David Byrne and Fat Boy Slim’s award-winning musical Here Lies Love is currently running on Broadway in New York. Last month, fans of the duo were able to attend an exclusive preview of the show.
This powerful story tells the true tale of Imelda Marcos, wife of Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who was the country’s “first lady” from 1965 to 1986. An all-Filipino cast, vibrant and ever-shifting stage design, and modern sound technology help bring the biography to life.
The Broadway Theatre, home to the musical, has been aptly transformed into a retro club, with the orchestra replaced by 900 standing-room-only nightclub-goers under a towering mirror ball and fuschia neon lights. Marcos was known to party hard with celebrities at Studio 54, and could often be found dancing with the likes of Andy Warhol.
The actors intermingle with the audience, shaking their hands and even dancing with them at times. L-Acoustics’ L-ISA spatial sound system is used to create an immersive sonic experience, with over 220 speakers used to convey the emotions, drama, and rock-pop theatrics of the musical.
The show has been a hit off-Broadway since Byrne first debuted it a decade ago, and has been performed at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art in 2012, New York’s Public Theater in 2013, London’s National Theater in 2014, and the Seattle Repertory Theater in 2017.
Lyrics written by Byrne are created from actual quotes of Imelda Marcos, including the title of the album and show. Nonesuch Records recently announced the first vinyl release of Here Lies Love, which will include newly written liner notes and Byrne’s illustrations of the story, as well as archival photos. In the album introduction, Byrne reveals what drew him to the project, as well as the challenges he faced in bringing it to life.
Here Lies Love is a unique show that blends audience and performers together, and is sure to leave a lasting impression.
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