Lea Salonga’s only child, Nic Chien, is joining the highly-anticipated cast of the Philippine adaptation of Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods” as Jack!
Theatre Group Asia (TGA) officially unveiled the latest cast member on Monday, through its social media accounts.
“When the fun is done, he steals what he can and runs! NIC CHIEN is JACK!” TGA wrote in its social media post.
Nic will perform adjacent to Eugene Domingo, who is cast as Jack’s mother. Additionally, the star-studded ensemble makes up his mother Lea, as The Witch; Arielle Jacobs as Cinderella; Joaquin Valdes as Prince Charming and The Wolf; and real-life couple Nyoy and Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante as The Baker and The Baker’s Wife.
However, the latest cast member is no stranger to the theatre stage. In 2017, he professionally debuted in the Atlantis Production of “Matilda,” as Alice. He also participated in the English Speaking Union’s National Shakespeare Competition.
Since he was young, Nic made several concert appearances alongside the Tony and Olivier winner and his mother, Lea. Apart from concert appearances, the “Into the Woods” stage production will mark their first musical together.
In a statement, Nic shared that he was excited to play such an innocent character. He continued, “In the past, I’ve played characters who know what’s going on, but Jack is such a pure character. I think it will be so much fun to play.”
Meanwhile, Joaquin shared that he and Nic were on stage together for the Manila production of “Matilda” eight years ago.
“[I] was on stage with Nic in Matilda in Manila 8 years ago! Now we’re back again only different than before…” Joaquin said in his Instagram story.
“Into the Woods” is based on the book written by James Lapine, who also directed its original Broadway run. It intertwines beloved fairy tales like Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, and Little Red Riding Hood, into the story of a baker and his wife who seek to start a family of their own.
The musical production will have a limited engagement run of 18 performances in August. According to TGA, tickets go on sale in three weeks.
“Into the Woods” will be staged by TGA at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Makati.
