 |
| (L-R) Nyoy Volante as The Baker, Nic Chien as Jack, Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante as The Baker's Wife (Image Source: INQUIRER.net/Theatre Group Asia) |
Theatre Group Asia (TGA) reveals seasoned theater performers and real-life couple Nyoy and Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante as The Baker and The Baker’s Wife in its production of Stephen Sondheim’s Into The Woods this coming August to be held at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater (S-PAT). Nic Chien is also announced to play the role of Jack in the said staging, bringing the beloved fairy tale character to life in the acclaimed musical production. Into The Woods is based on the book by James Lapine who also directed the original Broadway run. The plot intertwines several fairy tale characters and dramatically portrays the impact of human choices and actions.
Like a sprinkle of sugar, the veteran singer-songwriter and stage actor sweetly remarks, “I get to play with my wife in this musical! I’m so thrilled to be working with her again!” The couple famously met when they starred together in the musical Rock of Ages back in 2012 staged by Atlantis Production and directed by Chari Arespacochaga, the same director as this production of Into The Woods. The duo last worked together in the local run of Kinky Boots where Nyoy played Lola while Mikkie did his makeup. The Philippine run of the Tony Award-winning musical was directed by the late theater impresario and TGA founding collaborator Bobby Garcia. Mikkie reminisces, “I’m looking forward to paying tribute to my mentor and dear friend Direk Bobby Garcia by tapping into everything he taught me. The Baker’s Wife has been a dream role of mine, and I can’t wait to breathe life into a character I’ve fantasized about playing for over a decade now.” Mikkie’s impressive 14-year theater career began when she played Liesel in The Sound of Music. Her credit highlights include roles in Carousel, Aladdin, The Addams Family, Ghost the Musical, The Bridges of Madison County, Saturday Night Fever the Musical, Beautiful the Carole King Musical, and Carrie the Musical to name a few. On his portrayal of The Baker, Nyoy shares, “I’m excited about developing the character’s road to discovery – his resilience and bravery while overcoming insecurities and struggles. And just like all of Sondheim’s creations, the music of Into The Woods is fabulous and beautiful.” The accomplished recording artist and Your Face Sounds Familiar and Tawag ng Tanghalan mentor’s notable performances include roles in Sweeney Todd, Little Shop of Horrors, Jersey Boys, Singing in the Rain, Shrek the Musical, Spelling Bee, and In the Heights among others. Their shared love for fairy tales and fantasy fuels their enthusiasm. They agree, “Combining all our favorite fairytales, married with our love for Sondheim’s music, make Into The Woods such an amazing story.”
Chien, on the other hand, shares, “I’m very excited to play such an innocent character. 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. And I love everything about this show! The music, lyrics, the way things reference each other, how crazy and complicated it may be. Overall, it’s just beautiful! It’s beautiful music with smart, heartfelt, meaningful lyrics. You don't always find that nowadays.” Chien made his professional musical theater debut as Alice in Atlantis Productions’ Matilda, and has been bitten by the theater acting bug ever since. In 2023, Chien participated in the English Speaking Union’s National Shakespeare Competition and garnered third place. No stranger to performing under the spotlight, Chien has made several concert appearances since he was young, alongside his mother, the legendary Lea Salonga who will also be part of the production as The Witch. On collaborating with her only child, the Tony and Olivier-winning Salonga enthuses, “I’m most looking forward to working with Nic! We’ve done numerous concerts over the years, but this will be our first musical together!”
Joining Nyoy and Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante and the mother-and-son theater duo of Lea Salonga and Nic Chien are Arielle Jacobs as Cinderella, Joaquin Pedro Valdes as Prince Charming and The Wolf, and award-winning veteran actress Eugene Domingo as Jack’s Mother. In a statement released by TGA, Domingo shared, “I am so excited to be a part of this popular and critically acclaimed musical as Jack's mother. I love that the material is inspired by fairy tales yet reveals a realistic twist we can all relate to. I love all the surprises that come after the characters are all put together. This one entertains as much as it teaches.” Behind this production of Into The Woods is Tony Award-winning visionary Clint Ramos who serves as overall artistic and creative director alongside co-producers John and Joanna Echauz, and S-PAT Executive Director Chris Mohnani. For more information and updates about Into The Woods, visit TGA's official website at www.theatregroupasia.com and @theatregroupasia on Facebook and Instagram.
