From its Broadway debut last July 2023, Here Lies Love captured the praise of the theatre district with its inclusion in Entertainment Weekly’s (EW) recap of the year’s best performances. The all-Filipino musical captured the fifth spot in the American digital publication list, commending its revolutionary approach in tackling an integral part of Philippine history.
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“Far from engaging in apologia,” Here Lies Love captures the Marcos regime in the 70s-80s, showcasing their rise to power through corruption and superficial celebrity.” From its playful display of history-centric themes intertwined with song, EW notes Here Lies Love’s relevance, managing “to feel ahead of its time” despite being produced off-Broadway 10 years ago. The original off-Broadway production eludes the “traditional” theatre setup, “rearranging the seating of the Broadway Theatre to make it feel more like both a dance club and a political arena, perfectly fitting” for its narrative.
EW also applauded the efforts of its leading cast members—Conrad Ricamora and Lea Salonga, through their “charismatic” portrayals of Ninoy Aquino and his mother Aurora, ushering a performance that is “never didactic” in its entirety.
The David Byrne and Fatboy Slim brainchild concluded its five-month run last November 26, 2023, following 33 previews and 149 regular performances due to low ticket sales. Despite its short-lived stint on Broadway, American theatre magazine Playbill reports its possible expansion in Australia and Japan.
