Barefoot Theatre Collaborative

This 2024, Barefoot Theatre Collaborative gifted the theater community with two gems: Mula sa Buwan and Bar Boys: A New Musical. Both runs were sold out, and the two productions had to add show dates to satisfy a raving public. Mula sa Buwan’s limited run in August was the theater company’s second restaging of the production. Loosely based on Edmond Rostand’s classic Cyrano de Bergerac and Soc Rodrigo’s Filipino translation and directed by Mikko Angeles, the hit musical’s second run had some of its previous leads reprising their roles like Myke Salomon as Cyrano and Gab Pangilinan as Roxane. MC Dela Cruz, meanwhile, played the role of Christian, which was portrayed by Markki Stroem in its past run. As misfits trying to find their place in the sun amidst the 1940s war-torn Manila, all three leads—with their supporting cast—sent chills through spines with their powerful vocals and earnest acting.  

Equally mesmerizing was Bar Boys: A New Musical, which first came to the stage in May. Based on a 2017 film by Kip Oebanda, Bar Boys wrapped up its latest successful run at the start of November, performing to a full house with each show. Directed by Pat Valera and Mikko Angeles, featuring all new songs and music by Myke Salomon, Bar Boys is all about four friends who enter law school bursting with idealism. The honest performances of leads Omar Uddin, Jerom Canlas, Alex Diaz, and Benedix Ramos, along with Sheila Francisco, consistently brought audiences to their feet. How lucky we are to live in a time when Filipino musical productions are shining and taking to the stage again, thanks to innovative theater companies like Barefoot Theatre Collaborative.

For inquiries about Barefoot Theatre Collaborative, email [email protected].

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