Vina Morales Will Play Limited Run in Broadway's Here Lies Love | Playbill

Broadway News Vina Morales Will Play Limited Run in Broadway's Here Lies Love

The Filipino actor will step into the part currently played by Tony winner Lea Salonga.

Vina Morales and Lea Salonga

Filipino actor Vina Morales will join the cast of the new David Byrne-Fatboy Slim Broadway musical Here Lies Love next month for a limited engagement.

Morales will succeed Tony winner Lea Salonga in the role of Aurora Aquino September 22-October 22. Salonga, who is also one of the show's producers, will play her final performance August 19. Cast member Reanne Acasio will step back in as the full-time Aurora in the interim. Here Lies Love is committed to featuring various guest stars from the Philippines in the role.

In a statement 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!”

Morales added, “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!”

Director Alex Timbers stated, “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."

Here Lies Love began previews June 17 and officially opened July 20.

The immersive disco musical is based on the real story of Filipino First Lady Imelda Marcos, whose husband Ferdinand Marcos was the 10th president of the Philippines and ruled as dictator for 20 years until 1986. The musical features a score by Grammy, Tony, and Oscar winner David Byrne and Grammy winner Fatboy Slim, with music by both, and concept and lyrics by Byrne. Read the reviews here.

Leading the cast is Arielle Jacobs as Imelda Marcos opposite Jose Llana as Ferdinand Marcos. Completing the leading trio is Conrad Ricamora as Ninoy Aquino, a Philippine senator who critiqued the Marcos family during its regime until his assassination in 1983. His murder sparked the People Power Revolution which resulted in the removal of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos from power. Both Llana and Ricamora reprise their performances from the musical's 2013 Off-Broadway run.

Tony and Olivier winner Salonga plays Aurora Aquino, Ninoy Aquino's mother, in a limited guest engagement through August 19. The all-Filipino cast, a first for Broadway, also includes Broadway alums Melody Butiu (Doctor Zhivago), Jaygee Macapugay (Shucked), Julia Abueva (KPOP), Aaron Alcaraz (Mean Girls), Kristina Doucette (Wicked), Jeigh Madjus (Moulin Rouge!), Geena Quintos (Miss Saigon), Shea Renne (Hadestown), and Angelo Soriano (Aladdin), as well as Moses Villarama, Jasmine Forsberg, Reanne Acasio, Renée Albulario, Carol Angeli, Nathan Angelo, Roy Flores, Timothy Matthew Flores, Sarah Kay, and Aaron "AJ" Mercado. For many, the show is personal as several of them and their families lived in the Philippines when the Marcos family was in power.

Returning to the project are original director Alex Timbers (Moulin Rouge) and choreographer Annie-B Parson. They are joined on the creative team by music director J. Oconer Navarro, Tony-nominated scenic designer David Korins, Tony-winning costume designer Clint Ramos, Tony-winning lighting designer Justin Townsend, sound designers M.L. Dogg and Cody Spencer, Tony-nominated projection designer Peter Nigrini, and cultural and community liaison Giselle “G” Töngi. Casting is by Tara Rubin, Xavier Rubiano, and Gail Quintos. Bobby Garcia served as casting consultant. General management will be by Foresight Theatrical. Tom Gandey and J Pardo have also contributed additional music for the production.

The immersive staging of the Here Lies Love transforms the Broadway Theatre into a disco dance club complete with a performance catwalk and "satellite stages." It also features 360-degree lighting and video screens as part of the design.

Check Out Photos of Broadway's Here Lies Love

 
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