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Metro.Style Exclusive: In Conversation WIth "A Chorus Line" Actors Conrad Ricamora and Lissa De Guzman

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<div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1772680349277DSC06381a.jpg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Filipino-American artists and global talents Conrad Ricamora and Lissa de Guzman take centerstage in the Manila production of &quot;A Chorus Line,&quot; a beloved musical that celebrates passion and dreams.</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Homecoming has never been this sweeter.</p><p>Filipino-American actors <strong>Conrad Ricamora</strong>, Tony and two-time Grammy Awards nominee, and <strong>Lissa De Guzman</strong>, the first Filipina to play Elphaba in &quot;<strong>Wicked</strong>&quot;<strong></strong> on Broadway, are coming to the Philippines to star in <strong>Theatre Group Asia</strong>’s (TGA) &quot;<strong>A Chorus Line</strong>,&quot; a musical based on a book by <strong></strong><strong>James Kirkwood Jr.</strong> and <strong>Nicholas Dante</strong><strong></strong>.</p><p>&quot;A Chorus Line&quot; follows the story of ensemble artists—the unsung heroes of every musical—which became a musical theater classic that’s ultimately an ode to ambition, sacrifice, and individuality. This local production of &quot;A Chorus Line&quot; honors the groundbreaking legacy of its original 1975 premiere while breathing new life into its message for a new generation. The musical is deemed notable for its stripped-down set, iconic choreography, and intensely personal monologues that explore identity, perseverance, and the often invisible cost of chasing a dream.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1772679235739a chorus line theatre group asia rehearsal.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><br/></div><p>Ricamora is taking on the role of <strong>Zach</strong>, the director and choreographer in the musical, who also serves as the show&#x27;s driving force and emotional mirror. De Guzman, on the other hand, is playing the iconic role of <strong>Cassie</strong>—a seasoned dancer who struggles to find work after failing to make it in Hollywood.</p><p>Both Ricamora and De Guzman are making their Philippine stage debut for &quot;A Chorus Line.&quot;</p><p>“Performing in the Philippines for the first time is incredibly meaningful for me because it’s my father’s homeland. To bring my work here feels like a kind of homecoming—a chance to connect with a part of my heritage that I’ve always carried in my heart. The Philippine theater community is known for its passion, talent, and heart. I’ve been so inspired watching artists from here make their mark globally, and I can’t wait to share the stage with them and learn from their artistry. There’s warmth and joy in Filipino storytelling that I’ve always felt connected to, and I’m honored to finally be part of it,” Ricamora told <strong>Metro.Style</strong>.</p><div><strong></strong></div><p>De Guzman shared the immediate sense of family in the country and with TGA. “Since arriving here in Makati and from the very first day of rehearsals, I could sense that there’s a strong, familial foundation in this company. What I appreciate most is the sense of respect and care for every person involved with Theatre Group Asia. There’s a real effort to create an environment where everyone feels valued—not just for their talent, but as people. Every single person approaches their work with full dedication, whether onstage or behind the scenes. That kind of culture is truly special, and it makes the whole experience of creating theatre here collaborative, joyful, and deeply inspiring,” De Guzman thoughtfully shared.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1772679742680A Chorus Line_DSC01403.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Meet Zach of &quot;A Chorus Line&quot; PH</strong></div><p>Fresh from his success on Broadway in the critically acclaimed Tony-winning play &quot;<strong>Oh, Mary</strong>!&quot; where he portrayed the role of Abraham Lincoln, Ricamora earned his first Tony nomination in the category of Best Featured Actor in a Play in 2025. In 2023, he was part of the Broadway musical &quot;<strong>Here Lies Love</strong>&quot;<strong></strong> as Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino, a role he originated at the Public Theater Off-Broadway in 2013, which brought him back to the stage 10 years later with an all-Filipino cast. He was also a part of the classic hit &quot;<strong>The King And I</strong>&quot;<strong></strong> on Broadway, which earned him a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album in 2015; and off-Broadway shows &quot;<strong>Little Shop of Horrors</strong>&quot;<strong></strong> and &quot;<strong>Soft Power</strong>&quot;<strong></strong> that led him to his second Grammy nomination.