Experience the Immersive Drama of ‘Here Lies Love’ at the Mark Taper Forum
Joan Almedilla Returns to Iconic Role in “Here Lies Love”
Filipino performer Joan Almedilla is once again stepping into the spotlight for the musical “Here Lies Love,” this time portraying Aurora Aquino, the mother of prominent Philippine opposition leader Ninoy Aquino. The production, directed by Center Theatre Group Artistic Director Snehal Desai, begins previews on February 11 at the Mark Taper Forum in Downtown Los Angeles.
Almedilla’s connection to this work is deeply personal. Having been born in 1973 during the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos, she recalls her childhood amidst the powerful couple’s rule. In 2007, she first took the stage as Imelda Marcos at Carnegie Hall, where she shared the spotlight with David Byrne and actor Ganda Suthivarakom. Now, she returns to this groundbreaking musical, which explores the rise and fall of Imelda Marcos set against a backdrop of disco music.
“Here Lies Love” has garnered significant acclaim, making its Broadway debut in 2023 and receiving four Tony nominations, including Best Original Score by Byrne and Fatboy Slim.
Reflecting on her initial audition, Almedilla expressed her fascination with Byrne’s unconventional approach to musical theater. “At that time, you had the experience of watching ‘Rent,’ which was like rock,” she said. “This music is mind-bending, like your mind is like ‘this is not what I’m used to.’”
Before establishing herself in Los Angeles, Almedilla enjoyed a successful career after being discovered while singing at the Apollo Theater, just a year after emigrating from the Philippines. She broke barriers as the first Asian actor to play Fantine in the North American tour of “Les Misérables.” More recently, she has been a familiar face at East West Players in Downtown Los Angeles.
The narrative of “Here Lies Love” resonates strongly with Almedilla, as she was only nine years old when Ninoy Aquino was assassinated in 1983. “Every day, it’s like this is the chunk of my childhood that was so important to me,” she shared. “I wasn’t looking for this missing puzzle in my life, but it’s such an important part of my past.”
Chris Renfro, who plays Ferdinand Marcos, echoed similar sentiments about the importance of representation. “As a Filipino person, there aren’t a lot of explicitly written roles for Filipino people in theater or TV,” he remarked. Renfro has been eager to engage with this project, having previously auditioned for the Broadway version.
Under Desai’s guidance, the production has shifted from its prior disco setting to a more underground warehouse party atmosphere, reminiscent of traditional Filipino variety shows.
Choreographer William Carlos Angulo noted the fresh approach taken for this rendition. “We are effectively treating this production like a new world premiere,” he explained. In preparing for the musical, Angulo explored historical narratives from Imelda Marcos’s life, forging a new perspective on the story’s presentation.
Almedilla, Renfro, and Angulo emphasized the relevance of “Here Lies Love” in today’s socio-political context. “It’s telling a story through pop music and disco to relive what happened,” Almedilla stated, inviting audiences from both the Filipino community and beyond to engage with the material.
The musical runs at the Mark Taper Forum from February 11 to March 22, with tickets available starting at $40.25. For more information, interested attendees can call 213-628-2772.
