Broadway comes to Hong Kong for musical workshops and two performances of classics
Two Hong Kong drama teachers have brought Broadway stars Chelsea Williams and George Psomas to the city for a week of children’s workshops, after which their students will join them onstage to perform Broadway hits
With only the surest-selling shows making it to our shores – and no sign of the award-winning musical Hamilton arriving any time soon – Hong Kong can sometimes feel like a million miles from Broadway, the famed theatre district in New York.
Dove Tales’ Ben Margalith and Nathan Koval, a pair of Hong Kong-based American actors and drama teachers have set out to strengthen the links between the two cities’ theatre scenes by assembling a cast of faces from both Hong Kong and Broadway for a week of workshops and two performances this week.
“We couldn’t be prouder of this collaboration,” says Koval. “George and Chelsea have been rehearsing the concert in New York for the past few weeks and are very excited to perform for Hong Kong.”
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Over two nights at Chai Wan theatre Youth Square, they will guide the audience through renditions of best-loved musical hits andnewer favourites, including pieces from Oklahoma, The Sound of Music, West Side Story, Wicked, and – yes – Hamilton.
The visiting singers will also lead a series of two-hour workshops for youngsters in two groups aged eight to 12, and 13 to 18 each evening from Monday to Thursday.
After learning the ropes from the Broadway performers, the aspiring Neil Patrick Harrises and Bette Midlers will join their mentors on stage to perform in the 650-seat auditorium during the evening shows.
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“We want to provide the youth of Hong Kong an opportunity to learn from the best in the business. In Hong Kong, it can be difficult for local kids to get into the arts, as it’s not seen as a successful career,” Koval says.
“It’ll be cool to see local artists next to Broadway singers to show children that this is a possibility and inspire them to follow their dreams of going into performance.”
A Night on Broadway concerts will be held on January 31 and February 1 at 8pm at Y Theatre Youth Square. For tickets, HK$300, see Urbtix. Use promotional code “cats” to receive a 50 per cent discount.