</p><p>Ricamora was a series regular in the Hulu and Disney+ Philippines series <strong><em>How To Die Alone</em></strong> and starred in the film <strong><em>Fire Island</em></strong>. Most notably, Ricamora starred in six seasons of the Shonda Rhimes ABC drama series<strong><em> How to Get Away with Murder </em></strong>as ‘Oliver’ and was also seen in the Fox series <strong><em>The Residen</em></strong><strong>t</strong>. This time around, Ricamora is going to flex his acting muscles in &quot;A Chorus Line,&quot; a project close to the actor’s heart.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1772679904577CONRAD RICAMORAa.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><br/></div><p>“I love that it takes something as familiar as an audition and turns it into something almost sacred—a space where people are asked to tell the truth. It’s a show about the artists who usually live in the margins of the spotlight, the performers whose names you might not know but whose bodies and hearts hold up the entire production. It’s funny, raw, and deeply compassionate. By the end, you’re not watching ‘types’ anymore—you’re seeing full human beings and the dreams they’re fighting for,” Ricamora remarked.</p><p>Since the musical is too close to home, he sees a character correlation that resonates with him at times.</p><p>“Zach sits in a complicated place: he’s the one with the power, but he’s also under immense pressure to make the ‘right’ choices. I’ve spent most of my life on the other side of the table—trying to be chosen—so stepping into Zach’s shoes forces me to confront what it means to be the person asking the questions. He can come across as tough, even ruthless, but I think underneath that is an artist who knows exactly what the work demands and is terrified of wasting anyone’s time—including his own. That drive, that fear, that need for excellence… I understand all of that,” the actor said.</p><p>When asked how he would be as a director casting for a Broadway production and what he would prioritize, Ricamora dug deeper. “Truth. Not just technique—truth. I’d be watching for who is genuinely present, who listens, who can take direction and adjust, who tells a story even when they’re not the ‘focus.’ And because it’s a chorus, I’d pay close attention to generosity—someone who makes the room better, who can blend without disappearing, who can be a teammate. The best performers aren’t just talented; they’re alive, and they’re connected,” he meaningfully explained.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1772680080116A Chorus Line_DSC02970.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Lissa as Cassie in &quot;A Chorus Line&quot;</strong></div><p>Having earned the distinction of being the first Filipina to portray Elphaba in the Broadway national tour of &quot;Wicked,&quot; De Guzman is certainly a source of pride for the country.</p><p>Before &quot;Wicked,&quot; she was in &quot;<strong>Aladdin</strong>&quot; on Broadway after essaying the role of Princess Jasmine on the show’s national tour. </p><p>De Guzman made her Broadway debut as Ann Darrow in &quot;<strong>King Kong</strong>&quot;<strong></strong> and subsequently appeared in the world premiere of &quot;<strong>Bliss</strong>&quot;<strong></strong> starring Mario Cantone at the 5th Avenue Theater in Seattle. Some of her acting credits include &quot;<strong>Fiddler on the Roof</strong>,&quot; &quot;<strong>West Side Story,</strong>&quot;<strong></strong> and <strong>Chasing Rainbows</strong>.</p><p>The actress expressed her excitement for &quot;A Chorus Line,&quot; saying, “What I love most about the story of &#x27;A Chorus Line&#x27; is how honestly it reveals what theatre artists actually live through—the nerves, the vulnerability, the physical demands, and the enormous heart it takes just to stand in the room. It really is a love letter to the ensemble, which makes it incredibly easy for us as performers to connect to the material on a personal level. It’s also one of those rare shows that lets you laugh and cry in the most cathartic way, because every character steps forward to share something deeply human and specific, yet all of them are united by the same universal desire: to be seen, to matter, and to be valued. Even though the story follows dancers auditioning on a single day, its themes reach far beyond the stage and speak to anyone who has ever wanted a chance to belong,” De Guzman noted.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1772680287838LISSA DE GUZMAN.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><br/></div><p>Her character, Cassie, is also someone she understands as a performer herself.