Video: Arielle Jacobs Knows That Audiences Need HERE LIES LOVE Now More Than Ever

Hello, I'm Richard Ridge for Broadway World

Ariel Jacobs is back on Broadway, where she's receiving glowing notices for her portrayal of Amelda Marcos

in the David Byrne and Fat Boy Slim Immersive Musical. Here Lies Love

And we drop by her dressing room here at the Broadway theater to chat about what it's like

being a part of this fascinating production. I am thrilled to be sitting with you here

in your beautiful dressing room here at the Broadway theater. Thank you. Thanks for coming

You look gorgeous. Look at you. Look, we match. I can't believe this. We do match blue and pink, right? Yeah

They look great. The last time I spoke to you was just like a few nights ago at your opening night

How magical was that for you? That was the most incredible day of my life

Yeah. I've never experienced, first of all, just getting to be so glamorous, like on the red carpet of your Broadway show

But then having so many celebrities there, right? We had her, we had Joe Koi, and then I'm standing on this red carpet next to Leia Salonga

It was insane. And the after party at Lincoln Center of all places was so magical

Let's talk about that night. What do you remember? Is it a blur? Yeah

So it was really fun because I remember getting ready for the red carpet

I remember getting ready for the show. And then I remember coming off stage after the show

I don't remember the show at all. It just felt like it went by so fast

And I think that means it was a really good show because if you're just so in the performance

that you don't really remember what happened, then that's usually a good sign

Yeah. Yeah. This show is perfection, your perfection in it. Thank you

I mean, what's it like living in the world that David Byrne and Fat Boy Slim

has created this incredible world of Here Lies Love? I can't even begin to tell you

I feel like every day I get to go through this, I'm time traveling

And the entire audience is time traveling, right? Because I'm playing Imelda Marcos over a 40-year timeline

from age 17 to be. 57 and getting to transform into each and every window of time because the costumes really take me through not only the decades but the different levels of from poverty through where she you know how she got how glamorous she got so I feel like I'm getting to live through so many different eras and emotional states and I'm given so much in terms of the sound and the music from David Byrne in fact Boisselaum it feels

like I'm it's just such a gift because I get help from from everything around me and it is all

around me in this theater right it's really amazing there's been nothing like this I mean

David Corrin's reconstructed the Broadway theater with the lights and the sound and everything

they've done I mean when you heard like when you first walked into the theater like when it was

primarily done like what went through your mind I couldn't believe it was a Broadway theater

I mean, sometimes I'm still out there, like, this is a Broadway theater. And then I take my friends who are backstage after the show, I'll walk them and see

that's where the proscenium is, because you can see the arch. So then you can see where the stage usually ended and the seats began

And it's just mind-blowing because it doesn't feel like that at all anymore

It just feels like a nightclub. And then at the end of the show, when all the flashing lights, you know, kind of turn into more just normal light

And then the music changes from this disco into this more acoustic vibe

You're like, it's crazy that you're in the same space because lighting can do so much

And it affects everything. Well, let's talk about what this role means to you personally

representation, and just being a part of this what it means to you. Yeah, well, this is the very first time I've gotten to play

a Filipino character, and I'm getting to do so in a full Filipino cast

which is historic in its own right. And I think what's so special for me personally

is getting to fulfill this dream that I feel like my grandfather had

He was born in the Philippines when it was an American colony. So he was raised in thinking that he's in an American colony

and he had this bridge. Like he wanted to get his family to America one day

and he served for the, U.S. Army as a Philippine scout in World War II. He recently got a U.S. Congressional

Gold Medal at age 94 for his service as a Philippine Scout. And, you know, he wanted to get

his family here, and then he did. My parents, well, my mom came with her family when she was

a teenager from the Philippines. And then now I'm getting to play this character in this

Filipino show telling this important piece of Filipino history. And not only that, but just this year, I started a production company where I am, as an artist

my company name is Sorio Dream, which is my grandfather's name. His name is Giulio Sorio

And I feel like I wanted to have the name of my production company be the fulfillment of his dream because he got me here And now I telling this Filipino story in America but I looking at the Philippines from Broadway stage And he was looking at America from the

Philippines. And I feel like I'm completing this circle. And the show was giving me the opportunity

to do that. Okay. The challenges of playing someone like her. I mean, to me this is like the new

Evita. And I mean that in the best way, because you get entertained during the show and you're

taught an incredible story. Yeah. And it's a scary story because this stuff is still happening around the world and in the Philippines

So I was wondering, you know, that's what I love about created people of what they do

I mean, you come to hear Lys Love starting off having a really fabulous time at the disco

Yeah. And then you're told this incredible story and you get to see this family and this woman that you get to play

What was it like stepping into her skin? Okay. Well, a lot of people are comparing us to Evita

But? But, yeah. I would say we're more. like Lady Macbeth. Perfect

If it was a disco. We are more, it's like a classic story of, you know, this rise to power, getting what happens

around you to maintain your power. Eventually, what happens to your mind state when you're in power

