The hit Taiwanese musical is being reimagined for English-language audiences by Kirsten Guenther and RSO.
A new English-language adaptation of Don’t Cry, Dancing Girls, the celebrated Taiwanese musical, received a private industry work session in New York City, continuing the international life of a work that became a theatrical sensation in Taiwan.
Originally created and produced in Taiwan, Don’t Cry, Dancing Girls draws on Taiwanese culture, ritual, family, and folklore. The new adaptation relocates part of the story to the United States while sending three estranged Taiwanese-American siblings back to Yunlin, where ghosts, family secrets, and the ancient Khan-Bông ritual await.
The reading featured Dorcas Leung as Jen, Justin David Sullivan as Kris, Lianah Sta. Ana as May, Kevin Shiu as Dezheng/Dad, Joshua Hyunho Lee as Ray/Ren, Catherine Kim as Little Jen/Ensemble, Xiaoxiao Sun as Little Big Uncle/Thug/Ensemble, Joomin Hwang as Great Big Uncle/Thug/Ensemble, and Brooke Ishibashi as Liqing/Aunt/Betel Nut Woman/Ensemble.
Chris Tseng directed, with original music by Ho-Hsiang Kan (also known as Robert Kang), Kirsten Guenther serving as book adapter, RSO as lyric adapter, and Joshua Zecher-Ross as music director. The reading was produced by Ren Hou and Ken Dingledine, with Barbara Darwall serving as executive producer and LDK Productions providing general management. Don’t Cry, Dancing Girls was created and originally written by Taiwanese playwright Jie Zhan.
The reading marks the latest chapter for Don’t Cry, Dancing Girls as the distinctly Taiwanese musical begins an ambitious new journey toward international audiences.
