Unsaulicited Review: Theatre Group Asia's A Chorus Line 50th Anniversary at Samsung Performing Arts Theater

I am going to be real. It has been a minute since I have been this entertained.

I just walked out of the Samsung Performing Arts Theater after watching Theatre Group Asia’s (TGA) production of A Chorus Line. I knew the reputation of the show going in, but seeing this 50th-anniversary modernization in Manila is a different beast entirely. It takes a lot to capture my attention, and this show had mine locked on the stage and on Conrad Ricamora as Zach from the first note until the curtain fully closed.

The Visual Language: Lighting as the Lead Actor

If you want a masterclass in lighting design, look no further. I have always appreciated a good wash, but here, the lighting is not just illuminating the stage. It is the primary storyteller.

The way the light shifts to isolate a dancer’s trauma is surgical. It dictates where your heart should beat. It is the voice of God just as much as the director is. In a show that famously uses a bare stage and mirrors, the light becomes the architecture. It is brilliant.

A Mastery of Production Design

This production is a total immersion into the craft. The design is a mastery of transition. It seamlessly transported me from a gritty rehearsal hall to the grand stage of the theater. Every visual element worked in total harmony with the script, the acting, and the dance. It is a rare thing to see every department firing on all cylinders like this.

The Goosebump Moment: Lissa de Guzman as Cassie

My absolute goosebump moment of the night was Lissa de Guzman's solo as Cassie. There is a specific magic that happens when a live band, sharp production design, and perfect lighting meet a performer at the top of their game. It just worked. In that moment, the theater felt like the only place in the world that mattered.

The Geometry of Human Desperation: Blocking and Moves

The blocking in this show is a feat of engineering. Whether it is one lone actor under a spotlight or the full, sweating ensemble vibrating across the line, my eyes were locked in. There is no filler movement here.

The choreography feels modern and urgent. It is not just dance. It is a physical manifestation of the need for a job. The precision is terrifying. When that full cast hits a beat in unison, you feel the displacement of air in the front row.

A Tribute to the Philippine Theater Industry

This was a tribute to everyone in the industry. It is a very special retelling of stories. Even though each character was based on real people from decades ago, their stories live on.

Casting a show like this is a minefield, but TGA found the gold. Every role feels tailor-made.

• When the stage is empty except for one person pouring their soul out, the intimacy is deafening.

• When the line is full, the individual personalities still manage to spark through the synchronized chaos.

The Verdict: Is A Chorus Line Manila worth watching?

This is not a museum piece. It is a loud, vibrant, heartbreaking reminder of why we do theater in the first place. If I did not restrain myself, my tears would not have stopped during the finale. I was in sheer awe of the greatness I was witnessing.

If you have the chance to stand on the other side of this line at Circuit Makati, take it. It is the most captivating thing I have seen in a long, long time.

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FAQ for A Chorus Line (Theatre Group Asia)

Who is in the cast of A Chorus Line Manila? The 2026 production stars Conrad Ricamora as Zach and Lissa de Guzman as Cassie, featuring an all-Filipino ensemble of Broadway and local talent.

Where is A Chorus Line playing in the Philippines? The show is playing at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati.

How long is the show? The production runs for approximately 2.5 hours. Check your tickets for specific intermission details as this modernized version may differ from the traditional one-act staging.