There are only two ticketing tiers: Gold (P3200) and Silver (P2700). You may get your tickets via Barefoot Theatre Collaborative.
Follow Barefoot Theatre Collaborative on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
Get the latest curated content with The Beat Asia's newsletters. Sign up now for a weekly dose of the best stories, events, and deals delivered straight to your inbox. Don't miss out! Click here to subscribe.
