‘Here Lies Love’ to open on Broadway summer

“Here Lies Love,” the musical about the rise and fall of former First Lady of the Philippines Imelda Marcos, will open on Broadway this summer.

Previews will begin on June 17 ahead of an official opening night on July 20 at the Broadway Theatre. The show first premiered Off-Broadway at The Public Theater in 2013 and won an Obie Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, two Drama Desk Awards and five Lucille Lortel Awards.

As was the case at the Public, “Here Lies Love” will offer a semi-immersive experience. According to press notes, the Broadway Theatre “will transform the venue’s traditional proscenium floor space into a dance club environment, where audiences will stand and move with the actors.” Standing and seated tickets will be available “throughout the theater’s reconstructed space.” Additional details will be announced.

Tony Award winner Alex Timbers will direct. He will be joined by choreographer Olivier winner Annie-B Parson. The musical’s concept and lyrics are by Tony, Oscar and Grammy winner David Byrne with music by Byrne and Grammy winner Fatboy Slim. Additional music is by Tom Gandey and J Pardo.

Other members of the creative team will include Tony-winning scenic designer David Korins, Tony-winning costume designer Clint Ramos, Tony-winning lighting designer Justin Townsend, sound designers M.L. Dogg and Cody Spencer and Tony-nominated projection designer Peter Nigrini. Casting will be by Tara Rubin, Xavier Rubiano and Gail Quintos with general management by Foresight Theatrical. Giselle “G” Töngi will serve as the show’s cultural and community liaison.

A casting announcement is expected at a later date.

The musical returned to The Public in 2014, the year in which it also debuted at London’s Royal National Theatre, earning multiple Olivier nominations. The most recent production took place at Seattle Repertory Theatre in 2017.

In a statement, producers said, “As a team of binational American producers — Filipinos among us — we are thrilled to bring ‘Here Lies Love’ to Broadway! We welcome everyone to experience this singularly exuberant piece of theater. The history of the Philippines is inseparable from the history of the United States, and as both evolve, we cannot think of a more appropriate time to stage this show.”

“Here Lies Love” is produced on Broadway by Hal Luftig, Patrick Catullo, Diana DiMenna for Plate Spinner Productions, Clint Ramos and Jose Antonio Vargas.