Areté closes season with ‘Karmen 1949’ this November
SINEGANG.ph published this press release shared by Arete. No staff writer participated in writing this article.
As the final production of its season, Sa Parang ng Digma, Areté presents Karmen 1949, a reimagining of Georges Bizet’s iconic opera set in the ruins of postwar Manila.
This November 13, Areté is set to open Karmen 1949, which takes place four years after the Battle of Manila. Inside a damaged theater, the image of Carmen endures on a faded movie poster. The music begins, the curtains rise, and a familiar tragedy finds new life. The story follows Karmen, a spirited young woman determined to live on her own terms. Drawn to Jose, a Philippine Constabulary officer, she enters a relationship that soon exposes the divide between them. Jose longs for a love he can hold on to, while Karmen refuses to surrender her freedom. What begins in desire gives way to jealousy, obsession, and a struggle neither can escape unscathed.
Jaime del Mundo directs the production. Alongside him, the following cast brings postwar Manila to life:
Roxy Aldiosa as Karmen
Bryan Homecillo as Jose
Angeli Benipayo as Micaela
Ivan Nery as Camillo
Brian Sy as Zuñiga
Noel Rayos as Lillas Pastia
Tarek El Tayech as Garcia
With del Mundo, the following join KARMEN 1949’s Artistic Team:
Farley Asuncion, Musical Direction and Translation
Angeli Benipayo, Assistant Direction and Co-Translation
Eric V. Dela Cruz, Dramaturgy
D. Villanueva Cortezano, Technical Direction & Co-Set Design
Sarah Facuri, Set Design
Jethro Nibaten, Lighting Design
Kabaitan Bautista, Sound Design and Recording Engineer
Carlo Pagunaling, Costume and Make-up Design
Brian Sy, Fight Choreography
Pat Ong, Photography
OHNORiO!, Graphic Artist
The war is over, but some battles never end. Through music and ruin, we ask: What does freedom cost, and who pays for it? When love turns to possession, where does desire end and obsession begin?
Karmen 1949 will have its limited two-weekend run at the Doreen Black Box Theater, Areté, from November 13 to 15 and November 20 to 22, 2026. Shows are on Fridays at 8:00 PM, and on Saturdays and Sundays at 3:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Tickets are priced at PHP 2,000, free seating, and are available at https://arete.helixpay.ph/
