June is already shaping up to be a busy and colorful month with the Pride events already lined up. If you’re looking for more exciting things to add to your calendar, consider a trip to the theater. This month, queer stories take center stage, supported by stories of hope, connection, and relationships.
Here are some of the plays you can catch on stage this June:
“Delia D.: A Musical Featuring the Songs of Jonathan Manalo”
Full House Theater Company
Until June 8, with additional performances on June 14, 15, and 28
Newport Performing Arts Theater, Newport World Resorts, Pasay City
“Delia D” is a story of dreams: It follows the titular character Delia, a drag queen who aspires to be a singer. She joins a singing competition, facing off against talents from all sorts of backgrounds. True to the spirit of Filipino reality TV, it’s filled with friendships and relationships built and lost, stories of struggles and triumphs, and of course, audience votes. “Delia D” is not just about the underdog success story though; it also uncovers the truth behind all the glitz and glamour of showbiz.
“Delia D” has all the star qualities of a great night at the theater: great vocal performances, a visual spectacle, representation, *drama*, and, as any quintessentially Filipino story goes—a happy resolution.
“Come From Away”
GMG Productions
June 6 to 29
Samsung Performing Arts Theater, Ayala Malls Circuit, Makati
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“Come From Away” is an award-winning Broadway musical based on the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, when more than 30 planes were ordered to land in the Canadian province of Newfoundland. It is a heartwarming musical of how the “islanders” of Gander welcomed the “plane people”—the stranded passengers who landed in their town. The musical is a celebration of hope in humanity, in the kindness, generosity, and friendship people can find amid difficult times.
“Grace”
Encore Theater
June 14 to 29
PETA Theater Center, Quezon City
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The late Floy Quintos’ final masterpiece takes the stage for the last time this month, this time at the PETA Theater Center. “Grace” is both veneration and scrutiny of the Catholic faith, as it revolves around the controversy of the alleged apparitions and miracles of Mary, Mediatrix of All Grace.
READ: Last Floy Quintos masterpiece sets final run this June
“Art”
Repertory Philippines
June 13 to 29
REP Eastwood Theater, Eastwood City, Quezon City
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An absurd art purchase challenges the friendship of three men as their opinions on the piece clash. “Art” is an Olivier and Tony Award-winning comedy, which, for its Repertory Philippines run, features Filipino British actor Martin Sarreal, who appeared in “Bridgerton” Season 3; Manila-based actor Brian Sy, who most recently starred in CAST’s “Othello”; and British stage, film, and television actor Freddy Sawyer, who appeared in the Apple TV series “Trying.”
“Virgin Labfest XX: Hinog”
Cultural Center of the Philippines
June 11 to 29
Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP Complex, Pasay City
For theater fans, June always means Virgin Labfest (VLF) season: two weeks of seeing untried, untested, and unstaged one-act plays back to back. VLF’s 20th season features 12 new one-act plays and three revisited plays from the last season as well as four staged readings. The festival is a must-watch if you want to get a pulse of what fresh ideas and talents Manila’s theater scene has to offer.
“Dalaga na si Maxie Oliveros: A Drag Musical Extravaganza”
J+ Productions
June 13 to 22
Illumination Studio, Chino Roces, Makati City
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Here’s another timely offering: If you’ve heard of the award-winning queer coming-of-age film “Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros” (2005) and its 2013 musical adaptation “Maxie The Musical” comes “Dalaga na si Maxie Oliveros,” this new musical sees Maxie, now at 17.
It follows Maxie’s journey of love and identity as she dives into Manila’s drag scene. It is a celebration of joy, resistance, resilience, transformation, and community—told through the lens of Filipino drag.
“Choosing”
Fire and Ice Live
June 6 to 15
Doreen Black Box Theater, Arete, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City
Critically acclaimed as deeply intimate and personal, “Choosing” revolves around the relationship of Stella and Mitch (played by real-life couple Liza Diño-Seguerra and Ice Seguerra). “Choosing” tells of the pair’s journey of love, identity, and self-discovery, and the experiences and choices that have shaped them.
“Bawat Bonggang Bagay”
The Sandbox Collective
June 14 to 22
Power Mac Spotlight Black Box Theater, Ayala Malls Circuit, Makati City
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Inspiring and heartwarming one-man interactive play “Bawat Bonggang Bagay” (a translation of “Every Brilliant Thing”) once again makes its return to the stage this month. Starring Jon Santos as the narrator, the play is a heart-opener, not just through the narrator’s story, but also through the interactions the audience makes throughout the show. Revolving around themes of mental health, it follows the narrator as they find “every brilliant thing” worth living for.
