Following the groundbreaking success of Request sa Radyo, the wordless play that had Manila talking headlined by Tony and Olivier-winning actress Lea Salonga and Golden Globe and BAFTA nominee Dolly de Leon, Tony Award-winning creative visionary Clint Ramos and co-producers John and Joanna Echauz, together with venue host Samsung Performing Arts Theater (S-PAT), represented by its executive director Christopher Mohnani, are set to electrify the Philippine theater scene once again with two iconic musicals, Into The Woods and A Chorus Line.

Together with the late multi-awarded theater maverick and stage impresario Bobby Garcia, who saw Request sa Radyo as his final directorial work, the creative alliance led to the formation of Theatre Group Asia (TGA). Committed to exalting Filipino artistry, TGA is a powerhouse collective of globally renowned and locally celebrated Filipino artists intent on cultivating connections and engaging with Filipino audiences.

Ramos describes, “We all had such a great time during Request sa Radyo and saw a particular space we can inhabit within the vibrant and diverse Philippine theater ecosystem. We aim to foster more creative dialogues between global theater artists of Filipino heritage based abroad and talented local artists in the Philippines. It is about learning from both ends and presenting world-class theater by Filipinos for Filipinos.”

He poignantly continues, “This is a vision Bobby was very passionate about. Bobby was the consummate man of the theater. He loved everything about it. It was his life. He had a deep love for artists. He was profoundly proud of being Filipino and championed us with every choice he made. He was very central to the formation of TGA. We choose to celebrate his life and legacy by forging ahead and bringing our aligned dreams to fruition.”

Iconic musicals

Gearing up for its 2025-2026 seasons, TGA announces the staging of the beloved Stephen Sondheim musical Into The Woods in August 2025 and the international smash hit A Chorus Line in March 2026.

Originally serving as co-producers, co-artistic directors, and co-creative consultants, Ramos and Garcia were together overseeing both productions from design, directing and casting, to putting together the rest of the creative team. Garcia’s long-time collaborator Chari Arespacochaga, with whom Garcia was set to co-direct Into The Woods, now sees this project as a tribute to her creative partner, mentor, and friend. Arespacochaga shares, “Bobby was very particular and meticulous. Continuing the work we started is my way of honoring him and carrying on the spirit of fun and love for the craft we infused in everything he did.”

Garcia directed over 50 plays and musicals in Canada and throughout Asia. The Aliw Awards Hall of Famer and Atlantis Productions Founder spearheaded over 65 productions and served as a casting consultant for several Broadway and West End productions.

Creative collaborators

Ramos brings decades of experience to the production, having successfully conquered Broadway and the West End. The genius behind Eclipsed, Once on this Island, and the trailblazing all-Filipino ensemble Here Lies Love, Ramos has garnered over 300 production credits, including a Tony award and six nominations. He recently opened the hit musical Maybe Happy Ending, featuring Filipino-American star Darren Criss, on Broadway to rave reviews.

As head of S-PAT, Mohnani, a multi-awarded former principal danseur, has a foothold on the evolving nature of the Philippine theater-going public and welcomes this new theater development. As one of the most prestigious and sophisticated performing arts venues in the country today, S-PAT looks forward to providing a home for these productions and aligns with the shared ideals of championing global Filipino artistry.

Creating connections

Mohnani emphasizes, “We want to present world-class theater that brings the global dramatic canon to life while placing the Filipino experience at its heart. Through theater, we honor the depth and richness of our history and culture, creating a space where Filipinos resonate within a global context. We want to bridge the gaps and foster connections among Filipinos within the international theater community.”

Advocates for cultivating Philippine artistry, Ramos underscores, “Performers and creatives of Filipino heritage abroad can finally come home, familiarize themselves with their roots, and immerse themselves in Filipino culture. The Philippines is not a tourist destination for these artists. It’s a place where they can work, share experience and knowledge, as well as, learn. For local performers, the creative dialogue we envision can ignite possibilities. It’s an opportunity to see how they can expand their craft, consider alternative points of view, and create art from a more global perspective. By continuing the creative conversations, we can draw from each other’s strengths and collectively expand both taste and aesthetics in the service of the Filipino audience.”