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There are a few names that garner as much respect and admiration in the Philippine entertainment industry as Lea Salonga’s does. For decades, the Tony-winning actress, philanthropist, advocate, and certified Disney Legend has captivated audiences worldwide with her exceptional talent, diverse projects, and pioneering roles that have helped open doors for other Filipinos and Asians in the space. From her acting roles in movies and TV to providing the singing voices of some of our favorite fictional characters, such as Princess Jasmine and Mulan, Lea’s impact is undeniable.
No truer is this than with her work in theater. It is on the stage where Lea Salonga got her big break, and it is also where you can find some of her best work. Whether as the lead actress or in a supporting role, she has proven adept at commanding a room with her voice and stage presence. Below, we run down some of our favorite Lea Salonga stage roles and characters she has brought to life.
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Kim from Miss Saigon
The barrier-breaking role that started it all. After a worldwide search, Lea Salonga was cast to play Kim in the musical theater production of Miss Saigon. As the lead female role, Lea had a lot to live up to, considering that Kim served as the emotional heart of the musical. Yet, she more than proved that she was up for it emotionally and musically when Miss Saigon opened in the West End in London in September 1989 and on Broadway in 1991.
Receiving universal acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, the role was Lea’s international breakthrough. For her work, she was awarded the 1991 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, becoming the first Asian in history to do so. Alongside accolades from the Laurence Olivier, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Theatre World awards, it was a historic debut to remember and one that is compared with other performances of Kim to this day.
Éponine, Fantine, and Madame Thenardier from Les Misérables
Proving that she was no one-hit wonder, Lea Salonga followed up her successful run in Miss Saigon by joining another legendary musical: Les Misérables. She got a call from British theatrical producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh telling her that she would play Éponine in the 1993 production of Les Misérables on Broadway, making her the first actor of Asian descent to assume the character. Lea reprised the role of Éponine in the 10th-anniversary concert of Les Misérables at the Royal Albert Hall in London, where she notably delivered one of the most memorable and moving renditions of On My Own.
Years later, she would return to Les Misérables on Broadway, this time taking on the legendary role of Fantine to resounding success. Most recently, for the musical’s 2026 World Tour Spectacular, the Broadway star played Madame Thénardier for the Philippine run. Lea Salonga has played not one, not two, but three different characters in Les Misérables. If that isn’t an icon move, then we don’t know what is.
The Witch from Into the Woods
In 1994, Lea Salonga starred in one of Stephen Sondheim’s more memorable productions when she was cast to play the Witch in the Singaporean production of Into the Woods. The Witch, while not the lead character, plays an integral role in the musical’s adaptation of several Brothers Grimm fairy tales, allowing the star to showcase her wide vocal talents and menacing acting skills. Lea would later reprise the role in the 2025 Manila staging, marking her return to local musical theater in six years. Considering that this was the same role Meryl Streep portrayed in the 2014 movie adaptation, a performance for which she was nominated for an Oscar, proved that it’s a role only a certain caliber of actress could pull off.
Wu Mei-Li from Flower Drum Song
If there’s one thing Lea Salonga is going to do, it’s make her mark on musical revivals. Such is the case when she played Wu Mei-Li in the 2002 Rodgers and Hammerstein revival of Flower Drum Song during its Los Angeles run. Her portrayal of Chinese opera singer Mei-li, who migrates to the US and stars a new life in San Francisco, recieved rave reviews, and the role is also notable in how it earned Lea her first Grammy nomination for Best Musical Show Album in 2004.
Erzulie from Once on This Island
In the 2017 Broadway revival of Once on This Island, Lea Salonga boarded the project as Erzulie, the goddess of love. The production, which tells the story of a peasant girl in the French Antilles who falls in love with a rich boy and makes a deal with the gods to save his life, became a success and was met with critical acclaim, with Lea receiving strong praise for her singing in the show. The role also landed Lea her second Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theater Album in 2018 along with the rest of the cast. The musical was yet another hit for the icon as it won the 2018 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.
Ms. Reyes from Request sa Radyo
Lea Salonga is known for her generational vocal abilities. But the actress is more than just her voice, as she is also a capable actress even without the music. Those skills were put to use in the 2024 play Request sa Radyo, a Philippine adaptation of Franz Xaver Kroetz’s work. Unlike most plays,Request sa Radyo is a wordless play that vacillates between theater and performance art. It tells the story of an OFW living in New York, Ms. Reyes, going about her routine. Lea was joined by another generational talent, Dolly de Leon, as the two actresses alternated the lead role. With no words, music, and big sets and costumes, the role saw Lea channel a different side of her on stage with a deeper emotion that words couldn’t describe.
Photos: THEATRE GROUP ASIA (via Instagram), NEWS5 (via Webstie)
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