Posted: 2/27/23 at 1:02pm
Don’t see how this is stunt casting…
It’s following the same model After Midnight did. I think this is exciting!
Posted: 2/27/23 at 1:18pm
ACL2006 said: "Geez, they're already doing stunt casting?"
They’re not, no.
Posted: 2/27/23 at 1:35pm
So who is opening this production....?
Posted: 2/27/23 at 1:51pm
The conceit of the role –– bringing in different Filipino artists to play it for a few weeks at a time –– is inherently a stunt or gimmick, for media attention and a tiny subset of buyers who might be interested in seeing more than one person's take on the role. Can also put strain on a company for monthly put-in rehearsals.
That said, it feels like a stretch to use the oft-lamented phrase "stunt casting" for Lea Salonga because, as data from her past shows tells us, she holds no name value and sells no tickets. This is a semantics thing with a lot of gray area.
Updated On: 2/27/23 at 01:51 PM
Posted: 2/27/23 at 2:39pm
If this is a gimmick, so be it. Other shows have employed this model, including After Midnight and Little Shop. This feels different, however. Lea Salonga has single-handedly put Filipino talent on the map, and for her to usher in a string of Filipino stars who haven’t had the opportunity to make it in the US because of a myriad of reasons feels like a step towards inclusivity. There’s so much untapped Filipino talent and this helps a certain demographic be seen and tell this relevant, timely story.
In terms of put-ins, if the track is only doing that song, it’s probably not going to take a huge toll on the company since they would likely only do a partial rehearsal for it.
Posted: 2/27/23 at 4:00pm
Lea Salonga is about to come to Broadway for five weeks and sing a show-stopping song in a new, creative, and immersive musical. Let’s just be happy it’s happening at all!
Posted: 2/27/23 at 4:01pm
One other item worth noting:
A stunt or gimmick isn't always a bad thing –– it's just a thing. It may ultimately get them more coverage than just having a person from the ensemble do that track every night.
Posted: 2/27/23 at 5:16pm
Lea isn't stunt casting because she isn't a major seller but more importantly because someone whose career has been dedicated to the theatre can't be stunt cast.
Posted: 2/27/23 at 7:13pm
Now if Jo Koy takes over, that would be stunt casting!
Posted: 2/28/23 at 12:25pm
Do you think Lea Salonga (or any other potential performers from the Philippines) could get into trouble at home, considering that the current president is Imelda Marcos' son? Has the show ever been performed in the Philippines?
Posted: 2/28/23 at 10:42pm
It hasn't been performed properly in the Philippines iirc, but it's definitely controversial. Ironically though they're more likely to get backlash from the anti-Marcos side than the current administration since a lot of people feel the show is "pro" Marcos - at least that's most of what I've seen on social media.
Though I don't know how someone could walk out of the show and think they were the good guys
Posted: 3/2/23 at 1:49pm
I can kinda understand how it would be weird, it's like if you went to Germany or something and they had a sarcastic, upbeat pop musical about the Reagans. Theoretically you should be understanding, throughout the evening, that the danceability of the show is part of Marcos's attempt to sway you, even as she loses her grip in the second half, but you always have to be careful when you're trying to make a point about abuses of power by way of irony. Giving them narrative control and expecting the audience to parse the inconsistencies between their perspective and the truth can be powerful but also easy to misinterpret (it doesn't help that the storytelling in this show is fairly abstracted).
Posted: 3/2/23 at 5:30pm
Yeah I was telling my Filipino friend about it and he was vehemently against the performance of the show and my support of it. I loved it at the public and don’t really understand how anyone could walk out of it being pro Marcos…
Posted: 3/3/23 at 2:03am
Can you imagine the posts on here if BWW was around when Liza came in to Chicago?
Posted: 3/3/23 at 11:00am
Have there been any rumors as to who might be playing Imelda? I love the earlier suggestion Rachelle Ann Go. Seems like all we know is that Ruthie isn't doing it. Could it be another previous Imelda? Jaygee Macapugay is in Shucked and I don't know what Natalie Mendoza is up to. I was expecting them to cast younger, like with Eva Noblezada but the casting of Jose might change the dynamic. I am thrilled that both Jose and Conrad are reprising their respective off-bway runs.
Posted: 3/5/23 at 11:10pm
Just noticed that they updated the seating options on the ticket page: https://herelieslovebroadway.com/earlyaccess/
Posted: 3/5/23 at 11:44pm
Holy smokes. Looks amazing but they must be hoping this can catch on and run a few years...
What's the over/under on masks being required on the dancefloor from November to January since they're so close to the stage and if Covid continues to spike annually?
Posted: 3/6/23 at 8:11am
To me the seats up on the sides look best. Wonder if those will be considered premium?
Posted: 3/6/23 at 9:22am
It looks like they gutted the orchestra section. I can’t imagine what they’re gonna charge for any these seats
Posted: 3/6/23 at 12:03pm
inception said: "To me the seats up on the sides look best. Wonder if those will be considered premium?"
Yes those and the very front of the mez will likely be the "premium" seats. Sort of like at an opera house or concert hall, the first mezz is priced as though it's the best seat. The floor standing spots still might be pricey, but don't think you can charge as much when the audience is asked to stand for 90 minutes.
In the event that this DOESN'T do well or sales soften considerably, that standing floor section is gonna be a problem since it's so exposed...and if you're a buyer, you either want to stand or you don't.
And yes, they're building over the Orch section, though hard to tell how high that will be.
Posted: 3/6/23 at 12:07pm
Wow, that looks so gorgeous. I would love to sit in the front row mezz section, but since it's only 90 minutes, I don't mind standing. Wonder if sitting or standing will be more popular for this?
Posted: 3/6/23 at 1:33pm
Fascinating images, are those supposed to be to scale?
Posted: 3/6/23 at 1:37pm
Call_me_jorge said: "Fascinating images, are those supposed to be to scale?"
I would think they're more or less to scale, but that floor section seems quite narrow. So maybe not. Until we see it over the theatre's existing architecture it'll be hard to know (and that might not happen till previews or right before).
Posted: 3/6/23 at 1:54pm
Sutton Ross said: "Wow, that looks so gorgeous. I would love to sit in the front row mezz section, but since it's only 90 minutes, I don't mind standing. Wonder if sitting or standing will be more popular for this?"
I stood downtown. It was fun for about 20 minutes and then became wearisome. I have no trouble with conventional standing room in a theatre. You have something to lean on. But for this--in the downtown configuration, anyway-- you've got no support. These images suggest that has not changed.
Posted: 3/6/23 at 10:31pm
I was in the seated section at the Public and loved it. I loved seeing all the images come together, etc. I think constantly being pushed around would be kind of annoying but maybe some people would like that experience? Looks cool to me. Can't wait to revisit.
