David Byrne’s “Here Lies Love” came to an agreement with Broadway musicians

“Here Lies Love,” David Byrne’s new musical set to begin previews on Broadway next week, bowed to union objections and agreed that 12 musicians would be part of the production.

The producers of the musical, a dance club-like show about Imelda Marcos, and the local 802 affiliate of the American Federation of Musicians announced the agreement late Friday afternoon.

“On behalf of our cast, company and creative team, we have reached an agreement with Musicians Union Local 802, pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement,” the musical’s producers said in a statement. “We look forward to welcoming audiences to experience the revolutionary musical ‘Here Lies Love’ on Broadway starting Saturday, June 17.”

The union issued a similar but slightly more detailed terse statement, saying, “After negotiation, we have reached an agreement that will bring live music to ‘Here Lies Love’ with 12 musicians also featuring in the show. Broadway is a very special place that features the best musicians and shows in the world, and we are thrilled that this The convention honors that tradition.”

Eric Koch, communications advisor to the union, said three company representatives would be counted among the 12 musicians.

When asked about it, the producers replied: “Here Lies Love” always had three musical actors and a musical director in each production. The integrity of the show and the musical concept remains the same.”

“Here Lies Love” is led by a group of producers, including Patrick Catullo, Hal Loftig, Kevin Connor, Jose Antonio Vargas, Diana DeMina and Clint Ramos. The show is one of the largest productions to open on Broadway this summer, with a big budget — it’s been capitalized at up to $22 million, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission — and plans to bring back Broadway theater so that the production can be shown in an immersive way, with plenty of audience on board. A dance floor surrounded by movement.

Here Lies Love, about Marcos, the former First Lady of the Philippines, was written by Byrne and Fatboy Slim. It has been around for over 15 years, and has been lauded by critics and popular with audiences. It was presented as a song cycle at Carnegie Hall in 2007, and there have been productions in 2012. In Mass MOCAMuseum of Art in the Berkshires; in 2013 at the Public Theater in New York; in 2014 at the London National Theatre and return to the audience for the second engagement; And in 2017 at the Seattle Repertory Theatre.

The production has in the past used recorded music, which the show said was intended to create a karaoke-like atmosphere, but as the Broadway opening approached, the labor union objected, saying its contract with the Broadway League required the use of live musicians. The syndicate threatened to protest this weekend’s Tony Awards and series premieres; On Friday, the two sides resolved the dispute.