Just the Beginning

The theatre circuit is all abuzz with the premiere of Here Lies Love, a musical which scores a few firsts on Broadway, especially an all-Filipino cast

- Chit L Lijauco

On one of her visits to the embalmed body of her husband, the former Philippine President Ferdinand A Marcos, former First Lady Imelda was reported to have expressed that she would like her epitaph to be “Here Lies Love”.

Very few would probably remember this utterance decades ago; but this summer season, it is easily the catchiest title on Broadway.

Here Lies Love, an immersive disco-pop musical about the rise and fall of Imelda, will open at the Broadway Theatre on July 20, but previews have started since June 17. It features music by Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award winner David Byrne and Grammy Award winner Fatboy Slim.

Although the creative team behind the musical is impressive enough (add Alex Timbers, multi-awarded director who also directed Moulin Rouge!The Musical and Beetlejuice, among others), Here Lies Love has been getting rave reviews since it began showing offBroadway in 2013 for its bold innovations that are interactive, immersive and inclusive.

A first on Broadway is the musical’s all-Filipino cast. The 23-member company is top billed by Arielle Jacobs who plays Imelda, Jose Llana playing Ferdinand Marcos, Conrad Ricamora as Ninoy, and Kristina Doucette as Cory. Lea Salonga joins the cast in a special guest engagement from July 11 to August 13, playing the role of Aurora Aquino.

Clint Ramos, awardwinning costume designer and one of two Filipinos in the lead producing team, calls it "a watershed moment" for Filipinos in theatre.