The Sandbox Collective announces the highly anticipated and limited rerun of the award-winning rock musical, SPRING AWAKENING. The production is set to open in February 2027 at The Black Box at The Proscenium Theater, Rockwell Center, Makati City.
The staging recently received 17 Citations from Gawad Buhay Awards, cementing it as one of the most celebrated local productions of the season. Winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, with book and lyrics by Steven Sater and music by Grammy Award-nominated recording artist Duncan Sheik, SPRING AWAKENING is a contemporary rock masterpiece based on the controversial Frank Wedekind play of the same name.
Set in 19th-century Germany, the musical follows a group of teenagers navigating their burgeoning sexualities and rapidly changing bodies. As they seek answers to the mysteries of life, they clash with uncommunicative parents, rigid institutions, and a deeply conservative society. Driven by an electrifying alternative rock score, the show channels its characters’ adolescent repressions into the timeless angst and power of modern youth. It is an illuminating, unforgettable fusion of morality, sexuality, and rock and roll that continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
With direction by Gawad Buhay nominee Andrei Nikolai Pamintuan (Muli, Lungs, Sa Wakas, Fringe Manila) and musical direction by multi-awarded Ejay Yatco (Side Show, Next to Normal, Little Shop of Horrors), the SPRING AWAKENING rerun promises to reignite vital conversations while championing The Sandbox Collective’s ongoing education and advocacy initiatives.
Pamintuan and Yatco are joined by Nunoy Van Den Burgh (Choreographer), Missy Maramara (Intimacy Director), Wika Nadera (Set Designer), Raven Ong (Costume Designer), Gabbi Campomanes (Assistant Director), and D Cortezano (Lighting Designer).
Ticket information will be announced soon.
SPRING AWAKENING is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI), New York, NY, USA.
For more information, follow The Sandbox Collective on Facebook, Twitter and Tiktok. You may visit our website www.thesandboxco.com and our social media platforms below:
The Sandbox Collective announced a strictly limited staged reading of Duncan Macmillan’s critically acclaimed play, PEOPLE, PLACES, AND THINGS, slated for August 2026. The reading will be helmed by the company’s Artistic Director, Sab Jose.
Known for its visceral, unsparing look at addiction, recovery, and the intoxicating allure of escapism, People, Places, and Things centers on an actress whose life has spun wildly out of control.
The intimate stage reading will bring the raw, electric emotion of Macmillan’s brilliant dialogue to the absolute forefront, guided by Jose-Gregorio’s fresh directorial vision.
“Since our inception, advocacy theater has been at the heart of The Sandbox Collective’s identity. Following our production of Spring Awakening in February, Duncan Macmillan’s People, Places and Things continues our commitment to bringing difficult yet necessary conversations to the stage and beyond — expanding our reach, fostering understanding, and helping normalize discussions that matter most. ” Sab said.
Details regarding venue, casting, and ticket availability will be announced in the coming weeks.
PEOPLE, PLACES, AND THINGS was first presented at The Dorfman Theatre, National Theatre London, in a co-production with Headlong on 1st September 2015.
For more information, follow The Sandbox Collective on Facebook, Twitter and Tiktok – @TheSandboxCo. You may also visit our website at www.thesandboxco.com.
The Sandbox Collective revealed the full cast of SPRING AWAKENING,which features a powerful ensemble of theater veterans and rising stars to open the company’s 12th year and 2026 season.
With book & lyrics by Steven Sater, music by Duncan Sheik, and based on the play by Frank Wedekind, SPRING AWAKENING is the groundbreaking, Tony Award–winning musical that follows the turbulent journey of adolescence, where silence is rewarded and curiosity is punished. Exploring timeless themes of mental health, sexuality, growing up, and family life, the show’s power lies in its ability to transcend eras and resonate deeply with audiences across generations.
Director Andrei Nikolai Pamintuan shared that the show’s story mirrors the oppressive ideas our society continues to grapple with.
“This bourgeoisie, which SPRING AWAKENING takes aim at, manifests today in the form of political elites, conservative religious sects, and a ‘parentocracy’ that seek to preserve the status quo — fearing the so-called corruption of youth and resisting what they deemed as ‘radical’ thought and rapidly shifting industries that are reshaping daily life,” Pamintuan said.
“The struggles faced by the young characters in the show — teen pregnancy, sexual and physical abuse, mental health issues, and self-harm — are the very challenges many young people continue to face, particularly in the Philippines,” he said.