</p><p>“Cassie resonates with me because her story isn’t really about success—it’s about belonging. I think every artist understands that feeling of wanting to be part of something, no matter where you’ve been in your career. Beneath all her strength and experience, she’s simply someone fighting to do what she loves and to be seen for who she truly is, and that honesty makes her incredibly easy for me to connect with, both as a performer and as a person. Her journey feels deeply human to me,” she began.</p><p>“She embodies both courage and humility, and I find her vulnerability—and her willingness to set aside pride for the chance to dance is something I find incredibly inspiring,” the actress added.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1772680311878LISSA - MUSIC &amp; THE MIRROR.00_04_10_12.Still008.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>&quot;A Chorus Line&quot; production notes</strong></div><p>From its debut in the ‘70s and now to its 2026 showcase in the Philippines, &quot;A Chorus Line&quot; remains relevant to this generation of dreamers and hard workers.</p><p>Ricamora pensively shared why the timeless story of &quot;A Chorus Line&quot; is still worth telling even in this modern landscape.</p><p>“Because it’s still what it feels like to chase this life: the rejection, the hustle, the hope, the identity questions—&#x27;Who am I anyway?’—all of it. In a world where we consume entertainment so quickly, this show asks us to slow down and really see the humans behind the performance. And the staging is deceptively simple, which is part of its power—it refuses to hide behind spectacle. It puts the focus exactly where it belongs: on the people, their stories, and what they’ve had to endure just to earn the right to be there,” Ricamora explained.</p><p>Emmy Award winner and Broadway powerhouse <strong>Karla Puno Garcia</strong> takes the helm as the musical’s director and choreographer. Ricamora and De Guzman are both excited to be working with the director.</p><p>“Karla brings an incredible combination of rigor and heart. She’s precise—she cares about detail, intention, and clarity—but she also creates a room where people feel safe enough to take risks, which is the only way you get honest work. There’s a real sense that she’s building something with us, not just extracting something from us. That kind of leadership is powerful, and it raises the entire company,” the actor declared.</p><p>De Guzman echoed Ricamora’s awe and admiration for the director.</p><p>“Working with Karla is incredibly inspiring because she leads with both clarity and heart. She has such a strong vision and has breathed such life and homage into this production. She also creates a room where actors feel safe to explore, ask questions, and bring their own humanity into the work. She pushes you to go deeper while making you feel fully supported—that balance of discipline and trust makes you want to give your absolute best every day. She is the best of the best,” De Guzman thoughtfully said.</p><div><br/></div><div><em><strong>A Chorus Line is set to run from March 12-29, 2026 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater. Tickets are available through Ticket World: premiere.ticketworld.com.ph. Ticket prices start from PHP900 to PHP5,500. A Chorus Line is presented by Ayala Land, BPI, and Philippine Airlines with additional support from Make It Makati and Circuit Makati. </strong></em></div><div><em><strong><br/></strong></em></div><div><em><strong>For more information, visit TGA’s website www.theatregroupasia.com, Instagram @theatregroupasia, or Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/theatregroupasia. </strong></em></div><div><em><strong><br/></strong></em></div><div><em><strong>A Chorus Line is presented in arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC. www.concordtheatricals.com</strong></em></div><p><strong><em><br/></em></strong>Photos courtesy of <strong>Theatre Group Asia</strong></p>

<p>Filipino-American artists and global talents Conrad Ricamora and Lissa de Guzman take centerstage in the Manila production of "A Chorus Line," a beloved musical that celebrates passion and dreams.</p>

Filipino-American artists and global talents Conrad Ricamora and Lissa de Guzman take centerstage in the Manila production of "A Chorus Line," a beloved musical that celebrates passion and dreams.

Conrad Ricamora and Lissa de Guzman Talk About the Core of the Manila Staging of ‘A Chorus Line’

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Conrad Ricamora and Lissa de Guzman Talk About the Core of the Manila Staging of ‘A Chorus Line’

Grace Diez

Published Mar 05, 2026 09:00 AM PHT

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Updated Mar 05, 2026 11:27 AM PHT

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