Broadway star and Filipino icon Lea Salonga has returned to the theater where her Broadway journey began, marking a historic first in her career: playing a Filipino character in an all-Filipino cast. The groundbreaking production, “Here Lies Love,” also features a majority-Filipino production team including H.E.R., Jo Koy, and Black Eyed Peas’ Apl.de. Ap.
Despite her remarkable achievement in 1991, where she claimed a Tony Award as the lead in “Miss Saigon” on the same stage, Salonga admits she could never have anticipated a Filipino-centric production to come to fruition.
“Here Lies Love,” scheduled to premiere on July 20, is a hard-hitting musical narrative chronicling the dictatorship of Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos in the 1970s and ’80s and the subsequent People Power Revolution movement. Despite the play’s controversial content, Salonga asserts the story spotlights the sacrifices made by anti-Marcos leaders, thus providing essential historical insight.
Salonga’s co-star, Jose Llana, echoes this sentiment, maintaining that the show is not glorifying the Marcos regime, but rather emphasizing the importance of remembering and discussing historical events. As Salonga plays Ninoy Aquino’s mother, Aurora, and Llana portrays the dictator himself, the cast, including Arielle Jacobs as the first lady, Imelda Marcos, acknowledges the significance of their roles in retelling a pivotal part of the Philippines’ past.
Playing in a groundbreaking Filipino production, Salonga also steps into the role of producer for the first time, adding another dimension to her illustrious career. With the rise of Filipino representation in American entertainment, from Jo Koy’s “Easter Sunday” to Sesame Street’s first Filipino Muppet, “Here Lies Love” represents a significant step forward in the celebration of Filipino identity and culture.
Reflecting on this wave of Filipino representation, Salonga considers it a “fantastic” moment of synergistic success for her homeland, colonized throughout history by Spain, Japan, and the US. The Broadway veteran sees this as the universe’s affirmation of Filipino talent, allowing the community to embrace its roots and heritage proudly. As Salonga steps back into the Broadway spotlight, she not only revives her own illustrious career but also champions the diverse voices of her Filipino community.
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