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Broadway Barkada Ignites the Stage with Filipino Stories at Baruch Performing Arts Center
March 29 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
NEW YORK CITY – Filipino excellence takes center stage this Saturday as Broadway Barkada returns with a bold new concert at the Baruch Performing Arts Center, part of Prospect Musicals’ IGNITE Festival. The event will showcase six powerful new musicals written by Filipino and Filipino American artists—each one a celebration of culture, community, and identity.
Founded in 2009 by Filipino performers working on Broadway, Broadway Barkada (Tagalog for “a close-knit group of friends”) has become a vital platform for underrepresented voices in American theater. Their upcoming concert on Saturday, March 29 at 7:30 PM promises a dynamic and heartfelt evening of storytelling through song.
The show features selections from six original musicals, each offering a unique lens on the Filipino experience—whether rooted in history, immigration, folklore, or personal truth:
• Prison Dancer by Romeo Candido & Carmen De Jesus – Inspired by the viral dancing inmates of Cebu, this piece weaves energy and commentary into an unforgettable narrative. Candido is an award-winning filmmaker and composer, while De Jesus brings a voice shaped by her work as a librettist and educator.
• Larry, the Musical by Sean Kana, Bryan Pangilinan & Gayle Romasanta – A stirring tribute to Filipino American labor icon Larry Itliong. Romasanta is a published author and advocate; Kana and Pangilinan contribute rich experience from West Coast theater.
• Dear America by Paulo K Tiról – A moving work based on letters from young immigrants. Tiról, a Berklee-trained composer, explores the complexity of identity, longing, and family separation.
• Death of the Pastores by Laura Dadap & J. Oconer Navarro – A haunting, musically intricate reflection on tradition, told through the lens of Filipino religious rituals. Known for blending choral traditions with modern musicality, this duo brings deep artistry to their work.
• There Were Lights by Albert Guerzon & Christian Almiron – A contemporary exploration of diaspora and memory. Guerzon and Almiron, both veterans of the New York stage, infuse their piece with heartfelt emotion and nuanced storytelling.
• Performing Filipina by Lianah Sta. Ana – An autobiographical coming-of-age musical by rising Broadway star Lianah Sta. Ana, best known for playing Kim in Miss Saigon. Her work explores life as a young Pinay navigating the spotlight and self-discovery.
“The stories we’re telling are personal, but they’re also universal,” said a cast member. “There’s joy, pain, history, and hope—all woven into melodies that reflect who we are as a people.”
Whether you’re a longtime supporter of Filipino theater or simply curious to discover stories that move and inspire, this is an event not to be missed. Broadway Barkada’s return to the stage reminds us all: our stories don’t just belong—they deserve the spotlight.
EVENT DETAILS
What: Broadway Barkada in Concert – IGNITE Festival
When: Saturday, March 29, 2025 | 7:30 PM
Where: Baruch Performing Arts Center, 55 Lexington Avenue, NYC
(Entrance on East 25th St between Lexington & 3rd Aves)
Tickets: $39 (General), $59 (Premium)
Info & Reservations: www.prospectmusicals.org
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