Lissa de Guzman’s Magical Casting
Fil-Am Broadway star Lissa de Guzman adds excitement to the Philippine production of ‘A Chorus Line’ as the newest cast.
Words by Rica Mae Labbao
Photo courtesy of Theatre Group Asia
December 02, 2025
A wicked splurge of emotions is coming!
In a striking casting of a powerful performer, Theatre Group Asia (TGA) welcomes Fil-Am Broadway triple threat Lissa de Guzman as the compelling and passionate Cassie of the upcoming Philippine staging of “A Chorus Line.”
From her magical performance as the historic first Filipina actress to portray the ambitious witch Elphaba in Wicked’s National Broadway Tour, Lissa’s upcoming play of Cassie’s distinct emotional and dynamic character sets an expectation of astounding staging of talent.
Lissa as Cassie
According to Christopher Mohnani, the executive producer of the production, the character of Cassie cuts a deep emotional layer in the storyline and entails a very demanding technical role in which Lissa can give life to.
“Lissa brings extraordinary depth, precision, and heart. Her dynamic pairing with Conrad Ricamora promises an unforgettable experience for the Philippine audience,” he said.
Mohnani also refers to Lissa’s casting as another milestone in achieving TGA’s monumental mission of bringing Filipino and Fil-Am talents to the Philippine stage.
Aside from Conrad, Lissa will perform with a notable yet-to-be-selected line-up of artists under the meticulous supervision of Emmy Award-winning artist Karla Puno Garcia, the musical choreographer and director of the show’s golden anniversary rendition in the Philippines.
Lissa Beyond Stage
Like many, Lissa found a heart for performing when she was young—a sophomore student who performed, tried another activity, and got into performing again. She has a brother who links her near to the stage and inspires her to do more in the scene.
“My brother was always into theater, so I grew up going to shows, and he inspired me to audition. My original goal was to go to school for dermatology. After one show, my director pulled me aside. That's when I knew I wanted to make it a career. In my senior year of college, when I decided to fly back and forth to New York for auditions, that's when I knew I was doing the right thing,” she shared.
As a creative artist, Lissa has it in her to advocate for arts education and community engagement. Often making time to teach and inspire young stage aspirants, very much like the objectives of TGA in organizing seminars and workshops with students alongside their productions. This similar set of activities will also be something to wait for in the production of “A Chorus Line.”
With a determined mind and beautiful talent, Lissa is setting her artistic footprint in her father’s home country, sharing an inspiring authenticity and soulful artistry.
“It’s important to seize every opportunity, especially the ones that feel like they will be out of your comfort zone; that’s when you do the most growing. When you’re in a room with people who are far better than you, that’s when you rise above. That’s when you get better. The learning never ends. I still take dance classes. I still take voice lessons. I still take acting lessons. These equip me to embrace more challenges,” she shared.
Before the role of Cassie, Lissa portrayed key roles in various Broadway plays, including Ann Darrow in King Kong and Jasmine in Aladdin, a role she also performed on the musical’s National Tour.
Moreover, she also starred in numerous regional and developmental productions such as Waitress, Legally Blonde, Camelot, Bliss, Cinderella, Fiddler on the Roof, West Side Story, Chasing Rainbows, and more.
The storyplot of “A Chorus Line” features the lives of ensemble characters behind the curtains—the unsung heroes of Broadway. This rendition is a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the 1975 premiere’s historic legacy and a new take with fresh perspectives fit for the evolving generation.
Catch this musical show under the Philippine spotlight 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.
