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The cast of A Chorus Line

Leah C. Salterio

<p>MANILA — From Manila to London to New York, Filipino performers are uniting across continents to tell the stories of dancers vying for a place in a Broadway chorus in the 50th-anniversary production of &quot;A Chorus Line.&quot;</p><p>“All of them are Filipino and somehow, they have this incredible synchronicity and richness where you don’t really know where everybody is from when you watch it,” Garcia told ABS-CN News. “Everybody is so tight and one that it doesn’t even matter.”</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:633px;display:block"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773102076988Karla Puno Garcia.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Karla Puno Garcia. <em>Handout</em></span></span></span></div><p>The cast, hailing from Cebu, Bacolod, New York, London, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, and Manila, each brings completely different personal and professional experiences. “But when they come together and do this material, it is like they were all born from the same person,” Garcia maintained. “I think that’s something that’s very Filipino.</p><p>“The ensemble quality just ties us. This cast has been truthful, honest and generous from Day 1. What they’ve experienced professionally and personally, that makes the art very rich. That is what audiences will see reflected in the show.”</p><p>A year ago, Theater Group Asia (TGA) announced its 2025-2026 performance season that includes two well-loved Broadway classics – the successful “Into the Woods” and closing the season with a bang is “The Chorus Line,” which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The musical brings to life the stories of performers vying for a place in a Broadway chorus.</p><p>The musical holds the rare distinction as one of the few that won the Pulitzer prize for drama, alongside multiple Tony Awards including Best Musical. </p><p>“I’m so honored to be among the Filipino theater community,” said Garcia. “This is such a blessing. Thank you so much for having me. Beside the ensemble, what makes ‘A Chorus Line’ such a meaningful production to be staged today and audiences can look forward to this Philippine version.</p><p>“As an ensemble member on Broadway the past 20 years, I’ve really experienced all the ups and downs of that journey. I’m really excited to shine light on it. Not just because ‘A Chorus Line’ is a timeless production, but the talent here in the Philippines is incredible.”</p><p>The 2025-2026 season boasts banner year for TGA. “We were ambitious in our goals and are very steadfast in our mission,” said Christopher Mohnani, executive director and one of the founding members of TGA, whose mission is to create world-class productions and bring together Filipino talents from the Philippines and from all over the world.</p><p>“A place where Filipino artists from around the world can come together to present world-class theater that we can claim as our own,” Garcia said. “The stories are based on real people and their journeys. We honor that through the material and let it speak for itself. Choreographically, there are lots of moments into the show that I want to uphold.</p><p>“Being on Broadway in shows like ‘Hamilton’ or ‘The Addams Family,’ I feel the idea of an ensemble has evolved and I take that experience with me to ‘A Chorus Line.’ The actors that we have are stars on their own and this show has highlighted what unique personalities and artists they can be when you just listen to their stories.</p><p>“I’m excited to infuse that to this version of ‘A Chorus Line’ and really discover who these people are as humans and artists.” </p><p>Mohnani leads TGA with seven-time Tony Award winner and nominee and TGA’s artistic director Clint Ramos and co-founder emeritus, the late theater luminary Bobby Garcia.</p><p>“For us, this is not just staging musicals, it’s about creating more opportunities for Filipino talent to shine and making sure local audiences have access to performances of this scale and quality,” said Mohnani. “I’m proud to say that Theater Group Asia will continue to presenting works that are built here in the Philippines by Filipinos, that can be at par with the rest of the world.”</p><p>Associate director of “A Chorus Line” is Jamie Wilson, who starred in Newport World Resorts’ hit staging of “Shrek The Musical” last year.</p><p>For its 2026-2027 performance season, TGA will have three premieres that will start this September with the international premiere of “The Notebook: The Musical,” followed by the Philippine premiere of TGA’s first straight play, “The House of Bernarda Alba,” translated in Filipino by Guelan Luarca in February 2027.</p><p>“The season will close with the Philippine premiere of “Sunday in the Park with George,” with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. A season of power as we ask our audiences to feel the power of love, life and art in this exciting season,” Mohnani said.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:633px;display:block"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773102561487Conrad Ricamora.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Conrad Ricamora. <em>Handout </em></span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:633px;display:block"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773102629749Lissa de Guzman.