Ma-Yi Theater Company to Present World Premiere of Magno Rubio: The Musical

Ma-Yi Theater Company will present the world premiere of Magno Rubio: The Musical, featuring book, lyrics, and direction by Obie Award winner Ralph B. Peña and music by Lucille Lortel Award winner Fabian Obispo.

Magno Rubio: The Musical runs February 20, 2027-March 30, 2027, with an official opening set for February 28, at Theatre Row.

The eight-member cast features Eymard Cabling, Red Concepción, Jon Viktor Corpuz, Marc dela Cruz, Ron Domingo, Jojo Gonzalez, Alyse Alan Louis, and Chris Bona.

The design and creative team includes Riw Rakkulchon (scenic design), Mika Eubanks (costume design), Paul Whitaker (lighting design), Daniel Baker (sound design), Thomas Jenkeleit (properties), Orlando Pabotoy (choreographer), Gabbie Ballesteros (associate choreographer), Tom Myron (orchestrations), Ian Miller (music direction), John Miller (music coordination), Hope Ding (production stage manager), and Kyle Daniels (production manager).

Loosely based on the short story “The Romance of Magno Rubio” by Filipino American author, poet, and activist Carlos Bulosan, Magno Rubio: The Musical follows a Filipino farmworker who falls in love with a woman he knows only through letters and stakes his hard-earned savings on the life he imagines they could share, but as the courtship grows more expensive, an impossible romance becomes a test of friendship, dignity, and how much a man will risk to feel worthy of love.

As previously announced, Ma-Yi’s 2027 season will also include the world premiere of You Seem Sad by Leah Nanako Winkler, directed by May Adrales.