Flonique Guimary

‘A Christmas Carol’ brings the story of family and hope to Manila stage

Article (news)

Nikka Avegail Sabio

Push Team

<p>9 Works Theatrical is treating theater fans to a festive holiday experience as it brings the classic <em>A Christmas Carol: The Musical</em> to the Proscenium Theater at Rockwell Center, Makati City beginning November 29.</p><div> </div><p>During the show’s press conference, director Robbie Guevara shared that his goal is to make each staging of the Christmas classic “different yet familiar.”</p><div> </div><p>“This is my 4th time directing the show and I tried to make it different all the time but we are not changing the message because the message is what we always want to bring forward for the show — about family, giving, not taking for granted what we have,” the director said.</p><div> </div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQwa22BCaM8/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A4361432.3000000715%2C%22ls%22%3A4361093.200000048%2C%22le%22%3A4361417.200000048%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1071" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div> </div><p>He added that this year’s version will not only spotlight the beloved story but will also celebrate its new home at the Proscenium Theater.</p><div> </div><p>“The inspiration for this is that we first made this outdoors and now we have a proper, proper theater, we really want to highlight The Proscenium. Number 2, when we wanted to really employ new staging techniques or looks or stage crafts that have been done in other countries and di pa nagagawa rito sa Pilipinas without taking away the essence of the story. There are a dozen Christmas shows out there and we think this is the best,” he expressed.</p><div> </div><p>“It was all technical on how to make it different and how to present new things to the audience but still preserving the essence and the heart.”</p><div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176354384696220251107_080713437_iOS.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>Actor Franco Laurel shared how the show’s themes resonate deeply with what the country has been going through.</p><div> </div><p>“For everything that has been going on our country right now, we all need joy, love, and compassion and this show really shares that message of what compassion is all about, what family is all about and what giving and love is truly about and our country needs that,” he said.</p><div> </div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQoWCnoCeTC/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A4361442.5%2C%22ls%22%3A4361093.200000048%2C%22le%22%3A4361417.200000048%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1071" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-1" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>Arnel Carrion added, “We also need justice in this country and sabi nga na the hardworking people deserves justice also just like Scrooge na kaya siya nagbago kasi minulto siya so sana multuhin din sila.”</p><div> </div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQmEb5LCf7m/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A4361449.600000024%2C%22ls%22%3A4361093.200000048%2C%22le%22%3A4361417.200000048%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1203" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>Speaking of Filipino touches, Robbie emphasized that it cannot simply be inserted into the original musical.</p><div> </div><p>“Actually, for this one my question is what if we set it today but when we get back to the script, it’s really impossible. Filipino touches, no because unless it’s going to be thematic na 100 percent, I don’t think it should be done if it’s gonna be half baked. For me, it doesn&#x27;t make sense if everybody will be singing in English with a British accent and then you’ll see a parol (lantern),” he explained.</p><div> </div><p>“If we have to make it a Filipino theme, then everything should be in Filipino, the costume, the set, the way they greet each other because we are warmer when it comes to Christmas. If we were able to do that, it would have to be something a hundred percent,” he remarked.</p><div> </div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-3" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQvoj9nD_Am/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A3%2C%22os%22%3A4362399.3000000715%2C%22ls%22%3A4361093.200000048%2C%22le%22%3A4361417.200000048%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1131" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-3" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>However, he is still considering creating a local adaptation of the story.</p><div> </div><p>“When we first did this with Miguel in 2016, he actually pitched the idea of a Filipino version of Scrooge that I even revealed the title called ‘Paskuripot.’ I still want to pursue that. I still do but I don&#x27;t have the time to write it but I do have an outline already,” he admitted.</p><div> </div><p>“It’s been 9 years and it takes time to write a musical but I do want  a Filipino version of this. The ghosts would be tikbalang and whatnot. It should be Filipino. I have the outline but I still have not written it and do not have a Filipino composer for it,” he added.</p><div> </div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-4" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DQEO_U3CW34/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A4%2C%22os%22%3A4362420.100000024%2C%22ls%22%3A4361093.200000048%2C%22le%22%3A4361417.200000048%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1004" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-4" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p> <em>A Christmas Carol </em>runs on weekends from November 29 to December 21, 2025, with shows at 7:30 p.m.on Fridays and Saturdays and 3:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays at the Proscenium Theater, Rockwell Center, Makati City.</p><div> </div><p>Tickets will be available via Ticketworld.</p><div> </div>

<p>Robbie Guevarra admits wanting to stage a local version of the iconic Christmas musical.</p>

Robbie Guevarra admits wanting to stage a local version of the iconic Christmas musical.