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Lissa de Guzman. <em>Handout </em></span></span></span>Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Broadway classic, the cast of &quot;A Chorun Line&quot; is led by Tony Award nominee and two-time Grammy Award nominee Conrad Ricamora as Zach, with Filipino-American Broadway triple threat Lissa de Guzman as Cassie.</div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:633px;display:block"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773102760567Michaela Marfori.jpeg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Michaela Marfori. <em>Handout </em></span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:633px;display:block"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773102823484Jordan Andrews.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Jordan Andrews. <em>Handout</em></span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:633px;display:block"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773102871527Mikaela Regis.jpeg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Mikaela Regis. <em>Handout</em></span></span></span></div><p>The ensemble features Filipino-American seasoned dancer and performer Christina Glur as Diana Morales, Orlando-born theater performer Michaela Marfori as Bebe Benzenheimer, New York–based theater actor Angelo Soriano as Mike Costa, theater performer Jordan Andrews as Al DeLuca, performer and playwright Mikaela Regis as Sheila Bryant.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773103043361Kenneth San Jose.png" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:633px;display:block"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773103077062Lord Kristoffer Logmao.jpeg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Lord Kristofer Logmao. <em>Handout </em></span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:633px;display:block"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773103119062Rapah Manalo.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Rapah Manalo. <em>Handout </em></span></span></span></div><p>The ensemble includes: Filipino-American dancer, singer and choreographer Ken San Jose as Mark Anthony, theater performer Rapah Manalo as Richie Walters, multidisciplinary performer Lord Kristofer Logmao as Frank, theater actress and dancer Iya Villanueva as Maggie Winslow, Filipino-American theater actor and dancer Universe Ramos as Paul San Marco, Hong Kong–based theater performer Brie Chappell as Val Clark;</p><p>Dancer and dance teacher Julio Laforteza as Don Kerr, dancer and theater performer Sam Libao as Kristine Urich, choreographer and theater actor Stephen Viñas as Bobby Mills, two-time Gawad Buhay awardee, dancer, educator and choreographer Richardson Yadao as Larry, New York–based Filipino-American performer Jessica Carmona as Connie Wong, performer, vocalist, and host Alyanna Wijangco as Judy Turner, and Luca Olbes, who makes his professional theater debut as Greg Gardner.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:633px;display:block"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773103219820Richardson Yadao.jpeg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Richardson Yadao. <em>Handout</em></span></span></span></div><p>Rounding out the cast are theater actress Anyah Therese de Guzman as the female swing and theater actor Franco Joaquin Ramos as the male swing. Also joining the lineup are Winchester Lopez as Tom, Jim Andrew Ferrer as Butch, Rofe Villarino as Victor, drag performer and dancer Vince Denzel Sarra as Roy, Paulina Luzuriaga as Tricia, and Anna Del Prado as Lois Dillettente.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773103371759Anna Del Prado.jpg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>The production’s creative leadership reflects its international scope. 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 through every audition city.</p><p>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, the first Filipina to head lighting design for a major Broadway production with Oh, Mary!”</p><p>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.</p><div><em>“A Chorus Line” runs from March 12 to 29 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater. Performances run Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 and 7:30 p.m.</em></div>

<p>Directed and choreographed by Emmy winner Karla Puno Garcia, the production showcases the synchronicity, talent, and heart of Filipino performers bringing this Broadway classic to life at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater from March 12 to 29.</p>

Directed and choreographed by Emmy winner Karla Puno Garcia, the production showcases the synchronicity, talent, and heart of Filipino performers bringing this Broadway classic to life at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater from March 12 to 29.

‘You can’t tell where anyone is from’: Global Filipino cast stars in ‘A Chorus Line’

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‘You can’t tell where anyone is from’: Global Filipino cast stars in ‘A Chorus Line’

Leah C. Salterio

Published March 11, 2026 02:32 PM PHT

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A Chorus Line

Conrad Ricamora

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