50 Years After Its Broadway Debut, A Chorus Line Arrives in Manila

Directed and choreographed by Emmy Award-winner Karla Puno Garcia, Theatre Group Asia’s A Chorus Line will run from March 12 to 19, 2026, at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati.

Five decades ago, A Chorus Line began its first run along the neon-lit marquees and large billboards of Broadway in New York. On its golden anniversary, Theatre Group Asia has finally brought it to Manila

First staged at the Shubert Theatre on Broadway on July 25, 1975, A Chorus Line ran for 15 years, becoming the longest-running show on Broadway until Cats surpassed it in 1997. A landmark musical, it follows 17 dancers auditioning for spots in a new Broadway production, diving deep into their personal struggles, dreams, and motivations. With unforgettable songs like “One” and “What I Did for Love,” the show shines a light on the human stories behind the curtain and the relentless drive of performers striving to be seen. It also holds the rare distinction of winning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, along with multiple Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Direction, and Best Choreography.

Helmed by Emmy Award-winner Karla Puno Garcia, Theatre Group Asia brings A Chorus Line to life from March 12-29, 2026, at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati. Leading the cast are Tony Award nominee and two-time Grammy nominee Conrad Ricamora as Zach, alongside Filipino American Broadway triple threat Lissa DeGuzman as Cassie.

“A Chorus Line celebrating its 50th anniversary, brings to life the stories of performers vying for a place in a Broadway chorus. At its core, it’s an ode to dedication, perseverance, and artistry,” said Christopher Mohnani, executive director of Theatre Group Asia and managing director of Samsung Performing Arts Theatre, in a press conference.

The cast was selected through a global search, spanning New York and Philippine cities, including Cebu, Bacolod, Davao, and Manila, and culminating in a Manila bootcamp under Karla Puno Garcia’s direction. She held workshops with her baby, KitaRose, in tow before finalizing the ensemble.

In her directorial debut for A Chorus Line, Karla Puno Garcia said, in a previous interview with Vogue Philippines, that this will be her first time working on a musical with Filipino artists in the Philippines. “I’m so excited. I just feel like I’m putting on a show with my cousins, my family, because it just feels like home.”

Fifty years on, A Chorus Line is still being shaped by new artists. With Filipino performers at the heart of the production, this staging marks a milestone for Filipino musical theater.