Cover Eula Valdez as Zsazsa Zaturnnah and Tuxqs Rutaquio as Ada in the original 2006 staging of ‘Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze Muzikal’ (Photo: courtesy of the Cultural Center of the Philippines)
Eula Valdez as Zsazsa Zaturnnah and Tuxqs Rutaquio as Ada in the original 2006 staging of ‘Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze Muzikal’ (Photo: courtesy of the Cultural Center of the Philippines)
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Zsazsa Zaturnnah returns in a 2027 stage revival, cementing her status as an enduring Filipino queer superheroine
The hit musical Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze Muzikal will officially return to the stage from April to June of 2027 at the Shooting Gallery Studios. Produced under the Wishbone Collective, the revival brings together a team of acclaimed theatre creatives to mount the highly anticipated return of the queer superheroine. The upcoming production is spearheaded by renowned playwright Chris Martinez on the theatrical adaptation, award-winning lyricist and composer Vincent A De Jesus serving as musical director, and Chris Millado, former artistic director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, acting as director.
The 2027 stage production is the latest iteration of the character created by Carlo Vergara, who first introduced the superheroine to the public in his 2006 graphic novel, Ang Kagila-gilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah. The story follows Ada, a gay beautician who transforms into the stunning Zsazsa Zaturnnah after swallowing a magical stone from outer space.
Read more: Artist Carlo Vergara speaks to Tatler about his legendary character Zsazsa Zaturnnah
Above A scene from Tanghalang Pilipino’s original 2006 staging of ‘Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze Muzikal’ (Photo: courtesy of Wishbone Collective)
A scene from Tanghalang Pilipino’s original 2006 staging of ‘Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze Muzikal’ (Photo: courtesy of Wishbone Collective)
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For two decades, Zsazsa Zaturnnah has stood as an important representation of the local gay experience in Philippine pop culture. The character’s physical design takes direct inspiration from local drag queens and has subsequently inspired many of them in return. Throughout every adaptation, her deep roots in the gay community and her undeniably proud queerness have been preserved.
The stage musical adaptation, originally mounted by Tanghalang Pilipino in 2006, proved to be a massive commercial and critical success. It eventually became Tanghalang Pilipino’s longest-running musical, completing over 90 performances across multiple restagings. More recently, Ateneo Blue Repertory mounted a 2023 revival of the musical, introducing the superheroine to a new generation of theatregoers with actress Kim Molina taking on the titular role.
Beyond the stage and the meticulously realised pages of the graphic novel, the superheroine was also brought to the big screen. In 2006, director Joel Lamangan helmed the live-action fantasy film adaptation, Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze Moveeh. The feature starred her namesake, singer-actress Zsa Zsa Padilla, in the lead role, alongside Rustom Padilla as Ada, as well as Pops Fernandez and Chokoleit.
In addition to the live-action and theatrical adaptations, the character's legacy has recently expanded into animation. In 2026, director Avid Liongoren released an English-language adult animated superhero romantic comedy film based on the property. Co-written by Liongoren and Vergara, the international co-production between the Philippines and France had its world premiere at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival. The animated feature stars Phi Palmos as Ada and Adrienne Vergara as the titular superheroine, alongside Io Balanon, Sig Pecho, and Joelle Yuvienco as Queen Feminah Suarestellar Baroux.
Above Avid Liongoren’s animated film based on the first volume of ‘Zsazsa Zaturnnah’ (Image: courtesy of Avid Liongoren)
Avid Liongoren’s animated film based on the first volume of ‘Zsazsa Zaturnnah’ (Image: courtesy of Avid Liongoren)
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The character’s narrative adds a fantastical twist to the true-to-life daily experiences of Filipino LGBTQIA+ community members. The adventures regularly highlight Ada’s experience as a gay man, documenting his search for love and his struggles against societal and familial homophobia, which includes battling a zombified version of his own father.
Although Vergara approached the story from a highly personal perspective, the core themes of queer representation, equal rights for the LGBTQIA+ community, and acceptance in the general Filipino society have proven to be enduring.
“It has a timeless quality. A lot of the concerns in the book about LGBTs, not just LGBT, but also about women, about love—our favourite topic is love—are still there. It doesn't go away,” Vergara said.
He further noted that the ongoing relevance of the character is intrinsically tied to persistent societal issues.
“Sad to say, as long as the problems are still there, Zaturnnah's relevance will never expire,” Vergara added.
Read more: The 2023 staging of ‘Zsazsa Zaturnnah’ revisits LGBTQ+ issues and pushes conversations forward
Above Kim Molina portrays the iconic character in the 2023 Ateneo Blue Repertory production (Photo: Kyle Venturillo)
Kim Molina portrays the iconic character in the 2023 Ateneo Blue Repertory production (Photo: Kyle Venturillo)
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Beyond spectacle and action, every adaptation of the superheroine's story distinctly showcases a Filipino sense of humour, specifically bringing bakla [gay] comedy to both domestic and global audiences. In his 2020 interview, Vergara explained that this comedic element serves an essential function for the community.
“Maybe comedy…that’s how we deal with problems, concerns,” he said. “So in a way, it’s a means for us to process things.”
Now entering her second decade in pop culture, her beauty, power and irrepressible spirit remain just as inspiring as they were upon her debut.
Partial casting for the 2027 stage revival of Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze Muzikal has been officially announced. Esteban Mara will play the role of Dodong, while Almond Bolante joins the cast as Ada's loyal best friend, Didi. Shiela Valderrama has also been cast to play the flamboyant villain, Queen Femina Suarestellar Baroux. While open auditions for the Amazonistas were held in June 2026, the actors playing Ada and the titular superheroine have yet to be officially confirmed.
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Franz writes about the local cultural scene and rediscovering the country’s storied past and rich heritage. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Santo Tomas and is currently pursuing a master's degree in Art Studies at the University of the Philippines Diliman. Besides working on this luxury lifestyle magazine, Franz is an avid book reader, local traveller, museum-goer, chorister, and community theatre playwright. But above all this, this Aether main spends more time in Teyvat than anywhere else.
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