Tony and Olivier winner Lea Salonga has extended her run in the Broadway run of Here Lies Love an extra week, and is now staying with the production through August 19. The David Byrne and Fatboy Slim immersive disco musical opened July 20 in the Broadway Theatre. Read the reviews here.
Salonga, playing Aurora Aquino, was originally slated for a limited guest engagement through August 13. Aurora is the mother of Ninoy Aquino (played in the show by Conrad Ricamora). Following her run, guest stars from the Philippines will take over the role.
Though Salonga has previously starred on Broadway in Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, Flower Drum Song, Allegiance, and Once On This Island, this is Salonga's first time playing a Filipino role on the Main Stem. The performance is also a homecoming for Salonga, who made her Broadway debut at The Broadway Theatre in 1991 as Éponine in Les Misérables shortly before starring in Miss Saigon in the same theatre. Here Lies Love is Salonga's first Broadway producing credit.
Here Lies Love is based on the real story of Filipino First Lady Imelda Marcos, whose husband Ferdinand Marcos was the 10th president of the Philippines and ruled as dictator for 20 years until 1986. The musical features a score by Grammy, Tony, and Oscar winner David Byrne and Grammy winner Fatboy Slim, with music by both, and concept and lyrics by Byrne.
Leading the cast is Arielle Jacobs as Imelda Marcos opposite Jose Llana as Ferdinand Marcos. Completing the leading trio is Conrad Ricamora as Ninoy Aquino, a Philippine senator who critiqued the Marcos family during its regime until his assassination in 1983. His murder sparked the People Power Revolution which resulted in the removal of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos from power. Both Llana and Ricamora reprise their performances from the musical's 2013 Off-Broadway run.
Returning to the project are original director Alex Timbers (Moulin Rouge) and choreographer Annie-B Parson. They are joined on the creative team by music director J. Oconer Navarro, Tony-nominated scenic designer David Korins, Tony-winning costume designer Clint Ramos, Tony-winning lighting designer Justin Townsend, sound designers M.L. Dogg and Cody Spencer, Tony-nominated projection designer Peter Nigrini, and cultural and community liaison Giselle “G” Töngi. Casting is by Tara Rubin, Xavier Rubiano, and Gail Quintos. Bobby Garcia served as casting consultant. General management will be by Foresight Theatrical. Tom Gandey and J Pardo have also contributed additional music for the production.
The immersive staging of the Here Lies Love transforms the Broadway Theatre into a disco dance club complete with a performance catwalk and "satellite stages." It also features 360-degree lighting and video screens as part of the design.