Lea Salonga joins ‘Into the Woods’

Olivier and Tony Award-winning actress Lea Salonga will portray the role of The Witch in Stephen Sondheim’s production of Into The Woods scheduled for August premiere at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater.

“The last show I did in Manila was a Stephen Sondheim masterpiece. Now, I’m coming in Into the Woods, yet another Sondheim masterpiece! If all I do for the rest of my life is perform in Sondheim shows, I’ll be very happy. But most of all, to my dear friend, ‘This one is for you, Bobby!” Salonga said in a statement.

Into The Woods is based on James Lapine’s book, who also directed its original Broadway run. The musical, which sees 18 main characters, intertwines several fairy tale characters’ exploits tied together by a childless baker and his wife who set off on a journey to break a witch’s curse that prevents them from having a child.

“What I love about this piece is the whole ‘what if’ premise of fairy tales. Continuing past ‘happily ever after’ is very interesting,” said Salonga about Into The Woods. “Through the material, we realize that a witch isn’t always bad, and good people aren’t always entirely good. The famous line from the musical, ‘nice is different than good’ is one that hits home every time. The message is so poignant. The final song, ‘Children Will Listen’ is a reminder that what we do as adults impacts impressionable minds. Act One is about fairy tales, but Act Two explores darker, less defined territory. That’s when things get interesting,” Salonga said.

The Philippine production of Into The Woods follows the groundbreaking success of Theater Group Asia’s Request sa Radyo in 2024, the wordless play featuring Salonga and Golden Globe and BAFTA nominee Dolly de Leon.

Tony Award-winning creative visionary and a founding collaborator of TGA Clint Ramos serves as co-producer, overall artistic director and stage and costume designer.

Salonga’s last musical in the Philippines was Sweeney Todd, directed by another founding collaborator of TGA, the late theater maverick Bobby Garcia. Chari Arespacochaga, with whom Garcia was set to co-direct Into The Woods, helms this project as a tribute to her creative partner, mentor and friend.