In Here Lies Love, David Byrne’s concept of doing a rockish musical about the life of Imelda Marcos––former First Lady of The Philippines and famous for her shoe collection––in the manner of a ‘60’s “Happening” with the audience being part of the interaction, is quite bold. Byrne’s collaboration with composer Fatboy Slim in the songs, which mix romantic pop ballads with blasting, pounding cacophony, is also all quite theatrical.
The leads, Jaygee Macapugay as Imelda, Jose Llana as Marco and Conrad Ricamora, are all excellent singers. In fact, all the cast members sing well, and the lovely women chorus members also add lyrical dance to the show. The theater itself at The Public has been restructured for this show. Designed by David Korins, the form is a large pit, with movable platforms that are performed on, and, high up, a balcony on two sides of the pit with a row of seats, Grotowski manner, with a railing one can peer over. Most of the audience stands in the pit for the 90-minute event, but they do get to see the cast up close and later to dance with them.
Throughout, there are historical projections, headlines of the show’s events in the 60’s, well-designed by Peter Negrini. Sound design by M.L. Dogg and Cody Spencer is fine, except for a couple of deafening blasts for War and for Storm.
Choreography by Annie B. Parson is erratic and quirky, costumes by Clint Ramos are just right and well-imagined with great style where appropriate, and include a bright, sequined sequence by the women. Spritely, zipping-around lighting by Justin Townsend is probably appropriate.
Some of what is happening and who is who is who is confusing. The love ballads work well, even though much of the verbiage is incomprehensible, and a couple of the songs are a bit embarrassing: “Just Ask the Flowers,” and “Why Don’t You Love Me” are too saccharine for me, and, in a coda, a young man with a guitar sings, with light drum accompaniment, and moves himself to tears.
Altogether, Here Lies Love is an interesting, unusual experience, directed with inventive flair by Alex Timbers--especially if you accept the ear-plugs they offer you.
Oh, and shoes are never mentioned in the show.
