As Tony Award winner Lea Salonga prepares to depart the first ever all-Filipino Broadway cast this week, her role will become a revolving door to showcase other well-known talent from the Philippines.
Actor and singer Vina Morales, also beloved in the Philippines, will take over as Aurora Aquino in 鈥淗ere Lies Love鈥 for a month-long engagement starting Sept. 22.
Producers say they are committed to highlighting the country's 鈥渁bundance of talent," allowing guest performers a Broadway debut.
鈥淭o be able to perform on Broadway is a dream come true for any artist,鈥 Morales said in a statement. 鈥淚 am grateful to 鈥楥oach Lea鈥 Salonga for guiding me along the way.鈥
Salonga, who has been with the show since previews in June, called her friend Morales 鈥渁 wonderful addition to our cast.鈥
Her final show will be the matinee Saturday. Another cast member will fill in until Morales' arrival.
Salonga next co-stars with Bernadette Peters in 鈥淪tephen Sondheim鈥檚 Old Friends鈥 at London鈥檚 Gielgud Theatre starting Sept. 16.
鈥淗ere Lies Love鈥 chronicles the rise to power of Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos and wife Imelda during the 1960s and 鈥70s and the civil unrest that ensued. Musicians David Byrne and Fat Boy Slim wrote the music for the production, which takes on a night club setting for most of the 90-minute show.
The cast also includes Arielle Jacobs, Jose Llana and Conrad Ricamora.
The production marked Salonga's first time playing an actual Filipino character on Broadway. She has led other all-Asian ensembles such as 鈥淎llegiance,鈥 鈥淔lower Drum Song鈥 and 鈥淢iss Saigon," which won her the Tony for best actress in a musical. In a funny coincidence, 鈥淗ere Lies Love鈥 is in the same theater where 鈥淢iss Saigon鈥 ran from 1991-2001.
This has also been Salonga's first time as a Broadway producer. Her co-producers include other entertainers of Filipino descent鈥攕inger H.E.R., comedian Jo Koy and Black Eyed Peas鈥 Apl.de.Ap.
Outside of the stage, Salonga is widely known for her vocals in the Disney animated features 鈥淎laddin鈥 and 鈥淢ulan."
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Tang, who reported from Phoenix, is a member of The Associated Press鈥 Race and Ethnicity team. Follow her on Twitter at @ttangAP.
