'Here Lies Love': David Byrne and Taper Director on the Show Reaching L.A.

Variety

by Chris Willman

February 21, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

David Byrne’s critically acclaimed musical *Here Lies Love*, which made its Broadway debut in 2023, is now making its Los Angeles premiere at the Mark Taper Forum. Known for its innovative, immersive staging on Broadway, where audiences were encouraged to dance in place amidst a disco-ball-lit set, the L.A. production takes a different approach by keeping the audience seated. This shift marks an interesting evolution of Byrne’s vision, which originally relied on audience participation to create a sense of complicity with the show’s narrative about Imelda Marcos and the Philippine martial law era. While the Broadway run saw audiences grappling with the tension between entertainment and political critique, the L.A. production will focus on traditional storytelling within the intimate, thrust-stage environment of the Taper. Byrne himself has expressed curiosity about how the musical will resonate without its signature immersive elements. He acknowledges that the seated arrangement might alter the audience’s connection to the story but remains open to seeing how it unfolds under Snehal Desai’s direction. As the artistic director of Center Theatre Group, Desai brings a fresh perspective to the production, drawn from his 13-year admiration for the show and its unique storytelling style. He sees the Taper’s close-quarters setup as an ideal space to maintain the show’s immersive quality without requiring audience movement, emphasizing the proximity between performers and spectators. The L.A. production has already garnered strong reviews, with critics and audiences praising its ability to adapt while retaining its core themes of political critique wrapped in a disco-party atmosphere. As Byrne noted, the musical’s success lies in its ability to challenge audiences to reflect on complicity and power dynamics, even when the staging changes. With its extended run through April 6, *Here Lies Love* continues to prove itself as a groundbreaking work that blurs the lines between entertainment and political commentary. Its arrival in Los Angeles not only highlights Byrne’s enduring creativity but also underscores the adaptability of contemporary musical theater, making it a must-watch for fans of experimental storytelling in the performing arts.

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Originally published on Variety on 2/21/2026