When A Chorus Line first opened on Broadway in 1975, it gave audiences a rare glimpse into the lives of dancers—the artists who fill out a stage night after night. Fifty years later, the musical remains a landmark of American theater, honored with the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and nine Tony Awards.
Now, as the production celebrates its golden anniversary, Theatre Group Asia brings it to Manila with a significant casting choice: an ensemble composed entirely of Filipino and Filipino-American talent.
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A Broadway Classic
Under the direction of Emmy Award-winning choreographer Karla Puno Garcia, a global search spanning New York and key cities in the Philippines led to a cast that includes Tony nominee Conrad Ricamora as Zach and Broadway veteran Lissa DeGuzman as Cassie. They are joined by performers selected through an intensive Manila bootcamp, many of whom have roots in both countries.
A Chorus Line has always been about what drives people to keep going, especially the personal stories that unfold behind the footlights. In Manila, where musical theater has grown steadily over the years and where actors have often had to prove themselves, the themes of perseverance and dedication resonate.
Garcia, who has worked extensively on Broadway, shapes the production with a creative team that reflects its international scope. Set design comes from Miguel Urbino, costumes from Kat Ibasco, lighting from Cha See, and sound from Megumi Katayama. Music direction, meanwhile, is handled by Farley Asuncion.
The show holds a unique place in theater history for the way it turns the focus on those who typically stand behind the stars. In this staging, the spotlight falls on a group of professionals who embody that same spirit—dancers and actors who have built their careers across continents and are now gathering on a stage in Makati.
Theatre Group Asia’s production of ‘A Chorus Line’ runs until March 29 at the Samsung Performing Arts Center, Circuit Makati. For more details, visit theatregroupasia.com.
Photos: MIGUEL URBINO (via Instagram)
Frequently Asked Questions
Theatre Group Asia’s A Chorus Line is a staging of the Pulitzer Prize and nine-time Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, presented in Manila with an ensemble composed entirely of Filipino and Filipino-American talent. The production is directed by Emmy Award-winning choreographer Karla Puno Garcia and runs at the Samsung Performing Arts Center in Circuit Makati.
The Manila production of A Chorus Line stars Tony Award nominee Conrad Ricamora as Zach and Broadway veteran Lissa DeGuzman as Cassie. They are joined by performers selected through an intensive Manila bootcamp, many of whom have roots in both the Philippines and the United States. The production was cast through a global search spanning New York and key Philippine cities.
A Chorus Line Manila is directed and choreographed by Emmy Award-winning Karla Puno Garcia, who has worked extensively on Broadway. The creative team includes set designer Miguel Urbino, costume designer Kat Ibasco, lighting designer Cha See, sound designer Megumi Katayama, and music director Farley Asuncion.
The Theatre Group Asia production marks a notable moment for Filipino musical theater by staging a landmark Broadway classic with an all-Filipino and Filipino-American cast. In a country where actors have often had to prove themselves on international stages, the production brings those same performers home — giving the musical’s themes of perseverance and dedication particular resonance for Manila audiences.
Theatre Group Asia’s production of A Chorus Line runs until March 29 at the Samsung Performing Arts Center in Circuit Makati. For tickets and further details, visit theatregroupasia.com.
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