Carla Guevara Laforteza takes on 3 roles for 'Into the Woods'
MANILA, Philippines — Award-winning stage actress Carla Guevara Laforteza is the latest cast addition to Theatre Group Asia's run of "Into the Woods" this August.
Laforteza will portray three characters in Stephen Sondheim's famous production: the Giant, Granny, and Snow White.
She joins fellow stage veterans Lea Salonga as The Witch, Tex Ordoñez as Cinderella's stepmother, Kakki Teodoro as the evil stepsister Lucinda, and real-life couple Nyoy and Mikkie Volante as The Baker and The Baker's Wife.
Also in the cast are Salonga's child, Nic Chien, as Jack (from "Jack and the Beanstalk"), Eugene Domingo as Jacks's Mother, Arielle Jacobs as Cinderella, Joaquin Pedro Valdes as Prince Charming/Wolf, Joreen Bautista as Rapunzel, Mark Bautista as Rapunzel's Prince, Teetin Villanueva as Little Red Riding Hood, and Sarah Facuri as the other evil stepsister Florinda.
In a statement, Laforteza paid tribute to Theatre Group Asia's late co-founder Bobby Garcia who was initially going to oversee the production with Clint Ramos, Chris Mohnani, and John and Joanna Echauz.
Related: Stage veterans Tex Ordonez, Kakki Teodoro join 'Into the Woods' cast
"Bobby would probably be laughing his head off wherever he is because, as usual, he has decided to yet again cast me in multiple roles, not to mention the strangest roles in the show that is very unlikely for me to play," Laforteza said.
The actress is up for the challange being a fan of "Into the Woods" because of how it brings together different fairy tale characters. The mother of K-pop star Sofia Laforteza of global girl group KATSEYE is especially excited to finally be doing a musical with Salonga.
"I've only done events and concerts with her so to be able to experience the process of rehearsals and doing the entire run with her is quite amazing," Laforteza added.
Like Salonga, Laforteza portayed Kim in "Miss Saigon," with other theater credits, including "Ang Huling El Bimbo," "Rak of Aegis," "Joseph the Dreamer," "Spamalot," "One More Chance," The King and I," "Rent," and "Going Home to Christmas."
"Into the Woods" features 18 main characters from popular fairy tales — fronted by a baker, his wife, and an aging witch — come together in one musical.
The original Broadway production was nominated for 10 Tonys, including Best Musical, winning three: Best Score for Sondheim, Best Book (Musical), and Best Lead Actress (Musical) for Joanna Gleason.
RELATED: Mark Bautista, Joreen Bautista join 'Into the Woods' Manila cast
