Here Lies Love is heading to the Broadway Theatre this summer and initial casting has been announced. Jose Llana (The King and I, The 25th Annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee) and Grammy nominee Conrad Ricamora (How to Get Away with Murder, The King and I, Soft Power) will join the show’s company for the Broadway premiere, recreating their critically-acclaimed and Lucille Lortel Award-nominated performances from the original Off-Broadway production.
The musical, 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 Saturday, June 17, 2023, ahead of an official opening night on Thursday, July 20, 2023.
Jose Llana portrays Ferdinand Marcos, the tenth president of the Philippines whose 20-year dictatorship spanned 1965-1986. He was the husband of Imelda Marcos. He lived in exile in the United States until his death in 1989.
“This is a dream: to be a Filipino actor, playing a Filipino character, telling a crucial part of Filipino history, which is also part of American history. I’m honored to return to Here Lies Love,” said Llana in a statement. “We built a family creating this show 10 years ago, and now we get to do it again on Broadway. See you on the dance floor!”
Conrad Ricamora portrays Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, a Philippine senator, opposition leader and Marcoses’ primary critic. His assassination in 1983 ignited the People Power Revolution which finally ousted Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos from power.
“Working on Here Lies Love allowed me to embrace my Filipino heritage––all that Pinoy pride! This is a huge moment for increasing representation on stage, and I’m so excited and proud to bring this revolutionary show to Broadway,” said Ricamora.
Developed & directed by Tony Award winner Alex Timbers, with choreography by Olivier Award nominee Annie-B Parson and additional music by Tom Gandey and J Pardo, the show’s home at the Broadway Theatre will be transformed into a dance club where the audience is immersed in the story.
Further casting will be announced at a later date, with an international casting search is now underway for the remaining company of 20+ actors. Tickets for Here Lies Love will go on sale to the public on Monday, March 27, 2023.