'Into the Woods' becomes a family affair for Lea Salonga and Nic Chien

Theatre Group Asia (TGA) is staging Stephen Sondheim's "Into the Woods" to the Samsung Performing Arts Theater (S-PAT) this August, featuring an all-star cast led by Olivier and Tony Award-winning actress Lea Salonga.

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The Broadway icon who will take on the role of The Witch, is making her highly anticipated return to Philippine musical theater after six years - and this time, she will be sharing the stage with her son, Nic Chien, who has been cast as Jack.

Lea's last major stage production in the Philippines was "Sweeney Todd" under the direction of the late Atlantis Productions head Bobby Garcia, a beloved figure in Philippine theater.

Now, with "Into the Woods," she finds herself immersed once again in Sondheim's emotionally rich music.

"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," Lea shared in a media statement. "But most of all, to my dear friend, 'This

one's for you, Bobby!"" Lea first played The Witch at the age of 23, and now, three decades later, she is eager to revisit the role with new depth and perspective.

"It's very exciting, as well as, exhausting. Sondheim is no joke! Learning the material before day one of rehearsals takes a few weeks because his patterns can be puzzling and challenging but so rewarding once it all comes together," she said. "It's also cool that I get to revisit a role that I played as a younger adult. I was about 23 years old when I previously played The Witch.