Stories Waiting To Be Told
After Oz brings Broadway magic to Samsung Performing Arts Theater’s fourth anniversary celebration.
Words Jewel Chuaunsu
Photos courtesy of Jyllan Bitalac & Ernest III
July 22, 2026
Allie Trimm and Lissa De Guzman
Samsung Performing Arts Theater (SPAT) celebrated its fourth anniversary with After Oz, a one-night-only concert on July 10 featuring Broadway stars Lissa De Guzman and Allie Trimm. Captivating Manila audiences, the artists delivered two memorable performances at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati.
Lissa De Guzman was last seen in the Philippine staging of A Chorus Line by Theatre Group Asia. She also appeared in the Wicked national Broadway tour as the first Filipina actress to play Elphaba. Prior to Wicked, she joined Aladdin on Broadway after portraying Princess Jasmine in the show’s first national tour. She made her Broadway debut as Ann Darrow in King Kong.
Lissa De Guzman as Elphaba
Allie Trimm joined Wicked as Glinda after previously serving as the Broadway production’s Glinda standby. She made her Broadway debut as Patrice in Jason Robert Brown's 13: The Musical before starring as Kim MacAfee in the Broadway revival of Bye Bye Birdie.
Known for their acclaimed portrayals of Elphaba and Glinda in Wicked on Broadway, De Guzman and Trimm reunited for a concert that ventured beyond the Emerald City. Featuring a dynamic repertoire of Broadway favorites and reimagined pop classics, the show offered audiences an intimate yet theatrical concert experience.
Allie Trimm as Glinda
Showcasing their impressive vocal range and versatility, De Guzman and Trimm performed everything from jazz and pop standards such as “Feeling Good” and “That’s Life” to Pink’s “Glitter in the Air” and “For the First Time in Forever” from Disney’s Frozen. They also put their own spin on iconic classics, including “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” famously sung by Judy Garland, and “Get Happy/Happy Days Are Here Again,” the celebrated duet by Garland and Barbra Streisand.
Offering a preview of upcoming productions by Theatre Group Asia—the resident theatre company of the Samsung Performing Arts Theater—Trimm and De Guzman performed selections from Sunday in the Park with George, the acclaimed musical by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine. The highly anticipated Philippine premiere of Sondheim’s masterpiece is scheduled to run in June 2027 as part of TGA’s “Season of Power.”
Allie Trimm and Lissa De Guzman
Before that, TGA will launch its 2026–2027 season in September 2026 with The Notebook: The Musical, featuring music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson. Joining De Guzman and Trimm onstage was special guest Morissette, who stars as Middle Allie in The Notebook: The Musical. Together, the powerhouse singers gave audiences a sneak peek of songs from the upcoming production.
Of course, After Oz would not have been complete without Wicked favorites sprinkled throughout the show. Giving each Broadway star a moment to shine, Trimm performed Glinda’s bubbly solo “Popular,” De Guzman delivered Elphaba’s soaring anthem “Defying Gravity,” and the pair closed with an emotional rendition of “For Good.”
Morissette
Joining the Broadway stars were Farley Asunción & the After Oz Orchestra, the UST Singers, and Mari Dance. The concert was brought to life by a creative team led by director Mikko Angeles, with musical direction by Farley Asunción, choreography by JM Cabling, set design by Ohm David, lighting design by Meliton Roxas, and visual projections by Justin Santiago.
After Oz captured the spirit of new possibilities and stories still waiting to be told, reflecting the Samsung Performing Arts Theater’s continued commitment to presenting world-class performances while fostering collaborations between international and Filipino artists.
Welcoming audiences to SPAT’s anniversary celebration, Christopher Mohnani, Managing Director of Samsung Performing Arts Theater and Ayala Land’s Arts and Culture Director, said:
Allie Trimm and Lissa De Guzman
“When this theater opened its doors four years ago, it marked an important milestone not only for Circuit Makati, but for the Philippine performing arts community. It was the first major cultural destination to take root in this estate, bringing to life our vision of Circuit Makati as a place where creativity, culture, and community come together.
Today, that vision continues to grow. Over the years, this stage has welcomed world-class musicals, breathtaking concerts, acclaimed companies and orchestras, and has showcased the incredible depth of Filipino and international talent. More importantly, it has become a place where artists, audiences, and communities come together to share stories and create lasting memories.”
