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Karla Puno Garcia and JM Cabling

ABS-CBN Lifestyle

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17684700358092-Composite (1).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Karla Puno Garcia and JM Cabling. Kate Mollison and Ernest Gatpandan III/Handout</div>&quot;A Chorus Line&quot; has always been a musical about those who rarely take center stage — the dancers whose lives unfold in eight counts, callbacks, and quiet acts of endurance. As the show marks its 50th year, Theater Group Asia (TGA) brings it to Manila this March under the direction of artists who have lived its truths firsthand. Revolutionary in the 1970s for placing the ensemble at its core, the musical’s backstage confessions and audition-room vulnerability feel especially resonant when told by dancers who understand the grind, the gamble, and the love that sustains a life in theater.In &quot;A Chorus Line,&quot; 17 dancers lay everything on the line as they face a life-changing Broadway audition. This is no love story, not a thriller, not a comedy — it is simply a look at how riveting it is to exist as an artist on Broadway. It highlights the experiences of those who are the core of every musical and illuminates what it means to be a triple threat in a cutthroat industry. Because of its impact, it won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and swept the Tony Awards with wins for Best Musical, Best Book (James Kirkwood Jr. and Nicholas Dante), Best Original Score (Marvin Hamlisch and Edward Kleban), Best Direction (Michael Bennett), and Best Choreography (Michael Bennett and Bob Avian). Returning to the stage are songs that open up audiences to an artist&#x27;s reality, including “I Hope I Get It,” “At the Ballet,” and “What I Did for Love.”Given that it tells the story of artists who have experienced the highs and lows of theater, it was hard to imagine someone inexperienced directing and choreographing this show. So when they announced last July that Karla Puno Garcia would be at the helm of this production as both director and choreographer, I couldn’t help but sigh in relief. The announcement that JM Cabling would join her as associate choreographer only confirmed that the team would be deliciously competent. These extraordinary humans did not have a priority ticket to the top — they understand the story from lived experience, not privilege.With a rich journey behind her, Puno Garcia now stands as a symbol of Filipino-American representation. Each small step she took has proven worthwhile — not only for herself but also for those who admire her. “I&#x27;m honored to be amongst others who have paved the way with representation. I feel gratitude. I dance through life with the hope to continue to grow — doing what I love with people who trust and challenge me, in the spaces where I feel supported,” she said.While many are inspired by her high-profile successes — her Emmy Award for choreography, her Broadway journey, and her credits as a director and producer — I find inspiration in the little shiny details of her background. She began her competitive dance career at age six, training in jazz, tap, folk, and contemporary dance. I still remember her vibrant performances as a contemporary dancer on the Fox reality show “So You Think You Can Dance”, where she competed among hundreds of talented dancers. <div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768469857349Karla Puno Garcia Photos by Kate Mollison and Ernest Gatpandan III (1).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Karla Puno Garcia. Photo by Kate Mollison and Ernest Gatpandan III </div>Puno Garcia earned a scholarship to New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she obtained a BFA in Dance with a minor in Journalism. She served as the dance chair and choreographer for the International Filipino Association (IFA) dance team at NYU. Before achieving her remarkable success, she gained extensive experience as a member of the ensemble and chorus, and as a swing in the cast. These experiences make her accomplishments all the more meaningful; she was not an overnight success. She fought to make it. It took a million steps to Broadway, making her the perfect pick as director and choreographer of this show. Talent, experience, perspective — it’s a good springboard for making this musical come alive.On the other hand, Cabling, the production’s associate choreographer, is a well-known figure in Manila’s dance scene. He is a multi-awarded choreographer recognized for his work in contemporary dance and theatre, including accolades from the Philstage Gawad Buhay Awards and the WiFi Body New Choreographers Competition. He majored in Philippine Folk Dance at the Philippine High School for the Arts and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Music (Dance) from the University of the Philippines. Like Puno Garcia, he has participated in numerous productions in various roles both locally and internationally.Recently, he has embarked on a new chapter by founding his own company, Mari Dance Company. Cabling brings not only raw talent to this production but also a wealth of experience across different genres and roles, as well as a deep understanding of diverse personalities. In recent times, he produced a show dedicated to telling the story of a dancer’s life with his company Mari, and all that reflection, research, and exploration will surely help him contribute to providing the choreographic nuance in this production.Excited to step into the role, he shared: “Every theater company operates differently, and regardless of the scale, I treat every production with the same commitment. Working with TGA makes me somewhat nervous yet mostly excited because it’s my first time understanding and experiencing their process, and so far, the openness of everyone just feels like home. To be the associate of Karla for this production is more of a privilege. Right now, my mindset is to be the best support for her, and even for the cast and team, while keeping a learner’s mindset every rehearsal.”<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768469762873JM Cabling (2).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>JM Cabling. Handout</div>With full knowledge of how auditions have played out here and abroad, both choreographers had the daunting task of finding the perfect cast, and their criteria were not stereotypes. Cabling shared that they auditioned roughly 300 performers but chose only 20 for the performance. He explained that their criteria were clear: great technique, diversity in dance styles, age, and size. JM was thrilled with this unconventional approach:“I think it’s bold for her (Karla) to redefine what it means to be a triple threat in this generation, specifically in the Philippines, and I 100% support her vision for this production, and her confidence in  the talent of the Filipinos,” he said.The production absolutely requires triple threat artists who can sing, dance, and act, so it&#x27;s a tall order, but Puno Garcia shares that she is ecstatic at the chance to work with Filipinos: “It&#x27;s my first time working with an entire Filipino cast, but it is not my first time working with Filipino dancers. In the past few years, I&#x27;ve been able to come to Manila and teach for the dance community on several occasions. I&#x27;ve taught workshops at Steps, G Force, and International School of Manila, to name a few. Each time I come, I&#x27;m so proud of the dance talent out here. There&#x27;s such a strong work ethic and dedication to performance and style. It makes me excited to dive into rehearsals.”I&#x27;m excited to see whether this tandem can deliver a highly nuanced staging of “A Chorus Line.” Given what they have gone through as artists, the weight of the story, and the responsibility of nailing this show, the burden is massive. I hope the show does more than entertain; I hope it inspires because an artist’s life is indeed not for the faint of heart. As the musical&#x27;s most famous song reminds us, “Look at what I did for love.” I hope it serves as a reminder that the ensemble can be seen in a different light. I hope it also solidifies that an all-Filipino cast is worth watching.If you&#x27;re as curious as I am, tickets are available via TicketWorld, priced from ₱900 to ₱5,500. The show runs from March 12 to 29, with performances on Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. It invites audiences not just to watch a musical, but to step into the world of the artists who live it.

When 'A Chorus Line' returns to the stage in Manila this March, it does so under the leadership of artists who know its story by heart — not just as a musical, but as a lived reality.

When ' A Chorus Line' returns to the stage in Manila this March, it does so under the leadership of artists who know its story by heart — not just as a musical, but as a lived reality.

'A Chorus Line' in Manila to be led by dancers who’ve lived it

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'A Chorus Line' in Manila to be led by dancers who’ve lived it

ABS-CBN Lifestyle,

Erica Marquez-Jacinto

Published January 16, 2026 01:21 PM PHT

Read More:

A Chorus Line

theater

Theater Group Asia

Karla Puno Garcia

JM Cabling

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