The Magic of Broadway Comes to Vietnam: An Australian Director’s Vision

The Broadway-caliber musical, Shrek, is set to wow audiences in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi this summer as part of the Shrek: On National Tour project. Produced by The YOUniverse, a creative ecosystem under Pacific Ocean Partners Group based in Australia, the musical promises to be a treat for families and theater enthusiasts alike.

Shrek is more than just a fun and entertaining musical; it’s a show that brings families together and helps parents and children connect on a deeper level as they experience the powerful messages conveyed through the performance. And this year, the beloved characters of Shrek, Fiona, and their friends are venturing to Ho Chi Minh City for the very first time, offering a unique and exciting opportunity for the local community.

Australian director Jesse Donaldson Jarrett, who is at the helm of this production, shared his insights with The Hanoi Times about the upcoming show, his experience working with local talent, and his vision for the future of the arts in Vietnam. Jarrett, a graduate of the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Australia, has an impressive background in theater, having worked as an actor, producer, assistant director, and director across a range of plays.
 Actors bring Shrek to life during rehearsals. Photo: Ngo Minh/The Hanoi Times

Jarrett shared his thoughts on the involvement of Vietnamese youth in the 2024 Shrek musical: “I’ve been continually impressed by the young talent in Vietnam during my time here. Their raw talent, coupled with their enthusiasm and willingness to learn, is truly humbling. Everyone involved in this project has a deep passion for the art form, which has helped them navigate the challenges of theater, especially musical theater.”

He went on to praise the young performers in Shrek, acknowledging the challenges they faced and their dedication to growth: “I feel very fortunate to be working with such talented individuals, and I can’t wait to see their continued growth in future projects.”

When asked about the challenges he faced during the production process, Jarrett highlighted the delicate balance between comedy and drama inherent to the show: “Shrek is a meta-comedy that parodies Broadway musicals, and finding the right tone was crucial. We had to take everything seriously to land the jokes and deliver the beautiful, touching moments effectively.”
 Director Jesse Donaldson Jarrett shares his vision. Photo: Ngo Minh/The Hanoi Times

As for his hopes for the audience’s experience, Jarrett said, “I want the audience to love the show as much as I do. I want them to feel the fun, the drama, and the touching resolutions. My wish is that we all share a love for the experience, and I’m excited to give Vietnam a taste of Broadway as we get closer to that golden professional standard.”

The director also shared his positive experiences in Hanoi, expressing his love for the city and its people. He praised the friendliness and helpfulness of the locals and shared his enjoyment of the local cuisine, including Hanoi’s famous beef noodle soup and egg coffee. Jarrett also explored the city’s iconic Hoan Kiem Lake and plans to travel to nearby localities like Quang Ninh or Ninh Binh after the project concludes.
 Director Jesse Donaldson Jarrett at the sneak peek of Shrek: On National Tour. Photo: Ngo Minh/The Hanoi Times

When asked about his vision for the arts industry in Vietnam over the next five years, Jarrett expressed his hope for a dramatic boom in the musical theater scene, bringing more opportunities for professionals in the industry. He noted the strong foundations for the artistic community and predicted a significant increase in the quality of performances, with a particular emphasis on the coherent use of lighting and sound to enhance the overall experience. Jarrett believes that this could spark a movement toward the creation of more Vietnamese works for the stage, paving the way for the next evolution of performing arts in the country.

The Hanoi Times expresses its gratitude for Jarrett’s time and insights, and we wish him and the entire cast and crew of Shrek: On National Tour the best of success with their upcoming performances.

You may also like

Painting contest held for buffaloes joining ploughing festival in Ha Nam



A buffalo painting contest for the Doi Son Tich Dien (ploughing) Festivalwas held on February 10, or the sixth day of the Lunar New Year in Doi Son commune, Duy Tien district, the northern province of Ha Nam.

Pho Hien folk cultural festival kicks off in Hung Yen



The Pho Hien Folk Cultural Festival opened in the northern province of Hung Yen on April 21.

Sam Son sea festival slated for April 21



The 2018 sea festival of Sam Son city of the north central coastal province of Thanh Hoa will take place on April 21, heard a press conference held in the city on April 12.

Ha Long Carnival opens in Quang Ninh



The Ha Long Carnival, a highlight of the Ha Long – Quang Ninh tourism week 2019, opened in Bai Chay and Hon Gai tourism area in the northern province of Quang Ninh on April 28.

Tam Chuc Pagoda – Ancient beauty amidst majestic scenery



Covering 5,100 ha, Tam Chuc complex is a perfect combination of ancient beauty and the mighty of the immense mountain.

The post The Magic of Broadway Comes to Vietnam: An Australian Director’s Vision appeared first on Vietexplorer.com.

Nhận xét

Đăng nhận xét

Bài đăng phổ biến từ blog này

IMF Expert: Vietnam Retains Allure for Foreign Investors

Hình ảnh
Vietnam is an attractive investment destination for foreign investors due to its high and stable economic growth, large domestic market and young, well-educated human resources, said Paulo Medas, head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) team to Vietnam at the recent Annual Meetings of the IMF and the World Bank Group (WB) held in the US. According to Medas, despite rising geopolitical instability globally, Vietnam’s economy experienced a growth rate of 5.66% in the first quarter of this year. Exports continue to see an upward trend, facilitating overall growth until the end of this year. He projected that Vietnam’s economic growth is predicted to expand by nearly 6% this year due to the recovery of domestic demand and supportive fiscal policies from the government. However, he noted that Vietnam needs to maintain a flexible fiscal policy to manage risks and ensure sustained growth. A production line at the Republic of Korea’s Bluecom Vina Co., Ltd, in the Trang Due Ind
Đọc thêm

Vietnam’s Weather Alert: Torrential Downpours Sweep Southern Provinces and Central Highlands

Hình ảnh
On the evening of May 19, the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting reported moderate to heavy rainfall in the Northeast region, with an average of 30-60mm. Meanwhile, the Northwest region, along with Thanh Hoa and Nghe An, experienced more intense weather with moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms. The rainfall in these areas ranged from 40-80mm, with some locations surpassing 150mm. The Central region, Central Highlands, and the South are also bracing for prolonged thunderstorms, mostly occurring in the afternoon and evening. Regional Weather Forecast Northwest Region : The evening and night skies are expected to be overcast, with moderate to heavy rain in certain areas. Thunderstorms may bring tornadoes, lightning, hail, and strong winds. Temperature lows will be between 23-26°C, while highs will reach 31-34°C. Northeast Region : Cloudy and rainy conditions are predicted throughout the day, with scattered thunderstorms in the evening. Southeast winds will be
Đọc thêm

ASEAN Graphic Arts Competition and Exhibition 2024: Fostering Bonds of Friendship

The event is expected to contribute to expanding relations and promoting cultural exchange and international cooperation in the field of fine arts, and tightening the friendship among ASEAN member countries, the ministry said. It also offers a chance for Vietnamese artists and those from other ASEAN countries to share experience and new techniques in creating artwork, and introduce their works on the people and land of each country. The artworks are required to be created between 2020 and 2024, encompassing woodcut, metal engraving, gypsum engraving, rubber engraving, on-stone print, and unique print, and other forms of graphic art. The themes of the entries should focus on various aspects of life, humans, natural landscapes, country, peace, solidarity, cooperation, friendship, and contemporary issues. The organization board will select approximately 200 graphic artworks for the exhibition. Among them, 21 pieces will receive awards. The award ceremony is scheduled to take place i
Đọc thêm