Looking for a family-friendly theater experience in Metro Manila? Repertory Philippines (REP) is staging Cinderella: The Tale of the Glass Slipper from August 22 to December 13, 2026, at the REP Eastwood Theater.
The musical is part of REP’s Repertory Theater for Young Audiences (RTYA) program, which creates productions specifically designed to introduce younger audiences to live theater. The new adaptation puts a fresh spin on the familiar Cinderella story while keeping its central themes of kindness, resilience and having the courage to pursue one's dreams.
For families, the appeal goes beyond simply seeing a familiar fairytale on stage. A live theater production gives children an opportunity to experience storytelling without a screen, while parents get to share an activity that can become part of a family's cultural and creative life.
What can families expect from REP’s Cinderella?
Directed by Joy Virata and Cara Barredo, the production comes from American theater writers Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman, who created the book, music and lyrics. The pair have also worked on REP's adaptations of Alice in Wonderland and Snow White and the Prince.
This version is structured around short, fast-moving scenes. That format is particularly suited to younger theatergoers, whose attention can be harder to sustain during long stretches of dialogue.
The familiar characters are all here, including Cinderella, her Stepmother, two Stepsisters, the Fairy Godmother and the Prince. But the production adds a playful new character to the story: Putterman, a mischievous rat who becomes part of Cinderella's journey.
The cast features a mix of experienced theater performers and emerging talents. Katie Bradshaw, Ornella Brianna and Julia Santiago share the role of Cinderella, while Khalil Tambio and Radson Flores alternate as the Prince, with Lance Soliman as cover.
Stephen Viñas and Jay Pangilinan alternate as Putterman, with Steven Hotchkiss serving as cover.
The production also features Mayen Cadd and Cara Barredo as the Fairy Godmother, alongside an ensemble cast that brings the royal court and other characters to life.
A musical designed for young theatergoers
RTYA is an important part of REP's broader work. The theater company has a long history of producing plays for young audiences alongside its regular season of classic and contemporary works. REP's official history notes that its productions for young audiences form a recurring part of its programming.
That makes Cinderella more than a seasonal family outing. It is also an introduction to an art form that children may not encounter regularly.
For first-time theatergoers, the experience can also help explain how a story is created collaboratively. Actors, musicians, choreographers, costume designers, lighting designers, set designers and other backstage professionals all contribute to what audiences eventually see on stage.
Why live theater can be a meaningful family experience
A children's musical does not have to be educational in the traditional sense to be valuable.
Watching performers tell a story in real time encourages children to pay attention to dialogue, music, movement and visual details. It also gives parents and children something to talk about after the curtain falls.
Cinderella naturally opens conversations about familiar themes such as kindness, empathy and perseverance. The production's stated focus on compassion and pursuing one's dreams also gives families an accessible starting point for discussing how those ideas apply to everyday life.
There is another practical advantage for families: the REP Eastwood Theater is located within Eastwood City, giving parents the option of turning the theater visit into a longer family day out with dining or other activities nearby.
REP's current Eastwood home has a 500-seat theater, following its move to Eastwood City as part of a partnership with Megaworld Lifestyle Malls. The theater opened as REP's new home in 2024.
A familiar story with a different stage experience
Cinderella is one of the world's most recognizable fairytales, but its enduring appeal comes partly from its adaptability.
REP has staged Cinderella before, with the company's official archives listing the story among its 70th Season productions in 2007.
The 2026 RTYA production therefore gives audiences another interpretation rather than simply repeating the same stage version. With new music, choreography, costumes, puppetry and projections, the familiar story becomes a live theatrical experience built specifically with younger audiences in mind.
For parents who grew up with their own versions of Cinderella, that can make the show a shared-generation experience: familiar enough for adults to recognize, but different enough for children to discover for themselves.
When and where to watch Cinderella: The Tale of the Glass Slipper
Show: Cinderella: The Tale of the Glass Slipper
Dates: August 22 to December 13, 2026
Venue: REP Eastwood Theater, Eastwood City, Quezon City
Tickets are available through REP's ticketing channels. REP's official website also provides information about its 2026 season and ticket options.
For ticket and show inquiries, REP lists 0966-905-4013 and 0962-691-8540, as well as promotions@repphil.org and sales@repphil.org.