I would say we're more in the Shakespearean classic, you know, this is a very deep piece

of history. and she doesn't get, you know, the happy ending that I'm used to

Yeah. But I also think that the challenge of playing Imelda Marcos is realizing that I feel like it's important

for myself and for audiences to recognize that I'm not doing an impression of her

I'm doing an interpretation of how she was perceived. So, and over the course of four decades, right

So when she's younger, she's seen as very sweet. Then she's seen as very charismatic and charming as they're on the campaign trails

She's seen as this disco queen who likes to go dancing with all the world leaders

And then she takes more power and more power and more power. They institute martial law

Tens of thousands of people are imprisoned and tortured and thousands of people are killed

so that she and Ferdinand can maintain their position. And people are terrified of her

So there's the shift in how people are seeing her, and the audience gets to experience that, which is so cool

Because the audience plays a character. They play the character of the Filipino people over these 40 years

And so I'm acting and connecting with them, and they are my scene partner

So every night is different, and every night is changing depending on how this audience

is shifting over that time. Yeah. Well, let's talk about that because people who don't know

the seats have all been taken out. I mean, you walk into a disco when you come into the theater

and people can stand and dance and follow the stage around, and you're doing stuff on stage

on the makeshift stage, then there's people sitting upstairs, and you've got a stage upstairs

Yeah, there's stages literally everywhere. So, yeah, there's people... When people are on the dance floor

they are completely immersed in the story. I'm walking through the audience

I'm touching people. I'm shaking their hands. They are getting to play the role of attending the campaign trails

I'm singing to them at our wedding. They're then eventually become part of a funeral procession

They become protesters at a revolution at the end. So they are in it

They are fully in it. But then the people in the back in the rear mezzanine, they also are in it because the stages extend back there too

And there's video screens all around that are projecting actual historical. news footage from this time, but there's also live cameras on my face that's projecting what I'm

doing on larger screens in the back. So everyone has a front row seat, no matter where you are

Because I sat right in front and you're right in our face. Everybody is because there's that stage

there. So it doesn't matter where you, if you stand and watch the show or you sit, you get an

incredible experience coming to this show. And sometimes I'm surprised people because I will

So the way that I pop out in different locations, there'll be people who get startled because

like suddenly I'm standing right next to them, but they didn't know I was coming. Let's talk about working with this cast

What incredible cast you get to share the stage with. Such a dream cast. Oh, my gosh

I mean, Leia Salonga, of course. I've looked up to her for ages

I get to hear her sing this 11 o'clock number every night. Her dressing room's right next door

But she's also the sweetest person. I mean, I was feeling sick a couple weeks ago, and she brought me miso soup

You know, she's just the most heartwarming person. And Conrad, Rickamora, I mean, such a passionate actor

I am constantly blown away when I'm on stage with him because he's

how much presence he brings to every moment and how passionately he is giving, like, 300% every single night

And it gives me so much to play off of. He such a fantastic actor And then Jose of course is like a dream boat I get to fall in love with him every night And he such a like a legendary Broadway artist He done so many shows and he just so

he's got this regality where he just, like, everything's under control all the time. And it's so

it's so comforting. I love playing opposite him because he's like, he's playful as well as

just like such a sturdy rock that I just love it. And the entire cast

is like, there's like a dozen people almost making their Broadway debuts

And they're all so good. And I'm so excited for the world to see that Filipino artists are as talented as we are

And we can, there's a stereotype that we all have, you know, good singing voices

It's because we grew up with karaoke. Like, we sang for our parents and our family functions growing up

Like, it's just in our blood. So, and the dancing, the Annie B. choreography, I mean, you're going to get to see some really sexy

and talented, amazing Asian artists. Okay, then there's your director, Alex Timbers

Yeah, Alex. Like, what makes him such an in-demand director and one of the finest directors to work with

Can you... You'd ask me? Yeah. I mean, the way that Alex Timbers

the way that his mind works and what he sees as possible in a theatrical production

is just completely crazy to me. I saw Beetlejuice loved it I saw Mulan Rouge and loved it

I saw Rocky and I was just completely in awe of what happened on that stage so

getting to do this I'm like I knew I was in good hands right

and then also there's just this immense amount of trust because I know that no matter what

he puts on the stage and around me is going to feel

it's going to just feel larger than life and it's going to be enhancing the storytelling so much more

And there's also just this incredible trust that I have with him

where I know that no matter what he gives me, it's very specific, it's very clear

and it's, there's never any, there's never any question about what he's asking for

because he is so specific and clear that it's just like, and it doesn't, the direction that he gives as a director is like

Hey, there's this moment. Play with it like this. Okay, cool, bye

And then he just lets you play, which is wonderful. Because it's like, oh, okay, and then you let your own creativity take you where you're going to go

But there's not like a micromanaging or like a, it's just like, here's an idea, see if you like it

And then that's it. So as an artist, it's so wonderful because you're just like given this playground

But he's guiding you in a way that you know is going to lead to

the best storytelling possible. That's why you all look so free, creatively up there

doing what you do best. And we feel, we just feel supported

And like, we can just give everything. And we're just so connected up there

I feel like everyone in this cast just really lifts each other up and is rooting for each other all the time

