A one-night-only concert showcasing some of the world’s leading Asian musical theatre performers, alongside rising stars, will take place in the West End this autumn.
RepresentAsian: An Evening of Asian Talent is set for Monday 13 October at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue. The event aims to promote diversity and inclusivity, while offering opportunities for emerging artists and spotlighting the very best Asian talent on stage.
The concert is also fundraising to establish a scholarship for young Asian individuals to train in the arts, broadening the talent pool. It will partner with The Boury Academy in collaboration with The Right To Be There, founded by US stage, film and television actor Conrad Ricamora.
Ricamora will appear as a special guest on the night. He recently earned a Tony Award nomination for originating the role of Abraham Lincoln in Broadway’s Oh, Mary! and is currently filming The Devil Wears Prada 2. His screen credits include How To Get Away With Murder, The Resident, Fire Island and the upcoming The Last Day. A veteran of the New York stage, he has starred in Here Lies Love, The King And I, Little Shop of Horrors and Soft Power.
The star-studded West End line-up includes Joanna Ampil (Phantom of the Opera), Frances Mayli McCann (The Great Gatsby), Desmonda Cathabel (Hadestown), Joe Thompson-Oubari (Wicked), Talia Palamathanan (Back to the Future), Parisa Shahmir (Jesus Christ Superstar) and El Haq Latief (Cabaret). Making their West End debuts are Reuben Khan, Ritesh Manugula and Eunice De Castro. Hosting the evening will be EastEnders favourite and Now That’s What I Call A Musical star Nina Wadia.
The creative team behind the production features Ben Armstrong (Founder and Casting Director), Amy Hsu (Musical Director), Natalie Pound (Musical Supervisor), designs by Ghostlight Productions, and Alex Kais for House of Kais as Head of Brands and Partnerships. The concert is produced by Aixa Amarante Productions.
Ben Armstrong said: “Representation matters a great deal to me, as a mixed race Sri Lankan individual, and I want to give back to the Asian community. Providing access and opportunities to young people is how to widen the talent pool, strengthen representation and hopefully inspire others to commit to inclusivity and diversity in the arts. I can’t wait to share this show with a West End audience.”
