Los Angeles' East West Players plans to release the world premiere cast recording of On This Side of the World, following the musical's extended run earlier this summer.
The theatre company, the country’s longest-running Asian American theatre and the largest producer of Asian American theatrical works, is currently organizing a crowdfunding campaign through Indiegogo to fund the recording's release.
On This Side of the World—featuring music and lyrics by Paulo K Tiról, who co-created the musical with director Noam Shapiro—follows a woman flying from the Philippines to the United States, with a collection of stories from others who immigrated before her, giving "voices to Filipino immigrants navigating old lives and new beginnings, eight-thousand miles from home."
"During the world premiere of On This Side of the World, audiences left the theatre after every performance wanting to hear the score again," Tiról says. "I couldn't be more grateful for this opportunity to share this score and the incredible work of our cast, band, and music team with Filipinos, immigrants, and musical theatre lovers across the United States and around the world."
The cast includes Steven-Adam Agdeppa (EWP’s Crazy Talented Asians), Zandi De Jesus (Miss Saigon), Michael C. Palma (EWP’s Mamma Mia!), Cassie Simone (La Mirada Theatre’s Hunchback of Notre Dame), Andrea Somera (EWP’s Assassins), and Shaun Tuazon (EWP’s Mamma Mia!). Melvin Biteng (Disney Jr. Live: Costume Palooza tour) and Justine Rafael (EWP’s Crazy Talented Asians), understudies for the production, are also featured.
The production also had music direction by Jennifer Lin and Marc Macalintal, choreography by Allen Lucky Weaver, orchestrations by Ian Miller, scenic design by Yi-Chien Lee, sound design by Maddi Deckard, projection design by David Murakami, costume design by Jaymee Ngernwichit, properties design by Glenn Michael Baker, lighting design by Szu-Yun Wang, and stage management by Edward Khris Fernandez.
Click here for more information or to support the recording.
