JM Cabling’s Mari Dance, the emerging dance theater company, restages its highly acclaimed production a dance in a day in a dance about the deeply human struggles dancers face to succeed in a highly competitive world. The show will run from May 16 to May 31, 2026 at the Doreen Black Box Theater, Areté.
Cabling, a multi-awarded musical theater choreographer, is joined again by musical director Mikko Angeles to reprise the final iteration of “a dance in a day in a dance,” a dance theater work on the unfiltered and raw parts of a dancer’s life. Premiered last October 2025, the show features narratives that reveal the often-hidden struggles of an artist: a choreographer wrestles with frustration, a dancer fights for their role, the search for one’s authentic voice, and enduring relationships that are tested under pressure. “Cabling’s choreography showcases a strong narrative element; he doesn’t choreograph to impress, but to move both the artist and the audience” – Erica Marquez-Jacinto, ABS-CBN.com.
Mari Dance is a dance theater company run by artists who have also lived through these struggles. The show is a retelling of their experiences as a dancer, student, choreographer, and educator on the journey toward self discovery and creative identity. Reprising their roles are Al Garcia, Michael Barry Que, and Sarah Samaniego. Joining the cast for this run is Janine Myrtel Arisola, whose career spans dancing with Ballet Philippines and Alice Reyes Dance Philippines. “The result is dance that feels immediate and human—demanding in skill yet charged with joy and presence” – Marge Enriquez, Theater Fans Manila.
Cabling’s recent works include choreographing for Barefoot Theatre Collaborative’s Mula sa Buwan, The Sandbox Collective’s Side Show, Scene Change’s Dagitab, Tanghalang Pilipino’s Kisapmata, and Newport World Resorts’ Bagets The Musical. He also serves as associate choreographer in Theatre Group Asia’s upcoming production of A Chorus Line.
The show is Co-presented by Areté, in partnership with Guang Ming Dance Project, featuring choreography by JM Cabling. Collaborators include Mikko Angeles for Direction, Wika Nadera for Set Design, Arvy Dimaculangan for Sound Design, Joyce Garcia for Video Projection Design, and D Cortezano for Lights Design. The show is PG-13.
Get tickets via: maridance.com.
Interested sponsors, and block buyers may email we@maridance.com.
Follow us on Instagram @Maridanceph and Facebook www.facebook.com/MariDanceph.
