Photo from msleasalonga/Instagram
Filipina Broadway icon Lea Salonga takes the spotlight in Cameron Mackintosh’s highly anticipated production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Old Friends,” joining forces with two-time Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters.
The show, which showcases timeless hits from musicals like “Sweeney Todd,” “Into the Woods,” “Company” and “Gypsy,” offers theatergoers a rare chance to witness a living tribute to Sondheim’s immense legacy.
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With previews already underway, excitement continues to build as the production gears up for its grand opening on April 8.
Among those praising Salonga’s brilliance is Gayle King, Oprah Winfrey’s close friend and co-anchor of CBS Mornings, who openly expressed admiration for the Broadway icon.
Beyond the stage, Salonga took a reflective turn in a special Women’s History Month edition of CBS Mornings’ segment “Note to Self.”
In a heartfelt letter to her 17-year-old self, she revisited her journey from the Philippines to Broadway, acknowledging the legacy she has built for aspiring Asian artists.
Salonga also proudly highlighted a groundbreaking moment for Filipino representation in Broadway history with seven Filipino stars of Filipino descent currently headlining Broadway shows. She shared her pride and excitement in an Instagram post.
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“We’re here, we’re doing excellent work. It’s always the best foot forward. It’s always showing up whenever [there’s] space we occupy,” she told Inquirer.net USA in an exclusive interview, emphasizing the excellence and perseverance of Filipino artists on the global stage.
Meanwhile, Salonga joined the cast of the newest season of Fox’s hit drama series “The Cleaning Lady” with a character she described as “not so nice” and undeniably “trouble.”
She shared her enthusiasm about joining the cast and emphasized the powerful and dynamic women at the heart of the series.
“It’s incredible,” she remarked and highlighted the Southeast Asian representation in the series.
“Southeast Asian leads, Southeast Asian female leads – and this is their fourth season!”
