The producers of Here Lies Love, the groundbreaking musical from David Byrne and Fatboy Slim, are pleased to announce the upcoming Broadway debut of popular Filipino actress Vina Morales, who will join the show performing as Aurora Aquino for a limited guest engagement from Friday, September 22 through Sunday, October 22 at the Broadway Theatre.
Morales steps into the role following Lea Salonga’s final performance as “Aurora Aquino” this Saturday, August 19. Salonga remains a key member of the show’s co-producing team. Cast member Reanne Acasio steps back in as the full-time Aurora Aquino in the interim.
As previously announced, Here Lies Love is committed to featuring various guest stars from the Philippines in the role of “Aurora Aquino,” showcasing the country’s abundance of talent. This production marked the first time Salonga played a Filipino role on the Broadway stage.
Lea Salonga said, “I am so excited to share the news that my friend Vina Morales will be joining our fabulous all-Filipino company in Here Lies Love! So talented and lovely, but most of all, so kind. She will be a wonderful addition to our cast!”
Vina Morales said, “To be able to perform on Broadway is a dream come true for any artist! I am grateful to “Coach Lea” Salonga for guiding me along the way. You’re the best, Lea! =) I am excited to be part of the Here Lies Love family and I can’t wait to perform for all of you!”
Alex Timbers said, “David Byrne and I were first introduced to Vina’s extraordinary talents over ten years ago in Manila, when we were casting Here Lies Love’s National Theatre production. It’s an exciting, full-circle moment to have her join us now on Broadway; and an honor to introduce her, in this show-stopping role, to our incredible audiences.”
From David Byrne (Academy Award, Grammy Award, and Tony Award winner) and Fatboy Slim (Grammy Award winner), Here Lies Love is “a truly fabulous piece of visual theater with a soundscape more beautiful, more exciting and more surprising than any score on Broadway” (Chicago Tribune). This revolutionary new musical about former Filipina First Lady Imelda Marcos’ astonishing rise to power and subsequent fall at the hands of the Philippine People Power Revolution, has been hailed as “a political chiller that’s also a red-hot adrenaline rush” (Ben Brantley) “that makes you believe you could dance all night” (The Washington Post).
Developed and directed by Alex Timbers (Tony Award winner) and choreographed by Annie-B Parson (Olivier Award nominee), Here Lies Love is a “roof-raising, disco-infused extravaganza that turns the theatre into a dance floor with thrilling results” (The Guardian). Following sold-out, critically acclaimed runs at The Public Theater, London’s National Theatre, and Seattle Rep, “Here Lies love is the most entertaining new show on Broadway right now” (ABC7). Ticket buyers can experience this “undeniably enjoyable show” (New York Post) in two ways: seated or standing immersed within the action.
The show features the first all-Filipino cast to perform on Broadway: Arielle Jacobs (In The Heights, Aladdin, Between The Lines) as Imelda Marcos, Jose Llana (The King and I, The 25th Annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee) as Ferdinand Marcos, Conrad Ricamora (“How to Get Away with Murder,” The King and I, Soft Power – Grammy nominations) as Ninoy Aquino, Aaron J. Albano, Melody Butiu, Moses Villarama, Jasmine Forsberg, Reanne Acasio, Jaygee Macapugay, Julia Abueva, Renée Albulario, Aaron Alcaraz, Carol Angeli, Nathan Angelo, Kristina Doucette, Roy Flores, Timothy Matthew Flores, Sarah Kay, Jeigh Madjus, Aaron “AJ” Mercado, Geena Quintos, Shea Renne, Angelo Soriano, and Danielle Troiano.