Joan Almedilla is returns to the Broadway National Tour of Les Miserables having played the role of Fantine. She recently had the priviledge of reciting two poems "Wonderment" and "A Hill In The Land Of Moriah" composed by Pope John Paul II at the United Nations in New York City. Among the attendees were Koffi Annan (Secretary-General of the United Nations) and Cardinal Egan (Cardinal of New York.) Joan is also working on her CD inspired by two of her favorite bands, U2 and Led Zepellin. As a child, Joan enjoyed competing in many talent contests in her hometown and won several awards including Grand Prize for the 1991 Cebu Popular Music Festival.

When she moved to the United States in 1993, she competed at Amateur Nights At The Apollo at the world famous Apollo Theater in Harlem. Joan's career took-off when she landed the role of Kim in the Broadway production of Miss Saigon. She then moved on to portray the role of Fantine in the Third National Tour of Les Miserables. Her other credits: Soul Girl and Mary on the National Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar; and Songs For A New World at the Rubicon Theater which has been nominated for several Ovation Awards including best Ensemble Cast.

She is described by her family as a woman of faith, strength and laughter. She loves to spend her quiet time either in her hotel room or in the deserts of Joshua Tree (Southern California.) Joan is drawn to all things spiritual.