Watching a Broadway show is one thing. Seeing a Filipino cast perform it with this much heart—and knowing it’s ours—is something else entirely.
I’ve seen the movie version of Into the Woods. I knew how the story goes, but nothing prepared me for what it’s like to watch the musical unfold onstage, live, up close, with a cast that practically radiated magic.
Staged by Theater Group Asia (TGA) at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, this much-anticipated production sold out within two hours of its announcement. We all know why. The star power, direction, and staging not just honor Stephen Sondheim’s classic, they bring it home in a way that feels unmistakably Filipino, even without changing a single word.
First staged in 1987, Into the Woods is a musical by Stephen Sondheim and a book written by James Lapine, which weaves together the stories of Cinderella, Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Little Red Riding Hood plus a baker and his wife into one clever tale. Everyone’s chasing a wish. By the end of Act I, they all get what they want. But Act II is where the story hits because choices have consequences and no one leaves the woods unchanged.
What makes the show timeless is how it sneaks in questions you don’t expect from a fairytale: What happens after “happily ever after”? Who takes the blame when things fall apart? And how do you move forward when the story doesn’t go the way you planned?
Related story: What to expect from ‘Into the Woods’ Manila with its all-Filipino cast, creative team
Related story: REVIEW: ‘Joseph the Dreamer’ revival is a new take on a familiar story
Making it ours
What makes this version different as Clint Ramos, the show’s artistic and creative director, said in our interview: “We didn’t change a single word. We didn’t re-orchestrate, but it’s still definitely, indelibly ours.” There’s no need for obvious Filipino refernces. The way this cast tells the story already makes it feel like ours. And as national artist Ricky Lee said in a video, ‘Pinoy siya, Pinoy Stephen Sondheim musical,’ he’s right. It’s the same Sondheim, but somehow, it feels closer to home.
Related story: REVIEW: Three friends and a painting in ‘Art’
Relates story: REVIEW: Disney’s ‘Freakier Friday’ brings chaos, nostalgia, and all the feels
Let’s talk about the powerhouse cast
I already expected Lea Salonga would wow me (I was very impressed with her turn in Sweeney Todd at Solaire years ago). But this time, I was honestly speechless. She just owned it. When she steps onstage, she commands the whole room. Her delivery, timing and presence were everything (yes, I’m fangirling at this point).
Eugene Domingo was a surprise. This was my first time seeing her onstage, and I didn’t expect to enjoy her performance this much. I didn’t even know she could sing like that. As Jack’s Mother, she was funny, bringing that very Eugene way of delivering lines. I enjoyed her character too.
Joshua Dela Cruz, who played both Prince Charming and the Wolf, was also great. He had a fun, cheeky energy and fully leaned into his roles. He moved seamlessly between the two and kept both characters distinct and fun to watch.
Arielle Jacobs was also beautiful as Cinderella. She’s best known for playing Princess Jasmine in Aladdin on Broadway, and you could see how natural she was onstage.
And Nic Chien, who played Jack, also stood out. This was one of his first major performances, and you could already tell he has it.
Everyone pulled their weight, and the chemistry of the cast was evident. It felt like a true ensemble piece.
Related story: Lea Salonga makes history as first Filipina to receive a Hollywood Walk of Fame star
Related story: 2024 was the year Philippine theater bounced back
More than a fairytale
What stuck with me the most was how universal the story still feels. Into the Woods is about the things we all go through. Dreams that happened. Dreams that didn’t. Regret. Blame. Forgiveness. Growth.
You feel the heartbreak. The tension. The grief that sits underneath certain scenes. You also feel the connections between the parents and their kids, between strangers, between people who are just trying to make the right choice even when there’s no right answer. The emotions don’t hit you all at once, they layer in slowly.
Walking out of the theater, I just felt proud. It’s one thing to watch a Broadway show. It’s quite another to see a Filipino cast perform it at this level, with this much heart, and to realize this is ours.
If you’ve never seen Into the Woods onstage, this is the one to see. It runs until August 31 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, and if you can still get tickets, I promise it’s worth it.
