A developmental reading of new musical Shanghai Sonatas will be presented by Memor NYC 4 PM October 27 and 3 PM October 28 at Theater 555. Featuring music by Sean (Xiang) Gao, lyrics by Joyce Hill Stoner, and a book by Alan Goodson, the new work will be directed by Chongren Fan.
Escaping Nazi Germany in, many Jewish musicians fled to Shanghai, China where they took refuge throughout the 1930s and '40s. Using their memoirs, the musical conceived by Gao explores how music helped these refugees survive and their legacies as teachers of classical music to local Chinese.
The Broadway alum–studded cast will feature George Abud, Eric Bondoc, Cáitlín Burke, Sydney Chow, Tari Kelly, Sara LaFlamme, Jonny Lee Jr., Benjamin Magnuson, Neal Mayer, Robert Petkoff, Julian Remulla, Leenya Rideout, Allison Strong, and Xiaoqing Zhang.
Asher Denburg will serve as music director, with Anzi DeBenedetto reading stage directions. Casting is by Alexandre Bleau. ShowTown Theatricals is general manager.
Memor NYC, Inc. produces Shanghai Sonatas, which is co-produced by Sean (Xiang) Gao with hopes for a New York production.
Attendance is by invitation only.