THEATER VETERANS, RISING STARS TO TAKE THE STAGE IN THIS LANDMARK MUSICAL
A mix of Philippine theater’s stalwart veterans and rising stars is set to breathe new life into SPRING AWAKENING 20 years after it first premiered on Broadway.
“First Lady” of Philippine Theater Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo and multi-awarded artist Ana Abad Santos will share the role of Adult Woman. Meanwhile, “King of Philippine Musical Theater” Audie Gemora will step into the role of Adult Man.
Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo is a multi-awarded actress, director, and artistic director. Throughout her illustrious career, she has brought to life iconic roles such as Eva Perón in Evita, Fosca in Passion, Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, and Diana in Next to Normal, as well as appearing in the Manila production of Miss Saigon. Most recently, she captivated audiences as the titular character in the Singapore staging of Kimberly Akimbo.
Making her much-awaited return to stage, Ana Abad Santos is a director, producer, and actress across film, television, and theater. She has earned recognition for her powerful performances in A Streetcar Named Desire (as Blanche DuBois), Portrait of the Artist as Filipino (as Candida), and An Evening at the Opera (as Miranda), among others. Most recently, she appeared in the film “Quezon,” portraying Carmen Hernando.
Appearing in over 70 plays, Audie Gemora is a stage, television and film actor, singer, recording artist, dancer, host, on-camera & voice talent for TV and radio commercials, director, choreographer, producer, impresario and educator. He has played major roles in productions like Pippin, Evita, and Les Misérables, and has won multiple Philstage Gawad Buhay Awards for his performances — notably for Sweeney Todd, The Producers, and La Cage Aux Folles.
Taking the stage alongside theater luminaries are Nacho Tambunting and Alex Diaz who share the role of Melchior Gabor; Nic Chien and Omar Uddin who alternate as Moritz Stiefel; and Sheena Belarmino who will play the role of Wendla Bergmann.
Returning to the Philippine stage after moving to New York, Nacho Tambunting began performing professionally in 2006 in The Sound of Music. Nacho Tambunting originated the role of Felix Starro, Jr. in Felix Starro—the first Filipino-American musical to premiere Off-Broadway. He was most recently seen as Jake in the world premiere of Everything Beautiful Happens at Night. A proud member of SAG-AFTRA and Actors’ Equity Association, he has also appeared on TV and in film.
Alex Diaz is a multi-hyphenate, Gawad Buhay nominated stage, film, and television actor whose journey began as a student radio DJ before being launched in Star Magic Circle 2013. He made his theatrical debut as Racetrack Higgins in Disney’s Newsies and was most recently seen as Chris Abueva in Bar Boys: The Musical.
Nic Chien made his professional musical theater debut in Matilda, and has wanted to be a theater actor ever since. He most recently played the role of Jack in Into the Woods. Nic has also made numerous concert appearances alongside his mother, Lea Salonga. In 2023, he participated in the English Speaking Union’s National Shakespeare Competition where he placed third.
Omar Uddin has been in the entertainment scene since age 12, being a regular for the fourth and fifth season of Team Yey! and 2 Good 2 Be True. He made his theatrical debut in Tagu-taguan Nasaan Ang Buwan? and has continued to play lead roles in shows such as A Christmas Carol, The Lion King International Tour, Bar Boys: The Musical, Next To Normal and, most recently, Quomodo Desolata Es?.
Star Magic artist Sheena Belarmino is a singer, dancer, and actress. She started her career in reality competitions like Dance Kids, Tawag ng Tanghalan Kids, and Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids. At the age of 8, she started her theater career in Cebu, and has since played iconic roles such as Basha in One More Chance: The Musical, Eds Delos Santos in Tabing Ilog, and Natalie Goodman in Next To Normal.
Also joining the cast are Angelo Martinez as Hänschen Rilow; Vino Mabalot as Otto Lämmermeier; Jam Binay as Ilse Neumann; Angia Laurel as Martha Bessell; Mijon Cortez as Anna; Felicity Kyle Napuli as Thea; Elian Dominguez as Ernst Röbel; and Davy Narciso as Georg Zirschnitz.
Angelo Martinez is a Singapore-based performer and the first Filipino to portray Evan Hansen in the Southeast Asian production of Dear Evan Hansen. He was last seen as Aaron Puckett in Kimberly Akimbo alongside Menchu Lauchengco-yulo. Spring Awakening marks his homecoming debut in the Philippines.
