#TheaterPH - Golden Tickets & Manila Magic: Why Everyone’s Talking About This Musical Coming in 2026

There are childhood stories we outgrow… and then there are the ones that grow with us. The ones that still smell like imagination and taste like nostalgia. So when I heard that Charlie and the Chocolate Factory—yes, that Charlie, that chocolate factory—is finally landing in Manila for the very first time, my inner kid basically sprinted through a candy‑coated dreamscape.

The show is set to open at The Theatre at Solaire from July 8 to 26, 2026, and honestly, it feels like perfect timing. Life has been a little too serious lately, and we could all use a reminder that wide‑eyed wonder is still a thing.

What’s extra exciting is that this isn’t just any touring version. This global tour has already had a sold‑out run in Shanghai, and it’s packed with all the whimsical chaos you’d expect—Oompa‑Loompas, chocolate rivers, the whole sensory explosion. The production team is pulling out some serious theatrical wizardry too: cutting‑edge stage illusions, 3D effects, and enough visual magic to make you forget you’re sitting in a theater and not inside Willy Wonka’s factory.

The music is another big win. Fans of the classic 1971 film will instantly recognize the beloved songs—“Pure Imagination,” “The Candy Man,” “I’ve Got a Golden Ticket”—but the show also layers in original numbers created by the award‑winning duo behind Hairspray and Mary Poppins Returns, Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. Translation: your ears are in for a treat as sweet as the storyline.

And Manila isn’t just another pin on their map. The producers have been very clear: they’re thrilled about bringing this huge, imagination‑driven show to Filipino audiences, who’ve been showing massive love for major musicals lately. With the city hosting productions like Hamilton, Miss Saigon, and Dear Evan Hansen, it feels like Manila has truly become one of Asia’s theatre capitals—and this show is only adding to that momentum.

If you're already itching for tickets (same!), there is a bit of a perk for the early birds: UnionBank cardholders get early access from January 12 to 15, 2026, and there’s also a special waitlist via GMG Productions open until January 14. Public ticket sales start January 17, which means your group chat is about to get very busy.

Whether you grew up devouring Roald Dahl books or just want an excuse to escape into something magical and theatrical, this feels like one of those shows that pulls everyone in—parents, kids, friends, nostalgia nerds, musical theater beginners… and anyone who still secretly believes that life sometimes hands out golden tickets.

So go ahead: mark July in your calendar. Manila’s about to step inside the factory gates, and who knows? You just might walk out humming “Pure Imagination” for the rest of the week.

 

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