"Here Lies Love," a new musical that deconstructs the life and times of shoe queen Imelda Marcos, is a kooky project opening Tuesday at the off-Broadway Public Theatre in New York’s East Village.
The focus is on the former Philippine first lady, who defected to Hawaii with hubby Ferdinand, the disgraced president, to seek exile in the late 1980s.
The show, by Talking Heads’ David Byrne and Fatboy Slim, is based on a 2010 CD and runs through May 19. It is neither a biography nor a conventional musical — perhaps more like an immersive curiosity such as "Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding" with lots of party music minus the wedding and environmental elements.
But some Broadway pedigree is in effect: The director is Alex Timbers, who was nominated for Tony Awards for his work on "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson" and "Peter and the Starcatcher."
The producers knew Imelda loved partying and clubbing, so performers will be on stages with spectators standing, dancing and blending in amid a 360-degree video climate. A bit cheesy, for sure, and there’s no indication that their Hawaii ties are part of the plot. A thought: If Frankie Valli made appearances at "Jersey Boys" to fuel attendance, wouldn’t you think featuring Imelda "live" would attract her Filipino loyalists?
Ruthie Ann Miles ("Avenue Q") portrays Imelda, Jose Llana ("Flower Drum Song") plays Ferdinand. Alas, Imelda’s bouffant wig looks totally wrong in a publicity photo. Where is Frank De Lima when he’s needed? …
THE WIZARD OF IZ: Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole‘s "Facing Future" CD, which bears his signature "Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" medley, is marking its 20th anniversary. To commemorate, Mountain Apple Co. remastered the music and spruced up the album cover, complete with a rainbow. …
But what’s new, and engaging, is Bruddah Iz’s life-after-death popularity as more folks discover his artistry. The latest proof: Sarah Brightman, the original Christine in "The Phantom of the Opera," has adopted Iz’s "Hawaii ’78" by converting it into a duet with her voice and his. It’s a bonus track, in Target editions of her classical CD "Dreamchaser." Although it is kind of a fish out of water as a Hawaiian protest song, with partial lyrics in Hawaiian, it’s a wonderment to explore Brightman embracing Iz’s original tracks and voice, incorporating her ethereal flavors and aura. Local radio should help expose it. Although abbreviated, Micky Ioane‘s lyrics and Mountain Apple’s tracks are spot-on effective, so the re-imagining works amid the dreamscape. Or, as local producer Jon de Mello says, "Very cool." See my blog for more. …
HERE ‘N’ THERE: Kudos to three visitor industry leaders who will be honored at the 14th Annual Celebrate a Legacy in Tourism Dinner, from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Hawai‘i Convention Center. Patricia Tam, vice president of the Halekulani Corp., will receive the Legacy in Tourism Award, and two Travel Industry Management alumni will be inducted into the University of Hawaii TIM Alumni Hall of Fame: Kevin Iwamoto (’77), vice president of industry strategy of ACTIVE Network/Business Solutions, and David Kong (’71), president and CEO of Best Western International …
So when will isle contestant Duncan Kamakana (nee Osorio) get camera time on NBC’s "The Voice"? Hopefully, this week, as the battles continue. Kamakana is part of Team Adam (Levine), and his mom and family friends flew to Los Angeles for the requisite pre-challenge anticipation. Stay tuned. …
TRAVEL LOG: Ki hoalu guitarists Keola Beamer and Jeff Peterson, joined by hula dancer Moanalani Beamer, have embarked on a U.S. Department of State American Music Abroad cross-cultural trek through Venezuela, April 17-24, and Brazil, April 25 to May 15. The intent: share their virtuosity and build bridges with folks around the world. …
And that’s "Show Biz." …
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist; reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com; read his Show and Tell Hawaii blog at www.staradvertiser.com.
