‘Die Beautiful,’ ‘Victorina,’ ‘Teorya ng mga Tanong’ set for IdeaFirst Live’s 2027-28 season

There is something special about watching a story unfold onstage, where every performance happens in the moment and every show offers audiences a chance to see familiar stories in a new light.

That experience is at the heart of IdeaFirst Live’s upcoming 2027-2028 season, which the theater arm of The IdeaFirst Company unveiled on Sunday, October 25.

Featuring three productions, “Die Beautiful: The Musical,” “Victorina,” and “Teorya ng Mga Tanong,” the upcoming season brings together familiar names, while revisiting stories and characters that have resonated with Filipino audiences.

Opening the season in June 2027 at the Proscenium Theater, “Die Beautiful: The Musical” will feature “Drag Race Philippines” alumni Maxie Andreison and Viñas Deluxe, who will alternate in the role of Trisha Echevarria.

IdeaFirst Company/HandoutLance Reblando and Chamyto will likewise alternate as Barbs, Trisha’s best friend.

The musical is based on Jun Robles Lana’s acclaimed 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival entry, which follows the life of a transgender beauty queen, with her story unfolding through flashbacks during her wake.

Lana, who co-wrote the musical’s book and lyrics with Elmer Gatchalian, has hinted that the stage adaptation will take a different approach to the material. He said the production would essentially return to the story originally presented to the film market.

Directed by Tuxqs Rutaquio, the musical will also feature Audie Gemora, Karylle, and Esang de Torres.

Maxie’s participation in the production comes amid controversy surrounding the drag artist after an old video resurfaced online, allegedly showing her assaulting a transgender woman. Maxie has since apologized over the incident.

Lana confirmed that Maxie would remain part of the musical, emphasizing the importance of accountability over cancellation.

Following the success of “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 4: Oh Sh*t! It’s Live sa Cheter!” Eugene Domingo is returning to the stage to star in “Victorina,” a new comedy scheduled for October 2027.

 IdeaFirst Company/Handout

Written by Lana and directed by Chris Martinez, the play draws inspiration from Doña Victorina, the social-climbing character in Jose Rizal’s “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo.”

The production puts the infamous character at the center of a story that challenges conventions and revisits her place in Philippine literature.

Domingo, an internationally recognized actress known for her stellar performances, will lead the production as IdeaFirst Live brings another familiar Filipino cultural reference to the stage. 

Set for March 2028, “Teorya ng mga Tanong” will reunite Romnick Sarmienta, Elijah Canlas, and Epy Quizon, following their performances in “About Us But Not About Us.”

IdeaFirst Company/Handout

The three actors will reprise their roles in a production centered on the controversial book discussed by their characters.

Written by Lana and directed by Rutaquio, the play takes a meta-theatrical approach, blurring the lines between fiction and reality as the actors step into the very novel their characters once debated.

The production follows IdeaFirst Live’s theatrical adaptation of “About Us But Not About Us,” which, alongside “Anino sa Likod ng Buwan,” helped establish the company’s presence in original Filipino theater.

Beyond the three shows, IdeaFirst Live teased a fourth original production currently in development. Details remain under wraps, although the company indicated that the project would explore unconventional ways of storytelling and engaging audiences.

The announcement also introduced “THE FIRST LIST,” IdeaFirst Live’s audience membership program, which will offer priority ticket booking, exclusive previews, special invitations, and other benefits.

Registration opened on October 25 at the announcement venue and through The IdeaFirst Company’s website.