TGA Announces Philippine and International Musicals for 2026-27 Season
Three internationally acclaimed productions are coming to Manila, including two Philippine premieres and a Pulitzer-winning musical
A landmark season for the Philippine stage
Manila will host three globally celebrated musicals in Theatre Group Asia’s 2026-27 season, marking the first time these works will be staged in the Philippines.
The lineup emphasizes stories that explore love, power, and creation while highlighting the human capacity to shape hearts and leave a lasting mark.
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TGA Creative and Artistic Director Clint Ramos said the season honors stories that stir audiences. He added that the season celebrates the power of individuals to influence through love, survival, and artistic expression.
Stories that shape heart and history
The season opens in September 2026 with The Notebook: The Musical, making its international premiere in Manila. First staged at Chicago Shakespeare Theater in 2022, the production has been praised for its emotional and lyrical storytelling, offering a reflective take on Nicholas Sparks’ iconic novel.
In February 2027, TGA will present the Philippine premiere of Ang Tahanan ni Bernarda Alba, a Filipino-language staging of Federico García Lorca’s final play. Adapted by Chay Yew and transposed into Filipino by Guelan Varela-Luarca, the production examines repression and rebellion while resonating with contemporary audiences as a reflection on freedom and dignity.
The season concludes in June 2027 with Sunday in the Park with George, the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine. Inspired by Georges Seurat’s painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, the musical explores an artist’s drive for creation and the personal sacrifices it demands.
These three productions form TGA’s most ambitious season to date. The 2026-27 season is made possible with support from Ayala Land, BPI, and Philippine Airlines.
The 2026-27 season features The Notebook: The Musical, Ang Tahanan ni Bernarda Alba, and Sunday in the Park with George. All three productions are staged in Manila for the first time.
The season opens in September 2026 with The Notebook: The Musical, followed by Ang Tahanan ni Bernarda Alba in February 2027 and Sunday in the Park with George in June 2027.
The musical makes its international premiere in Manila and expands Nicholas Sparks’ story across multiple stages of life, showing how love matures, fractures, and endures.
This Filipino-language adaptation of Federico García Lorca’s final play follows Bernarda Alba, a mother who controls her daughters’ lives through strict rules, exploring themes of repression, desire, and freedom.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning musical by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine explores the challenges of artistic creation and legacy, inspired by Georges Seurat’s famous painting, and is considered one of the greatest musicals of all time.
Special thanks Visions and Expressions
