Delia D. bursts onto the stage in a blaze of glitter and pop. From the moment the giant, sparkly pink “DELIA” sign lights up to the opening number of the musical, complete with dazzling drag performers, neon wigs, and the unmistakable sound of ABS-CBN hitmaker Jonathan Manalo, you know you’re locked in for two and a half hours of pure unadulterated camp.
Directed by Dexter M. Santos, Delia D. follows the rise of Delia (Phi Palmos), an ambitious drag queen from Ozamiz eager to leave behind small-town nights at the Drag & Tell nightclub, run by the ever-fabulous Mama Eme (John Lapus). Chasing stardom, she joins Idols of the Galaxy, the country’s flashiest new singing competition. Along the way, she bonds with her shy new bestie Kiki (Shaira Opsimar) and the dashing Raymond (Omar Uddin), while fending off judgy judges like Mamon (Tex Ordoñez-De Leon) and rival diva Phoebe (Chaye Mogg). There’s only one catch, and perhaps it’s the most devastating: Delia can’t sing.
The beauty of Delia D. lies in its refusal to take itself too seriously. Everything is played for laughs, from the glitter-soaked staging to the protagonist’s central dilemma, which feels like the setup to a punchline: How does a drag queen who can’t sing end up in a singing contest? Instead, the musical is much more concerned with showcasing Manalo’s greatest hits, from Gusto Ko Nang Bumitaw (originally sung by Morissette) to Pinoy Ako (originally sung by Orange and Lemons).
The plot may be a boilerplate “rags-to-riches-but-at-what-cost” storyline, but let’s be honest — that’s not what anyone’s here for. And in true feel-good fashion, Delia D. ends on a happy note. Despite her off-key vocals and a teeny tiny cheating scandal, Delia still gets her happy ending, and a new chosen family to match.
Running from April 25 to June 8, Delia D. is the 11th major theatrical project from Full House Theater Company, the production arm of Newport World Resorts. With prices starting at P1,000, tickets are now available at SM Tickets, Ticket World, HelixPay, and Newport World Resorts Box Office.
