Cover ‘After Oz’ at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, Circuit Makati (Photo: Jyllan Bitalac & Ernest III)
‘After Oz’ at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, Circuit Makati (Photo: Jyllan Bitalac & Ernest III)
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A sold-out Broadway-inspired concert, ‘After Oz’ marked four years of the Samsung Performing Arts Theater and reflected on the venue’s growing place in the country’s cultural scene
Some anniversaries are measured by milestones, others by the stories they leave behind. Four years after opening its doors, the Samsung Performing Arts Theater chose to celebrate with After Oz, a Broadway-inspired concert that reunited Lissa de Guzman and Allie Trimm on the same stage. Beyond the music, the evening reflected the theatre’s evolution into a cultural landmark where world-class productions and homegrown talent continue to share the spotlight.
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Above Allie Trimm and Lissa de Guzman (Photo: Jyllan Bitalac & Ernest III)
Allie Trimm and Lissa de Guzman (Photo: Jyllan Bitalac & Ernest III)
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Inspired by the world of Wicked, After Oz invited audiences back to the Emerald City through immersive stage design and sweeping orchestration. Dressed in the iconic green and pink that have become synonymous with their Broadway roles, de Guzman and Trimm revisited beloved musical theatre classics before venturing beyond Oz with a selection of Broadway favourites and Disney standards. Joined by the UST Singers, Mari Dance and a live orchestra under the direction of Farley Asuncion, the evening balanced spectacle with heartfelt storytelling, celebrating the enduring magic of live theatre.
Above A special treat by Morissette (Photo: Jyllan Bitalac & Ernest III)
A special treat by Morissette (Photo: Jyllan Bitalac & Ernest III)
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One of the evening’s most anticipated moments came with the arrival of Morissette, whose performance of My Days offered audiences an early look at The Notebook: The Musical, Theatre Group Asia’s forthcoming production opening this September. More than a guest appearance, it served as a reminder that while After Oz celebrated the theatre's first four years, its next chapter is already taking shape.
See also: Manila Symphony Orchestra celebrates 80 years of the Philippine Republic with ‘Liberation’ concert
Above Allie Trimm and Lissa de Guzman (Photo: Jyllan Bitalac & Ernest III)
Allie Trimm and Lissa de Guzman (Photo: Jyllan Bitalac & Ernest III)
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The Samsung Performing Arts Theater has grown from a new addition to Manila’s cultural landscape into one of its defining stages. Home to international productions, acclaimed musicals, concerts and dance performances, it has become a place where global talent and local artistry meet, enriching the city’s performing arts scene.
That is perhaps what After Oz celebrated most. Beyond the music and the nostalgia, the evening was a reflection of a theatre that continues to evolve with every production it stages and every audience it welcomes. Four years on, the Samsung Performing Arts Theater is no longer just a venue. It is a destination where the next chapter of Philippine theatre continues to unfold.
Christofer Palentino tells stories the way a digital marketer reads a campaign report: seeking patterns, turning points and the human truths hidden behind the numbers. A digital marketing professional with a keen eye for analytics, he fuses data-driven insight with creative vision to capture moments that define the cultural pulse.
His niche spans the spectrum of pop culture—music, film and fashion—anything that shapes and reflects the zeitgeist. For him, every trend has a story, and every story has a strategy.
Connect with him on Instagram @_chrspl or at christofer@tatlerphilippines.com
