David Byrne's 'Here Lies Love' Musical Brings Imelda Marcos' Story to L.A.'s Taper

The acclaimed dance musical about the Philippines' former first lady opens in a new production that aims to connect with the local Filipino community.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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David Byrne's acclaimed musical 'Here Lies Love,' which tells the story of former Philippines first lady Imelda Marcos, is opening at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. The production, directed by Snehal Desai, features a predominantly Filipino creative team and cast, and aims to resonate with the large Filipino community in the city. While the immersive staging of previous productions is scaled back for the Taper's more traditional proscenium setup, the show's exploration of power, populism, and the parallels between the Marcos regime and contemporary politics remain potent.

Why it matters

As the Marcos family has regained power in the Philippines, 'Here Lies Love' takes on new relevance, serving as a cautionary tale about the dangers of authoritarian rule. The musical's themes of fascism, censorship, and the power of grassroots activism strike a chord in the current political climate, making it a timely and thought-provoking work for Los Angeles audiences.

The details

The Taper production of 'Here Lies Love' features some key changes from previous stagings, including a new opening set in a Filipino noontime variety show format rather than a disco. The creative team, which is predominantly Filipino, has also incorporated more Tagalog language and traditional Filipino elements into the storytelling and design. While the audience remains seated, the show still aims to immerse them in the world of the Marcos regime through the music, choreography, and multimedia elements.

  • The musical 'Here Lies Love' originally premiered off-Broadway in 2013.
  • The Broadway production ran in 2023.
  • The current production at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles opened in February 2026 and is scheduled to run through April 6, 2026.

The players

David Byrne

The musician and artist who created the musical 'Here Lies Love' and its original concept album.

Snehal Desai

The artistic director of the Center Theatre Group and the director of the Taper production of 'Here Lies Love.'

Imelda Marcos

The former first lady of the Philippines whose life and controversial rule are the subject of the musical.

Bongbong Marcos

The son of Imelda and Ferdinand Marcos, who has recently regained power in the Philippines.

Aura Mayari

The drag queen performer who plays the new character of Imeldific, the TV host, in the Taper production.

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What they’re saying

“I'm very curious how the non-immersive staging will work. The immersive disco setting put the audience in the position of the Philippine people, and that worked, so I'm curious if that connection will still happen.”

— David Byrne (Variety)

“When I saw it at the Public, everyone was standing. But then when it went to Broadway, I experienced it from the seats. And I was like, 'Oh, the storytelling still works.'”

— Snehal Desai, Artistic Director, Center Theatre Group (Variety)

“As we're rehearsing right now, there is a big march happening here in downtown L.A. And literally every day as we work on this show, what we're seeing in this country is kind of the fascist dictators' playbook, right?”

— Snehal Desai, Artistic Director, Center Theatre Group (Variety)

What’s next

The Taper production of 'Here Lies Love' is scheduled to run through April 6, 2026. The show's future beyond this engagement remains to be seen, but its timely exploration of authoritarianism and grassroots activism could lead to additional productions in other cities.

The takeaway

In an era of rising authoritarianism and political polarization, 'Here Lies Love' serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of civic engagement. By centering the Filipino community's experience, the Taper production aims to foster greater understanding and connection, while also challenging audiences to reflect on the parallels between the Marcos regime and contemporary politics.