The Sandbox Collective revealed the full cast of SPRING AWAKENING, which features a
powerful ensemble of theater veterans and rising stars to open the company’s 12th year
and 2026 season.

With book & lyrics by Steven Sater, music by Duncan Sheik, and based on the play by
Frank Wedekind, SPRING AWAKENING is the groundbreaking, Tony Award–winning
musical that follows the turbulent journey of adolescence, where silence is rewarded and
curiosity is punished. Exploring timeless themes of mental health, sexuality, growing up,
and family life, the show’s power lies in its ability to transcend eras and resonate deeply
with audiences across generations.

Director Andrei Nikolai Pamintuan shared that the show’s story mirrors the oppressive
ideas our society continues to grapple with.

“This bourgeoisie, which SPRING AWAKENING takes aim at, manifests today in the form of
political elites, conservative religious sects, and a ‘parentocracy’ that seek to preserve the
status quo — fearing the so-called corruption of youth and resisting what they deemed as
‘radical’ thought and rapidly shifting industries that are reshaping daily life,” Pamintuan
said.

“The struggles faced by the young characters in the show — teen pregnancy, sexual and
physical abuse, mental health issues, and self-harm — are the very challenges many
young people continue to face, particularly in the Philippines,” he said.

THEATER VETERANS, RISING STARS TO TAKE THE STAGE IN THIS LANDMARK MUSICAL

A mix of Philippine theater’s stalwart veterans and rising stars is set to breathe new life into
SPRING AWAKENING 20 years after it first premiered on Broadway.

“First Lady” of Philippine Theater Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo and multi-awarded artist Ana
Abad Santos will share the role of Adult Woman. Meanwhile, “King of Philippine Musical
Theater” Audie Gemora will step into the role of Adult Man.

Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo is a multi-awarded actress, director, and artistic director.
Throughout her illustrious career, she has brought to life iconic roles such as Eva Perón in
Evita, Fosca in Passion, Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, and Diana in Next to Normal, as well
as appearing in the Manila production of Miss Saigon. Most recently, she captivated
audiences as the titular character in the Singapore staging of Kimberly Akimbo.

Making her much-awaited return to stage, Ana Abad Santos is a director, producer, and
actress across film, television, and theater. She has earned recognition for her powerful
performances in A Streetcar Named Desire (as Blanche DuBois), Portrait of the Artist as
Filipino (as Candida), and An Evening at the Opera (as Miranda), among others. Most
recently, she appeared in the film “Quezon,” portraying Carmen Hernando.

Appearing in over 70 plays, Audie Gemora is a stage, television and film actor, singer,
recording artist, dancer, host, on-camera & voice talent for TV and radio commercials,
director, choreographer, producer, impresario and educator. He has played major roles in
productions like Pippin, Evita, and Les Misérables, and has won multiple Philstage Gawad
Buhay Awards for his performances — notably for Sweeney Todd, The Producers, and La
Cage Aux Folles.

Taking the stage alongside theater luminaries are Nacho Tambunting and Alex Diaz who
share the role of Melchior Gabor; Nic Chien and Omar Uddin who alternate as Moritz
Stiefel; and Sheena Belarmino who will play the role of Wendla Bergmann.

Returning to the Philippine stage after moving to New York, Nacho Tambunting began
performing professionally in 2006 in The Sound of Music. Nacho Tambunting originated
the role of Felix Starro, Jr. in Felix Starro—the first Filipino-American musical to premiere
Off-Broadway. He was most recently seen as Jake in the world premiere of Everything
Beautiful Happens at Night. A proud member of SAG-AFTRA and Actors’ Equity
Association, he has also appeared on TV and in film.

Alex Diaz is a multi-hyphenate, Gawad Buhay nominated stage, film, and television actor
whose journey began as a student radio DJ before being launched in Star Magic Circle
2013. He made his theatrical debut as Racetrack Higgins in Disney’s Newsies and was
most recently seen as Chris Abueva in Bar Boys: The Musical.

Nic Chien made his professional musical theater debut in Matilda, and has wanted to be a
theater actor ever since. He most recently played the role of Jack in Into the Woods. Nic
has also made numerous concert appearances alongside his mother, Lea Salonga. In
2023, he participated in the English Speaking Union’s National Shakespeare Competition
where he placed third.

Omar Uddin has been in the entertainment scene since age 12, being a regular for the
fourth and fifth season of Team Yey! and 2 Good 2 Be True. He made his theatrical debut
in Tagu-taguan Nasaan Ang Buwan? and has continued to play lead roles in shows such as
A Christmas Carol, The Lion King International Tour, Bar Boys: The Musical, Next To
Normal and, most recently, Quomodo Desolata Es?.

