Iconic Broadway hit A Chorus Line opens in Manila on March 12

Theatre Group Asia (TGA) finally debuts its production of the Broadway classic A Chorus Line, which will run from March 12 to 29 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati. Directed and choreographed by the Emmy Award-winning Karla Puno Garcia, this staging marks a defining moment for Filipino musical theater, uniting internationally acclaimed Filipino-American talents.

A Chorus Line brings to life the stories of performers vying for a place in a Broadway chorus. It is an ode to the dedication, perseverance, and the artistry of the ensemble. The musical holds a rare distinction as one of the few to have won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, as well as multiple Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Direction, and Best Choreography.

Leading the cast are Tony Award nominee and two-time Grammy Award nominee Conrad Ricamora as Zach and Filipino-American Broadway triple threat Lissa DeGuzman as Cassie. The full cast was selected through an extensive global search spanning New York and key Philippine cities, culminating in an intensive Manila bootcamp under Puno Garcia’s direction.

Christina Glur as Diana Morales

Michaela Marfori as Bebe Benzenheimer

Angelo Soriano as Mike Costa

Jordan Andrews as Al DeLuca

Mikaela Regis as Sheila Bryant

Ken San Jose as Mark Anthony

Rapah Manalo as Richie Walters

Lord Kristofer Logmao as Frank

Iya Villanueva as Maggie Winslow

Universe Ramos as Paul San Marco

Brie Chappell as Val Clark

Julio Laforteza as Don Kerr

Sam Libao as Kristine Urich

Stephen Viñas as Bobby Mills

Richardson Yadao as Larry

Jessica Carmona as Connie Wong

Alyanna Wijangco as Judy Turner

Luca Olbes as Greg Gardner

The production’s creative leadership reflects its international scope. Serving as Associate Director is Jamie Wilson, while Associate Choreographer JM Cabling, an Asian Cultural Council Grantee for Dance, has been part of the process from the very beginning, from the New York workshops to every international city where auditions were held.

The visual world of the production is shaped by London and New York–based set designer Miguel Urbino and New York–based costume designer Kat Ibasco. Lighting design is led by Cha See, whose work in Oh, Mary! made her the first Filipina to head the lighting design for a major Broadway production. Sound design is by Megumi Katayama, fresh from her recent work on New York City Center’s Encores! series. Bringing Marvin Hamlisch’s iconic score to life is Music Director Farley Asuncion.

“A Chorus Line is iconic for many reasons,” Puno Garcia stated during the musical’s media briefing. “The stories are based on real people and their journeys, so we honor that through the material and let it speak for itself.” While she and her team worked to uphold plenty of moments that have made A Chorus Line an enduring production for 50 years now, the director also wanted to infuse it with something different for its Manila premiere, based on her own Broadway experiences of working in Hamilton, West Side Story, and Addam’s Family. “There’s a lot of sensitivity to musicality, to how the music can shape an emotion, and also individuality within a chorus…These actors [in the A Chorus Line cast] are stars on their own, and this show highlights what unique personalities and artists they can be when you listen to their stories.”

Aside from staging A Chorus Line in Manila for local viewers to watch, Puno Garcia is also proud of how the production team is composed of Filipinos from different corners of the globe. “It’s like this incredible synchronicity and richness. People are coming from London, Hong Kong, Manila, New York, LA, and everyone's experiences personally and professionally are completely different. But when they come together and do this material, it is like they all were born [in the same family]. And I think that intersection is something that feels very Filipino.” 

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A Chorus Line performances run from March 12 to 29, with shows scheduled on Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available via TicketWorld, priced from ₱900 to ₱5,500. The production is presented by Ayala Land, BPI, and Philippine Airlines, the official carrier, with additional support from Make It Makati, Circuit Makati, and Ayala Malls. It is also presented in arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC. 

For more information, visit theatregroupasia.com, follow @theatregroupasia on Instagram, or like the official Theatre Group Asia Facebook page.