THERE’S A SECRET ON STAGE THIS MONTH

Love, hope, and happiness are the main themes in what’s on stage this month. Feel good and enjoy a musical or play…or both…what a good way to celebrate this merry month of December!

THE SECRET GARDEN (REPERTORY PHILIPPINES)

Repertory Philippines does it again, hitting the mark with The Secret Garden. Mary Lennox is a young girl who lives with her moody uncle and sickly cousin when her parents pass away. Amidst the gloom of her new surroundings, Mary discovers a magical refuge in the form of a walled garden. A musical about love, healing, and hope, it is the perfect play for the whole family to see this Christmas season!

Directed by: Zeneida Amador and Baby Barredo

Cast: Michael Williams, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Karla Gutierrez, Noel Rayos

Playdates: December 1 and 2, William J. Shaw Theatre, 5/L Shangri-La Plaza Mall, December 6-9 and 13-16, Carlos P. Romulo Theatre, 4/F Yuchengco Tower II, RCBC Plaza

For inquiries: Repertory Philippines at 633-48-21 to 25

THE MERRY WIVES OF MANILA (DULAANG U.P.)

As a tribute to this year’s National Artist for Theatre, Severino Montano, Dulaang UP brings us the three-act satirical play, The Merry Wives of Manila. Although set in the ’50s, it tackles topics that are still relevant to the social scene today. Several wives of prominent professionals decide to get back at their philandering husbands by throwing a "turn about party," where the men dress as women and women dress as men, to give their spouses a taste of what it feels like to be a woman. However, their plan backfires and things start getting out of hand. A play that promises a lot of laughs and a look at how after five decades, many things remain the same.

Directed by: Ogie Juliano

Cast: Floy Quintos, Frances Makil-Ignacio, Harlene Bautista-Sarmienta, and Romnick Sarmienta

Playdates: December 1-2, 5-9, and 12-16

For inquiries: Dulaang U.P office at 926-13-49 or e-mail at dulaangup@yahoo.com.

SENYOR NG LA MANCHA (TANGHALANG PILIPINO)

Bienvenido Lumbera gives us a new Tagalog translation of the popular romantic musical about chivalry and knighthood. The audience will travel back in time with Miguel de Cervantes as he retells the exploits of Don Quixote, his ward Sancho Panza, and the feisty maidservant Aldonza. The production also features Broadway hits such as "The Impossible Dream" and "Dulcinea."

Directed by: Chris Millado

Playdates: December 1-2 and 6-9

Venue: CCP Main Theater and Onstage Greenbelt

For inquiries: 832-11-25 loc. 1620 or 896-46-01