Lea Salonga is performer, producer in Here Lies Love on Broadway
The producers of the groundbreaking musical from the minds of Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award winner David Byrne (concept, music and lyrics) and Grammy Award winner Fatboy Slim (music), have announced that Tony and Olivier Award winner Lea Salonga will join the show’s Broadway cast for a special guest engagement this summer.
Lea, who is also joining the producing team of Here Lies Love, will appear in the show for five weeks from July 11 through Aug. 13. She will perform Just Ask The Flowers, sung by the character of Aurora Aquino, the 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 Lea will serve as a producer on a Broadway show. Here Lies Love also marks the first time she will play a Filipino role on the Broadway stage.
Lea 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 on June 17 ahead of an official opening night on July 20.
In a statement, Lea said, “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.”
As previously announced, the cast of Here Lies Love will also include 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-plus actors.