Over the past 12 years, the Sandbox Collective has become known for telling those unexpected stories that challenge the audience to explore deeper into our own psyche, and the world around us. Following the success of musicals such as this year’s Next to Normal and Sideshow, they are set to open 2026 (and the company’s 12th year) with yet another groundbreaking musical — Spring Awakening. The show will be the inaugural production at The Black Box at The Proscenium Theater in Rockwell, and will run from 13 February to 22 March 2026.

With book and lyrics by Steven Sater, music by Duncan Sheik and based on the play by Frank Wedekind, Spring Awakening is the Tony Award–winning musical that follows the turbulent journey of adolescence, where silence is rewarded and curiosity is punished. As it explores themes of mental health, sexuality, growing up and family life, both the original run and the 2015 revival have proven that the show can transcend eras and resonate deeply with audiences across generations.

“This bourgeoisie, which Spring Awakening takes aim at, manifests today in the form of political elites, conservative religious sects and a ‘parentocracy’ that seek to preserve the status quo — fearing the so-called corruption of youth and resisting what they deem as ‘radical’ thought and rapidly shifting industries that are reshaping daily life,” explains director Andrei Nikolai Pamintuan.

Sandbox just recently announced the cast for this new production, which will feature a mix of Philippine theater’s stalwart veterans and rising stars. At the top of the list are the “First Lady of Philippine Theater” Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, fresh from a successful run of Pangdemonium Theater’s Kimberly Akimbo, who will be sharing the role of Adult Woman with multi-awarded actress Ana Abad Santos. Playing alongside them as Adult Man is “King of Philippine Musical Theater” Audie Gemora.