David Byrne’s latest Broadway musical ‘Here Lies Love’, which had been facing a wave of protest by the musicians’ union, has conceded to their demand and confirmed the inclusion of 12 musicians in the production. The show was initially planning to use pre-recorded music, an approach that led to friction with the union.
The producers of ‘Here Lies Love,’ an immersive dance-club style musical depicting the life of Imelda Marcos, and the American Federation of Musicians’ Local 802 union, disclosed their agreement late on Friday.
The production team in a statement acknowledged, “Per the collective bargaining agreement, we’ve reached a resolution with Musicians Union Local 802. We eagerly await the arrival of audiences to experience the transformative musical journey of ‘Here Lies Love’ at the Broadway Theater, starting Saturday, June 17.”
The union responded with a concise statement that stressed the importance of live music in Broadway productions, “After negotiation, we are pleased to include 12 musicians in ‘Here Lies Love’, bringing live music to the show. Broadway is recognized for the highest caliber musicians and performances worldwide, and we are delighted that this agreement upholds that tradition.”
Eric Koch, the union’s communications consultant, clarified that the count of 12 musicians also encompasses three actor-musicians from the company. The producers acknowledged this arrangement, asserting that the inclusion of actor-musicians has been a consistent feature of the production and does not alter the show’s integrity or musical concept.
The highly anticipated musical, with an array of producers including Patrick Catullo, Hal Luftig, Kevin Connor, Jose Antonio Vargas, Diana DiMenna, and Clint Ramos, is among the biggest productions slated for a Broadway opening this summer. With a hefty budget and ambitious plans to transform the Broadway Theater into an immersive stage, the show promises to offer an innovative theatrical experience.
Co-created by Byrne and Fatboy Slim, ‘Here Lies Love’ has been a 15-year journey that garnered critical acclaim and audience admiration. The musical, recounting the story of the former Philippines First Lady, has been performed in numerous venues, from Carnegie Hall to London’s National Theater.
With the Broadway debut looming, the union had objected to the production’s use of recorded music, citing its contract with the Broadway League mandating the employment of live musicians. Amid threats of a protest during the upcoming Tony Awards and the show’s previews, the producers and the union reached an agreement last Friday, thereby ending the dispute.
#HereLiesLove #BroadwayLiveMusic #UnionResolution #staticlivemagazine #staticlivemusic
