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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider Hooray for Filipinos on Broadway

Hooray for Filipinos on Broadway

Published Jun 20, 2025 12:06 am  |  Updated Jun 19, 2025 05:07 pm
EDITORS DESK
Many Filipino fans cheered when Filipino-American stars Nicole Scherzinger and Darren Criss received acting honors at the 2025 Tony Awards held in New York recently.
Nicole, a former member of the all-girl pop group The Pussycat Dolls, won Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical for her role in Sunset Boulevard.
In her acceptance speech, Nicole stated that she is Filipino, with roots in Hawaii and Ukraine. She is the second Asian actress to win Best Actress in a Musical in the 78-year history of the Tonys. The first was Lea Salonga in 1991 for her role in Miss Saigon.
On the other hand, Darren was awarded Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical for his role in Maybe Happy Ending. That night, the same play also won Best Musical, which Darren co-produced.
Darren did not mention his nationality during his acceptance speech, but he shared a Philippine flag emoji on Instagram. He now holds the distinction of being the first Asian male to win the award for Best Actor in a Musical at the prestigious Tony Awards.
I recall the moment when it was announced that Lea had finally secured the role of Kim in 1988, following a series of auditions for the musical. Miss Saigon tells the tragic story of a doomed romance between an Asian woman and her American lover, who abandons her.
Lea's achievement of bagging the coveted role inspired everyone around her, creating a buzz of excitement among theater lovers. Aspiring actors could only dream of experiencing the thrill she felt during those unforgettable days.
Then came Lea's send-off concert as she and other Filipino artists who had passed the auditions prepared to leave Manila for the staging of Miss Saigon at the West End, the western part of central London, known for its shopping and entertainment district.
We had the opportunity to see Lea perform at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in Pasay City, where she sang a song titled If I Give My Heart to You and other memorable production numbers.
Two years after her stint in London in 1989, Lea reprised her role in Miss Saigon on Broadway, which opened to stunning reviews in 1991. Then Lea's victory at the Tonys garnered significant attention on national television and newspapers. Miss Saigon's success in the US created opportunities for Lea and other Filipinos striving for success on Broadway.
When Miss Saigon toured the world, I had the opportunity to watch the musical at the CCP. Sitting in the third row from the stage, I was captivated by the real helicopter and the tall statue of Vietnamese revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh. It was truly a remarkable musical experience.
Other Filipinos who later appeared on Broadway for Miss Saigon include Monique Wilson, Isay Alvarez, Cocoy Laurel, Pinky Amador, Jon Jon Briones, Jamie Rivera, Jenine Desiderio, and Robert Seña.
Since then, Filipino artists have been enthusiastic about the Broadway scene. And for the first time, a Broadway production featured both an all-Filipino cast and a majority of Filipino producers when Here Lies Love opened at New York City's Broadway Theater on July 20, 2023. The groundbreaking musical is based on First Lady Imelda Marcos and the People Power Revolution
It was a defining moment, said Lea, who is playing the character of Ninoy Aquino’s mother, Aurora Aquino — her first Filipino role on Broadway — in a limited engagement.
Lea also served as producer. The Olivier Award winner proudly declared, “There has never been a Broadway show produced by and starring Filipinos.”
Aside from Lea, there were 21 other Filipinos in Here Lies Love. In October 2023, actress Vina Morales appeared for a limited guest engagement in the same musical. And the rest is history.
The Philippines is home to an abundance of world-class talent. We have many exceptional individuals, and you will never grow tired of hearing about the accomplishments of Filipino artists in musicals or plays around the world. These achievements fill us with pride in being Filipino.
(Robert R. Requintina is the Entertainment Editor of Manila Bulletin)
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