Inside The New Staging Of ‘Joseph the Dreamer’
Billboard Philippines talks to some of the cast and crew of the restaging of the timeless Biblical tale.
Courtesy of Trumpets
Courtesy of Trumpets
Joseph the Dreamer is back with its latest production that features a mix of new and returning cast and crew members.
After a successful reimagining in 2025 that offered the timeless story to a whole new generation, Trumpets, Inc. continues the magic that was crafted by the stellar lineup of theater veterans and promising thespians, with original direction by Paolo Valenciano and musical direction by Myke Salomon.
This year’s production breathes new creative life into the musical for a limited run from November 6 to November 22, 2026, at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza in Makati City.
Billboard Philippines talks to some of the cast and crew behind this year’s restaging of the musical as they discuss stepping into both the familiar and the unfamiliar while traversing the roads that ultimately lead to the heart and message of the biblical story.
Jordan Andrews (Joseph)
Photographed by Myra Ho, courtesy of Trumpets
Billboard Philippines: You were dubbed “The Musical Dream Chaser” during Pinoy Big Brother. Now that you’re stepping into the title role of Joseph the Dreamer, what are the dreams that you continue to chase in your career?
Jordan: Well, I definitely committed to the branding! Haha, “The Musical Dream Chaser” would be a slightly awkward title if I stopped dreaming now! So I won’t! I want to keep playing leading roles that stretch me as an actor, singer, and storyteller. Joseph is a huge part of that, but there are still stages I want to stand on and characters I’d love to get my hands on, both here in the Philippines and internationally.
I started in the West End as a child, so I’d love to return as an adult with everything I’ve learned along the way. I’m also building a career here in the Philippines that means a great deal to me. There’s room for both ambitions, and I believe I can do it! I want longevity, range, and the chance to surprise people, including myself.
You previously played Judah and have also portrayed Joseph in last year’s production. Returning to the story with a different perspective, what can audiences expect from how you bring the character to life this time around?
Playing Judah gave me a perspective from inside the family that hurts Joseph. I found it super useful because, when I play Joseph, those brothers have to feel like people he loves. So that the betrayal and the eventual forgiveness have more weight. Coming back to Joseph, I’m interested in finding more of the person beneath the story.
Joseph’s truth is the young man who’s excited about his future, gets things wrong, misses his family, and has to grow up under circumstances he never chose. Having played him before gives me the confidence to listen more closely and let things happen between us onstage. Joseph has some growing to do, and hopefully so do I as the actor playing him!
Photographed by Myra Ho, courtesy of Trumpets
Which part of Joseph’s journey resonates with you the most, and how do you carry that feeling into your portrayal?
The waiting resonates with me most. That middle part! That stretch where you’ve worked hard, you believe you have something to offer, and you still have no idea when the next door will open. As an actor, that’s all too familiar. You can give an audition everything and then spend all the time that follows constantly checking your 0hone and emails. There’s something so human about trying to hold on to your sense of worth when your circumstances give you little encouragement.
Onstage, I try to remember that Joseph doesn’t know what’s in store. He has to experience the disappointment, anger, and loneliness without knowing that anything better is coming. That uncertainty gives his hope more weight, and it makes the eventual reunion something he has to work through emotionally.
What are you most looking forward to with this restaging of the musical?
I’m looking forward to seeing what happens with the constellation of amazing theater actors. Even with a familiar story, a different response from another actor can open up something you hadn’t found before. I love that part of theater.
For the audience. This show has meant something to people across generations, and we get to welcome them back while introducing it to people seeing it for the first time. That’s a lovely responsibility. I’m excited for the music, the laughter, and those moments when you can feel a whole room listening. Getting to lead this company as Joseph is something I’m so proud of. I intend to enjoy it and earn it at every performance.
Neo Rivera (Joseph)
Photographed by Myra Ho, courtesy of Trumpets
You first joined the production as Judah before taking on the role of Joseph. How has playing both roles shaped your understanding of the relationship between the brothers?
Neo: Being an only child, I could admittedly say that my understanding of having siblings is very much superficial. So back then, I heavily relied on the director’s notes about Judah. The same goes for Joseph. I would only see the brothers as one unit. But now, having built friendships and brotherhood and being intentional with my relationships, I’ve come to learn that there are different dynamics in every relationship. That’s how I see my brothers now — seeing their intentions and building the dynamics intentionally.
How did you prepare for the role of Joseph?
Physically and spiritually! Part of doing Joseph is that he needs to be a triple threat. He has to be light on his feet and be able to sustain an entire show with full-on energy. I did the role four years ago, and I had lost the stamina and had to rebuild it, lose a few pounds, and build strength. Spiritually, I’ve grown personally in my relationship with God, and it reflects in how I took on Joseph this time. I’d say he’s more grounded, and I’m excited to explore more of Joseph as we head toward opening night. Always a different experience every time.
