unSAULicited

There are musicals that whisper quietly into the cultural memory, and then there are those that roar, electric, defiant, divine. Few have left as indelible a mark as Jesus Christ Superstar , Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock opera that redefined musical theatre in the 1970s. Now, the heavens part once more as the Olivier Award-winning Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production of Jesus Christ Superstar prepares to descend upon The Theatre at Solaire from May 2 to 24, 2026 , under the banner of GMG Productions , David Ian for Crossroads Live , and Work Light Productions . A Global Phenomenon, Reborn This is not just another revival. It is a resurrection. Reimagined under the artistic direction of Timothy Sheader and choreography by Drew McOnie , this acclaimed staging breathes visceral, cinematic life into the classic score. Gone is the dusty piety of tradition; in its place stands a thunderous spectacle that is both ancient and startlingly modern. With minimalist design by To...

  When Romeo and Juliet meets a generation raised on pop anthems and playlists of heartbreak, the result is something unexpectedly fresh yet faithful, a love letter to both Shakespeare and the restless energy of today’s young dreamers. As Kids Acts Philippines and MINT College prepare to raise the curtain at St. Cecilia’s Hall, St. Scholastica’s College Manila , the upcoming “ROMEO AND JULIET, The Musical” (October 22 and 23, 2025) promises not just a retelling, but a rediscovery of the Bard’s most famous tragedy through the eyes and voices of Gen Z. 🎶 A Fusion of Old Soul and New Pulse Edited and lyrically enriched by Luigi Nacario , with music by Eugene Belbis , this version blends the ornate beauty of Shakespeare’s text with melodies that move between the East and West, classic and contemporary. Director Meldrig Costuna , together with Nacario, preserves the play’s poetic integrity while making it accessible to young minds who might otherwise meet Shakespeare only throu...

Manila loves a good reveal. On Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at 7:30 PM, the GSIS Theater becomes a listening room for possibility as the Manila Symphony Orchestra presents eleven young soloists from the 2025 MSO Concerto Competition. This is not just a winners’ night. It is a progress report on where our next generation is headed, with full orchestra as witness. Why this night counts The MSO Concerto Competition began in the 1960s and helped usher artists like Cecile Licad, Raul Sunico, Corazon Pineda-Kabayao, and Cecilia Basilio-Roxas into the national conversation. Revived this year as MSO warms up for its centennial in 2026, the search drew 48 entrants from around the country and distilled them to 11 soloists. Executive director and associate conductor Jeffrey Solares will be on the podium, shaping each debut with the band that has scored so many chapters of our music history. Who you will hear Level A (12 and below) Eliana Jimenez Mariano, 10 Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E mino...

There are nights in Manila where the rules of theatre flip upside down. The lights dim, not for a curtain but for a DJ set. The crowd doesn’t sit—they dance. Showtunes roar through speakers, and theatre kids turn the night into one long encore. That’s the magic of StageDoor by GMG Productions’ Musical Theatre Rave , and this October, it’s back. From New Idea to Cult Favorite Last year’s first rave wasn’t just an experiment—it was a revelation. A party stitched from Broadway chords, Disney choruses, and the irresistible pulse of live performance. For GMG Productions, it was proof that theatre could step outside the proscenium and still feel electric. “What began as a new initiative last year quickly became a night people couldn’t stop talking about,” shared Carlos Candal , CEO of GMG Productions. “The rave was designed to bring fans together in a space that feels safe, fun, and inclusive. With the overwhelming response it received, we knew we had to bring it back.” Two Nights, One S...

There are evenings when a city feels a little larger than itself. When a concert hall becomes a bridge and the music turns into a shared language. On October 16, 2025 , the Philippine Italian Association joins hands with the Manila Symphony Orchestra , with support from Joel’s Place and 98.7 DZFE-FM The Master’s Touch , to present a chamber concert that threads together Italian brilliance and Filipino heart. The venue is the Asia Pacific College Auditorium at 3 Humabon Place, Magallanes, Makati City . The curtain rises at 7:00 PM . A program that sings in two tongues The repertoire reads like a conversation between heritage and home. Expect Italian lightness, lyricism, and cinematic color set next to Filipino melody and memory. From Europe: Gioachino Rossini : Sonata No. 1 for Strings in G Major Giuseppe Tartini : Sonata in G Minor (Didone Abbandonata) Ennio Morricone : Selections from Cinema Paradiso and La Califfa “Funiculì Funiculà” : a classic that always lifts a...

There is something electric about the idea of a young musician stepping into the light, not just to play, but to stand alone with an orchestra at their back. For decades, the Manila Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition has been exactly that moment—a passageway where talent meets destiny, where artistry is given its first grand platform. And now, it returns. The MSO Concerto Competition 2025 is calling once more, carrying with it a legacy that stretches back to the 1960s and 1970s, when the very same event became the launchpad for some of the country’s most extraordinary soloists. It is a tradition steeped in history, yet forever looking forward. A Tradition Renewed This year’s competition is more than just a contest. It is an invitation. A chance for the next wave of Filipino musicians to rise, to grow in artistry, and to discover the thrill of standing centerstage with the MSO. The orchestra is not only honoring its past but also planting seeds for the future. The competition is ...