Conrad Ricamora comes home: Fil-Am star joins Philippines staging of a chorus line

For award-winning Fil-Am actor Conrad Ricamora, coming to the Philippines for the local staging of A Chorus Line is more than just another role — it’s a full-circle moment, a homecoming decades in the making.

The acclaimed stage and screen actor is set to play Zach, the demanding yet introspective director and choreographer at the center of the iconic Broadway musical. The role, described by Theatre Group Asia as the “driving force and emotional mirror” of the show, pushes Ricamora into both artistic and personal reflection.

“Zach is a character who holds the mirror up not only to the performers but also to himself,” the group said in a statement. “He’s someone who pushes others to their physical and emotional limits, only to find his own vulnerabilities exposed in the process.”

A HOMECOMING OF THE HEART

For Ricamora, the production marks his debut on the Philippine stage, and one deeply rooted in family and heritage.

“To bring my work here feels like a kind of homecoming — a chance to connect with a part of my heritage that I’ve always carried in my heart,” Ricamora shared. “The Philippine theater community is known for its passion, talent, and heart. I’ve been so inspired watching artists from here make their mark globally, and I can’t wait to share the stage with them and learn from their artistry.”

Born in Santa Maria, California, Ricamora is the son of Ron Ricamora, a Filipino who moved to the U.S. at age 10, and Debbie Bolender, a social worker of German and Irish descent. He grew up in Niceville, Florida, excelling in tennis before finding his way to the stage. After earning a degree in psychology from Queens University of Charlotte, he pursued an MFA in acting at the University of Tennessee, graduating in 2012.

FROM “HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER” TO BROADWAY GLORY

Ricamora’s career took flight in 2013 with his breakout performance as Ninoy Aquino in the Off-Broadway hit Here Lies Love — the groundbreaking musical by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim about former First Lady Imelda Marcos. His portrayal earned him a Theatre World Award and a Lucille Lortel nomination.

In 2014, he became a familiar face to television audiences as Oliver Hampton, the brilliant and charming boyfriend of Connor Walsh, in ABC’s hit legal drama How to Get Away with Murder alongside Viola Davis. His performance earned praise for its depth and quiet intensity, eventually leading to a series regular role until the show’s finale in 2020.

Ricamora then transitioned to Broadway, starring as Lun Tha in the 2015 revival of The King and I at Lincoln Center, a performance captured on a Grammy-nominated cast album. His stage career flourished with lead roles in Soft Power(2018), earning another Grammy nomination, and most recently in Oh, Mary!, where his portrayal of Abraham Lincoln opposite Cole Escola’s Mary Todd Lincoln earned him a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Play in 2024.

A LEGACY OF TALENT, PRIDE, AND REPRESENTATION

Beyond his achievements, Ricamora has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ visibility and Asian-American representation in the arts. An openly gay artist, he was honored with the Human Rights Campaign’s Visibility Award, recognizing his influence both on and off stage.

Now, as he steps into the role of Zach in A Chorus Line — in the land of his father’s birth — Ricamora’s story mirrors that of his character: a man who, through art, confronts vulnerability and finds truth.

In many ways, A Chorus Line is not just another show for Conrad Ricamora. It’s a reunion with his roots, a celebration of Filipino artistry, and a testament to the universality of chasing dreams — whether on Broadway or right here in Manila.