‘Master Class’ Play Starring Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo to be Staged This May
As part of the Philippine Opera Company’s (POC) 25th season, which launched in November 2025 and culminates in November 2026, the company is set to stage Terrence McNally’s Master Class starring Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo as opera singer Maria Callas.
Directed by Jaime del Mundo, the play will open on May 15 and will run for the entire month at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium of RCBC Plaza, with Friday and Saturday evening performances and weekend matinees.
Set during a series of public master classes at Juilliard in the 1970s, Master Class offers an intimate portrait of Maria Callas at the height of her myth and legacy. As she works with young opera singers, Callas relives the triumphs and heartbreaks of her storied career—her artistic struggles, her turbulent love life, and the sacrifices demanded by greatness. Through her exacting standards and brutally honest critiques, Callas challenges her students—and herself—to confront the true cost of art.
Debuting on Broadway in 1995, the play won the 1996 Tony Award for Best Play, Zoe Caldwell won Best Actress in a Play for playing Callas, and Audra McDonald won for Featured Actress in a Play for playing the role of Sharon.
The Philippine Opera Company last staged Master Class in 2010. Now, as it marks its 25th year, the company says that this anniversary revival is both a tribute to the legends who shaped the operatic world and a bold reminder that true artistry demands courage, discipline, and soul.
POC’s artistic director Karla Gutierrez shares:
“As we celebrate 25 years of the Philippine Opera Company, we felt it was important to revisit a work that speaks directly about legacy. Master Class reminds us that artistry is not about applause alone—it is about discipline, sacrifice, and the relentless pursuit of truth. In an age of immediacy, Maria Callas challenges us to slow down and demand excellence of ourselves and of our craft. This is the perfect piece to anchor our anniversary season because it reflects exactly what POC has stood for over the last 25 years.”
The rest of the cast, as well as ticketing details, will be announced soon. For sponsorships and show-buying inquiries, contact 0917 645 2946.
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