Star Magic artist Sheena Belarmino is a singer, dancer, and actress. She started her career
in reality competitions like Dance Kids, Tawag ng Tanghalan Kids, and Your Face Sounds
Familiar Kids. At the age of 8, she started her theater career in Cebu, and has since played
iconic roles such as Basha in One More Chance: The Musical, Eds Delos Santos in Tabing
Ilog, and Natalie Goodman in Next To Normal.

Also joining the cast are Angelo Martinez as Hänschen Rilow; Vino Mabalot as Otto
Lämmermeier; Jam Binay as Ilse Neumann; Angia Laurel as Martha Bessell; Mijon
Cortez as Anna; Felicity Kyle Napuli as Thea; Elian Dominguez as Ernst Röbel; and Davy
Narciso as Georg Zirschnitz.

Angelo Martinez is a Singapore-based performer and the first Filipino to portray Evan
Hansen in the Southeast Asian production of Dear Evan Hansen. He was last seen as
Aaron Puckett in Kimberly Akimbo alongside Menchu Lauchengco-yulo. Spring Awakening
marks his homecoming debut in the Philippines.

Vino Mabalot is an actor and stratospheric tenor known for his emotionally distinctive
performances. He is currently performing as the Mock Turtle in Alice in Wonderland, and
was recently seen as Tony Javier in Quomodo Desolata Es? and Gabe Goodman in Next to
Normal.

Jam Binay is a sought after theater actress and has been seen in different roles in various
productions such as Pingkian: Isang Musikal, Next to Normal, In the Eyes of the People,
Bar Boys: The Musical, and understudy in Ang Huling El Bimbo.

Making her theatrical debut, Angia Laurel is a dynamic and passionate singer-songwriter
and actor. She graduated from De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde with a degree in
Production Design for Theater, and has earned critical acclaim for her debut single “Back
Again” under ABS-CBN Music’s Tarsier Records. Her upcoming single “Talon” is set for
release this November, with her first full-length album following in early 2026.

Mijon Cortez is a musician, singer-songwriter, sound designer, and actor whose work
bridges music and theater. She began her artistic journey in student theatre with
productions such as The Importance of Being Earnest, Lady Aoi, and Las Viajeras.
Felicity Kyle Napuli is an actress known for her work in theater, television, and film. She
has portrayed numerous characters onstage including Becky in A Little Princess, Matilda in
Matilda the Musical, and Young Nala in Disney’s The Lion King international tour. Recently,
she is known for lending her vocals to the Tagalog dub of K-Pop Demon Hunters.

Elian Dominguez is a theater artist and eco-warrior with a Bachelor’s Degree in
Environmental Science from Ateneo de Manila University. He made his professional theater
debut in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, which was followed by his role as
Jepoy in Jepoy and the Magic Circle. He’s most recently seen in Bar Boys: The Musical.
Davy Narciso is a theater actor who has played different roles in productions such as Next
To Normal; I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change; and Othello, among others. During his
time in college, he also starred in various productions as an active performer of the Ateneo
Blue Repertory.

Rounding out the cast are Female Swings Pappel and Nikki Bengzon, and Male Swings
Lance Soliman and Gabo Tiongson.

Pappel is a singer-songwriter under O/C Records, and member of The Busking
Community. She’s last seen in Side Show: The Musical and Bar Boys: The Musical. Nikki
Bengzon makes her professional musical theater debut in Spring Awakening. She was last
seen in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Ateneo Blue Repertory’s production of Next To
Normal.

Lance Soliman is a musical theater artist, vocal coach, events performer, and recording
artist. He was last seen in Alice in Wonderland and Jepoy and The Magic Circle. Gabo
Tiongson is an accomplished performer, a virtuoso of the acoustic guitar, a versatile
voice-over artist, and a champion at cheerdancing. He was recently seen in Alice in
Wonderland.

With Pamintuan at the helm, the artistic team of SPRING AWAKENING also includes Ejay
Yatco as musical director, Nunoy Van Den Burgh as choreographer, Missy Maramara as
intimacy director, Wika Nadera as set designer, Raven Ong as costume designer, D
Cortezano as lighting designer, Gabbi Campomanes as assistant director, Salve Villarosa
as dramaturg, Aron Roca as sound designer, Sheik Completado as technical director, and
Jaydee Jasa as hair and makeup designer.

SPRING AWAKENING is the inaugural show of The Black Box at The Proscenium Theater
in Rockwell, Makati. The show will run from February 13 until March 22, 2026. Tickets are
now available on Ticket2Me (tinyurl.com/SandboxSpring2026).

SPRING AWAKENING is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre
International (MTI), New York, NY, USA.

For more information, follow The Sandbox Collective on Facebook, Twitter and Tiktok –
@TheSandboxCo. You may also visit their website at www.thesandboxco.com.