Nic Chien to Headline Spot On Cabaret This July
Spot On! A Cabaret, the bi-monthly series created by theater artist Sweet Plantado-Tiongson to spotlight local theater talent, returns this July with Nic Chien as its headliner.
Before heading abroad for school, Chien takes center stage in Never Really Through, an evening of songs that have shaped his journey as a performer and storyteller. Featuring a repertoire he has long dreamed of performing, the cabaret offers a personal glimpse into his musical inspirations, including a nostalgic medley of beloved cartoon theme songs from his childhood.
“I wanted to showcase them because they’re great music that I don’t often see featured in concert settings,” he shares.
Heartfelt, playful, and distinctly his own, the show serves as both a celebration of Chien’s experiences in theater and a send-off before he embarks on his next chapter.
Theater audiences most recently saw Chien as Moritz in The Sandbox Collective’s Spring Awakening, which ran from February to March this year, and as Jack in Theatre Group Asia’s Into the Woods in August 2025.
According to Plantado-Tiongson, the idea for the cabaret came directly from Chien.
“He asked me if I could help him mount a cabaret before he leaves… a last celebration of his amazing theater experience here in Manila before starting school abroad. I love this kid. He’s good friends with my son Gabo and his theater friends, and they worked together in Spring Awakening. He’s passionate, and I love that about him, so I said, ‘Yes, let’s do your cabaret!'”
Asked about his experience working in Manila theater and why he wanted to stage a cabaret before leaving, Chien said:
“It was educational, and I think it allowed me opportunities I’m honored to have because I got to start my career here and do things I didn’t expect to be doing at the age of 20. I think I probably had one of the best gap years any kid could ever have.
“I wanted to do this cabaret because I wanted to have a show of my own before I left for school—a send-off, if you will. I wanted something not too fancy but not too casual; warm, fun, but also moving. What better form of show than a cabaret?”
Joining Chien in the upcoming cabaret are special guest Sheena Belarmino and Mijon Cortez on guitar and vocals. The show is written and directed by Victor Lirio, co-written by Lea Salonga, with musical direction by GJ Frias, and produced by Sweet Plantado-Tiongson.
Never Really Through will run on July 18 at 8 PM at the UG Lounge, Basement 2, Finman Centre Building, Tordesillas Street, Makati City. Tickets are priced at P950 and may be reserved through Jason at 0918-928-2825 or via Instagram at @spot_on_cabaret.
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