Theatre Group Asia (TGA) announces that Fil-Am thespian Lissa de Guzman will portray the the role of- 'Cassie' in the Philippine staging of A Chorus Line.
Best known for her portrayal of Elphaba in Wicked, De Guzman also made history as the first Filipina actress to play the role on the Broadway National Tour. She also portrayed Ann Darrow in King Kong and Jasmine in Aladdin on a musical's National Tour.
Aside from Broadway, she also landed roles in numerous regional and developmental productions such as Waitress, Legally Blonde, Camelot, Bliss, Cinderella, Fiddler on the Roof, West Side Story, Chasing Rainbows, among others.
"TGA is thrilled to welcome Lissa de Guzman to our production,' said Christopher Mohnani. "Cassie is one of musical theatre's most emotionally layered and technically demanding roles. Lissa brings extraordinary depth, precision and heart. Her dynamic pairing with Conrad Ricamora promises an unforgettable experience for the Philippine audience. Also, her casting marks another milestone in TGA's mission to bring world-class Filipino and Fil-Am talent to the Philippine stage.
Aside from Conrad Ricamora as Zach, a lineup of yet-to-be revealed artists who vied for coveted roles in A Chorus Line, spanned from New York to Manila, and various locations across the Philippines. The search was held under the supervision of Karla Puno Garcia, the musical's director and choreographer.
De Guzman discovered her passion for the stage in high school, "As a young child, I did a few plays when I was in 5th or 6th grade, but then I took a big break as I was a big sports person and focused on soccer and basketball. It wasn't until sophomore year in high school when I picked it up again. My brother was always into theatre, so I grew up going to shows, and he inspired me to audition. My original goal was to go to school for dermatology. After one show, my director pulled me aside. That's when I knew I wanted to make it a career. In my senior year of college, when I decided to fly back and forth to New York for auditions, that's when I knew I was doing the right thing."
De Guzman expands her artistic footprint to her father's home country and will surely inspire audiences with her authenticity and artistry. "It's important to seize every opportunity, especially the ones that feel like they will be out of your comfort zone; that's when you do the most growing. When you're in a room with people who are far better than you, that's when you rise above. That's when you get better. The learning never ends. I still take dance classes. I still take voice lessons. I still take acting lessons. These equip me to embrace more challenges."
Outside the stage, she is deeply committed to arts and education and community engagement, often lending her time to musical outreach programs that support and inspire young performers. This very much aligns with TGA's objectives and activities as the group organizes workshops and seminars with students. The group conducted special educational sessions during its run of Request sa Radyo and Into The Woods. Similar educational activities will be lined up for A Chorus Line.
A Chorus Line revolutionized Broadway by spotlighting the lives of ensemble dancers- the unsung heroes of every musical. As it follows 17 hopefuls vying for eight spots, it becomes an ode to ambition, sacrifice and individuality. This local production honors the groundbreaking legacy of its original 1975 premiere while breathing new life into its message for a new generation. The musical is 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. It remains one of the few musicals to win the 1976 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, in addition to winning the Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical (James Kirkwood), Best Original Score (Marvin Hamlisch and Edward Kleban), Best Director (Michael Bennett), and Best Choreography (Michael Bennett and Bob Avian) that same year. This musical also happens to mark its 50th anniversary this year.
Tickets are available through Ticket World and prices range from P900 to P5,500. A Chorus Line will run from March 12-19, 2026. Thursday and Friday shows are 7:30PM with two shows staged on Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00PM and 7:30PM.
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