Vino Mabalot is an actor and stratospheric tenor known for his emotionally distinctive performances. He is currently performing as the Mock Turtle in Alice in Wonderland, and was recently seen as Tony Javier in Quomodo Desolata Es? and Gabe Goodman in Next to Normal.
Jam Binay is a sought after theater actress and has been seen in different roles in various productions such as Pingkian: Isang Musikal, Next to Normal, In the Eyes of the People, Bar Boys: The Musical, and understudy in Ang Huling El Bimbo.
Making her theatrical debut, Angia Laurel is a dynamic and passionate singer-songwriter and actor. She graduated from De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde with a degree in Production Design for Theater, and has earned critical acclaim for her debut single “Back Again” under ABS-CBN Music’s Tarsier Records. Her upcoming single “Talon” is set for release this November, with her first full-length album following in early 2026.
Mijon Cortez is a musician, singer-songwriter, sound designer, and actor whose work bridges music and theater. She began her artistic journey in student theatre with productions such as The Importance of Being Earnest, Lady Aoi, and Las Viajeras.
Felicity Kyle Napuli is an actress known for her work in theater, television, and film. She has portrayed numerous characters onstage including Becky in A Little Princess, Matilda in Matilda the Musical, and Young Nala in Disney’s The Lion King international tour. Recently, she is known for lending her vocals to the Tagalog dub of K-Pop Demon Hunters.
Elian Dominguez is a theater artist and eco-warrior with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science from Ateneo de Manila University. He made his professional theater debut in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, which was followed by his role as Jepoy in Jepoy and the Magic Circle. He’s most recently seen in Bar Boys: The Musical.
Davy Narciso is a theater actor who has played different roles in productions such as Next To Normal; I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change; and Othello, among others. During his time in college, he also starred in various productions as an active performer of the Ateneo Blue Repertory.
Rounding out the cast are Female Swings Pappel and Nikki Bengzon, and Male SwingsLance Soliman and Gabo Tiongson.
Pappel is a singer-songwriter under O/C Records, and member of The Busking Community. She’s last seen in Side Show: The Musical and Bar Boys: The Musical. Nikki Bengzon makes her professional musical theater debut in Spring Awakening. She was last seen in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Ateneo Blue Repertory’s production of Next To Normal.
Lance Soliman is a musical theater artist, vocal coach, events performer, and recording artist. He was last seen in Alice in Wonderland and Jepoy and The Magic Circle. Gabo Tiongson is an accomplished performer, a virtuoso of the acoustic guitar, a versatile voice-over artist, and a champion at cheerdancing. He was recently seen in Alice in Wonderland.
With Pamintuan at the helm, the artistic team of SPRING AWAKENING also includes Ejay Yatco as musical director, Nunoy Van Den Burgh as choreographer, Missy Maramara as intimacy director, Wika Nadera as set designer, Raven Ong as costume designer, D Cortezano as lighting designer, Gabbi Campomanes as assistant director, Salve Villarosa as dramaturg, Aron Roca as sound designer, Sheik Completado as technical director, and Jaydee Jasa as hair and makeup designer.
SPRING AWAKENING is the inaugural show of The Black Box at The Proscenium Theater in Rockwell, Makati. The show will run from February 13 until March 22, 2026. Tickets are now available on Ticket2Me (tinyurl.com/SandboxSpring2026).
SPRING AWAKENING is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI), New York, NY, USA.
For more information, follow The Sandbox Collective on Facebook, Twitter and Tiktok – @TheSandboxCo. You may also visit our website at www.thesandboxco.com.
Creative industry vanguard and The Sandbox Collective’s Managing Artistic Director Toff De Venecia announces his temporary departure from the company to pursue his postgraduate studies abroad. After 11 years of visionary leadership, the Aliw award-winning and Gawad Buhay nominated theater director will be replaced by The Sandbox Collective’s Marketing and PR Director and award-winning actress Sab Jose as the company’s new Artistic Director.
As a cultural advocate and public servant, Toff spearheaded many initiatives in his home province of Pangasinan such as the Anakbanwa Arts Residency Program, the Galila Arts Festival, Placemaking Dagupan, and the construction of the soon-to-rise Victorio Edades and Salvador Bernal Cultural Center in honor of the two Dagupeño National Artists. His continuing collaboration with Buensalido Architects in projects like the San Fabian Bikers Den and the Manaoag Creative Hub yielded a citation at the World Architecture Festival Awards in the Ethics and Values Category.
