Lea Salonga takes on a role that brings her ‘literal terror’

MANILA, Philippines – Fresh from the unveiling of her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and lending her voice as the manananggal in Dreamworks’ “Forgotten Island,” actress Lea Salonga is gearing up for her next role. 

As the titular character in Theatre Group Asia’s (TGA) Philippine staging of “Ang Tahanan ni Bernarda Alba” (The House of Bernarda Alba), Lea will play the 60-year-old matriarch of a traditional Filipino family who is determined to keep up appearances at all costs.

The play written by Federico Garcia Lorca was originally set in a town in Andalusia, Spain, where the overbearing Bernarda keeps close watch on her five daughters, all of whom are slowly wilting under their mother’s glare. 

If there’s one thing that can be said about Lea, it’s that she makes good copy. During a series of group interviews held last October 10, she listened to each question that was asked and gave a reply that was well thought out in turn. 

It’s possible she fielded the same questions or versions of them yet she still appeared genuinely interested. 

Asked if she would ice out her co-stars who play her daughters — like Meryl Streep did to Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt in the first “The Devil Wears Prada” — Lea said she wouldn’t. 

“I think once the light hits us, that’s when there’s a switch that happens. [Unlike movies, in a play] there is such a drastic contrast between what backstage looks like and what onstage looks like so it’s very easy to jump in and out,” the actress said. 

She also pointed out that since “Tahanan” is a play, they should be able to make that distinction. 

“I don’t think any of us necessarily needs to bring into real life this feeling. I want whatever happens on stage to stay there because the play is heavy. It would be overkill if that energy is brought backstage. For me, backstage needs to feel like your refuge, your sanctuary,” she added. 

Related: Maguindanao chants, 'Jaws' inspired Lea Salonga's 'Forgotten Island' music score

The tragic masterpiece of matriarchal despotism is adapted by director-playwright Chay Yew and translated into Filipino by Guelan Varela-Luarca. Lea isn’t exaggerating when she talks about the play’s heaviness. 

Immediately after the group interviews, this writer downloaded and read Lorca’s play, noting the biting words Bernarda uses when she addresses her children. 

After striking her daughter Martirio with her stick, Bernarda says, “May you be cut to pieces, you good-for-nothing! You sower of discord!”

To another daughter who is determined to wed, “You shouldn’t ask [your husband]. Speak if he speaks, and look at him if he looks at you. You’ll be better off that way.”

Salonga says the Filipino translation is even more biting and shocking. When Bernarda notices that one of her daughter is wearing makeup, she tells her to wipe it off because she looks like a cheap whore. 

“[In Tahanan,] Guelan uses ‘pipitsuging puta,’” she quipped. 

Best known internationally for her Tony Award-winning performance in “Miss Saigon,” Salonga has also received the Olivier, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Theatre World Awards. She became the first Asian actress to play Eponine on Broadway in “Les Misérables” and later returned to the musical as Fantine in its 2006 revival. 

Her Broadway credits also include “Once on This Island,” “Allegiance,” “Flower Drum Song,” “Here Lies Love,” and Sondheim’s “Old Friends.”

On TV, she was last seen in “Pretty Little Liars” and “The Cleaning Lady.” She is a bona fide Disney legend having lent her singing voice to Princess Jasmine in “Aladdin” and Fa Mulan in “Mulan” and “Mulan II.”

Lea played The Witch in TGA’s staging of the musical “Into the Woods” but in “Ang Tahanan ni Bernarda Alba,” she will step into one of theater’s most complex and commanding roles.  

“To be perfectly honest, I hadn’t encountered this play before, which may work in my favor as I have no preconceived notions or strong opinions,” Salonga said in a statement. 

“After reading both Chay’s English translation and then Guelan’s translation into Filipino, despite the literal terror I feel in my soul, this is an absolutely important work to tackle. It fits our culture and is timely given the state of current events in the world,” she added.  

“Ang Tahanan ni Bernada Alba” is presented by Ayala Land and Theatre Group Asia and is the second offering of its 2026-2027 season. 

RELATED: Lea Salonga to play Bernarda Alba in Filipino stage adaptation