HERE LIES LOVE - Broadway Previews — Page 10

Was on the floor during the evening show today after having been in rear mezz during the first week. In my opinion, the floor is DEFINITELY worth it, though if you don't want to stand, I think floorside/front mezz would probably offer a decent experience (rear mezz just felt a little too removed, though I was surprised at how well I could see everything). Lea Salonga was indeed in today, not sure if it's a one off before she joins officially or if she's just starting earlier, but it was a big surprise seeing the call board in the lobby.

There have been a few blocking changes since I saw it last. I'm pretty sure Fabulous one was done in the regular stage area before, but this time it was in the mezz, and I think more things were brought further up into the mezz as well. They got rid of the second line dance, I can't remember where it was before but there were a couple of "just get up a dance" moments so I assume one of those was it. Now that I know the music more, I think they might have cut a couple verses from Please Don't (though not sure if this is a new development) but they also have some spoken lines in between the verses so it could be to make time for that.

I really loved seeing Arielle especially up close. People on this board have mentioned the transformation she undergoes over the course of the show but I didn't quite get that from the mezz (though I still enjoyed her singing a lot), but wow she was really great as Imelda when you could see all her expressions clearly.

Agree that the view from rear mezzanine (I was in 5th row center of rear mezz) is awful. So far from the stage. Sound is not great all the time either - missed plenty of lyrics.


Lea Salonga was in tonight, but the floor standees didn’t get a playbill until after the show and may not have realized it was Lea. There was entrance applause for her, but it was scattered and brief.


Someone above wrote they thought the gunshots and bombs were prerecorded.
Yes, indeed they were. There were no bombs set off in the Broadway Theater tonight. Only a lot of ear-shattering noise.

Updated On: 7/6/23 at 02:33 AM

chrishuyen said: "...They got rid of the second line dance..."

That's good. It was a pain to get up in the seats and there was little room to move. The second one seemed to be time filler to get the show to last 90 minutes-we got the point with the first one.



If I'm going to do the time warp, I'd rather be at a midnight show.

Just a few months ago, When in Manila did this feature story: Filipino or Half-Filipino Actors Who Have Made It to Broadway or the West End:

https://www.wheninmanila.com/filipino-and-half-filipino-actors-who-made-it-to-broadway-or-the-west-end/

Updated On: 7/6/23 at 02:14 PM

I wonder if they got nervous about having Lea debut during press week and wanted to give her a couple performances before she officially starts her run.

Just heard that they have CUT the reprise of Here Lies Love because they're worried about the optics.

This is making me irrationally upset, lol.

Hoping it's a one-and-done they realize is dumb.

bwaylyric said: "If they’re worried about optics, maybe they shouldn’t have mounted the show in the first place. I’d be disappointed if they cut the HLL reprise. I mean, it’s the title of the show!"

Apparently they wanted to change it to a non-Imelda song, but couldn't come up with a good one. You can't have a bunch of white people singing "I am a child of the Philippines"

My thing is … the reprise of HLL reads as the players singing // dancing with the audience as themselves. Hence the very non Imelda style dress worn by jacobs for the finale. It’s not like the character of Imelda is asking us to get on our feet and dance with her before we leave the theatre. I hope they reinstate the finale.

Even with the promo code, these prices are ridiculous! (or maybe it's just the recession like era we're currently in...) but I'll be waiting for a TDF offer or lottery win for this one

JustAnotherNewYorker said: "Voter said: "Even with the promo code, these prices are ridiculous! (or maybe it's just the recession like era we're currently in...) but I'll be waiting for a TDF offer or lottery win for this one"

Interestingly, TDF now has "standing" tickets up for Wednesday Matinee, although there's a disclaimer that it's possible they become seated tickets...

"While it is highly likely these seats will be standing (floor) tickets, as seating is assigned based on box office availability, there is a possibility these tickets may end up seated. TDF does not assign seating locations.""

Good to know!

Are the rush floor tickets still $99?

Anyone able to report if the reprise of HLL was back in tonight?

No reprise tonight. After the three leads did their bows, I got excited when Arielle got hold of a mic, but all she ended up saying was “Come on, everybody!” End of music. Cue the confetti. In this club setting, this show needs a better send-off. I’d suggest some sort of remix a la Six.