Toff also orchestrated various national initiatives such as the Philippine Creative Tourism Summit, the upcoming Creative Tourism Conference, the nationwide celebration of the Philippine Creative Industries Month, and the Congressional CREATE Awards. He also represented the country in various international fora such as the World Conference on Creative Economy in Bali and at the United Nations headquarters in Bangkok.
Toff’s landmark national policies include the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act, The Cultural Mapping Act, the One Town One Product Act, The Eddie Garcia Movie Workers Welfare Welfare Act, The Gabaldon School Buildings Conservation Act, the National Performing Arts Companies Act, the Philippine Space Act, among others. He also co-founded the Philippine Creative Cities Network to help empower local authorities towards creative governance.
Toff co-founded The Sandbox Collective with Anna Santamaria in order to mount new, groundbreaking and cutting-edge theatrical work. He has directed numerous plays and musicals for various theater companies, including All Shook Up, Side Show, Little Shop of Horrors, 13:The Musical, A New Brain, Dani Girl, The Boy in the Bathroom, No Filter, No Filter 2.0, Rodgersand Hammerstein’s Carousel, Ang Tugon Ni Conchita, F(r)iction, The Glass Menagerie, LittleShop of Horrors, and most recently Next To Normal. He is also the outgoing Vice President of PHILSTAGE, the proud alliance of Manila-based professional companies in the theatrical arts. He concludes his directorial run with Side Show this July 2025 – a musical that launched his career over 15 years ago.
Sab Jose is an award-winning actress and entrepreneur, who holds a Master of Arts degree in Musical Theatre from the Guildford School of Acting, England, U.K. She is a graduate of the Ateneo de Manila University, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and track in Advertising and Public Relations. Jose also pursued her postgraduate studies in Marketing at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business. She served as The Sandbox Collective’s Marketing & PR Director for over a decade. Off stage, Jose is a certified memorial celebrant with a passion for grief education and bereavement care. She was a grief consultant for Next to Normal.
Sab is a Gawad Buhay nominee and an Aliw Award winner (Best Lead Actress in a Play) for her performance in the two-header play Lungs. She also essayed roles in various local productions such as Eto Na! Musikal nAPO!, Shrek, Grease, Peter Pan, RENT, The Wedding Singer, among others.
Jose has also dabbled in writing, teaching and directing. She directed Shared Spaces for Ateneo Blue Repertory and was the program director for Stage Camp at Rockwell. Sab also served as assistant director and acting coach for 9 Works Theatrical’s American Idiot, The Sandbox Collective’s Dani Girl, and the hit original plays No Filter and No Filter 2.0. Jose was the managing editor for the published format of No Filter by Summit Books. 2025 marks her 15th year in professional theater.
Continued Advocacy and Arts Education
Bringing in almost two decades of experience, Jose is honored and thrilled to continue The Sandbox Collective’s growth and trajectory. Jose states, “The Sandbox Collective has grown tremendously under Toff’s visionary leadership and I am inspired to take on this new role andchallenge.”
As for what to expect for the upcoming season, Jose excitedly shares that a season slate is in the works, and will be announced soon.
She hopes to expand the company’s repertoire and diversify The Sandbox Collective’s market, while staying true to its core and DNA.
“In recent years, Sandbox has found a voice in advocacy theater. That’s something I’m hoping to continue. I would also love to put my Masters Degree to good use, echo what I’ve learned, and contribute to the growing theater industry. Let’s just say that Arts Education is something I’ve always wanted to pursue and push for. I’m excited to offer a playground where we can cultivate new work and talent, ” Jose shares.
The Final Curtain – For Now.
Side Show: The Musical is Toff De Venecia’s final directorial stint before his leave.
De Venecia shares, “To be able to bookend this chapter of my life, with Little Shop last year and now this, is the stuff of dreams. I couldn’t be more grateful. But yes, this is also farewell. After this production, I’ll be pursuing higher learning abroad to learn more about innovation, public policy and public value and hopefully apply what I learn there back at home when I return. ”
SIDE SHOW: THE MUSICALopens on July 26, 2025 and will run until August 17, 2025 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Black Box Theater, Circuit Makati. Tickets are available at ticket2me.net/sandboxsideshow. Follow @thesandboxco on Instagram for more information.
SIDE SHOW: THE MUSICAL is licensed through Concord Theatricals.
