China Promise Musical 2010

Here are the new pictures taken from the Chinese new musical, Promise, from Inner Mongolia World Expo in China (Shangai).

Japan Day 2010!

On Sunday, June 6^th the Fourth Annual Japan Day in Central Park took place! Town Square Productions managed this event for the second year in a row!

This special day is dedicated to Japanese culture, through many activities, games, performances, parades and Japanese traditional food. This year was also the 150^th celebration of the first Japanese delegation to the U.S.

Below you can see some good moments of this crazy one day event, attended by thousands of people!

"Opera Travels from Mongolia to Expo, by way of Broadway" from CHINADAILY

Part Broadway, part Asian steppes, the first modern opera from China's Inner Mongolia is getting its premiere at the World Expo.

"The Heart of Love," is directed chiefly by Don Frantz, associate producer of the big Broadway hits "The Lion King" and "Beauty and the Beast."

The opera combines traditional Mongolian songs and dances developed by generations of herders on grasslands with typical Broadway performances.

It received long applause yesterday at its debut during the opening ceremony of Inner Mongolia Cultural Week, the fifth Chinese provincial week at the Expo.

Frantz got the main idea for the opera when living last year in Inner Mongolia and became inspired by the grasslands and the people there.

To the musical director David Caldwell, the music from the traditional Mongolian instruments such as the horse head fiddle and the sihu, or four-stringed fiddle, were the most fantastic sound in the world.

"I involved as many Mongolian instruments into the Expo as I could," he said.

About 60 performers, most of Mongolian nationality, take part in the opera. Frantz said the performers were "incredible" singers and dancers.

The 40-minute "Heart of Love" tells the story of a young Inner Mongolian man who leaves his lover to go to Shanghai for his career. He resists all kinds of temptations of the modern city and finally goes back to the grassland to marry.

The opera will play at 10am and 3pm every day at the Baosteel Stage in the Pudong Expo site through May 28.

Caldwell said plans are afoot to prolong the run and perform the work in more places, including Broadway, after the Expo.

Link to Article: Opera Travels from Mongolio to Expo, by way of Broadway - ChinaDaily.com

More Photos from Show: "The Heart of Love"

Don continues to extend his reach around the world!

The backstage photos of PROMISE at the Shanghai Expo!

UNCHAIN MY HEART announced!

With music by Ray Charles and book by Suzan-Lori Parks
Directed by Sheldon Epps

TO OPEN ON BROADWAY FALL 2011

UNCHAIN MY HEART, The Ray Charles Musical, featuring the music of Ray Charles with a book by Suzan-Lori Parks, directed by Sheldon Epps will open Fall 2011 on Broadway at a Shubert Theatre to be announced.
UNCHAIN MY HEART will be presented on Broadway by Stuart Benjamin. Mr. Benjamin knew and worked with Mr. Charles for 15 years and produced the multi Oscar nominated and award winning film Ray.
The 20-member company and the theatre will be announced at a later date.

UNCHAIN MY HEART will feature Choreography by Kenneth L. Roberson with Associate Edgar Godineaux, Music Supervision and Arrangements by Rahn Coleman and Orchestrations by Harold Wheeler. The design team for UNCHAIN MY HEART includes Riccardo Hernandez (Sets), Paul Tazewell (Costumes), Donald Holder (Lights), Carl Casella (Sound), Charles LaPointe (Hair & Wig Design). Casting is by Telsey & Company, Technical Supervision by Theatersmith, Inc. and the General Manager is Don Frantz & Laurie Brown of Town Square Productions, Inc.

UNCHAIN MY HEART, The Ray Charles Musical explores the strength, humor and musical genius of the legendary Ray Charles. One of the greatest pioneering musical artists of all time, Ray Charles mastered everything from soul and rhythm & blues to gospel, jazz, country and pop. Set in his last live recording session, UNCHAIN MY HEART reveals Charles’ remarkable life story through his music. Pulitzer Prize winner Suzan-Lori Parks (Topdog/Underdog) weaves together true tales that reveal the spirit of the man whose life and music helped to define soul, and inspired people the world over.

UNCHAIN MY HEART features Charles’ best-known hits including: “Georgia on My Mind,” “What’d I Say,” “Mess Around,” “Hit The Road, Jack,” “Unchain My Heart,” “I Got a Woman” and “Hallelujah, I Love Her So.”

-more-
An earlier, developmental production was produced at the Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director) in 2007 under the title of RAY CHARLES LIVE! The Variety review of that production can be seen at the following link: http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117935383


http://www.unchainmyheartonbroadway.com/

NEED choreographer & music director/arranger

EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME. The Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region of the PRC is preparing 3 shows to perform for 5 days at the Shanghai Expo. Town Square Productions (www.townsquareproductions.com) is engaged as the creative producer for the productions. We are seeking a Music Director/Arranger and a Choreographer to work with Don Frantz to create the shows: A Parade, A Wedding Ceremony demonstration, a Musical Revue. There will be Chinese and Mongolian associates and translators. Commencing Thursday April 1 thru Wednesday May 26. $1,500 a week, all travel expenses. Only for the Adventurous. Mostly based in Hohhut, capital of I.M. where we enjoy a 5 star hotel. See photos of Don Frantz's work in China here on our blog, on our YouTube site, and more on Flickr site.

Breakaway Yurt

Don gets a viewing of the designer's first mock up of the breakaway YURT for the musical revue to be performed at the Shanghai World Expo in celebration of Inner Mongolia Week!