The National Asian Artists Project, Baayork Lee’s organization designed to showcase Asian-American performers, especially in the field of musical theatre, is hosting a program of four staged readings of new short musicals December 12 at the June Havoc Theatre in New York.
Collectively titled 2016 Discover: New Musicals, this is the evening's lineup:
Buying Time by John Herin (book and lyrics) and Frederick Alden Terry (music). A one-woman musical about an American tourist, traveling in Europe, who becomes obsessed with the idea of buying an expensive Swiss watch. As she agonizes over the pros and cons of her purchase, she begins to ponder other recent decisions she has made, and this self-examination leads her to unexpected discoveries.
Enjoy the Ride by Jason Purdy (book and lyrics) and Yan Li (music). There's always a new adventure to be had when Curtis and Balthazar put on their goggles and jump into their special car. But sinister forces conspire to tear them apart and put an end to their madcap hijinks. Together, they must hold on to what makes their partnership so magical because there's so much to see, and only they can decide when the ride is over.
When You’ve Got a Gift by Kathleen Wrinn (book and lyrics) and Minhui Lee (music). Malcolm Coriander, a promising musician with intense stage fright, is one day away from his 28th birthday. When he fails to perform at yet another open mic night, Malcolm decides the only musical group he could ever belong to is the infamous 27 Club [rock stars who died at age 27], and so he prepares to throw himself off the nearest bridge. However, an unexpected birthday present from the local falafel cart owner and a subsequent encounter with an unorthodox nun make Malcolm realize he’s not the only person in the world who struggles with the thing he loves most, and now Malcolm must decide: What do you do with a gift you can’t bring yourself to open?
You Gave Me a Sheep by Lauren Taslitz (book and lyrics) and Emily Chiu (music and lyrics). When Princess Cosabella, a Weaver, and Prince Roy, a Herder, are married, they promise their fathers that, after a brief honeymoon on Earth, they will return to their jobs in The Kingdom of the Stars. But newlyweds will forget and kings will punish. Will Cosabella and Roys’ love withstand the test, and will the rest of the universe survive? You Gave Me A Sheep considers whether, even in a fairy tale, true love has its limits.
Readings will begin at 7:30 PM at 312 W. 36th Street in Manhattan. For more information, visit NAAProject.org. Seats can be reserved by emailing [email protected] with name, contact, and number of tickets
