Fil-Canadian musical inspired by Cebu’s dancing inmates to premiere in May

“Prison Dancer” tells the story of “Lola,” who brings fellow inmates together in harmony and purpose through dance. HANDOUT

A musical inspired by a viral video of 1,500 inmates in a Cebu prison dancing to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” will premiere May 6 at Shoctor Theatre/Citadel Theatre in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

“Prison Dancer: The Musical” is the world’s first transmedia musical with an all Filipino Canadian and Filipino American creative and producing team, reports Broadway World.

The dancing inmates video uploaded on YouTube in 2007 took the internet by storm. It was turned into an award-winning web series and then to a stage production.

“Prison Dancer” tells the story of “Lola,” who brings fellow inmates together in harmony and purpose through dance.

The cast serves joyous helpings of drag, pop music and gooey ballads, says Broadway World, which calls it a “brave” and “perspective-altering” musical about redemption.

“Prison Dancer” has reaped awards in Canada and U.S., including three awards from the New York Musical Theatre Festival and Best Feature Film at the Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival.

Playwrights Romeo Candido and Carmen De Jesus created “Prison Dancer.” It is directed by award-winning artist and Artistic Director of the National Arts Centre English Theatre, Nina Lee Aquino.

A co-production with Prison Dancer Inc. and Developed with support from the National Arts Centre’s Nation Creation Fund, “Prison Dancer” plays in the Shoctor Theatre May 6 – 28, 2023. Tickets are available through the Box Office at 780.425.1820 or online at citadeltheatre.com.