Theater Calendar: 4 must-see shows to catch this August 2025

This August, Philippine theater comes alive with stories that challenge, enchant, and ignite the imagination. From sold-out musicals to radical revivals, the stage offers something for every kind of theatergoer, whether you're craving fantasy, heartache, spectacle, or satire.

Without a doubt, it’s a month that celebrates both world-class imports and fearless Filipino works, each bringing a distinct voice and vision to the spotlight.

Here’s your guide to what’s opening this month, numbered by start date:

1. Side Show: The Musical

Runs: Now showing until August 17
Venue: Spotlight Black Box Theater, Circuit Makati

Based on the true story of conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton, "Side Show" explores the pain, wonder, and humanity behind the spectacle of “freak shows.” Once displayed in circus tents, the Hilton sisters rise to vaudeville fame while navigating love, betrayal, and their deep longing for independence and normalcy.

The musical features alternating casts—Tanya Manalang and Marynor Madamesila, and Molly Langley and Krystal Kane—as the twins, supported by a powerhouse ensemble. 

Directed by Toff De Venecia, the production by The Sandbox Collective shines with powerful vocals, stirring choreography, and a haunting score.

More than a musical about identity, "Side Show" dares audiences to reflect on society’s obsession with difference, and the price of being seen only for what makes us “other.”

2. Into the Woods

Runs: August 7 to 31
Venue: Samsung Performing Arts Theater, Circuit Makati

Stephen Sondheim’s beloved musical returns to Manila in a much-anticipated staging by Theatre Group Asia (TGA).

The all-Filipino cast will star Lea Salonga as The Witch, her child Nic Chien as Jack, and Eugene Domingo as Jack’s Mother.

Other cast members include Joreen Bautista as Rapunzel, Mark Bautista as Rapunzel’s Prince, New York-based Fil-Am Broadway star Arielle Jacobs as Cinderella, Teetin Villanueva as Little Red Riding Hood, Josh Dela Cruz as Prince Charming and The Wolf, Nyoy and Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante as The Baker and The Baker's Wife.

"Into the Woods" intertwines classic Brothers Grimm tales—Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel—but takes the story beyond “happily ever after,” exploring the cost of wishes and the complexity of human choices. Expect Sondheim’s signature wit, intricate lyrics, and soaring harmonies in this dark, magical, and emotionally resonant show.

3. Alice in Wonderland

Runs: August 24 – December 14
Venue: REP Eastwood Theater

Repertory Philippines is inviting families down the rabbit hole this August with its colorful, kid-friendly adaptation of "Alice in Wonderland." Featuring live music, dynamic choreography, and immersive sets, the show is a whimsical reimagining of Lewis Carroll’s classic—perfect for young audiences and the young at heart.

Directed by Joy Virata and Cara Barredo, the play puts a playful spotlight on curiosity and courage, while offering a visual feast that includes larger-than-life costumes, fantastical characters, and interactive staging. It's also part of REP's Theater for Young Audiences series, which aims to foster love for theater among children through engaging and accessible storytelling.

Whether you’re attending with kids or just looking to revisit a childhood favorite, Alice in Wonderland offers a joyful escape into fantasy and imagination.

4. Walang Aray

Runs: August 29 – October 12
Venue: PETA Theater Center, Quezon City

After sold-out runs and rave reviews, PETA’s "Walang Aray" returns with a fiercer and funnier revival that reclaims Filipino love, history, and resistance. A contemporary spin on Severino Reyes’ zarzuela "Walang Sugat," the production mixes irreverent comedy, biting satire, and pop culture flair to tell the story of lovers caught in the crossfire of colonial repression.

Directed by Ian Segarra with new artistic director J-mee Katanyag, this third run features refreshed staging, queer-inclusive casting, and new musical arrangements that deepen the show’s themes. Still at its core is the timeless question: How do we continue to love, laugh, and fight amid wounds—both past and present?

Backed by an ensemble cast and a live band, "Walang Aray" has become a modern protest musical that speaks to today’s youth, tackling identity, resistance, and romance with wit and radical joy. —JCB, GMA Integrated News