Photo Coverage: Richard Kind Helps SHIMMER Shine at Edison Ballroom

During WWII, over 23,000 Jews landed in Shanghai seeking refuge from Nazi persecution. This rarely told, true and inspirational story now comes to life as an epic new musical, Shimmer. On Tuesday, December 6, The Appeal of Conscience Foundation, Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment, Hengyuanxiang Drama and Phoenix Cultural Industry Development (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. presented a showcase presentation of the musical at The Edison Ballroom in Times Square, Manhattan. Actor Richard Kind (Broadway's The Producers, Tale of the Allergist's Wife, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels; television's "Spin City," "Mad About You") offered introductory remarks prior to the presentation.

Featuring a book by Rong Guangrun, music by Peter Pui-Tat Kam, lyrics by Liang Mang, and direction by Xu Jun, Shimmer is a bilingual musical, performed in both English and Mandarin, with an original score inspired by music of the era, traditional Jewish and Chinese music, klezmer, and contemporary musical theater. In September 2015, Shimmer premiered at Shanghai Culture Square, launching the 17th China Shanghai International Arts Festival and garnering critical acclaim from local and national media as well as many Chinese theatre awards. Featuring a company of 35 Chinese and Israeli artists, has been called the Chinese equivalent of LES MISERABLES both in musical grandeur and scope of the storytelling.

Shimmer is the true story of two unlikely worlds coming together, and empowering one another to survive in the face of adversity. When nations around the world locked their borders to Jews seeking refuge from the Nazi regime, the residents of Shanghai offer asylum, welcoming tens-of-thousands into their community.

Photo Credit: Genevieve Rafter Keddy

Peter Pui-Tat Kam (Composer)

Chen Zhongwei (CEO, Hengyuanxiang Drama)

Ambassador Zhang Qiyue (Consul General, Chinese Consulate in New York) and Robert Nederlander, Jr. (President, Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment)

Richard Kind

Rabbi Arthur Schneier (President, Appeal of Conscience Foundation), Chen Zhongwei and David Henry Hwang

David Henry Hwang

Lei Jin (Office of Shanghai Foreign Affairs), Robert Nederlander, Jr., Ambassador Zhang Qiyue, Rabbi Arthur Schneier, Chen Zhongwei and David Henry Hwang

David Henry Hwang and Richard Kind

Richard Kind

Richard Kind

Rong Guangrun (Book Writer)

Richard Kind

Richard Kind

Richard Kind

Rabbi Arthur Schneier and Robert Nederlander, Jr.

Robert Nederlander, Jr.

Iftach Jeffrey Ophir

The Cast of Shimmer

Shahar Yishay, Oliver MacDonald Butler and Sivan Kaynar Kissinger

Oren Habot

Oren Habot and Sivan Kaynar Kissinger

Shahar Yishay

Shahar Yishay and Pan Qi

The Cast of Shimmer

The Cast of Shimmer

The Cast of Shimmer

Shahar Yishay

Pan Qi

Shahar Yishay and Pan QI

Zhu Zirong

Shahar Yishay Oliver MacDonald Butler and Iftach Jeffrey Ophir

Oren Habot, Sivan Kaynar Kissinger, Shahar Yishay, Oliver MacDonald Butler and Iftach Jeffrey Ophir

The Cast of Shimmer

The Cast of Shimmer

Ambassador Zhang Qiyue

Chen Zhongwei