Lea Salonga to perform in the show for five weeks
Returns to the Broadway Theatre for the first time since her Broadway debut in Miss Saigon
Tony and Olivier Award-winning Lea Salonga is set to star in the Broadway transfer of musical Here Lies Love.
Here Lies Love will play the Broadway Theatre in New York, with previews from 17 June and an opening night on 20 July 2023.
The musical is penned by Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award-winner David Byrne, who created the concept and wrote the music and lyrics for the show, and Grammy Award-winner Fatboy Slim (music).
Lea Salonga will star in the show in a special guest engagement this summer, for five weeks from 11 July to 13 August 2023.
Lea is then slated to head to London, to star in Cameron Mackintosh’s new musical revue Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, a tribute show to the legendary composer, which also stars Broadway legend Bernadette Peters, and the UK’s Janie Dee, Bonnie Langford and Joanna Riding. Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends runs at the Gielgud Theatre in London from 16 September 2023.
In Here Lies Love, she will perform “Just Ask The Flowers,” sung by the character of Aurora Aquino – mother of Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, whose assassination ignited the People Power Revolution that ousted Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos from power.
After her five-week run, guest stars from the Philippines will take over the role, showcasing the abundance of talent from her native country.
This production marks the first time Salonga will serve as a producer on a Broadway show; Here Lies Love also marks the first time Salonga will play a Filipino role on the Broadway stage.
Salonga returns to the Broadway Theatre with Here Lies Love after making her Broadway debut there in 1991, winning the Tony Award for her portrayal of Kim in Miss Saigon at age 20.
Here Lies Love, which tells the story of former Filipina First Lady Imelda Marcos’ rise to power and subsequent fall at the hands of the Philippine People Power Revolution, will begin performances Saturday, June 17 ahead of an official opening night on Thursday, July 20.
Lea Salonga said in a press statement: “I’m so excited to be joining Here Lies Love as both a performer and producer! As an audience member that stood on the dance floor at the National Theatre in London where Here Lies Love ran in 2014, I knew I wanted to be part of it if and when it ever came to Broadway. Now here we are, and at the theater in which I made my Broadway debut! I’m thrilled to be part of this show, as well as part of a company comprised of an abundance of Filipino talent, a first in Broadway history! We’re showing the world what we’re capable of!”
Director Alex Timbers said: “Having Lea join the Here Lies Love family is a pinch-me moment for all of us. I can’t wait to get in the rehearsal room with her and the other talented artists working on this show.”
Producer and costume designer Clint Ramos said: “Lea Salonga has singularly secured a place for Filipinos on the Broadway stage. That she joins us as both performer and producer, where she creates a pipeline for Filipina actresses, is profoundly historic. Lea continues to be a beacon of light and source of pride for the Philippines. We are thrilled to welcome her to Here Lies Love.”
The cast of Here Lies Love also includes Jose Llana (The King and I, The 25th Annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee) and Conrad Ricamora (“How to Get Away with Murder,” The King and I, Soft Power – Grammy nominations). An international casting search is underway for the remaining company of 20+ actors.
Developed & directed by Tony Award winner Alex Timbers, with choreography by Olivier Award nominee Annie-B Parson and additional music byTom Gandey and J Pardo, the show’s home at the Broadway Theatre (1681 Broadway at 53rd Street) will be transformed into a dance club where the audience is immersed in the story.