For more information, follow The Sandbox Collective on Facebook, Twitter and Tiktok. You may visit our website www.thesandboxco.com and our social media platforms below:
Multimedia artist, comedy icon, and master impersonator Jon Santos will reprise his role as The Sandbox Collective restages a strictly limited run of its hit one-act play, BAWAT BONGGANG BAGAY (BBB).
Presented by The Sandbox Collective’s new arm, Sandbox Co.labs, in partnership with Ayala Land and Circuit Makati, BBB will bring back its hilarious and heart-warming portrayal of love, loss, and mental health to Filipino audiences.
In celebration of Pride Month 2025, BBB returns after its sold out engagements in 2023 and 2024. This year’s BBB also marks Santos’ fourth run of the show.
BAWAT BONGGANG BAGAY is the Filipino-translated staging of Duncan Macmillan and Jonny Donahoe’s Every Brilliant Thing. Award-winning playwright, translator, actor, and director Guelan Luarca worked on its translation and original staging in 2023.
BBB is an intimate and interactive play that follows the story of a young child growing up with a parent suffering from mental illness. The show continues the conversation on mental health by bringing real and pressing issues to the forefront, and by creating a safe and communal space where audiences become part and parcel of the storytelling.
Jenny Jamora will once again be stepping in as director, having directed all of the previous runs, and winning Outstanding Stage Direction for a Play at the 12th Gawad Buhay Awards.
Joining Jamora in the production team are Marcel David as assistant director, Mark Dalacat as set designer, Kiefer Sison as lighting designer, Arvy Dimaculangan as sound designer, Yabs Yabut as technical director, GA Fallarme as projections designer, KC Kane as costume stylist, Charyl De Guzman as production manager, and IJ Romero as stage manager.
BBB will run at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Black Box Theater in Circuit Makati from June 14 to June 22, 2025 for a strictly limited engagement. Tickets are now available at TicketWorld via bit.ly/bbonggab25.
BAWAT BONGGANG BAGAY (Every Brilliant Thing) is licensed through Concord Theatricals.
Jon Santos Showing Us Who’s Boss
Jon Santos, performer extraordinaire, shows us who’s boss by taking the stage once more in SIDE SHOW: THE MUSICAL. Santos opens the sideshow as “The Boss, ” who takes the reins and introduces us to the mystical world of the freaks, led by the Hilton twins.
Set in 1930s America, SIDE SHOW: THE MUSICAL is a fictional depiction of the life and times of real-life conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton who found fame and notoriety in the vaudeville circuit in 1920 and 1930s.
After mounting critically acclaimed productions of musicals Little Shop of Horrors and Next toNormal, The Sandbox Collective, under managing artistic director Toff de Venecia’s direction, will be staging SIDE SHOW: THE MUSICAL in July 2025.
Joiningdirector Toff de Venecia in the artistic team is Ejay Yatco serving as musical director. Rounding out the artistic team will be Mark Dalacat as assistant director and set designer, Carlos Siongco as costume designer, Gabo Tolentino as lighting designer, and JM Cabling as choreographer.
SIDE SHOW: THE MUSICAL will open on July 26, 2025 and will run until August 17, 2025 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Black Box Theater, Circuit Makati. Cast, Ticketing and Show Buying information will be released in the coming days. #SandboxSideShow
SIDE SHOW: THE MUSICAL is licensed through Concord Theatricals.
For more information, follow The Sandbox Collective on Facebook, Twitter and Tiktok. You may visit our website www.thesandboxco.com and our social media platforms below:
I had no prior knowledge about the Tony award winning musical ‘Next to Normal’ before I came to watch The Sandbox Collective’s open rehearsal first and then the show at Circuit during preview night. As someone who grew up with traditional musical tastes from Rogers and Hammersteins to Sondheim, Kander & Ebb to Ahrens and Flaherty, I’ve always had a resistance to contemporary musicals (though that’s changing now). But to hear a musical that’s rooted in rock music and tackling such a heavy topic like mental illness and grief the way that ‘Next to Normal’ does, and with such fervor, it’s quite a shock to the system.
Written by Brian Yorkey (book and lyrics) and Tom Kitt (music), the play is about a family that’s falling apart. Diana, the mom, is suffering from several mental conditions brought forth by an extreme sense of grief. Trying desperately to hold it together is Diana’s husband, Dan, while their kids, Gabe and Natalie are growing up and dealing with their mother’s condition in unique and different ways. While Natalie meets the stoner Henry, who has taken an interest in her, she’s afraid to commit because of the trouble at home while Diana decides to get off her meds which leads to disastrous results. When Diana switches to a different doctor, Doctor Madden, she goes into a journey that threatens to shake the very fabric of this family and forces them to face the demons they’ve been avoiding for years.
