Cast Announced for NYC Workshop of Taiwanese Musical Don’t Cry, Dancing Girls
Directed by hui-Cheng Tseng, the musical delves into themes of family, loss, and conversion.
Don’t Cry, Dancing Girls, a groundbreaking Taiwanese musical performed entirely in Chinese, is set to make its New York City debut with exclusive workshop presentations from January 23 to 25 at Theatre Row. This marks a significant milestone for the production, which has already captivated audiences across Taiwan.
Written by playwright Jie Zhan and composer Ho-Hsiang Kan, the musical tells the story of a family grappling with grief as they return to their rural hometown following the death of their father. Blending Daoist and Buddhist rituals with Taiwanese folk traditions and a folk-rock soundtrack, the production offers a unique cultural and emotional journey.
Under the direction of Hui-Cheng Tseng,the workshop will feature a talented ensemble of Taiwanese actors,including Ching-Chia Chang,Fang-Yu Chang,Chengyu Lu,Neng-An Kung,Wen-Hao Yeh,Wei Wang,Szu-Yu Tseng,Ya-Chieh Hu,Min-Chieh Li,Hui-Sen Huang,Wan-yi Chou,and Yi-Hao Huang. they will be joined by New York-based actor Albert Hsueh,known for his roles in Pacific Overtures and The King and I,who will serve as the Narrator.
“Through age-old traditions, the piece beautifully weaves emotion, humor, and complex family relationships into a poignant reflection of customary and modern life in Taiwan,” says director Tseng. “The result is an uplifting transformation of a family.”
Ken Dingledine of Center Ring Theatrical, co-producing the New York presentation, shares his enthusiasm: “I find this piece deeply moving in unexpected ways.Its exploration of guilt, traditional gender identities, and the struggle against fate is beautifully crafted. I’m thrilled to be developing this powerful piece for a New York audience. This presentation is the first in what we hope will be many in an artistic pipeline bridging Asia and the English-speaking world.”
The musical enjoyed a sold-out tour across Taiwan, produced by VMTheatre Company under the leadership of CEO Tsung-Jen Hou, Artistic Director Hui-Cheng tseng, and Producer Yi-Heng Lin. The New York workshop is a collaboration between VMTheatre Company, KOKO Entertainment, Ken Dingledine, and executive producer Barbara Darwall.
Industry professionals interested in attending the workshop can RSVP by emailing [email protected].
What are the main challenges you faced in adapting *Don’t Cry, Dancing Girls* for an international audience?
Archyde Exclusive Interview: A Conversation with Hui-Cheng Tseng, Director of Don’t Cry, Dancing Girls
By Archys, Archyde News Editor
In the bustling heart of new York City, a unique theatrical event is poised to captivate audiences. Don’t Cry, Dancing Girls, a Taiwanese musical performed entirely in Chinese, is set to make its NYC debut with exclusive workshop presentations from January 23 to 25 at Theater Row. Directed by the visionary Hui-Cheng Tseng, the musical explores profound themes of family, loss, adn conversion.
We sat down with Hui-Cheng Tseng to discuss the creative journey behind this groundbreaking production, its cultural importance, and what audiences can expect from this highly anticipated workshop.
Archyde: Thank you for joining us, Hui-Cheng. Don’t Cry, Dancing girls is making waves as a Taiwanese musical performed entirely in Chinese. what inspired you to bring this story to New York City?
Hui-Cheng Tseng: Thank you for having me. The inspiration behind bringing Don’t Cry,Dancing Girls to New York City stems from a desire to share a deeply personal and culturally rich story with a global audience. The musical is rooted in Taiwanese history and culture, but its themes—family, loss, and transformation—are worldwide. New York is a melting pot of cultures, and I believe this story will resonate deeply here.
Archyde: the musical delves into themes of family and loss. Can you tell us more about the story and its emotional core?
Hui-Cheng Tseng: Absolutely. Don’t Cry, dancing Girls follows the journey of a young woman named Mei-Lin, who returns to her hometown in Taiwan after the sudden loss of her mother. As she reconnects with her family and childhood friends, she uncovers long-buried secrets about her mother’s past as a dancer. The story is a poignant exploration of grief, identity, and the power of art to heal.
The title itself, Don’t Cry, Dancing Girls, is a metaphor for resilience. It speaks to the idea that even in the face of pain, we can find strength and beauty through movement and expression.
Archyde: This is the first time the musical will be performed in New York. What challenges have you faced in adapting it for an international audience?
Hui-Cheng tseng: One of the biggest challenges has been ensuring that the cultural nuances of the story are preserved while making it accessible to an audience that may not be familiar with Taiwanese history or language. We’ve worked closely with the cast and creative team to incorporate English supertitles and subtle visual cues that enhance understanding without compromising the authenticity of the piece.
Another challenge has been finding the right balance between tradition and innovation. The musical incorporates traditional Taiwanese music and dance,but we’ve also infused it with contemporary elements to create a dynamic and engaging experience.
Archyde: The cast for this workshop has just been announced. Can you share a bit about the ensemble and what they bring to the production?
Hui-cheng Tseng: We’re incredibly fortunate to have such a talented and diverse cast. Each actor brings a unique perspective and depth to their role, which has enriched the storytelling immensely. Many of them have personal connections to Taiwan, which adds an extra layer of authenticity to their performances.
I’m especially excited about our lead actress, who plays Mei-Lin. She has an amazing ability to convey raw emotion through both her voice and movement, which is essential for this role. The ensemble as a whole is a powerhouse of talent, and I can’t wait for audiences to see them in action.
Archyde: What do you hope audiences will take away from this workshop presentation?
Hui-Cheng Tseng: my hope is that audiences will leave the theatre with a deeper appreciation for Taiwanese culture and a sense of connection to the universal themes of the story. I want them to feel moved, inspired, and perhaps even a little transformed by the experience.
This workshop is just the beginning.We’re using these presentations to refine the production and gather feedback, with the ultimate goal of bringing Don’t Cry, Dancing Girls to a wider audience in the future.
Archyde: what does it mean to you to be part of this historic moment for Taiwanese theater in New York City?
Hui-Cheng Tseng: It’s an incredible honor and a responsibility I don’t take lightly. Taiwanese stories are often underrepresented on the global stage, so being able to share this piece with New York audiences feels like a meaningful step forward. It’s a festivity of our culture, our history, and our artistry.
I’m deeply grateful to everyone who has supported this project, from the cast and crew to the producers and the audience.Together, we’re making history.
Don’t Cry, Dancing Girls will be presented at Theatre Row from January 23 to 25.Tickets are available now.Don’t miss this opportunity to experience a groundbreaking piece of Taiwanese theater in the heart of New York City.
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