PhotosPHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Power to the Pinoys! Days of Disco (A History) With Here Lies Love's MC OliverasHere Lies Love cast member Maria-Christina Oliveras was a part of the show for its initial workshops in 2011 and has been along for the ride ever since. As the New York party draws toward an end, she shares these exclusive photos, personal anecdotes and fun facts with Playbill.com!
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Matthew Blank
December 04, 2014
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PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Power to the Pinoys! Days of Disco (A History) With Here Lies Love's MC Oliveras
PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Power to the Pinoys! Days of Disco (A History) With Here Lies Love's MC Oliveras
Here Lies Love cast member Maria-Christina Oliveras was a part of the show for its initial workshops in 2011 and has been along for the ride ever since. As the New York party draws toward an end, she shares these exclusive photos, personal anecdotes and fun facts with Playbill.com!
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Welcome! Thrilled to be sharing this incredible journey with you.
Billy Bustamante
I’ve been a part of Here Lies Love for a very long time.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
This is what I looked like when we started.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
This is my current headshot. A hit on octogenarian-singles-plus.com, but alas, I digress…
To a world of Mythical Mic-Wielding FiliRican Minotaurs…
Maria-Christina Oliveras
You might want to run away, but have no fear…
Maria-Christina Oliveras
I am a recovering Catholic, named after Mary and Jesus, born Christmas Eve (MC=Merry Christmas), so…
Maria-Christina Oliveras
I will be gentle-ISH!
(Check out the ultimate Renaissance man, Billy Bustamante’s other fantastic photographs at www.billybphotography.com.)
Maria-Christina Oliveras
It all started in a tiny room at NYU in June 2011 with some of these fine folks. We workshopped a couple of songs, including three that never made the final version. We also discovered that tossing rice in the air is not the ideal choice after a number where folks are sweating profusely—it really does stick.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
I was initially cast as Remedios, Imelda’s mother, and had a song called “Precious Little Children” also known as “How to do Die Gracefully-ish While Singing.” It was an ominous death bed number, where I literally sang the character’s last breath on stage. Experimenting with how to do this was great fun: Stroke? Consumption? Apoplexy? Blow dart?
Maria-Christina Oliveras
Remedios died onstage and off, as she was subsequently cut a year later, days before our presentation up at Williamstown. However, we didn’t know about her unfortunate demise then, so here we are celebrating after the first workshop.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
Fun Fact-We Filipinos love and throw a good party. Imelda Marcos had a disco ball installed in her New York townhouse, which served as a source of inspiration for David.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
In October 2011, we got the green light for another workshop, this time at P.S. 122. In essence, we did the curtailed version of what would become the first 2/3 of the show.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
We experimented with some video, and our very first, very large moving platform.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
We also tried handing out ballots and pencils for the election, and tossing confetti, every stage managers’ dream…subsequently cut. I also personally explored an exorcism of sorts during “Fabulous One”…subsequently cut.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
Some absolutely thrilling moments of conception in this room. “Star and Slave” was first composed and staged here, and brought to life by Ruthie Ann (pictured l.) for the very first time.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
We weren’t sure what we had, but like Imelda, we knew it was for love.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
Fun Fact: If you are Asian (or Asian-ish) and you want some validation, stand outside the theater after one of our shows. You will be congratulated!
Maria-Christina Oliveras
Cut to May 2012 for rehearsals at 42nd Street Studios of Williamstown Theater Festival presentation.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
One morning, I walked into the studio while David was singing and composing “Fabulous One” for the first time—classic Talking Heads, and I thought, “wow, he is such a rock star.” Then, I thought, “wow, he literally is a rock star.” Mind-boggling. Humbling.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
Admittedly, though, my first conversation with him was about a New York Times article he wrote on biking, as, ignorantly, I did not know the breadth of his genius. I grew up in a little village called the Bronx, and he wasn’t on the playlist. My parents rocked out to Neil Diamond and Perry Cuomo.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
Summertime in the Berkshires was amazing, and it was great to be away from the city, completely immersed in developing and rehearsing without distraction.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
MASS MoCA: Our home for the Williamstown Theatre Festival workshop.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
Filipino Potluck. Fun Fact: We Filipinos love our food. Bring on the lumpias, pancit and chicken adobo.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
In North Adams, we were able to get a better sense of how the sound, video, projections, set and lighting worked within this new vocabulary we were creating, and got some great feedback on the storytelling of the piece.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
It was a sold out run, so we really got to explore how to immerse and literally move the audience around, also known as “please stand clear of the moving platform.”
