9 Works Theatrical Brings Back ‘A Christmas Carol’ for the Holidays at the Proscenium Theater

9 Works Theatrical Brings Back ‘A Christmas Carol’ for the Holidays at the Proscenium Theater

9 Works Theatrical is bringing back A Christmas Carol this 2025, marking the company’s third staging of the production. Led by managing director and executive producer Santi Santamaria and artistic director and A Christmas Carol director Robbie Guevara, the company is reintroducing the Christmas classic on a new stage.

The company first mounted the show in 2016 and 2017 in partnership with Globe Live at the outdoor Globe Iconic Bonifacio High Street Amphitheater. Now, nearly a decade later, the holiday musical finds a new home indoors.

For Santamaria, A Christmas Carol’s return to Rockwell has been years in the making. “When Rockwell was still conceiving the plan of having its own theater, we were already imagining and envisioning to stage A Christmas Carol here.”

He recalls that when 9 Works partnered with Globe nearly a decade ago, the Proscenium Theater was still in its early phases. “We wanted a Christmas musical, so sabi ko, let’s just do A Christmas Carol muna with Globe since wala pa iyung Proscenium. But finally, since Proscenium is here, a long time in the making, I think it’s just fit for its first Christmas musical to be A Christmas Carol, because it is, in our minds, the best Christmas musical out there.”

After years of anticipation, the creative team is finally bringing the show to the venue it was originally imagined for and giving it a fresh creative treatment in the process. “This staging will be more dreamy,” Santamaria said. “It’s more like he’s dreaming. He’s transported pa rin, pero it’s more like he’s in a dreamy state. Ganun ‘yung staging namin ngayon.”

Having directed A Christmas Carol for Repertory Philippines in 2008 (co-directed with the late Baby Barredo) and again in 2016 and 2017 for 9 Works, Guevara sees this year’s staging as both an artistic evolution and a showcase of the new Proscenium Theater.

“We really want to highlight the Proscenium, which for us is the best this country has and what it can offer,” he said.

Working with scenographer Mio Infante and choreographer PJ Rebullida, Guevara focused on pushing the production’s technical boundaries while keeping its emotional center intact. The team sought to employ stagecraft techniques that have been used in other countries but have yet to be seen locally—without taking away from the essence of the story.

In terms of the team’s collaboration, they’re aiming for one where the spectacle never distracts from the story. “The choreography and movement have to always push the story forward, and that idea applies to all the technicalss—the lighting, the projections, the set, and the blocking,” he said.

A Holiday Tradition in the Making

The company also hopes to establish an annual Christmas tradition at Rockwell. “We’re hoping there’s a Christmas show every year,” Guevara said. “It doesn’t always have to be this one. I think Rockwell would like that as well.”

Based on Charles Dickens’ classic novella, A Christmas Carol tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a bitter miser visited by three ghosts who lead him on a journey through his past, present, and future. With music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and book by Mike Ockrent and Ahrens, the show first opened on Broadway in 1994, running for eleven holiday seasons until 2003.

The Cast and Creative Team

Arnel Carrion takes on the role of Ebenezer Scrooge, following the late Miguel Faustmann’s turn in the company’s previous productions. Carrion, who previously played Bob Cratchit and Fred in Repertory Philippines’ earlier stagings, described this as a full-circle moment.

 

“I’ve done A Christmas Carol twice already,” he shared. “The first time, I played Bob Cratchit. Then I did it again and played Scrooge’s nephew Fred. And now, Scrooge na ako.”

Franco Laurel, who reprises his role as the Ghost of Christmas Past from 2017, praised Carrion’s take: “Arnel’s take on Scrooge is totally different and is amazing. He’ll be doing so many new things that will really enthrall everyone.”

Joining him are Lorenz Martinez as the jovial Ghost of Christmas Present, Carmelle Ros as the haunting Ghost of Christmas Yet To Be, and Boo Gabunada as Jacob Marley, Scrooge’s tormented former business partner.

The cast also features CJ Navato as Young Ebenezer, Nicole Omillo as Emily, and John Joven Uy as Bob Cratchit. Anna Santamaria returns as Mrs. Cratchit, a role she last played in the 2016 staging. Her return marks her first stage performance in nine years, having focused on her work as the operations/finance director and company manager of 9 Works Theatrical, as well as operations/finance director of its sister company, The Sandbox Collective.

Also in the production are Jasper John Jimenez as Mr. Fezziwig, Meliza Reyes as Mrs. Fezziwig, Neo Rivera as Fred, Molly Langley as Emily, Mariella Laurel as Mrs. Mops, Richardson Yadao as Mr. Smythe, Rica Laguarda as Mother of Scrooge, Gary Junsay as Beadle, Joshy Ramirez as John William Scrooge, Derrick Gozos as Baker, Denzel Chang as Mr. Hawkins, Roxy Aldiosa as Poulterer, Natalie Duque as Grandma, and Matthew Barbers as Fishmonger.

The show also showcases a roster of child actors alternating in key roles: Enzo Dognidon and Jethro Ting as Tiny Tim; Sofia Aguilar and Atalie Castillo as Martha Cratchit; Giani Sarita and Manolo Villalva as Scrooge at 12 years old; Bianca Estacio and Sofia Laurel as Grace Smythe; Elian Santos and Kim Hewitt as Jonathon; Ani Cinco and Lucia Laurel as Fan; and Drake Manlapaz and Liam Nery as Fred’s Son.

The artistic team includes Robbie Guevara as director; Raul Montesa as assistant director, Daniel Bartolome as musical director; Mio Infante as scenographer; PJ Rebullida as choreographer; Yek Barlongay as tap choreographer; Gabo Tolentino as lighting designer; Aji Manalo as sound engineer/designer; Joee Mejias as video and projection designer; Sheik Completado as technical director, Elliza Aurelio as hair and makeup designer, and Yukie Sarto as photographer.

A Christmas Carol runs on all weekends from November 29 until December 21, 2025, at 7:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, and 3:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays, at the Proscenium Theater, Rockwell Center in Makati City.

Tickets are P5,665 (Orchestra Center), P5,150 (Orchestra Side), P4,635 (Orchestra Side 2), P3,605 (Dress Circle), and P2,575 (Dress Circle Front Narrow Passageway), and are available for purchase via Ticketworld.