The musical "The Watermelon Prince: The Musical" will officially premiere at the City Theater on October 3rd and 4th, 2026. The work is developed from the story of Mai An Tiem, combining Vietnamese folk tales with Broadway musical stage language.
This is the first original Broadway-standard musical project to be co-developed by a team of experienced creators from the United States, along with talents and art organizations in Vietnam.
The play is inspired by the story of Mai An Tiem, King Hung's adopted son, being envied, slandered and exiled to a deserted island. Accompanying him is Princess My Linh. From adversity, the story becomes a journey of perseverance, faith, hope and the power of love.
Director and main choreographer Spencer Liff, who has been nominated for the Emmy Award twice, said he is interested in combining Broadway's storytelling language with Vietnamese culture, music and traditions. The play features a live symphony orchestra, original songs from lyrical to heroic, and choreography combining Broadway dance and Vietnamese traditional dance.
The international creative team also includes Music Director Doug Katsaros, who won an Emmy Award, and screenwriter Nicole Jones-Dion. Production Director Gabriel Barre, who was nominated for the Tony Award, also participates in the project.
On the Vietnamese side, Le Hoang Giang takes on the role of Deputy Director, while director Nguyen Tan Loc, founder of Arabesque Dance Company, plays the role of Co-director.
The cast gathers many generations of artists. Meritorious Artist Kim Tu Long plays King Hung, People's Artist Trinh Kim Chi plays Empress Thi Thi. Denis Dang plays Prince Mai An Tiem, and Myra Tran successfully transforms into Princess My Linh. In addition, the work features the participation of Trong Nhan, Tam Hoang and Truong Bao Nhu.
Denis Dang expects the play to create a buzz, thereby having more musical works developed in Vietnam. Myra Tran said that she was inspired and learned a lot from the project, and at the same time strived to complete the role.
The Story of the Watermelon" is produced by Happy Sunshine Entertainment in collaboration with SPO and Arabesque, with the orientation of being an art program for the community, contributing to supporting orphans and elderly people in difficult circumstances in Vietnam.
