Of course, some fathers need a bit of nudging to enjoy the wonders of theater. But the world has witnessed a vast portfolio of dynamic performances and riveting stories. If you’re hesitant with taking your father to the theater, why not start with something he can easily resonate with? Here are a few recommendations for every type of dad out there.

For the Forever Rockstar

Never underestimate the power of nostalgia in bridging generations. If your dad was the eclectic rocker who collected vinyl records, played several musical instruments, hung out in concerts, or even just genuinely enjoyed music, there are a slew of musicals out there that will take him back to his heyday.

The theater has welcomed many stage adaptations of the music of some of the world’s most celebrated artists. If you know the type of music your dad is particularly into, you can easily find a musical play you can both sing to and dance with.

We Recommend: Ain’t Too Proud to Beg (The Temptations), Eto Na! Musikal nAPO! (APO Hiking Society), American Idiot (Green Day), Ang Huling El Bimbo (Eraserheads), Jagged Little Pill (Alanis Morissette)

For the History Genius

Some dads prefer consuming piles of books, following the news, carrying loads of information, and then sharing random trivia tidbits or great historical tales in the middle of dinner. Like our dads, the theater has given a platform for many heartwarming and powerful portrayals of history’s most iconic and polarizing characters and figures.

Create a meeting of minds by connecting your love for theater with his passion for facts and history. Together, you can enjoy wonderful theatric accounts of significant historic moments that have shaped our world.

We Recommend: Hamilton (American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton), Assassins (assassination attempts on US Presidents), Come From Away (the impact of the September 11 attacks), Newsies (New York City’s newsboy strike of 1899), 1776 (the signing of the Declaration of Independence)

For The Visually Enraptured Dad

We also acknowledge fathers who enjoy high-octane action, stunning visual effects, and magnificent artistry. The theater, of course, never runs out of these fantastic elements. So why don’t you take him to a play or musical that will satisfy his cravings for the extraordinary?

Enchant him with a play’s well-placed colors, thought-out costumes, beautifully-constructed stage design, and artful executions of visual effects. Exceptional innovations in the past several decades have paved the way for more realistic and optically satisfying graphics that your father will surely enjoy.

We Recommend: The Lion King (for the breathtaking costumes and scenography), King Kong (for its stagecraft and structural engineering), Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark (for the death-defying stunts and action sequences), Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (for the dazzling special effects), The Phantom of the Opera (for its unparalleled display of theatricality)

For the King of Dad-Jokes

You can never have enough of corny but adorable dad-jokes from the man of the house. The theater, amid its visual and musical trappings, shares its mic with comic characters that range from giggle-inducing to irreverently hysterical. These shows offer exceptional comedic timing and sidesplitting punchlines, absurd yet awkwardly funny scenarios, and inescapable laugh-out-loud moments.

Take the funny man into one of these witty, entertaining, and utterly hilarious productions that will have you both in tears laughing. Who knows? Maybe you just might give him brand new material for his next wise-cracking performance at the next Sunday luncheon.

We Recommend: Avenue Q (strong language and adult themes), The Book of Mormon (irreverent and obscene comedy), The Producers (dark humor and satirical elements), The Play Could Go Wrong (farcical and slapstick comedy), Beetlejuice (mischievous sense of fun and antics)

For the Sentimental Care Bear

And then there are dads with whom you can easily share your deepest, darkest secrets, who can magically take your fears and pains away, and who can utter the most powerful words to make things better.  The theater definitely has an abundance of touching tearjerkers that will have you both sharing a tissue.

The best picks for pop are those with gut-wrenching stories that highlight his undeniable and overwhelming paternal love. These delicately written plots venerate the continuously evolving relationships of a father and his child, in joy, in pain, and on the road to self-defined triumphs.

We Recommend: Billy Elliot (a son’s ballet aspirations), Dear Evan Hansen (a high school boy’s struggles with mental health), Be More Chill (a young boy dealing with the pressures of school popularity), The Band’s Visit (a fateful and heartwarming meeting of cultures)

Why The Theater is for Fathers

You don’t have to be a religious theater-goer to enjoy the fun and fancy of plays and musicals. All it takes is a line, a tune, or an image that finds itself deeply connected with the viewer-slash-listener. Fathers are excellent observers. They catch every step and every word—nothing escapes their eagle eyes. And inside the theater, no detail is spared.

So take him by the hand, sit, and watch as you unravel an inspiring, marvelous, or comedic performance together. And let your passions for the arts conjoin as you celebrate an extraordinary Father’s Day every day.

For more information, contact inquire.cpat@ayalaland.com.ph or call via (+63917) 804.9336.