Photo Courtesy of Loreta Arroyo
Under the direction of Toff De Venecia, the play sort of exists in some liminal space that is both the family’s home and also Diana’s mind and mental state. The stage is practically bare except for several chairs and a piano bench and one box that can be a sofa or a table that is constantly being arranged and re-arranged depending on the delicate balance of the relationships in the home. This is De Venecia’s best directorial effort, in my opinion, where the busy-ness of the stage movements find themselves in synch with Diana’s decline in her mental health. Constantly, characters are fixing the chairs and putting them down and standing them when making large declarations that the whole space is in a constant state of flux. The few moments when Diana has any semblance of lucidity and peace, is when the play gets to calm down and go quiet. The play’s direction and the choreography of Stephen Vinas and production design of Mark Dalacat, allows us to see this narrative through Diana’s point-of-view.
Photo Courtesy of Loreta Arroyo
The cast does everything else. The cast that I got to see are all exceptional singers, acting through the performances, and really hitting the emotional notes in each of the songs. Shiela Valderrama shines as Diana (alternate Nikki Valdez), who is constantly just trying to keep it together. Her clarity as she is emoting through each of her songs is incredible; she’s breaking down, but each word is getting across to the audience even as her world is crumbling around her. OJ Mariano plays Dan (Floyd Tena alternates) with so much heart; a man that is trying his best to keep that family from breaking, but you can tell he is at his wit’s end. Vino Mabalot plays Gabe (alternate Benedix Ramos), who has some of those most emotional songs (second to Diana) and he can sing the hell out of these moments. But the ones that really stole the show in the performance I saw was Shiela Belarmino as Natalie (alternate Jam Binay) and Omar Uddin as Henry (alternate Davy Narciso). Belarmino and Uddin manages to create a space for their character’s romantic subplot to wonderfully contrast the heavy parts of Diana’s struggle. The counterpoint breathes some fresh air into the piece and Belarmino and Uddin’s comedic timing, charisma, and joyous approach to their scenes creates a wonderful layer that keeps the show from tilting completely into dread and doom. Belarmino manages to amplify Natalie’s narrative without taking away from Diana’s struggle, which is at the heart of the play. It would be very easy to direct everything towards Diana and have everyone’s individual arc be in service of Diana’s, but Belarmino suffuses Natalie with so much spirit that their story feels intertwined. Diana’s journey informs Natalie’s.
Photo Courtesy of Loreta Arroyo
My only gripe is that the venue does not lend well to musicals and large productions. The sound system was off, with the microphones not giving the clarity that the show needed. The full band set-up, directed by Ejay Yatco, could sometimes drown the singers (except Valderrama) and I hope that they can fix the audio problems for future shows.
This is not an easy play to digest. While it can be funny and charming, it is also alarming and scary and honest and authentic. The way it shows the full extent of how difficult bi-polar disorder can be, how grief can be so destructive when left unchecked, and how the people who are caught in the crossfire can feel so defenseless. All of this is in full display in this musical and De Venecia’s direction brings it all out for us to come to grips with and even enjoy.
This November 2024, Tiny Beautiful Things: A Play About Life – In Letters makes its much-anticipated Philippine premiere, bringing heartfelt stories and human connections to the stage. Presented by The Sandbox Collective, this production wraps up the company’s 10th-year anniversary season, celebrating a decade of innovative theater. Directed by Gawad Buhay awardee Jenny Jamora, the play is set to deliver a powerful emotional experience for audiences of all ages.
Adapted from Cheryl Strayed’s book, Tiny Beautiful Things brings to life the stories from Strayed’s time as an anonymous advice columnist. The play draws from real-life letters, reflecting the highs and lows of human emotions, and offers thoughtful advice that touches the soul.
A Story of Life, Love, and Letters
At the heart of Tiny Beautiful Things is the character of “Sugar,” who writes under a pseudonym while responding to deeply personal letters from readers. The questions she receives range from heartbreak and grief to love, relationships, and self-doubt. Sugar’s responses are raw, real, and full of wisdom, making this play a poignant reminder of the power of empathy and understanding.
