When a Musical Wins Over the People Who Don’t Even Like Musicals
Last November 15, 2025, I walked into Rizal Fabre Hall expecting a normal night at the theatre. You know — singing, dancing, maybe a tear or two if the actors decided to get emotional. What I did not expect was a musical packed with aliens, sudden rain, chaotic dance numbers, and a storyline that shifted faster than my mood during midterms.
But honestly? I loved every second of it. I can sense myself smiling the whole time.
I’m convinced they could start their own variety show. As soon as the first musical number began, the stage burst into life. Sharp choreography, expressive faces, and actors who looked like they drank three iced coffees before stepping out — everything was loud, fast, and undeniably fun. I was actually shocked by how it was presented, it was so detailed and the dialogues are funny too.
The early scenes delivered humor right away. There was an office worker dealing with her husband Sam, plus a Mama Mia reference that immediately told us, “Okay, this show is not taking itself too seriously.” And that was exactly the charm.
The character I absolutely loved was Charlotte. Like, the moment she stepped on stage, you just knew it was her. Her aura was so “Charlotte-coded” that even if she didn’t speak, you’d still recognize her. From her outfit, to her voice, to the way she delivered every line — everything was perfectly on point. I literally got goosebumps.
She was also paired with the right character. Sam was hilarious, charismatic, and honestly the perfect comedic balance to her intensity. Their duo had this natural chemistry that made every interaction fun to watch, whether they were arguing, panicking, or just being chaotic together. I loved their pairing so much.
I also enjoyed watching Paul and Emma, who carried a big part of the story’s emotional and comedic weight. Paul’s character was the perfect embodiment of someone who refuses to join the chaos (but is obviously stuck in it), and his reactions made the whole situation even funnier. Emma, on the other hand, was the grounded one — the voice of reason who still somehow ended up in the most stressful scenes. Together, their dynamic added heart to the play, balancing out all the wild, musical mayhem happening around them.
Then the real chaos began. Charlotte suddenly turned into an alien — as one does — and the show shifted from office comedy to full-on musical apocalypse. Sam’s police number, featuring a chair-cuff gag, had the audience laughing out loud. Even the ensemble reacting dramatically to heavy rain felt like a masterclass in “how to overreact with commitment.”
Musical numbers kept pushing the plot forward. Paul’s song about hating musicals? Honestly iconic. You could feel the internal struggle of a man trapped in a world where everyone sings their feelings — truly the definition of suffering. Interactions with characters like the General and the professor added layers of ridiculousness that somehow still made sense, proving that chaos can be organized if everyone is equally committed.
Surprisingly, the show also hit emotional notes. Father Bill and Alice’s moment gave the audience a brief pause — right before it turned shocking and tragic. Emma and Paul’s meteor crisis scene blended panic, humor, and music so well that you didn’t know whether to laugh or hold your breath. And Paul’s final confrontation, complete with a grenade timed perfectly with the musical cue? Peak theatre. Peak drama. Peak chaos.
Behind the madness was a purposeful design. Sir Paul and Ms Dia shared that the entire look — from the set to the colors — was based on 2018 America, mixed with inspiration from The Truman Show and 1950s aesthetics. And suddenly, the clean visuals, pastel tones, and too-perfect world made sense. Maybe I was too shallow to understand then. The show wasn’t just being funny; it was poking at conformity and the pressure to fit in. Emma resisting the hive mind at the end sealed the message without forcing it on the audience.
The finale? Wild. The world had turned into aliens, Emma was running for her life in real time, and the ensemble wrapped everything up with a final high-energy performance. It was the kind of ending that made the audience react out loud — gasps, laughs, whispers, “HALAAA!!!” from the back row — everything included.
By the time the curtain call hit, it was very clear: the audience had an absolute blast. People were entertained, confused (in a good way), amazed, and very, very loud. It was one of those shows where you walk out saying, “I didn’t understand half of what just happened, but wow, that was fun.”
It’s also the kind of play that works perfectly for people who don’t usually watch plays. If you’re a first-timer, this show is honestly such a good introduction because it doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s fun, chaotic in the best way, easy to follow, and full of moments that keep you laughing even if you’re not familiar with musical theatre. You don’t need to be a “theater person” to enjoy it — the humor, the energy, and the way the story moves make it so accessible that even someone who normally avoids musicals would find themselves entertained.
The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals delivered comedy, chaos, heart, and a whole lot of surprises. It proved that musicals don’t always have to be perfect or serious to make an impact — sometimes they just need aliens, committed actors, and a storyline wild enough to keep everyone glued to their seats. And this one definitely did.
