WATERFALL PREVIEW

Fans of the stunning atmosphere of The King and I—rejoice! We’re finally going to have another musical set in the beautiful country of Thailand! Waterfall is coming to the Pasadena Playhouse in May of next year. It’s based on the Thai novel, Behind the Painting, which is considered to be a romantic masterpiece.

To make the announcement about it, a select few journalists were invited to the Playhouse’s near-by rehearsal space to meet the distinguished international creative team, and get some insight into the upcoming production.

Having this glimpse into the behind-the-scenes workings at the Playhouse made me realize something; when we, the public, see a show, we can never fully imagine the years of hard work, and blood, sweat, and tears, that go into bringing it to us. So, it was fascinating to be privy to the knowledge that all these behind-the-scenes professionals were giving us. And I’m happy to share it with you all!

(L to R) Los Angeles’ Royal Thai Consul General Jesda, composer David Shire, lyricist Richard Maltby, Jr., director Tak Viravan, New York producer Jack Dalgleish, Pasadena Playhouse Artistic Director Sheldon Epps, Pasadena Playhouse Executive Director Elizabeth Doran, and Pasadena Playhouse General Manager Joe Wit. Photo by Karen Salkin.

All the principles spoke, and each added a different perspective. The artistic director of the Playhouse, Sheldon Epps, pointed-out that, up until now, they have basically “served the black and Latino communities, but not the Asian.” In addition to rectifying that situation by producing Waterfall, the run will also feature a bi-lingual box office, which I think is pretty cool. Until I went to an event last year celebrating the Thai Minister of Commerce, I had absolutely no idea there were so many Thai people in Los Angeles! (I knew there were tons of Thai restaurants, just not that number of Thai people to enjoy them!) I’m sure that community will be very happy to have this musical here next Spring.

Director Tak Viravan told us that Waterfall is an epic love story, which is right up this romantic’s alley! He said, “The message we want to give out is: beauty is all around.” He also mentioned something that I personally think about every day; he said, “Look around, and appreciate what you have.”

Next we heard from the prolific multiple-award-winning composer-lyricist duo of David Shire and Richard Maltby, Jr. I think you all know what a fan of loyalty I am, so I love a team that stays together forever, and these men have been writing in tandem since college! Yale, no less!!! I can’t get over how nice they both are! I really didn’t expect that level of down-to-earthiness from such icons of the theatre.

Richard said that Waterfall is akin to tales like South Pacific, Casablanca, and Gone With The Wind in that “great love stories take place against political upheaval.” For those of us with no time to read the original book beforehand, that gives us a glimpse into what to expect at the Pasadena Playhouse next year.

Bie Sukrit Wisetkaew.

But even more than the music and the narrative, or even the performance by cute, young Thai singing star Bie Sukrit Wisetkaew, (who was the runner-up on that country’s television singing competition, The Star, about nine years ago,) I’m looking so forward to the sets and the scenic design. I expect them to be absolutely gorgeous.

When the press conference was over, and we were done mingling, (which I enjoyed doing with the musical men, who are my fellow New Yorkers,) the assemblage adjourned to the bigger rehearsal room, and enjoyed a buffet of—guess what?–Thai food! As much as I enjoyed the food, I loved getting a tour of this rehearsal space even more.

Speaking of space, I’m reserving mine at the Pasadena Playhouse for Waterfall right now. I suggest you do the same. Spring will be here before we know it!