TGA’S A CHORUS LINE ANNOUNCES A ‘WICKED’ CASTING CHOICE
November 19, 2025 – Theatre Group Asia (TGA) announces a truly wicked casting choice with the selection of Fil-Am Broadway triple threat Lissa de Guzman as Cassie in its Philippine staging of A Chorus Line.*
De Guzman is best known for her celebrated portrayal of Elphaba in Wicked, where she made history as the first Filipina actress to play the role on the Broadway National Tour. Other Broadway credits include Ann Darrow in King Kong and Jasmine in Aladdin, a role she also performed on the musical’s National Tour.
Beyond Broadway, she has starred in numerous regional and developmental productions, taking on leading roles in Waitress, Legally Blonde, Camelot, Bliss, Cinderella, Fiddler on the Roof, West Side Story, Chasing Rainbows, and more.
“TGA is thrilled to welcome Lissa de Guzman to our production,” remarks the show’s executive producer, Christopher Mohnani. “Cassie is one of musical theater’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,” he adds.
Aside from Tony- and Grammy-nominated Broadway, television, and film star Conrad Ricamora as Zach, De Guzman will perform alongside a meticulously selected, yet-to-be-revealed lineup of artists who vied for roles in the coveted ensemble through a global casting call conducted from May to November in New York, Manila, and various locations across the Philippines. The search, which saw over 300 aspirants, was held under the supervision of the musical’s director and choreographer, Emmy Award–winning artist Karla Puno Garcia, who helms TGA’s staging of the musical as it celebrates its 50th year.
Originally from Milwaukee, De Guzman discovered her passion for the stage in high school before earning her BFA in Musical Theater from Belmont University. She narrates, “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 theater, 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’s brother, Matthew, is also an accomplished Broadway actor.
With a commanding presence and a richly expressive voice, Lissa de Guzman expands her artistic footprint to her father’s home country, inspiring audiences with her authenticity and artistry. She says, “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, De Guzman is deeply committed to arts 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 landmark in American musical theatre and celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, 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.
Tickets are available through Ticket World at premiere.ticketworld.com.ph. Ticket prices range from PHP 900 to PHP 5,500. A Chorus Line will run from March 12–29, 2026. Thursday and Friday shows are at 7:30 p.m., with two shows staged on Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
For more information about the auditions, visit TGA’s website theatregroupasia.com, Instagram @theatregroupasia, or Facebook page facebook.com/theatregroupasia.
A Chorus Line is presented in arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC. concordtheatricals.com.