Director Jenny Jamora leads the artistic team in crafting a play that blurs the lines between fiction and reality. She shares that the set design—Sugar’s apartment—mirrors the journey of the characters, particularly the relationship between Sugar and the letter writers. “How much Sugar shares of herself is reflected in how she and the letter writers share the physical space,” Jamora explains, “The space is physically the same, but toward the end of the play the way they use it should also reflect the community this group of people has become.” Showcasing the importance of connection and community in navigating life’s challenges.
Iza Calzado Takes on the Role of Sugar
Stepping into the role of Sugar is none other than the acclaimed actress Iza Calzado. Known for her strong screen presence, Iza is sure to bring depth and emotional gravitas to this layered role. Sugar isn’t just an advice columnist—she is a guide, a friend, and a mirror for those who are searching for answers in life.
Photo courtesy of The Sandbox Collective/@TheSandboxCo
Calzado will be joined on stage by Rody Vera, Gabby Padilla, and Ketchup Eusebio, who will portray various letter writers seeking advice from Sugar. These letter writers remain anonymous, but their stories—covering the full spectrum of human emotions—will feel relatable to everyone in the audience. Additionally, Regina De Vera and Brian Sy will take on the roles of letter writers in select performances.
Photo courtesy of The Sandbox Collective/@TheSandboxCo
Together, the ensemble cast will bring these letters to life, creating a dialogue between the audience and the characters that speaks to universal experiences of love, loss, and everything in between.
Photo courtesy of The Sandbox Collective/@TheSandboxCo
An Artistic Collaboration for the Ages
Behind the scenes, Tiny Beautiful Things boasts an impressive roster of talents in its artistic team. With Jenny Jamora directing, audiences can expect a fresh and engaging take on the material. Marcel David serves as assistant director, while Kayla Teodoro handles set design, and Kiefer Sison takes charge as lighting and technical director. Arvy Dimaculangan manages the sound design, with Krystal Kane as costume stylist, and JV Rabano behind the lens as the production’s photographer.
Each member of the team has played a vital role in building the world of Tiny Beautiful Things, ensuring the play is both visually stunning and emotionally moving.
The People Behind The Sandbox Collective
The Sandbox Collective has long been a key player in the local theater scene, known for bringing innovative and thought-provoking productions to Filipino audiences. For Tiny Beautiful Things, Toff De Venecia serves as Managing Artistic Director, alongside Anna Santamaria as Finance and Operations Director, Sab Jose as Marketing and PR Director, and Maine Manalansan as Design Director. This powerhouse team has worked tirelessly to ensure that this play resonates with Filipino theatergoers.
Photo courtesy of The Sandbox Collective/@TheSandboxCo
Rounding out the production crew are Charyl De Guzman as Production Manager, Pachot Festejo as Head Stage Manager, Loreta Arroyo as Marketing and PR Manager, and Marielle Filoteo as Social Media Manager. Together, this dedicated team has shaped a production that not only entertains but also touches hearts.
Catch Tiny Beautiful Things This November
Tiny Beautiful Things will run from November 16 to December 8, 2024, at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Black Box Theater in Circuit Makati. The intimate venue is the perfect setting for a play that thrives on human connection and emotional vulnerability.
Showtimes:
Fridays: 8:00 PM
Saturdays and Sundays: 2:30 PM and 7:30 PM
Tickets are available through Ticket2Me at bit.ly/tinybeautifulmnl. Given the buzz surrounding this production, tickets are expected to sell out quickly, so be sure to grab yours before they’re gone!
The production is presented by The Sandbox Collective in partnership with Concord Theatricals and Samuel French, Inc., and is made possible with the support of MAC Cosmetics (official makeup partner), Privato Hotel (official hotel partner), and Pitchworks (official billboard partner).
For more updates, behind-the-scenes content, and ticket information, be sure to follow The Sandbox Collective on their social media channels:
In a world where we often feel isolated in our struggles, Tiny Beautiful Things serves as a reminder that we are never truly alone. Whether you’ve experienced heartbreak, loss, or even the highs of love, there’s a letter in this play that will speak to you. And with a powerhouse cast led by Iza Calzado, supported by a talented creative team, this production is bound to be one of the most memorable theater experiences of the year.
So, mark your calendars and prepare to be moved by the stories, emotions, and insights shared in Tiny Beautiful Things. Whether you’re a long-time theater lover or someone who’s simply looking for an evening of reflection and inspiration, this play is a must-see.
