ACTING

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
ARIELLE JACOBS IS IMELDA MARCOS

Arielle, a proud Fil-Am, has starred on Broadway as Princess Jasmine in Disney’s ALADDIN and in the hit musical WICKED, and she played Nina Rosario in the final cast of the four-time Tony and Grammy Award–winning musical IN THE HEIGHTS. She also originated the roles of Gabriella Montez in the original cast of Disney on Broadway’s HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, Jasmine in the original Australian cast of Disney’s ALADDIN, and Nina Rosario in the First National Tour of IN THE HEIGHTS. Most recently she starred Off-Broadway as Delilah McPhee in the original cast of BETWEEN THE LINES.

“Arielle Jacobs  is wondrous to behold. She plays the former first lady with an earnest conviction...What follows over the next one and a half hours is a jaw-dropping glow-up. Her voice becomes stronger, her blindness to the suffering of the people as thick as her furs and bouffant.”

— THE GUARDIAN

“Arielle Jacobs is a fierce and fearsome Imelda”

— THE DAILY BEAST

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
JOSE LLANA IS FERDINAND MARCOS

Jose returned to the role he created at The Public Theater (Lortel nomination, Best Actor). Broadway: THE KING AND I (LCT), THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, (Drama Desk Award), WONDERLAND, FLOWER DRUM SONG, RENT, STREET CORNER SYMPHONY, THE KING AND I(1996). Off-Broadway: SATURN RETURNS, ON THE TOWN, TWELFTH NIGHT. Born in Manila, Jose came to the U.S. with his parents, Florante and Regina, and his Ate Patricia to escape martial law. 

“Jose Llana is a vocal phenomenon.”

— THE WRAP

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
LEA SALONGA IS AURORA AQUINO

Multiple award-winning actress and singer Lea Salonga is renowned across the world for her powerful voice and perfect pitch. She is best known for her Tony Award-winning role in MISS SAIGON. In addition, she has won the Olivier, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Theatre World Awards.

“Lea Salonga, her luminous voice in remarkable form more than 30 years after ‘Miss Saigon.’”

— THE GUARDIAN

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
MELODY BUTIU IS ESTRELLA CAMPUS

Melody was honored to reprise her Lortel-nominated role of Estrella, which she originated at The Public Theater. She has performed on Broadway in DOCTOR ZHIVAGO and just appeared in the film EASTER SUNDAY, starring Jo Koy and other incredible Filipino-American artists. Her regional theater credits include Theatre Under the Stars (Houston), South Coast Repertory, Geva Theatre Center, Arena Stage, Denver Center, Wallis Annenberg, Huntington Theatre, Geffen Playhouse, ACT (San Francisco), and East West Players. TV: “CALL ME KAT,” “MOM,” “THIS IS US,” “NCIS,” “THE KOMINSKY METHOD.”

“Butiu devastatingly delivers her numbers to the rafters and then some”

— THEATERMANIA

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
CONRAD RICAMORA IS NINOY AQUINO

TV: Six seasons opposite Viola Davis in “How to Get Away With Murder” (Oliver), recurring role on “The Resident.” Film: Fire Island, Over the Moon, Talladega Nights, The Light of the Moon, Raising Christopher (writer/producer/actor). Broadway: The King and I (Lincoln Center, Grammy Nomination). Off-Broadway: Little Shop of Horrors, Here Lies Love (Public Theater; Theatre World Award, Lortel nomination), Soft Power (Public Theater; Drama Desk, Lortel, Grammy nominations). Regional: Soft Power (Ahmanson Theatre); Tartuffe, Woyzeck, Fuddy Mears (Clarence Brown Theatre); Romeo and Juliet, Richard III, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Utah Shakespeare Festival); The Taming of the Shrew (North Carolina Shakespeare Festival). Education: MFA, University of Tennessee; Film Actors Studio of Charlotte. Awards: 2016 Human Rights Campaign Visibility Award and 2017 Equality California Award

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
MOSES VILLARAMA AS THE DJ

Moses made his Broadway debut with HERE LIES LOVE. Most recently he was in CAMBODIAN ROCK BAND at Signature Theatre, Berkeley Rep, The Alley, La Jolla Playhouse, and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, where he was a company member for five years. His Off-Broadway credits include CHAIRS AND A LONG TABLE (Ma-Yi Theatre Company), FAST COMPANY (Ensemble Studio Theatre), and SONIC LIFE OF A GIANT TORTOISE (The Play Company). MFA, National Theatre Conservatory.

BEST ACTress IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
jasmine forsberg as maria luisa

Jasmine made her Broadway debut with HERE LIES LOVE! First National Tour: SIX (Jane Seymour). Off-Broadway: BROADWAY BOUNTY HUNTER. Regional: LOVE IN HATE NATION (Two River Theater, World Premiere), A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING (Goodspeed), WILD FIRE (Denver Center). TV: “ONE DECEMBER NIGHT” (Hallmark). BFA, Penn State.