Conrad Ricamora’s Philippine Homecoming in ‘A Chorus Line’
Conrad Ricamora is set to star as the main lead in the local production of ‘A Chorus Line’ Musical
Words by Rica Mae Labbao
Photo courtesy of Theatre Group Asia and Conrad Ricamora
November 06, 2025
From portraying a significant character as Oliver Hampton in ‘How to Get Away With Murder’ to earning his first-ever Tony nomination as Abraham Lincoln in ‘Oh, Mary!’ musical, Conrad Ricamora is ready to push limits and unlock capabilities as Zach in the highly anticipated Philippine showing of ‘A Chorus Line.’
Following the announcement of his casting, Conrad expressed his utmost enthusiasm and excitement to be able to perform on the Philippine stage.
“Performing in the Philippines for the first time is incredibly meaningful for me because it’s my father’s homeland. 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. There’s warmth and joy in Filipino storytelling that I’ve always felt connected to, and I’m honored to finally be part of it,” he shares.
The organizers behind the casting, Theatre Group Asia (TGA), shared their joyous and proud remarks for having Conrad in the musical, describing him as the talented quintessential triple threat embraced beyond Broadway who proudly wears his heritage and identity—a true representation of TGA’s ethos.
“We are very proud and overjoyed to have someone of Conrad’s caliber and experience in our staging of ‘A Chorus Line.’ We can’t wait for Manila to see his brilliance center stage. We are very excited about this collaboration. He is sensational,” TGA Overall Artistic and Creative Director and Tony Award winner Clint Ramos says.
Zach of ‘A Chorus Line’
Zach is the powerful character behind the emotional attributes of the show, serving as the driving force and personality in ‘A Chorus Line.’
In the storyline, Zach faces his inner demons while finding a way to physically stretch the characters’ limits and unlock their motivations and insecurities through his audition arrangements. He unleashes the vulnerable side of the ambitious and passionately driven performing aspirants, often regarded as “in the shadows.”
This impactful character entails a perfect vessel to stir deep feelings, a role Conrad can precisely pull off.
Musical’s director and choreographer, Emmy Award-winner and Broadway powerhouse Karla Puno Garcia, echoes, “‘A Chorus Line’ has to demonstrate the unflinching and emotionally charged audition process for a coveted spot in the chorus line. For the audience to see through those depths, we needed a powerful presence to lead the audience through the immersion into the auditioning performers’ psyche. And that’s exactly what Conrad brings. I can’t wait to start tackling the material with him and embark on this journey with someone of his accomplishments.”
As for Conrad: “To step into Zach’s shoes, especially in its golden year, feels like a full-circle moment. Zach’s job is to see people clearly, to push them to go deeper—to reveal not just what they can do, but who they are. That’s something I relate to deeply, both as an actor and as a human being. I’ve spent much of my life learning to take down my own walls, to turn pain into art and vulnerability into strength. The show’s core question— ‘Who am I, and why do I dance?’—is universal. We’re all just trying to be chosen for who we really are”.
Conrad’s Performing Works
Conrad Ricamora started his career in the theatre scene, starring as Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino in ‘Here Lies Love’ at the off-Broadway Public Theatre in 2013, later bringing him back on stage with an all-Filipino cast. It was followed by a television role when he was casted as Oliver Hampton in the show ‘How To Get Away With Murder’ for all of its six seasons.
In 2024, Conrad landed the role of Abraham Lincoln in the critically-acclaimed Tony-winning play ‘Oh, Mary!’ that earned him his first Tony nomination in 2025.
His career list also includes his roles in ‘The King And I on Broadway,’ which earned him a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album in 2015; Off Broadway shows ‘Little Shop of Horrors,’ ‘Soft Power,’ which got him his second Grammy nomination, ‘Fire Island,’ ‘How To Die Alone,’ ‘The Resident,’ and his latest casting in the sequel of ‘The Devil Wears Prada.’
Soon, his efforts to play Zach in ‘A Chorus Line’ will be added to his portfolio.
Stories Behind Spotlight
Known for its stripped-down set, iconic choreography, and intensely personal monologues, ‘A Chorus Line’ follows 17 hopefuls aspiring to be a cast member in the musical that perfectly mirrors the dedication, ambition, and sacrifices made by the unsung heroes of Broadway.
‘A Chorus Line’ remains as one of the few musicals to ever win the 1976 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, aside from winning the Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Book of A Musical (James Kirkwood), Best Original Score (Marvin Hamlisch and Edward Kleban), Best Director (Michael Bennett), and Best Choreography (Michael Bennett and Bob Avian) that same year.
On their golden anniversary, the local production of ‘A Chorus Line’ pays homage to the legacy of their original 1975 premiere with a touch of new perspectives for the current generation.
Watch this spectacular and long-awaited musical show under the Philippine spotlight starring Conrad Ricamora from March 12 to 29, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. every Thursday and Friday, with two time slots at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. staged every Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets ranging from PHP900 to PHP5,500 are available at premiere.ticketworld.com.ph.
