Here Lies Love

 Here Lies Love
Broadway Theater
August 20, 2023 

Photo courtesy of Here Lies Love

It is not the story, but the telling of the story that makes for compelling theatre.  That being said, Here Lies Love is a truly unique theatrical event that must be experienced.  It is about the rise to power of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos in the Philippians.  The show contains no spoken dialogue.  The concept, music, and lyrics by David Byrne, music by Fatboy Slim, and additional music by Tom Gandy & José Luis Pardo ingeniously keep the narrative clear and fills the Broadway Theatre, which is unrecognizable.  The scenic design by David Korins takes over the entire space from the upper balcony to the orchestra pit.  Lighting design by Justin Townshend, sound design by M.L. Dogg & Cody Spencer, and projection design by Peter Nigrini complete the high tech effects that plunge the audience into the emotional turmoil of a political takeover, fully submerging them, and making this a powerful experience that is not to be missed.

Photo courtesy of Here Lies Love

The story line covers the past seventy-five years of the political history of the Philippians, with the central character being Imelda Marcos (played by Arielle Jacobs).  We first meet her as a naïve teenager with her close friend Estrella (played by Melody Butiu).  Imelda meets and dates a rising political figure, Ninoy Aquino (played by understudy Aaron Alcaraz).  After he breaks it off with her, she goes on to win a local beauty pageant.  She then moves to Manilla, where she catches the eye of Ferdinand Marcos (played by Jose Llana).  They wed before he is elected president of the Philippians.  Ninoy Aquino speaks against the Marcos’ excessive spending while the people of the Philippines live in poverty.  When it is revealed that Ferdinand Marcos has a child with movie actress Dovie Beams (played by Julia Abueva), Imelda’s popularity soars.  She declares her love and commitment to the people of the Philippines.  As protests demanding reform grow violent, Marcos declares Marital Law and Aquino is arrested.  He is later exiled to the United States, but decides to return to the Philippians after Marcos’ health crisis is announced.  Aquino is assassinated upon his return.  Thousands of people take to the streets.  After four days of peaceful protests, later called The People Power Revolution, Imelda and Ferdinand Marcos are airlifted out of the Philippians by the U.S. Marines.  

Photo courtesy of Here Lies Love

The most impactful and emotional moment of the show is the ending.  All the tech, lights, projections, and disco music is silenced.  The words of the people involved in The People Power Revolution is sung with an acoustic guitar.  One by one the cast enters to join the singing, no longer wearing glitzy outfits, but dressed as everyday citizens.  The power in that moment is riveting.  It is a relief, a breath of life after experiencing the ninety minutes of hype and excitement.  The message told and the value of the voices of the people fill the silenced theater with truth and compassion.  

Photo courtesy of Here Lies Love

Director Alex Timbers has orchestrated an outstanding cast and creative team of brilliant designers and theatre technicians to create an immersive experience like no other.  The audience is swept into a political upheaval, without realizing the emotional manipulation involved.  It is not until they awaken at the end, when all the hype falls away, that they are brought to their senses.  It is a brilliantly directed piece of theatre with an important message we all need to listen to. 

Here Lies Love is playing at the Broadway Theatre.  It is a one of a kind, not to be missed experience. 

Domenick Danza