"Here Lies Love" Opens at Taper
David Byrne's disco musical "Here Lies Love" opens February 18 at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles, featuring Chris Renfro, Reanne Acasio, Joan Almedilla, and Joshua Dela Cruz. The immersive production tells the story of Imelda Marcos through dance and staging, marking a significant West Coast debut for the acclaimed Broadway export.
- The musical originated as a 2010 concept album by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim before being staged as a musical. It premiered off-Broadway at The Public Theater in 2013, where it won five Lucille Lortel Awards. - The Mark Taper Forum production is the first new staging of the show since its Broadway run in 2023 and is directed by Center Theatre Group's Artistic Director Snehal Desai. This version is described as a "bold, reimagined production" tailored for Los Angeles, which is home to the largest Filipino community outside of the Philippines. - The production has faced criticism for its disco and celebratory atmosphere while depicting the brutal regime of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos, which was marked by corruption and violence. Producers have responded by emphasizing the show's anti-Marcos and pro-Filipino stance, viewing it as a cautionary tale about the dangers of disinformation. - Joshua Dela Cruz, who plays political rival Ninoy Aquino, is widely known as the host of the Nickelodeon children's show "Blue's Clues & You!". He was also involved in early workshops of "Here Lies Love" and was part of the off-Broadway production. - Joan Almedilla, who portrays Aurora Aquino, previously played the role of Imelda Marcos in a 2007 concert version of "Here Lies Love" at Carnegie Hall. She has also starred on Broadway as Kim in "Miss Saigon" and was the first Filipino actor to play Fantine in "Les Misérables" on a national tour. - Reanne Acasio, playing Imelda Marcos, was an understudy for the same role during the show's 2023 Broadway run. Her previous credits include the national tour of "Hamilton." Chris Renfro, who plays Ferdinand Marcos, has appeared in the TV series "Queer as Folk" and is the Artistic Director of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in Los Angeles. - The Mark Taper Forum, which opened in 1967, has a history of debuting significant and sometimes provocative plays, including the world premieres of "Angels in America" and "Children of a Lesser God." It received a special Tony Award for theatrical excellence in 1977. - The Broadway production of "Here Lies Love" received four Tony Award nominations in 2024, including Best Original Score, Best Scenic Design, Best Sound Design, and Best Choreography.
