McCoy Rigby Entertainment in association with La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts presented a sold out concert of the new musical The Noble Family on Wednesday, April 5th. This is a remarkable play/concert that is definitely on its way to Broadway!
The audience got swept away to a time and place like no other in The Noble Family, a brand new romantic musical from the talented team of Chinese-born composer Cecilia Lin and lyricist David Zellnik (Yank!), directed by Oanh Nguyen (Artistic Director, Chance Theater). Based on a best-selling Chinese novel and TV series, this show promised to take you on a journey you won’t soon forget.
Set in the glamorous and intriguing world of 1920s China, The Noble Family follows the unlikely love story of Qing, an ordinary girl, and Yanxi, the son of the most powerful family in town – the Prime Minister’s family. But their love is far from easy, as the noble family is facing a devastating political challenge. As the storm clouds gather, Qing must make a decision that will shock everyone. With a perfect blend of epic and intimate moments, this musical poses an important question: what are we willing to sacrifice for love in a world that’s falling apart? Come see The Noble Family and discover the answer for yourself. This is a show you won’t want to miss!
Cecilla Lin, graduate of Royal College of Music (London), is a four-time China Music Award winner for Best Composer of the Year. Beginning her professional career at age 15, Ms. Lin has written over a hundred pieces of pop music for various Asian Pop stars and twenty-one songs that reached #1 on Chinese Music Radio (Chinese Billboard). Ms. Lin also has a selection of film and TV credits, including composing additional material for Disney’s High School Musical (Asia). IN 2015, Ms. Lin signed on with the Paris National Symphony Orchestra as its first Asian composer and is the youngest artist ever to be on the national stamp issued by China Post. Since 2018, Cecilla has been living in New York pursuing a career in the Broadway theatre industry, earning multiple awards as a co-producer, including the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical (Desperate Measures), and is currently represented as a co-producer on Broadway in Mrs. Doubtfire.
David Zellnik is thrilled to be collaborating across cultures with composer Cecilia on their first musical. Previously, he wrote the book and lyrics for Yank! with composer Joseph Zellnik (Off Broadway 2010, 7 Drama Desk nom’s; 2017 productions West End, Rio de Janeiro; Chicago 2018, Brisbane 2018, Brisbane 2019). Joseph and David’s previous musicals include First in Flight for Theatreworks, and NMTN-winner City of Dreams. With composer Eric Svejcar, his comedy with songs The F#@%king Wright Brothers was part of FringeNYC 2018 and their episodic podcast musical Loveville High has been downloaded over 60K times and will soon be recorded in Portuguese. David’s plays include The Letters (developed @ NY Stage and Film, premiered: Bridge Theatre 2019) The Udmurts (Winner: Equity Library Theatre competition, Defunkt Theatre 2016); Serendib (The Hippodrome; Ensemble Studio Theatre); and Let a Hundred Flowers Bloom (New Ensemble).
Other involved in the production include Musical Direction by Andrew Gerle, Musical Arrangement by Jianbo Bi and Cecilia Lin, Stage Managed by Nicki Heskin, and Casting by Lindsay Brooks. Cast includes (in alphabetical order): Joan Almedilla, Ben Carroll, Michael Cavinder, Victor E. Chan, Joanne Javien Coudriet, Regina A. Fernandez, Timothy H. Lee, Kevin Matsumoto, Samuel Pablo, Madison Sprague, Katy Tang, and Leianna Weaver.
