The talents of Filipinos have been recognized all over the planet. That includes the stages on Broadway and the West End, which are considered as the theater capitals of the world.
Below are just some Filipinos and half-Filipinos who have conquered the stages of Broadway and the West End:
Lea Salonga
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A list of Filipino actors who have made waves internationally wouldn’t be complete without Lea Salonga. On Broadway, she has appeared in Miss Saigon, Les Misérables (including the 10th and 25th anniversary concerts), Flower Drum Song, Allegiance, Once on This Island, and Here Lies Love. Meanwhile, she has appeared in the West End productions of Miss Saigon and Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends. Salonga has also conquered the world of cinema, providing the singing voices for Mulan in Mulan and Princess Jasmine in Aladdin.
Joanna Ampil
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Joanna Ampil is active in the West End, playing Kim in Miss Saigon, Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar, Éponine and Fantine in Les Misérables, Sheila Franklin in Hair, Heidi in I Sing!, the ingenue June in The Musical of Musicals: The Musical!, and Christmas Eve in Avenue Q. Ampil is also the first woman to play the Engineer in a UK production of Miss Saigon.
Rachelle Ann Go
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Rachelle Ann Go is active in both Broadway and the West End. In the West End, She has appeared as Fantine in Les Misérables and Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton in Hamilton. Go has also portrayed Gigi Van Tranh in both the West End and Broadway productions of Miss Saigon.
Eva Noblezada
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Eva Noblezada played Kim in the Broadway revival of Miss Saigon and its 25th anniversary concert, Eurydice in the Broadway and West End productions of Hadestown, and Éponine in the West End production of Les Misérables.
Joan Almedilla
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Joan Almedilla played Kim in the Broadway production of Miss Saigon. She is also recognized as the first Filipino to play Fantine in the Third National Tour of Les Misérables.
Jamie Rivera
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Jamie Rivera played Kim in the West End production of Miss Saigon.
Isay Alvarez-Seña and Robert Seña
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Power couple Isay Alvarez-Seña and Robert Seña were part of the original West End cast of Miss Saigon. Isay played Gigi Van Tranh, while Robert essayed the role of Thuy.
Andrea Macasaet
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Andrea Macasaet played Anne Boleyn in the Broadway production of Six.
Jon Jon Briones
Photo / Nathan Amzi on IMDB
Jon Jon Briones played the Engineer in the West End and Broadway Revival of Miss Saigon. He played the same role in Miss Saigon: 25th Anniversary.
Leo Valdez
Photo / Cameron Mackintosh
Leo Valdez played the Engineer in the West End production of Miss Saigon. Cameron Mackintosh, the musical’s producer, was quoted as saying Valdez is his favorite Engineer.
Adam Jacobs
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Adam Jacobs is known for playing Aladdin on the Broadway production and First National Tour of Aladdin. He also played Marius in the Broadway Revival of Les Misérables and Simba in the Broadway production of The Lion King.
Monique Wilson
Photo / ADB Knowledge Events
Monique Wilson got her start on the West End as an understudy for Lea Salonga as Kim in Miss Saigon. After just a year, she replaced Salonga for the role.
Christine Allado
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Christine Allado is an actress active on the West End. There, she played the dual role of Peggy Schuyler and Maria Reynolds and as Eliza Schuyler in some performances of Hamilton, Vanessa in In the Heights, and the BBC production of the 60th anniversary of West Side Story.
Marc dela Cruz
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Marc dela Cruz is recognized as the first Asian American to play Alexander Hamilton in the Broadway production of Hamilton. He is also the understudy and replacement of several roles in the musical, including King George and Aaron Burr.
Natalie Mendoza
Photo / Matthew Murphy
Natalie Mendoza played Gigi Van Tranh in the West production of Miss Saigon and Satine in the Broadway production of Moulin Rouge! Interestingly, she also played China Doll, one of the dancers, in the original Moulin Rouge! film.
Christian Rey Marbella
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Christian Rey Marbella played the Thuy cover and Alternate Engineer in the West End revival of Miss Saigon. He has also been part of the cast of the musical several times, including the Manila production, three U.K. tours, an Asian tour, and an international tour. Marbella is currently playing the Engineer in a Vienna production.
Charley Magalit
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Charley Magalit played Cecile in the West End premiere of Amélie. She has also played the titular role in select performances.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
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Maria-Christina Oliveras played Gina in the Broadway production of Amélie. She was also part of the Broadway cast of Between Riverside and Crazy, Machinal, and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson.
Paolo Montalban
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Paolo Montalban is known for playing Prince Christopher in Cinderella but the actor has an impressive resume on stage. On Broadway, he has appeared as a member of the ensemble and an understudy for Lun Tha in The King and I, as Manjiro in Pacific Overtures, as Rusty’s Servant and understudy for I.Y. Yunioshi, José, José’s Cousin, and Dr. Goldman in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and as Florenz Ziegfeld in Funny Girl.
Gia Macuja Atchison
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Gia Macuja Atchison played Princess Nala in the West End production of The Lion King, Gigi and Ellen in the original West End run of Miss Saigon, and the West End production of Here Lies Love.
Joaquin Valdes
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Joaquin Valdes is the first Asian actor to play Ram Sweeney in the West End production of Heathers The Musical.
Don Darryl Rivera
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Don Darryl Rivera has performed as Iago on the Broadway and West End productions of Aladdin.
Deedee Magno Hall
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Deedee Magno Hall was part of the Broadway cast of If/Then and played Kim in the Broadway production of Miss Saigon.
Vince Ermita
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Vince Ermita played Young Simba in the Broadway production of The Lion King.
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