The Sandbox Collective has announced the full cast of the coming-of-age rock musical Spring Awakening, featuring rising stars and theater veterans, for its 12th season in 2026, presented through a special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
The Philippine staging of the Tony Award–winning musical, based on Frank Wedekind’s play with book and lyrics by Steven Sater and music by Duncan Sheik, will open The Black Box at The Proscenium Theater in Rockwell, Makati, running from February 13 to March 22, 2026.
In an official statement, director Andrei Nikolai Pamintuan shared that the show’s story mirrors the oppressive ideas our society continues to grapple with, “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.”
Drawing from real-world struggles faced by young people — such as teenage pregnancy, sexual and physical abuse, mental health challenges, and self-harm — the show serves as an eye-opener that reflects the issues Filipino youth continue to confront. Its characters come alive through a strong ensemble of iconic Philippine theater veterans and must-see rising stars, breathing new life into a production that first premiered on Broadway more than 20 years ago.
“First Lady” of Philippine Theater, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo (Evita, Next to Normal), and award-winning actress Ana Abad Santos (Portrait of the Artist as Filipino) will share the role of Adult Woman. “King of Philippine Musical Theater” Audie Gemora (Pippin, Sweeney Todd) will take on the role of Adult Man.
Returning to the Philippine stage after moving to New York, Nacho Tambunting (The Sound of Music) will share the role of Melchior Gabor with Alex Diaz (Bar Boys: The Musical), Nic Chien (Into the Woods), and Omar Uddin (Bar Boys: The Musical) alternate as Moritz Stiefel, while Sheena Belarmino (One More Chance: The Musical) will play the role of Wendla Bergmann.
Meanwhile, also joining the cast are Angelo Martinez (Dear Evan Hansen) as Hänschen Rilow; Vino Mabalot (Quomodo Desolata Es?) as Otto Lämmermeier; Jam Binay (Pingkian: Isang Musikal) as Ilse Neumann; Angia Laurel as Martha Bessell in her theatrical debut; Mijon Cortez as Anna; Felicity Kyle Napuli (Matilda the Musical) as Thea; Elian Dominguez (Bar Boys: The Musical) as Ernst Röbel; and Davy Narciso (Next To Normal) as Georg Zirschnitz.
Rounding out the cast are singer-songwriter Pappel (Side Show: The Musical) and Nikki Bengzon, making her professional musical theater debut as a Female Swing, as well as Lance Soliman (The Magic Circle) and Gabo Tiongson (Alice in Wonderland) as Male Swings.
The Spring Awakening artistic team also includes 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.
Tickets for Spring Awakening are now available on Ticket2Me.