Tony and Olivier Award-winner Lea Salonga will make a guest appearance in the Broadway musical “Here Lies Love” by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim.
Salonga’s appearance marks two firsts for the actor: her Broadway producer debut and her first Filipino role on the Broadway stage.
She will perform the song “Just Ask the Flowers” as Aurora Aquino, the mother of Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino. Ninoy’s assassination was the trigger that sparked the People Power Revolution, leading to the downfall of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos.
Salonga will appear during a five-week run from July 11 to Aug. 13.
The role will also mark the actor’s return to the Broadway Theater, where she originally made her 1991 Broadway debut for her Tony award winning performance as Kim in “Miss Saigon.”
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.
Show director Alex Timbers expressed his excitement at having Salonga join the production:
“Having Lea join the Here Lies Love family is a pinch-me moment for all of us,” he said. “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 added:
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.
Following Salonga’s stint in the production, guest stars from the Philippines will preside over the role.
Jose Llana and Conrad Ricamora have already been announced as cast members, but an international casting search is underway for more actors to join the project.
An immersive musical with music and lyrics from Byrne and Fatboy Slim, “Here Lies Love” will begin their show on June 17, with an official opening night on July 20.
