Teatro Pinas | REP taps Nelsito Gomez to direct Nonie Buencamino’s musical theater comeback in Man of La Mancha

 Repertory Philippines (REP) enlivens the local theater scene as it brings the inspiring and beloved story of literary hero Don Quixote to the stage in the much-anticipated production of the seminal classic Man of La Mancha.

With a limited four-weekend run from June 5 to 28 at the REP Eastwood Theater, the 2026 staging of Man of La Mancha not only harks back to REP’s legacy but also offers a revitalized take for today’s theatergoers. The musical will be brought to life by young director Nelsito Gomez, known for his fresh, creative, and relevant (and mostly lauded) takes on the masterworks of literary pantheons, from Shakespeare to Goethe. With him at the helm, one can expect this Cervantine musical about one man’s refusal to give up his impossible dream to be even more impactful and meaningful to the new generation. 

The cast of 2026 REP staging features Nonie Buencamino,  Katrine Sunga,  Marvin Ong, Tarek El Tayech, Alfredo Reyes, Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante,  Sarah Facuri, Steven Hotchkiss, Julio Laforteza, Dippy Arceo, Jasper Jimenez, Ralph Oliva, Khalil Tambio, Liway Perez, and Rafa Sumilong. JV Fulgencio and Aly Wijangco join the cast as the Male and Female swings. 

Fittingly, this REP staging stars 2025 Gawad Buhay Best Actor in a Play awardee Nonie Buencamino, who makes his grand comeback into musicals as Alonso Quijano / Don Quixote, a man on a dedicated mission to restore honor, justice, and beauty to a world tainted by cynicism and hatred. Buencamino is known for his versatility, having appeared in various films, television shows, and theater productions throughout his decades-long career. 

“We are deeply honored to bring Man of La Mancha back to the REP stage—a production that remains very close to my heart as one of my all-time favorite musicals. In a moment when it’s easy to grow weary or guarded, Don Quixote invites us, in his quirky ‘quixotic’ manner, to hold fast to courage, imagination, and the possibility of something better. Guided by an extraordinary team led by Nelsito Gomez and Nonie Buencamino, we’ve shaped a production that feels both intimate and urgent, and I’m truly excited to share it with our audiences,” says Mindy Perez-Rubio, REP President and CEO. “This is a theater experience you simply have to see.” 

Considered as one of the world’s most popular musicals, Man of La Mancha is a soul-stirring and powerful musical experience featuring a fictionalized version of the famed writer Miguel de Cervantes, who is thrown into prison by the Spanish Inquisition and must defend himself against his fellow prisoners. As he takes the persona of Don Quixote through a play, the tale of imagination, chivalry, and heroism transforms and touches the people around him. It’s inspired by the Cervantes’ novel “The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha,” often hailed as the “best novel of all time” and the “best and most central work in world literature.”

The musical premiered on Broadway in 1965 and won five Tony Awards including Best Musical, with book by Dale Wasserman, music by Mitch Leigh, and lyrics by Joe Darion. Man of La Mancha is known for introducing the standard, “The Impossible Dream,” the principal song of the show that has become an anthem of hope. With a Spanish-infused score, the musical also features the timeless classics, “Dulcinea”, “I, Don Quixote,” and “I’m Only Thinking of Him”. Man of La Mancha is a favorite among REP audiences, having been previously staged in 1987 at the Insular Life Theater and in 2005 at Onstage Greenbelt. 

Acclaimed classical singer and actress Katrine Sunga plays Don Quixote’s muse Aldonza, while Marvin Ong, known for his lauded lead performance in I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, plays the iconic Sancho Panza. Rounding out the stellar cast are Tarek El Tayech as Governor/Innkeeper, Alfredo Reyes as Duke/Carrasco, Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante as Antonia, Sarah Facuri as Housekeeper, Steven Hotchkiss as Padre, Julio Laforteza as Pedro/Male Dancer, Dippy Arceo as Jose, Jasper Jimenez as Juan/Barber, Ralph Oliva as Paco, Khalil Tambio as Anselmo, Liway Perez as Maria/Female Dancer, and Rafa Sumilong as Captain. JV Fulgencio joins the cast as the Male Swing and Aly Wijangco as the Female Swing.

The artistic team of REP’s Man of La Mancha includes Musical Director Farley Asuncion, Vocal Coach Arman Ferrer, Choreographer Jim Ferrer, Set and Props Designer Julio Garcia, Costume Designer Hershee Tantiado, Sound Designer Kabaitan Bautista, and Lighting Designer and Technical Director D Cortezano.

REP’s Man of La Mancha is running only for four weeks from June 5 to 28 at the REP Eastwood Theater in Eastwood City Walk 2, Quezon City. 

 

Tickets are available now for ₱3,000 for Orchestra Center and ₱2,500 for Orchestra Side. Book your seats now, check out Ticketworld via tinyurl.com/REPMLM2026-TW or Ticket2Me via tinyurl.com/REPMLM2026. Special rates are also available to Megaworld Titanium VIPs through tinyurl.com/REPLAMANCHAVIP, while Eastwood residents, tenants, and employees can claim their special discount at the REP Box Office, 4F Eastwood Mall near SuperPark and Red Mango

For updates and show schedules, visit www.repertoryphilippines.ph, or like and follow @repertoryphilippines on Facebook and Instagram.