Daily TribuneFor their 2026 season opener, Sandbox brings together the next generation of theater talent and industry veterans to tell this moving story through a modern lens.
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From (Left) Nic Chien, Ana Abad Santos, Audie Gemora and Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo
ANGIA Laurel
Angelo Martinez
Jam Binay
Nikki Bengzon
Alex Diaz
PHOTOgraphs courtesy of The Sandbox Collective
Sheena Belarmino
Nacho Tambunting
Davy Narciso
Lance Soliman
Vino Mabalot
Gabo Plantado Tiongson
Pappel Bengzon
Felicity Kyle Napuli
Omar Uddin
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.
Playing the young ones in this coming-of-age musical are up and coming second generation artists — Nic Chien, who was last seen playing Jack opposite his mom Lea Salonga in Into The Woods and Angia Laurel, daughter of veteran actor Franco Laurel. Chien will be playing Moritz Stiefel, alternating with Omar Uddin, while Laurel will take on the role of Martha Bessell. Joining them are Nacho Tambunting and Alex Diaz (fresh off of the reboot of Bar Boys the Musical) as Melchior Gabor, Sheena Belarmino as Wendla Bergmann, Angelo Martinez as Hänschen Rilow, Vino Mabalot as Otto Lämmermeier, Jam Binay as Ilse Neumann, Mijon Cortez as Anna, Felicity Kyle Napuli as Thea, Elian Dominguez as Ernst Röbel and Davy Narciso as Georg Zirschnitz. Rounding out the cast are Female Swings Pappel and Nikki Bengzon, and Male Swings Lance Soliman and Gabo Tiongson.
Joining Pamintuan on the artistic team for Spring Awakening are Ejay Yatco as musical director, Nunoy Van Den Burgh as choreographer, Missy Maramara as intimacy director, Wika Nadera as set designer, Raven Ong as costume designer, D Cortezano as lighting designer, Gabbi Campomanes as assistant director, Salve Villarosa as dramaturg, Aron Roca as sound designer, Sheik Completado as technical director, and Jaydee Jasa as hair and makeup designer.
Spring Awakening will be one of those shows that will have audiences leaving the theater with much to ponder, much like past Sandbox Collective productions.
Tickets are now available on Ticket2Me through tinyurl.com/SandboxSpring2026.
