Lea Salonga Returns as The Witch in ‘Into the Woods’ PH Run

Catch the Tony Award winner this August at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater for a magical and star-studded musical experience!

Get ready to fangirl, theater lovers! Olivier and Tony Award-winning actress Lea Salonga is making her much-anticipated comeback to the Philippine stage as The Witch in Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods.

As revealed by Theater Group Asia (TGA), the show opens this August at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati. Lea reprises the role she first played in the 1994 Singapore production at just 23 years old.

Here’s What We Know So Far About the PH Staging of ‘Into the Woods’

Lea’s return to Philippine theater after six years (her last local performance was Sweeney Todd in 2019) feels like a full-circle moment.

Reflecting on the opportunity, she shared her excitement: “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. But most of all, to my dear friend, ‘This one is for you, Bobby!’”

Salonga’s tribute honors the late Bobby Garcia. He was TGA’s founding collaborator and directed her last local musical. Stepping into The Witch’s role again after 30 years is a personal journey for Lea. She expressed, “I’m hoping to bring as much of that as I can to this production.”

The Magic of Sondheim: A Timeless Tale

For those unfamiliar, Into the Woods is a darkly comedic musical based on James Lapine’s book and brought to life with Sondheim’s iconic score. The story weaves together beloved fairy tales like Cinderella, Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Little Red Riding Hood, creating a fresh narrative that explores the characters’ deepest wishes. But it doesn’t stop at “happily ever after”—instead, it dives into the complexities of their choices and consequences.

Lea’s role as The Witch adds depth to the story. It challenges the notion of absolute good and evil. Villains aren’t always bad, and good people aren’t always nice. This nuanced storytelling has generated buzz among fans. Many are taking to social media to share their excitement.

While ticket prices and seating plans for the Manila run are still under wraps, the anticipation is already soaring high. With an engaging story, a stellar cast, and Lea Salonga’s iconic voice, this is shaping up to be a must-watch production.

Who else might join this star-studded cast? Let’s hope for more surprises! In the meantime, revisit James Lapine’s book Into the Woods. You can also watch the 2014 film adaptation with Meryl Streep and Anna Kendrick.

Mark your calendars! This is one theatrical experience you won’t want to miss with Lea Salonga in Into the Woods!

_{Cover image credit: Lea Salonga}