MANILA, Philippines – Another theater icon is joining the cast of Into the Woods Philippines, and it’s none other than Carla Guevara Laforteza.
During the musical’s limited run in August, Laforteza will be playing the Giant and Little Red Riding Hood’s Granny.
Laforteza shared in a press release that while these roles are unlikely ones for her to play, she’s up for the challenge.
“I’ve always enjoyed watching Into the Woods. I love the music, of course! It has a funny and clever way of weaving each fairy tale character into each other’s story,” recounted Laforteza.
The theater actress also expressed her excitement over being able to star in a musical alongside Lea Salonga, who will be playing The Witch.
“I am just so grateful to be able to do this show, especially since I will FINALLY be able to do a musical with my inspiration and idol, Lea Salonga! I’ve only done events and concerts with her so to be able to experience the process of rehearsals and doing the entire run with her is quite amazing,” Laforteza said.
Laforteza’s casting in Into the Woods comes just after she starred in Going Home to Christmas, Repertory Philippines’ first-ever original jukebox musical, whose entire soundtrack was made up of Jose Mari Chan’s hits.
Among the decorated cast of Into the Woods is also Kakki Teodoro, who was named Best Supporting Actress at the Metro Manila Film Festival 2024 Gabi ng Parangal for her performance in Isang Himala: The Musical. Teodoro will be playing Lucinda, one of the evil stepsisters of Cinderella, who will be portrayed by Broadway star Arielle Jacobs.
Meanwhile, Tex Ordoñez-De Leon, who played Nanay in Sandosenang Sapatos, will take on the role of Cinderella’s stepmother. Completing the evil trio is Sarah Facuri, who will be playing Florinda, Cinderella’s other evil stepsister.
Teetin VIllanueva will be playing Little Red Riding Hood.
Other previously announced cast members include Eugene Domingo as Jack’s mother, Nic Chien as Jack, Nyoy Volante as the baker, Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante as the baker’s wife, Joaquin Pedro Valdes as the wolf and Cinderella’s prince, Joreen Bautista as Rapunzel, and Mark Bautista as Rapunzel’s prince.
Based on the book by James Lapine, Into the Woods the musical sees some of the most beloved fairy-tale characters — such as Jack from Jack and the Beanstalk, Ridinghood from Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and Cinderella — come together in one “world.” The story follows a childless baker and his wife, who cross paths with a witch who places a curse on them as they strive to start their own family.
Into the Woods will be staged at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Makati City from August 7 to 24, for a limited run. As of this writing, all tickets are sold out. – Rappler.com