Maria-Christina Oliveras
During tech at Mass MoCA, we had a fire drill and had to evacuate the building—foreshadowed many more to come during our run at the Public a year later.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
We learned a lot from this workshop and we had a wonderful time up there. Some things that got the ax: serving edibles such as mini cupcakes and champagne.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
On March 1st, 2013, we started rehearsals for our first full run at the Public Theater, which would serve to be our home.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
During previews, David personally made us salabat, fresh ginger tea, to help keep us in top shape. He is truly one of the kindest, most generous collaborators I have ever had the privilege to work with.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
It takes a village…
Maria-Christina Oliveras
But we made it!
Maria-Christina Oliveras
Opening Night. April 23rd, 2013.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
Guapo Naman!!!
Maria-Christina Oliveras
I first met this honorary Pinoy, our fearless director, Alex Timbers (rockin’ the barong), when we were undergrads at Yale. I played Sylvia in a production of the Guare/McDermott version of Two Gentlemen of Verona, which he produced. We made national headlines!!!...Our set collapsed.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
Buzz for the show was so great, we had two opening nights. Janelle and I celebrate Family and Friends’ Opening Night at the Library-April 21, 2013.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
Cast Recording! As I recall, most of us were passing around and fighting the plague when we recorded…
Maria-Christina Oliveras
…but with lots of salabat and perhaps a few steroids, we did it. I know CD’s have gone the way of papyrus and walkmans, but the actual CD booklet is really beautiful, if you’re one of those archaic old schoolers like me who still has a CD boom box. We also have a mega mix CD where all proceeds go to the Gawad Kalinga Organization. Check out info on both at www.herelieslove.com.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
Lots of fun stuff transpired through our first run…
Maria-Christina Oliveras
Fire Alarm Evacuations…
Maria-Christina Oliveras
Performing at the Obies…
Maria-Christina Oliveras
Shooting a cool trailer…
Maria-Christina Oliveras
Kapihans, and engaging a dialogue with a number of Filipino organizations…
Maria-Christina Oliveras
Fun Fact: Imelda, the Steel Butterfly, had a retinue of ladies who partied and followed her throughout her days of disco. They became known as the “Blue Ladies.” Renee and I served as these ladies-in-waiting, clothed in stunning butterfly-sleeved dresses, courtesy of our genius costume designer, Clint Ramos.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
Many celebrities came throughout our run and were gracious enough to pose on our “step and repeat,” also known as “in front of our vending machines in the basement.”
Maria-Christina Oliveras
Corky’s Mom/Evita, also known as Patti LuPone, was a personal favorite.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
Joan Rivers was another highlight. She came shortly before her untimely death, and was a class act—so generous and kind. RIP.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
The ladies even got to sing at Gracie Mansion (while also re-living our First Communions and Confirmations).
Maria-Christina Oliveras
Gate of Gracie Mansion: I offered to sing, “Men Will Do Anything” in honor of Spitzer, but Bloomberg wasn’t too fond of the idea. I’m adding it to my soon to be released album, "Strong but Wrong? or Too Soon?" Follow me on twitter @mcoliveras for details on its release and so much more.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
Speaking of following, do you know this lady? Meet Lorna Gonzales, the brilliant counterpart to our resident Canadian import, Jeigh Madjus. I fear the day I see her in an audition waiting room. http://youtu.be/HXTF52I7W1k
Maria-Christina Oliveras
Toasting our 100th performance at the Public! After a record-breaking run and extending four times, we close at the Public, with hopes of a transfer. In the meantime, we get to…
Maria-Christina Oliveras
…celebrate Thanksgiving at David Byrne/Todomundo’s Turkey Mold Contest party.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
Perform a Benefit concert for victims of Typhoon Haiyan at Terminal Five.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
We raised over $100,000 for Doctors Without Borders.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
In March 2014, we found our way back to the Public. There is truly no place like this amazing home. Here we are, “first day of rehearsal.”