You talk about your play here all through these different decades. The clothes by Clint Ramos are stunning

Thanks, yeah. I mean, I'm so grateful for that. I mean, you could do like a Vogue fashion shoot in those outfits

I should. Yeah, we should. Yeah, we should. We should. We should. We should. We should

But I mean, the first time you saw yourself, like, in your makeup mirror with the wig and one of the outfits on, like, what went through your mind when you didn't see you anymore

Right. Yeah. I mean, when I really transform into, I feel like when I transform into a molda is the very first time I put on the Terno sleeve

You know, the Terno, it's like the butterfly sleeves. traditional Filipino dress, right

And when I put those on and then the hair grows and then suddenly I'm transported

and I am back in the Philippines in that time period and I can just be this big

larger than life person in every stage of these four decades that I get to play amelda

the hair gets bigger, the clothes get more more and more elaborate, more glamorous

It just feels like the elegance level grows. And also, like, the steely quality, which makes sense

because Imeldo is known as the steel butterfly. So there's this elegance, and then there's this, like

don't mess with me. And I feel it in the costumes. It just helps me so much

The relevancy of this piece. When I was here the other night, I was like, my gosh, this could have been written yesterday

I know. Yes. Which is scary at the same time. But it's also a history lesson too

Yeah, it is. And history repeats itself, and this is an entertaining storytelling art form

We are in a theater, we're giving a history lesson, but because history repeats itself, and the most

charismatic people are often the ones who get elected but sometimes when people get elected who don turn out to be who you thought they were it not because that you know that not because because they came across showing their true colors It because they were elected because they made you feel that you were special

that they're telling you everything you want to hear. And they are, you know, often seen as the life of the party

as Imelda is in our show. And then eventually you start to see their true colors after they're already in power

and you're like, oh, no. And this is happening around the world

It's so relevant to today. And this show is such a pro-democracy piece

I think it's so important, especially right now, because their democracy is absolutely at stake all around the world

There are so many countries around the world that are struggling with

how to maintain their democracy, how to maintain hope, in the face of

oppressive leadership. So this show is so relevant to today. It's so important. And I think

when people see our show, especially if they don't know what the end of the show is

it just hits even harder. Yeah. You work so hard in this show. We're in this beautiful dressing

of yours. How early do you like to get to the theater and be in here? I like to get to that theater

about 45 minutes to an hour before. Okay. And, you know, set myself up, do my vocal

warm-ups and get myself ready for the transformation to begin, which takes a team of people

Because you must have to do so much stamina to get through this show. You all work so hard in this show

I have 19 costume changes in 90 minutes, and when I'm not on stage, which is 95% of the show

I'm on stage. When I'm not on stage, I'm sprinting to a costume change that is the fastest change you can

imagine before I'm back on stage. I think I have maybe 10 to 15 seconds of a break in this entire 90-minute show

So it's a big marathon. I'm sprinting a marathon. Is that make sense

I love that. How many costume changes? 19. 19. In 90 minutes

You've an incredible dresser. I do. Camille is fantastic. So she meets you every which way because you're upstairs, your downstairs

And Leslie is all my hair person. She's like changing my hair styles every single quick change I have. Yeah

And it's hard. because they're not your typical lace front wigs. It's different than any other show

where you could just take off a wake and put on a new wig. No, you are like redoing the hair every time

And it is the hardest track for hair and for costumes, I believe, on Broadway

Yeah. At all. Because it all changes every decade. We see you. It's so fast

Yeah. And it's so... It's so fast. Yeah. What's the last thing you do

before you hit the stage each night? I dance. I have a... dance party in the wings. This is kind of, this is my thing. I did it in between the lines at second stage

I do it here. I tend to have this, I just feel better when I dance before anything, before going on stage

before sitting down for an interview. I get myself energized. I get myself in a playful

free place where everything feels fun and I can relax and just know that no matter what, if I come from a place

of freedom from playfulness. If I just am in the present moment

I'm always dancing with somebody. So whoever's offstage with me at the time

like we're having a dance party right out. This is what we're doing. Well, you'll be getting you ready

Finally, audiences have such a great time at this show. What do you hope they walk away with us

It is almost time for fight calls. Please start heading down to the pit for fight call

Is that you? No, I'm not in fight call. But it is almost time for the show

So I hope the audience His walk away from this show feeling energized and feeling alive, feeling inspired by what they saw, but also inspired by the story because it's a story of hope

By the end of this show, the audience has become part of the People Power Revolution, which was a four-day peaceful protest that ousted the Marcos regime from the Philippines

And it's a story of inspiration because they were having their democracy

taken advantage of and pulled away, and they stood up against it

And I think this show is going to spark a lot of conversation about democracy and leadership

But it's going to get people out there feeling like they can have control over their destiny

And I think it's a story of hope. And I think people right now need it more than ever

And they also have a fabulous time here, too. Yeah, and they have a blast. Listen, thank you for doing this

I know you're going on stage in less than 45 minutes. I love you. Love you too

Thank you for doing this