Tribeca Performing Arts Center to Present METROPOLIS!, 11/13

BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center, the longest operating performance venue in lower Manhattan, presents the New York premiere of Metropolis!, performing on Thursday, November 13 at 7:30 PM.

Metropolis! is a joyful musical performed in both English and Mandarin, depicting the 30 year transformation of Shenzhen, China from a fishing village into the world class city it is today through music, choreography, costumes and colorful video scenery - all within 90 minutes. The production is a result of a collaboration between The Shenzhen, China Bureau of Culture, with performing artists from the Public Culture and Sports Development Center of Futian District, Shenzhen, written by and under the Artistic Direction of Worldwide Stage, Inc.

In 2012 Author and Artistic Director, Burton Wolfe; Composer and Orchestrator, Scott Gehman; and Chinese, lyric translator and Vice President of Worldwide Stage, Inc., Lawrence Wong, spent many months in Shenzhen, China putting the show together. The Chinese Metropolis! Premiere took place at the prestigious Poly Theatre in Beijing in December 2012.

2014 marks the 35th Anniversary of Sino US Diplomatic Relations. Metropolis! has the support of The Shenzhen, China Bureau of Culture, Public Culture and Sports Development Center of Futian District, Shenzhen, The City of Houston and Houston's Miller Outdoor Theater, and World Performances, Inc.

Burton Wolfe (Book and Lyrics & Artistic Director) is President of Worldwide Stage Inc., and is an International Playwright, Artistic Director and Houston Community College Professor of Speech Communications and Theater. His production of AsiaFest with the participation of ten Asian nations was called a "breakthrough event uniting East and West..." by President Ronald Reagan. Burton was previously a United Nations UNICEF USA National Director of Productions and Events.

Dr. Scott Gehman (Composer) is former Chair of the Houston Community College Audio, Recording and Film Department. Dr. Gehman is currently a professor at the HCC and Texas A&M branches in the Sovereign Arab State of Qatar. Gehman has been a long time musical collaborator with Burton Wolfe. Together they have written over twelve Broadway style musicals.

Lawrence Wong (Translator ) is the Worldwide Stage, Inc. Vice President and Director of Operations. Mr. Wong's Mandarin translations have made the entire Metropolis! musical production bilingual, with acting and singing in both English and Mandarin. Mr. Wong's work can be remembered from the buoyant bilingual Houston, Florida and Shenzhen, China productions of The Legend of Yin and Yang ; the prototype bilingual musical created by Burton Wolfe that combined Shenzhen Chinese Acrobats and Houston Hip Hop dancers.

Wang Ji (Lead Actor) was a featured performer in West Side Story in China. Mr. Wang Ji feels, "It is an honor to participate in this innovative musical; and being Chinese, I am very proud of this production. I hope that when Metropolis! tours the US, we will have great support from each of the Chinese communities as well as the US diverse audiences. The musical tells the story of how people working together can achieve great accomplishments..."

Tickets are $25-$35. To purchase tickets, call Ticketing Services at (212) 220-1460. Tickets can also be purchased by visiting http://tribecapac.org/direct-from-shenzhen-china-metropolis/ or by visiting the Box Office at 199 Chambers Street, Tues-Sat from 12P - 6P.

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