Pinoy talent takes the chorus line

Theater Group Asia’s VIP preview of “A Chorus Line” at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater welcomed a packed and enthusiastic audience to experience the Manila staging of one of Broadway’s most iconic musicals.

“A Chorus Line” follows a group of dancers auditioning for coveted spots in the chorus of a Broadway show. Led by the unseen but commanding director Zach, the dancers are asked to reveal not just their skills but the personal stories behind their journey — their dreams, insecurities, struggles and the sacrifices they’ve made in pursuit of life on stage.

Through music, dance and heartfelt confession, the musical shines a light on the deeply human stories behind performers who are often seen only as anonymous figures in the background.

The One Finale from ‘A Chorus Line’ brings the audition story to its dazzling conclusion, as the dancers who make the cut return to the stage in glittering gold costumes.

With anticipation building inside the theater, the show began promptly at 7:45 p.m. One of the first things audiences noticed was that the cast was largely Filipino, and for Manila audiences, it was a warm and welcome sight. Early on, the performers demonstrated powerful and sharply executed dance performances, immediately establishing the technical strength of the company.

While not every performer in the ensemble was necessarily a powerhouse singer, this did not diminish the production in the least. What the cast delivered instead was passion, sincerity and emotional truth.

Each actor committed fully to their character, making them immensely engaging to watch. Their honesty and joy in performing gave the production a genuine warmth that resonated strongly with the audience.

‘A Chorus Line’ follows a group of dancers auditioning for coveted spots in the chorus of a Broadway show.

At the center of the production is Conrad Ricamora as Zach, who lends the role the perfect authority of a casting director. His deep baritone voice resonates with a commanding, almost godlike presence, effectively guiding the unseen audition process from above the stage.

Opposite him, Lissa de Guzman as Cassie delivers one of the evening’s standout performances. A physically stunning performer, she also proved to be one of the strongest vocalists of the night, particularly in her emotional rendition of The Music and the Mirror, which drew an enthusiastic response from the audience.

Among the auditioning dancers, several performers stood out with particularly memorable moments. Jordan Andrews, as Al DeLuca, felt perfectly cast and his years of dance training were evident in his posture, technique and confidence on stage.

Lissa de Guzman as Cassie is a physically stunning performer, proving to be one of the strongest vocalists of the musical.

Ken San Jose, as Mark Anthony, had the audience in stitches during his gonorrhea monologue, bringing vibrant comedic energy to the evening.

Stephen Viñas, as Bobby Mills, surprised many. Known primarily as a choreographer, he revealed sincere and compelling acting chops that added depth to the character.

Sam Libao, as Kristine Urich, was absolutely charming and full of wit in her musical moment.

One of the most moving highlights of the evening came from Universe Ramos as Paul San Marco, whose performance was moving and heartbreaking, capturing the vulnerability and courage of the character.

There were also a few last-minute adjustments within the company that evening. Anna del Prado stepped in as Maggie Winslow, replacing Iya Villanueva due to illness, proving herself a real trouper as she handled the role with grace and professionalism.

Conrad Ricamora (kneeling, leftmost) lends the role of Zach the perfect authority of a casting director, as seen in one of the scenes from the production.

In turn, Anyah Therese de Guzman performed the role of Tricia, covering Anna’s original assignment for the evening — another example of the professionalism and teamwork within the ensemble.

Noteworthy and wonderful in their roles: Christina Glur as Diana Morales, Michaela Marfori as Bebe Benzenheimer, Angelo Soriano as Mike Costa, Rapah Manalo as Richie Walters, Mikaela Regis as Sheila Bryant, Brie Chappell as Val Clark, Alyanna Wijangco as Judy Turner, Jessica Carmona as Connie Wong, Luca Olbes as Greg Gardner and Julio Laforteza as Don Kerr.

Together, they created a vibrant mosaic of personalities that brought the show’s central theme — the shared dream of performers seeking their moment on stage — beautifully to life.

Director and choreographer Karla Puno Garcia, an Emmy Award winner and former creative team member of “Hamilton,” delivered a layered and fluid staging that integrated dance and narrative seamlessly, inviting audiences to imagine the inner worlds of the dancers.

The author with Sam Concepcion, Conrad Ricamora (who plays Zach) and Edrei Tan; and with the show’s director-choreographer, the Emmy-winning Karla Garcia Puno, after the Theater Group Asia’s VIP preview of ‘A Chorus Line’ at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater.

Complementing her vision was the striking scenic design by London and New York–based designer Miguel Urbino, whose set proved both fabulous and thoughtfully conceived. Using floor and hanging mirrors framed in LED lighting, the design cleverly expanded the visual space of the stage while reflecting the dancers’ movements — an elegant nod to the world of rehearsal studios and the introspective nature of the show itself.

The Manila production of “A Chorus Line” ultimately stands as a celebration of Filipino talent performing a beloved Broadway classic. With strong choreography, heartfelt storytelling and a cast that poured passion into every moment, the show proved to be both moving and immensely entertaining.

Tickets are available through TicketWorld and at the box office of the Samsung Performing Arts Theater. The production runs until March 29. For Manila theater lovers, it is a show well worth seeing.