You and Jordan share the title role. How do you make your portrayal of Joseph distinct and your own while remaining faithful to the character audiences across generations have come to know and love?
It would be… LIFE. The beauty of having an alternate is that you get to witness the story you’re telling through another person’s eyes. Jordan and I have different journeys in our personal lives, and that surely reflects every time we run. Vulnerability is always at play.
Photographed by Myra Ho, courtesy of Trumpets
What are you most looking forward to with the restaging of the musical?
I’m looking forward to our audiences — how they would receive the show and how it would impact them. This show has been running for years, and there’s a reason for that. I’m excited for all the stories I’ll hear from people after seeing and fully realizing the heart of Joseph the Dreamer.
Nonie Buencamino (Jacob)
Photographed by Myra Ho, courtesy of Trumpets
Having been part of the worlds of film, television, and theater for decades, what excites you most about stepping into the role of Jacob?
Nonie: It’s always exciting to work on a play or a musical. The process leaves one very much fulfilled after every rehearsal. For Joseph in particular, it’s a good feeling to do material that has an evangelical purpose.
You have portrayed historical figures in the past; how does approaching a biblical character like Jacob differ from, or perhaps the same as, your previous roles?
It’s just the same, but the lessons are more directly related to faith. Reading Genesis in the Old Testament gives me so much insight into Jacob.
What part of Jacob’s story do you find most human or relatable to you?
The loss of a child and not noticing that I’m already hurting others.
Julia Serad (Rachel)
Photographed by Myra Ho, courtesy of Trumpets
You play Rachel, Joseph’s mother, in the production. How did you approach bringing her to life, and what draws you to the character the most?
Julia: Playing Rachel with truth is incredibly important to me, but what makes the process so rewarding is the freedom to explore different acting choices during rehearsals. Our director, Bernice Aspillaga, is very collaborative, and it’s been both entertaining and educational to watch my co-actors experiment with their own creative choices. As a character, I am especially drawn to Rachel’s soft reassurance to Joseph that God is always there to guide him. To bring that to life, I’ve actually drawn a lot of inspiration from my own life. I am surrounded by powerful maternal figures, and my portrayal of Rachel is definitely a tribute to their God-fearing strength and love.
A notable musical performance is “He Opens a Window,” a song that you perform. In the story, it offers a sense of hope and reflection. What does this song mean to you personally, and what do you hope audiences feel when they hear you perform it?
To me, “He Opens A Window” is really the heart of Rachel’s journey. It’s all about trust and resilience. The idea that even when things feel completely dark, you’re never truly stuck or abandoned. Every time I sing it, I think about the strong women in my life who taught me how to find that kind of quiet strength, and I try to channel that into Rachel’s faith. When the audience members hear it, I just want them to feel a [great] sense of comfort and relief. Like a warm blanket.
I hope they can put themselves in Joseph’s shoes and really feel the warmth of that reassurance and know that God listens and He knows your heart. Ultimately, I want it to be a gentle reminder for anyone in the theater who might be going through a tough time that things will open up and hope is always there.
Photographed by Myra Ho, courtesy of Trumpets
What are you most looking forward to with the restaging of the musical?
Honestly, I’m just so excited to take everything we learned from the past runs and dive even deeper into the story. It is such a blessing to be doing this again with Trumpets and getting to share the stage with Tito Nonie. He makes every single rehearsal day so memorable. Seriously, I think I cry about four times a day just watching him.
Returning to a character like Rachel is such a gift because you aren’t starting from scratch. You already have that foundation down, so now you get to really play around and try new things. Plus, with Bernice being so collaborative and the cast bringing so many fresh, creative choices to the table, the energy in the room is just INCREDIBLE. I’m really pumped for audiences to see how much the show has grown, and I can’t wait to share that live connection and sense of hope with everyone all over again.
Bernice Aspillaga (Restaging Director)
Photographed by Myra Ho, courtesy of Trumpets
Following Paolo Valenciano’s original direction, what elements of the previous staging are you preserving, and what new elements are you introducing to give audiences a fresh experience this run?
Bernice: I wanted to preserve the heart of Joseph The Dreamer — its message of faith, forgiveness, hope, and holding on to our dreams. The original staging has a strong foundation, and my intention was to honor that while allowing the material to reveal new layers.
For this run, I focused on rediscovering the story through the characters and their relationships, allowing room for fresh interpretations and emotional discoveries. The cast has been integral to this process. The new members bring their own perspectives to their roles, while the returning cast members bring a deeper familiarity with the material. Together, they create a different energy that allows even familiar scenes to feel new.
