Salonga revealed the news herself in the Philippine Daily Inquirer. The Allegiance and Miss Saigon star will portray Helen Bechdel, the role created by Tony Award nominee Judy Kuhn. It is also expected that the show's Tony-winning creators, lyricist and book writer Lisa Kron and composer Jeanine Tesori, will be traveling to Manila for the production.
Salonga described her experience seeing the show on Broadway. "Everyone in the theater was in tears at the curtain call (yours truly included), and rewarded the cast with a standing ovation," she wrote. "I don't recall a musical having that kind of effect. No big dance numbers, no large cast. Just a story about a family and its unique brand of dysfunction so specific, we all could find something to relate to."
The award-winning Filipina actress is currently starring in the Broadway musical Allegiance.
Enjoy a look at Salonga's varied stage career so far:
Celebrate Lea Salonga on the Stage
Fun Home won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Direction, Best Book and Best Score. It is based on the graphic memoir from author-illustrator Alison Bechdel. It continues its run at Broadway's Circle in the Square.
Auditions for the remaining roles take place the week of Nov. 21 in Manila. Bobby Garcia will direct.
ATEG is currently in final rehearsals for the international premiere of The Bridges of Madison County, which begins previews Nov. 20.
View highlights from the Broadway production below:
