Developmental History
Following a trip to China, composer Louis Steven Santora, inspired by the experience and the exotic nature of Guilin, Guangxi Province, wrote several songs upon his return to the United States. Wanting to hear the songs produced, Santora utilized young talent from the Carnegie Mellon University world-renowned musical theatre department which is located not far from Santora’ home in Pittsburgh, to begin recording the songs.
An experienced producer, Santora brought the raw project to Nashville for additional instrument tracking, mixing and mastering. A session drummer friend in Nashville had just returned from New York City where he was part the cast of the Johnny Cash, musical Ring of Fire. Santora’s friend introduced him to one the producers of Ring of Fire. The producer was impressed with the quality of the songs and production and story that inspired the creation of the project. The producer encouraged Santora to write a story to accompany the songs in order to begin its development into a show for musical theater.
Revisions continued over a number of years adding additional recordings produced in Pittsburgh, New York, and Los Angeles.
New York Musical Theatre Festival
The musical’s development advanced further with its selection to be part of the New York Musical Theater Festival in New York City. Participating in the festival allowed the show to be staged in front of a New York audience for the first time. The show was performed by a cast of New York actors, Scott Watanabe, Paul Martinez, Cheeyang Ng, Herman Sebek, EJ Zimmerman, Manna Nichols, with Matthew Rodin, Richie Abanes, Madelyn Monaghan, Maggie Wetzel, Chelsie Nectow, and Brad Frenette, with theater credits that include Cats, Miss Saigon, The King and I, and Allegiance. Music Direction was provided by Jonathon Lynch, and was directed by Peter Gregus (Jersey Boys). The festival cast list and pictures are available at the musical’s Facebook page. Facebook
Critical audience comments from the festival led to more development over the next several years. Script refinements, new recordings of songs and performances, further refined the project to its current version.