Ultimately, my goal was not to reinvent the original staging, but to build on it while remaining faithful to its spirit. I hope audiences who have seen the show before will discover something new, while first-time viewers will be moved by the timeless message of the story.
With a mix of new and returning cast members, how have the dynamics influenced your direction as staging director?
Having a mix of new and returning cast members has made this process exciting because each brings something different to the table. The returning cast members have a familiarity with the material, but I also encouraged them to approach their characters with fresh eyes rather than simply repeat what they did before. The new members, on the other hand, bring their own interpretations and discoveries that sometimes reveal things I hadn’t considered before.
As a director, this reminded me that even with a familiar story, there is always room to discover something new. I also learned to be open to what the cast brings into the room, allowing their ideas and instincts to become part of the creative process. Ultimately, the combination of their different experiences and perspectives has given this year’s production its own energy and identity.
Photographed by Myra Ho, courtesy of Trumpets
You’ve been part of the industry for years and have worked on various productions. What makes this experience different for you?
What makes this experience truly different for me is that becoming a theater director has been a dream I’ve carried in my heart for a long time. Having spent years working on various productions, mostly on the production management side, I’ve learned to see theater from the perspective of the people who bring everything together behind the scenes.
I’ve learned the importance of preparation, collaboration, problem-solving, and making sure that every moving part works toward a shared vision. Little did I know that these experiences would also become part of the foundation I would need as a director.
When the opportunity to direct Joseph The Dreamer came, I took my time before saying yes. Directing a production of this scale for the first time was both exciting and intimidating. I knew my production background would help me understand the bigger picture, but I also knew that stepping into the director’s seat meant learning to trust my creative instincts and see the story through a completely different lens. It was a leap of faith, and one I knew I had to take.
As a first-time director of a production this big, I’ve had moments of uncertainty, but I’ve also discovered how much my years behind the scenes have prepared me for this journey. At the same time, I’ve learned that directing is not just about having a vision or knowing how things should work. It’s about listening, being open to the cast and creative team’s ideas, and allowing the story to grow through the people telling it.
More than just fulfilling a professional dream, this experience has reminded me that the years we spend learning and serving in one capacity can prepare us for something we may have only imagined. In many ways, my journey from production management to directing Joseph The Dreamer has been a story of its own — a journey of faith, trust, and learning to take a chance on a dream I’ve carried for so long. And while I’ve been helping tell Joseph’s story, I’ve also been learning to live out my own.
What are you most looking forward to with the restaging of the musical?
What I look forward to most is seeing how this cast brings new life to a story that has touched so many hearts. The mix of returning and new cast members has created a unique energy that makes this run different, and I’m excited for audiences to experience how their individual interpretations and chemistry bring fresh discoveries to a familiar story.
I’m also looking forward to seeing how the story continues to touch people, whether they’re watching Joseph The Dreamer for the first time or returning to a musical they have loved for years. More than anything, I hope audiences leave the theater reminded to hold on to their dreams, trust God’s timing, and believe that even the most difficult parts of our journey can have a purpose.
Jay Pangilinan (Restaging Musical Director)
Courtesy of Jay Pangilinan
Stepping into the role of musical director for this restaging, how are you approaching the music while building on the musical direction established by Myke Salomon?
Jay: Myke’s arrangements are already fun and dynamic, so the foundation is brilliant. For me, it’s really about helping the new cast gel smoothly with the returning cast members.
Were you given any liberties to rearrange some of the tracks to stay in tune with the current musical trends or listening tastes in the country?
The main arrangement is untouched because they work so well, but we did play around and slip in some new harmonies in key moments.
What are you most looking forward to with the restaging of the musical?
I think I am looking forward to what the new cast members can offer the show, especially Tito Nonie. His take on Jacob brings a totally different vocal weight and phrasing compared to other Jacobs who have played the role.
Frequently Asked Questions
Trumpets, Inc. restages “Joseph the Dreamer” from November 6 to 22, 2026, at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, in Makati City, following a successful 2025 run.
Jordan Andrews and Neo Rivera alternate in the title role of Joseph, with Nonie Buencamino as Jacob and Julia Serad as Rachel, joining a mix of new and returning cast members.
Bernice Aspillaga directs the 2026 restaging, building on Paolo Valenciano’s original staging, while Jay Pangilinan serves as musical director, expanding on Myke Salomon’s original arrangements with new harmonies.
Restaging director Bernice Aspillaga says “Joseph the Dreamer” centers on faith, forgiveness, hope, and holding on to one’s dreams, themes she preserved while letting the cast find new layers.
“He Opens a Window” is Rachel’s key song, performed by Julia Serad, exploring themes of trust and resilience and reminding audiences that hope remains even in difficult moments.
