Theater Review: Going Home to Christmas: A Jose Mari Chan Musical

Going Home to Christmas concludes Repertory Philippines' Full Season for 2024

Repertory Philippines has once again captured the hearts of theatergoers with its latest original musical, "Going Home to Christmas: A Jose Mari Chan Musical. This heartwarming production, set against the backdrop of a bustling airport during the holiday season, weaves together a tapestry of stories that resonate with the spirit of Christmas.

'Manong Juan' the airport janitor played by Alfritz Blanche 

Going Home to Christmas: A Jose Mari Chan Musical was far more than I imagined. The musical masterfully intertwines Jose Mari Chan's timeless classics with a compelling narrative. From the moment the overture begins, audiences are transported to a world of nostalgia and joy. The familiar melodies, expertly arranged and performed by a talented cast, evoke a sense of longing and anticipation.

The cast during the curtain call

Set against the bustling background of an airport, it cleverly intertwined the lives of several people—a father and son returning home for a reunion, a busy couple on a much-needed vacation, and employees spending Christmas apart from their loved ones, to mention a few.

Carla Martinez, Gary Junsay, and the young boy who played' Kevin'

The quartet of carolers at the airport lobby ---Dina (Julia Serad), Terry (Roxy Aldiosa), Jaime (Johann Enriquez), and Zid Yarcia (Mikko) -- all dressed up in Christmas costumes gave the audience amazing performances with their perfect musical harmony. Their songs gave me goosebumps! It felt so surreal. But they were so good as carolers, like cherubims and seraphim who went down from heaven.

 JR (Neo Rivera), Raya (Justine Narciso) and airport flight attendant Mona (Krystal Kane) 

Josie (Neomi Gonzales), Arnie (Lorenz Martinez), Flight Attendant Pat (Carla Guevara Laforteza), Pilot Richard (Noel Rayos), Auntie Em (Mayen Bustamante Cadd) and  JD (Floyd Tena) 

The three writers—Joel Trinidad, Luna Griño-Inocian, and Robbie Guevara—had unique storylines, thus this might have been a collection of vignettes. Congratulations to these three for weaving amazing links and connections to allow characters to interact and create a seamless slice of life at the airport. 

Jose Mari Chan's classic songs featured in the musical include "Hahanapin Ko," "Constant Change," Can We Just Stop and Talk a While," Philippine Airlines' iconic jingle “Love at 30,000 Feet," "Please Be Careful with My Heart," "Beautiful Girl," and, of course, "Christmas in Our Hearts"—the country's 'official' Christmas song, among many others. 

“Going Home to Christmas” tells stories of missed connections and rerouted destinations. Of flights that are missed, delayed, late, and miraculously, on time. This has something for everybody with a special appeal for balikbayans who haven’t been home in a long time. 

This is Repertory Philippines returning to its strengths: wonderful music with even better singing, amusing comedy, and eliciting tears where it matters. Repertory Philippines' much-anticipated inaugural full season comes to a close with this outstanding musical. 

My husband and I are grateful and blessed to have seen this play on its last day. Looking forward to more amazing performances from REP next year.