Some plays ask to be watched. Choosing asks to be felt.
The stage play, written by Liza Diño-Seguerra and co-starring her real-life partner Ice Seguerra, returns for a limited run from June 6 to 15 at the Doreen Black Box Theater in Areté, Ateneo de Manila University.
The rerun follows the play’s successful 2024 debut and coincides with Pride Month, a fitting backdrop for its timely exploration of love, identity, and the personal cost of self-discovery.
Presented by the couple’s production outfit Fire and Ice Live!!, Choosing offers a powerful and intimate look at the relationship between Stella, a cisgender woman, and Mitch, a transgender man. Through a series of emotionally charged monologues and conversations, the play dives deep into their experiences—from childhood awakenings and coming out, to confronting sexual trauma, consent, and healing.
The central message is clear: we are the choices we make.
“This was a way for us to process our experiences — our own journey as a couple — but also to give voice to others who may be going through the same thing,” Diño-Seguerra said during a recent exclusive press preview.
The play blurs the lines between fact and fiction, with the couple delivering performances that critics have described as “bravura,” while theatergoers called the production a “raw and intimate confessional” that fosters reflection and empathy.
Directed by internationally renowned theater artist Dr. Anton Juan, with an evocative musical score by Vincent A. De Jesus, Choosing retains the sharp yet emotional storytelling that marked its first staging. The intimate black box setting draws audiences closer to the characters’ inner world, making the experience both personal and immersive.
“This rerun is our way of responding to the overwhelming support for Choosing,” said Seguerra, who also serves as co-producer and contributed additional monologues for this run. “The conversations that started after our first staging continued long after the final curtain call. We knew we had to bring it back—for those who missed it and for those who want to experience it again with fresh eyes.”
“Some of the most moving messages we received came from straight couples,” the OPM icon said. “They saw themselves in the story. Because the truth is, we all go through these struggles, whatever our orientation. Everyone has had to choose.”
Diño-Seguerra emphasized the universality of the play’s themes: “It’s about all relationships. It’s about how we survive each other and how we choose to stay connected even as we change.”
Fire and Ice Live! aims to showcase world-class Filipino productions and contribute to the vitality of the local performing arts scene. “This play embodies our vision of making Filipino creativity a global experience, telling a story that is both deeply personal and universally resonant,” Diño-Seguerra stated.
Tickets for Choosing are available through Ticket2Me. For inquiries, contact 0917-700-3262 or tickets@fireandice.ph.
