Lea Salonga is set to take on the role of the fierce matriarch in the upcoming Filipino-language stage production of ‘Ang Tahanan ni Bernarda Alba.’
Salonga will portray the titular Bernarda Alba in Theatre Group Asia’s (TGA) Philippine staging of Federico García Lorca’s ‘The House of Bernarda Alba,’ adapted by director-playwright Chay Yew and translated into Filipino by Guelan Valera Luarca.
The production is scheduled to run in February 2027. It will be TGA’s first production performed entirely in Filipino.
In Lorca’s story, Bernarda imposes an eight-year mourning period on her five daughters following the death of her second husband. She demands absolute obedience inside their home.
As Bernarda’s daughters struggle with their own desires, tensions begin to build within the household, particularly with the arrival of a potential suitor.
Salonga said the role presents a different challenge from many of the musical theater characters she has portrayed throughout her career.
‘To be perfectly honest, I hadn’t encountered this play before, which may work in my favor as I have no preconceived notions or strong opinions,’ she said in a press release.
Salonga noted that she felt the play was important to tackle because it ‘fits our culture’ and is timely given current events. She also acknowledged the challenge of performing the play entirely in Filipino.
‘Ang Tahanan ni Bernarda Alba’ marks Salonga’s return to TGA following her role as The Witch in the company’s sold-out staging of ‘Into the Woods.’
Last month, Salonga made history as she became the first Filipino to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.