In honor of World Theatre Day, we’re looking back at one of our favorite conversations — last year’s Director Talkback, where some of the most vital voices in LA theater gave us insight into their unique directing point of view.
From the play as a spell, to working with communities, to promising actors you won’t let them look like an asshole- we promise you’ll be inspired by these incredible directors!
Check out the full convo at the link in bio.
Stay tuned — more coming soon!
💡 @thespomancer@susehawk@heysned@jessessa@katielindsay11
🎭 @indieshakes@coinandghost
🎥 @dillonhowl
Thank you all sooo very much for all the birthday love. 🙏🏽 It was such a special day hearing from everyone. 🫶🏽
Zadie doesn’t get why there are so many photos of her if they aren’t shared so her thank you is these adorable images of her. She also wanted to let you know she had a great day. 🐕
Here Lies Love offers a necessary look into a complex chapter of Philippine history, specifically the era of the Marcos family. It is a story that many in the community know well, but seeing it reimagined on stage brings a new level of emotional depth to the narrative. While the story is familiar, there is a distinct power in hearing and listening to what these performers bring to the stage. It serves as a vital reminder that if we do not learn our history, we are bound to repeat it.
This production is an opportunity to engage with the past in a way that resonates with the present. By bringing the Marcos story to the forefront in Los Angeles, the show provides a space for the community to reflect on the lessons of the past while celebrating our identity. It is a representation of a narrative that remains close to our hearts, reminding us of the importance of holding onto our history to navigate our future together.
Don’t miss out on the full episodes! hit the link in our bio and subscribe to So Jannelle TV on YouTube to stay connected with the stories that matter most.
For new episodes, catch us weekly on TV:
|🗓️ Sundays, 4:30PM PT - TFC
🗓️ Mondays, 6:00 PM PT – KXLA Channel 44 (Southern California)
🗓️ Saturdays, 7:30 PM PT – ANC
💻 Stream anytime on @iwanttfc !
Follow @sojannelletv for more stories of immigration and representation!
#SoJannelleTV #HereLiesLove #CenterTheatreGroup #PhilippinePeoplePowerRevolution #FilipinoAmericanCommunity
“We hope you are pulled into this story so you understand what the experience was like”
WATCH as Snehal Desai, director of HERE LIES LOVE, talks about bringing the show to the Mark Taper Forum.
Come for the party. Stay for the revolution. Performances begin FEB 11.
HERE LIES LOVE (2026) 🪩
Rehearsals are underway for the all-new production of HERE LIES LOVE at the Mark Taper Forum, directed by Snehal Desai (@heysned )
Take a look at photos from the first rehearsal earlier this week, and secure your seats for an incredible production with an insanely talented cast!
Come for the party, stay for the revolution….We’ll see you at the theatre! 🕺🏾
Here Lies Love is a groundbreaking musical about former First Lady of the Philippines Imelda Marcos and her family’s rise to power and subsequent fall at the hands of the Philippine People Power Revolution. Witness her journey through “exhilarating songs” (USA Today) and “imaginative spectacle” (The Guardian) over “90 breathless minutes” (The Washington Post).
Featuring music by Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award winner David Byrne and Grammy Award winner Fatboy Slim, and direction by Center Theatre Group Brindell & Milton Gottlieb Artistic Director Snehal Desai, comes an all-new production (the first since appearing on Broadway in 2023) in a transformative experience combining disco beats and adrenaline-fueled choreography. The show goes beyond Imelda's near-mythic obsession with shoes to explore true questions of authoritarian rule and responsibility. It is a story fueled by greed, power, and disco that feels as timely today as ever.
Here Lies Love is playing at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles from February 11 - March 22, 2026—a musical with music from David Byrne and Fatboy Slim that tells the story of the former First Lady of the Philippines. Tickets on sale now.
The cast features Reanne Acasio as Imelda Marcos, Joshua Dela Cruz as Aquino, Chris Renfro as Ferdinand Marcos, Carol Angeli as Estrella, Aura Mayari as Punong-Abala/Host, and Joan Almedilla as Aurora. The ensemble includes Steven-Adam Agdeppa, Kayla Amistad, Kelvin Co, Joanne Javien Coudriet, Audrey Lyn Crabaño, JeffLorenz Garrido, Sarah Kay, Garrick Goce Macatangay, Danielle Louise Mendoza, Justine Rafael, and Ryan Salazar. The swings are Zandi De Jesus, Johnisa Almariya Breault, and Hayden Rivas. https://wp.me/p8ilTC-hFS
“So…once more… tell me about this Ghost.”
That’s how the legendary story begins. But ghosts are tricky things. Especially in a world of madness, murder, and mayhem.
A rich, entitled Prince goes on a ferocious rampage that will lead to a massacre in the living room. Is he a tragic hero as we’ve often been told? Or a royal-blooded serial killer?
In this brisk and intense excavation of the classic text with new scenes and characters, we will step into a forensic investigation of the ultimate crimes of passion to see what really went down.
It’s been half a century since Hamlet was produced at the Taper, and Tony Award®-nominated visionary Robert O’Hara, director of the landmark box office hit Slave Play, returns to stage a world premiere modern adaptation of one of the most famous tales ever told.
Featuring Patrick Ball (The Pitt) in the titular role, joined by Gina Torres (Suits) as Gertrude and Coral Peña (Our Dear Dead Drug Lord) as Ophelia.
Experience Hamlet with an unexpected twist.
Recommended for ages 18 and up.
Snehal Desai (@heysned - Artistic Director, @ctgla )
engages with Jon Hoche (@jonhoche - US Associate Movement & Puppetry Director
& Resident Director) about “Life of Pi” at the Ahmanson Theatre in Downtown LA now through 1 June 2025! Check the #LinkInBio to get your tickets now!
Tonight, Center Theatre Group hosted its ONE LA event, dedicated to Los Angeles, our community, and the artists who call it home.
We were joined by very special guests, Vice President Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff, who continued their advocacy and deep support of the arts by attending the dinner portion of our evening, which was hosted by our own Snehal Desai and Meghan Pressman.
We can’t thank them enough for being with us to help celebrate this amazing city and the Angelenos who call it home.
LA, We Love You.
If you are in the Laurel Canyon Blvd (on the west) to Mulholland Dr (on the north) to 101 Freeway (on the east) down to Hollywood Blvd (on the south) please evacuate as you are instructed. New fire is very fast moving.
