Carla Guevara Laforteza, Kakki Teodoro, Teetin Villanueva, Tex Ordoñez, and Sarah Facuri were added to the cast of Stephen Sondheim’s “Into The Woods,” which is scheduled for a Manila staging in August.

The theater actresses’ casting was announced through Theatre Group Asia’s press statement. Laforteza would take on the roles of Snow White, the Giant, and Granny while Teodoro was cast as Lucinda or one of Cinderella’s evil stepsisters.

On the other hand, Villanueva, Ordoñez, and Facuri will portray Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella’s stepmother, and Florinda, respectively.

Taking on multiple roles is an “unlikely” opportunity for Laforteza. Despite this, she is looking forward to taking on them as a fan of the musical and her fellow castmate Lea Salonga.

“I am just so grateful to be able to do this show, especially since I will finally be able to do a musical with my inspiration and idol, Lea 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,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Metro Manila Film Festival 2024 Best Supporting Actress is excited to portray a “dark and humorous” character such as Lucinda.

“She is cruel and comical. I love that combination. I’m going to have so much fun exploring her superficial nature, her desperation, and the family dynamic,” she said of her character. “‘Into the Woods’ is one of my favorite musicals of all time. The songs are hilarious and haunting. The musicality is difficult, beautiful, and memorable. You carry them with you as you grow older.”

Villanueva, Ordoñez, and Facuri also expressed their excitement to be part of the musical’s cast, with Villanueva noting that the musical had “fond memories” of her youth with her father.

“When I was growing up, my dad read us stories and fairy tales. I love that in this musical, we get to see familiar characters from different fairy tales all together in one story,” she said. “This is the wordiest repertoire I’ve been given the opportunity to learn in my career so far.”

The actresses will be joining the star-studded cast composed of Lea Salonga, Eugene Domingo, Mark Bautista, Nyoy Volante, Arielle Jacobs, Mikkie Bradshaw Volante, Joreen Bautista, and Nic Chien.

The musical, which will be staged at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Makati, was initially scheduled to run from August 7 to 24 but it has extended due to audience demand.

Details of the additional dates are yet to be announced.