Maria-Christina Oliveras
Fun Fact: Every night of performances, Club Millennium employs 18 actors, 6 audience wranglers, 2 stage managers, 3 production assistants, 3 electricians, 1 carpenter, 1 Props Master, 1 Video Operator, 3 Sound Personnel, 4 Wardrobe goddesses/gods, 2 nippa hut workers, and 7 front of house staff.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
We officially re-opened on May 1, 2014.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
Maria-Christina Oliveras
It has been my honor and pleasure to traverse these waters from the beginning with our inimitable Marcos duo, Ruthie Ann Miles and Jose Llana…
Maria-Christina Oliveras
and this lady, Janelle Velasquez.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
After almost 300 performances this year alone, the NYC production will close on January 4, 2015.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
But do not fret, Here Lies Love is taking the world by storm. Across the pond, it is completely sold out at the National Theatre in London. And stay tuned for Here Lies Love in the Land Down Under, launching in Australia in Spring 2015.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
Thank you for coming along this epic journey with me. It was utterly delicious to share (as were these cupcakes modeled on our “Dancin’ Together” characters, made by the lovely Genavieve White. Check out her designs at www.candydrip.com.)
Maria-Christina Oliveras
Here clearly laid my love, and I am so grateful to have been a part of this. It's experiences like these, with all its requisite agonies and ecstasies, that make this crazy journey called life palatable and even sweet. God does indeed draw straight, but with crooked lines.
Maria-Christina Oliveras
Happiest of Holidays to you and yours, and wishing you health, peace, love and joy in all your years. MABUHAY!!!!
Oliveras' current projects include Hatuey, a new musical by Frank London and Elise Thoron, directed by Leigh Silverman, at Sundance MassMoCA, and the upcoming indie feature, "Manhattan Nocturne," starring Adrian Brody, slated for 2015 release. She was last seen on Broadway in the Roundabout Theater Company’s production of Machinal, starring Rebecca Hall, directed by Lyndsey Turner and previously made her Broadway debut in Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson.
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The initial Public Theater production began performances on April 2, 2013 and ended its four-time extended run July 28, 2013. The current production began performances again at The Public on April 14, 2014 with an official opening date of May 1. It will end its engagement January 3, 2015. The musical also opened Oct. 13 in London at the new Dorfman Theatre, under the auspices of the National Theatre.
Though the New York run will come to an end, according to press notes, "plans are underway, with casting this month, for the Australian premiere as the centerpiece of the Vivid Sydney Festival in May 2015 as well as a US national touring production which will begin in San Francisco. Performances of the show are also projected for South America, South Korea, Singapore, Japan and even the Phillipines."
Tony nominee Alex Timbers (Rocky, Peter and the Starcatcher) stages the 90-minute, immersive musical, which centers around the First Lady of the Philippines. The original Public Theater production of Here Lies Love was critically acclaimed and extended four times during its initial run.
Set within a dance-club atmosphere, theatregoers stand and move with the actors for the duration of the show. Here Lies Love has music by David Byrne of The Talking Heads and DJ Fatboy Slim, with lyrics by Byrne.
The new, open-ended commercial run is produced by Joey Parnes and Emursive (Randy Weiner, Arthur Karpati, Jonathan Hochwald).
The production received the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical; an Obie Award for Outstanding Music and Lyrics; Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Music, Lighting Design and Projection Design and Theatre World Awards for Ruthie Ann Miles (Imelda Marcos) and Conrad Ricamora (Aquino). It was recently nominated for a record 11 Lucille Lortel Awards.
According to the Public, "Within a pulsating dance club atmosphere, David Byrne and Fatboy Slim deconstruct the astonishing journey of Filipina First Lady Imelda Marcos retracing her meteoric rise from childhood to her subsequent descent into infamy and disgrace at the end of the People Power Revolution. Here Lies Love is neither a period piece nor a biography, neither a play nor a traditional musical but a wholly immersive theatrical event combining songs influenced by four decades of dance music, adrenaline-fueled choreography, and a remarkable 360-degree scenic and video environment to go beyond Imelda’s near-mythic obsession with shoes and explore the true tragic consequences of power and responsibility."
Here Lies Love has set design by David Korins, costume design by Clint Ramos, lighting design by Justin Townsend, sound design by M. L. Dogg and Cody Spencer, and projection design by Peter Nigrini. Annie-B Parson is choreographer.
Tickets range from $99-$139. For more info, visit herelieslove.com.
