THEATRE REVIEW: A Chorus Line

What a marvelous show! 

5-6-7-8! Theatre Group Asia has done it again by bringing 'Broadway' closer to Filipinos with its production of 'A Chorus Line.' Bravo to the whole Team!

Ms. Karla Puno Garcia, the show's director and choreographer really delivered a world-class production. Wow! Ang galing! 

PS. During the meet-and-greet with the media, the cast lovingly coined ACL as 'karla-fied,' and indeed, it was!

'A Chorus Line' is about those who long to be a part of an ensemble, the nameless faces in the background that lends their energy for the show to be successful. 

And ACL is quite relatable- people lining up for audition (comparable to going to a job interview, for most of us) and making sure to have an ace or two up in the sleeve to nail the job. The eagerness to impress, the excitement to show their talent, the silent prayer to be chosen .. are just some of the myriad of emotions predominant in each of the auditionee. 

The show opens during audition- a sea hopeful faces, full of bright dreams of being part of an ensemble. Each one eager to show-off but knowing that it's going to be a cutthroat competition. Then there's Zach, the 'big' guy that they need to impress, that one person who acts as their lifeline.  

It is very easy to fall in-love with the musicale revue itself, and really, really wonderful. A blend of comedic scenes and well-kept revelations. It's also hard to resist not to hum and dance along. 

Conrad Ricamora as Zach is an amazing actor. His role as director/choreographer is perfect, and the way he orders everyone around was so powerful and that's more than enough to trigger anyone's PTSD. 

Lissa De Guzman as Cassie has a very wonderful voice. I like how fast she can shift emotions from being proud to almost begging. But in the end, her quiet strength prevails. And it's not surprising because De Guzman is known as a Broadway triple threat. 

Another character that stayed with me was Diana Morales, played by Christina Glur. She's not trying to stand out but you can actually feel her presence. 

Then there's Luca Olbes a.k.a. Greg Gardner a.k.a. Sidney Kenneth Beckenstein a.k.a. Rochmel Lev Ben Yokov Meyer Beckenstein. Haha, I can hear his drawl as I type the a.k.a's! Youngest cast member but not totally clueless about dance and theatre. Hoping to see more of him in future productions.  

Each cast member gave an outstanding performance that made ACL truly memorable. Bravo! 

'A Chorus Line' may not be as popular as other musicales, but it has a charm of its own and Theatre Group Asia's production is definitely something you don't want to miss. I repeat- ACL is something you don't want to miss. From the stellar cast, the choreography and other elements that completes a musicale, Broadway has definitely landed on Philippine shores. 

ALC runs from March 12 to 29, 2026 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theatre with a total of 18 shows. Full details on: TGA's A Chorus Line.