New York Musical Festival in association with
Nicole Kwan/Mark Gagliardi/Theresa Perkins and Musical Theatre Factory Presents

INTERSTATE

Book, Music & Lyrics by MELISSA LI
Book & Lyrics by KIT YAN

Starring

KIET TAI CAO, JON VIKTOR CORPUZ, ESCO JOULEY, ANGEL LIN, ALLISON LINKER
MICHELLE NOH, SUSHA SAHA and ANDREAS WYDER

Directed by JESSI D. HILL
Choreographer: JESSICA CHEN

Musicians

KAREN DRYER, TIDTAYA INUTOKE, BETH CALLEN and ASHLEY BAIER

Music Director: KAREN DRYER

The Acorn Theatre at Theatre Row
410 West 42nd Street (between Ninth & Tenth Avenues)
www.thearerow.org
07/09 @ 7 PM; 07/12 @ PM; 7/13 /2 5 PM; 07/14 @ 9 PM; 07/15 @ 1 PM and 5 PM

I’m not sure if there are enough superlatives to tell you about Melissa Li’s and Kit Yan’s INTERSTATE. Declaring itself an Asian-American Pop-Rock Poetry Musical, it is all that and more. Dash (Jon Viktor Corpuz) and Adrian (Angel Lin) are taking their poetry slam music concert on a national tour. As a transgender and a lesbian, their music is directed to all those people out there who don’t fit into the box created by straight white America. Closely following their journey is Pria/Henry (Sushma Saha) from a small town in Kentucky who is on his own personal journey. Scene-stealer Kiet Tai Cao is the father who provides support, and Michelle Noh is the mother who clings to conventional standards. Esco Jouley, Allison Linker, and Andreas Wyder round out this superb cast.

INTERSTATE is worthy of any Broadway stage. In addition to an amazing cast where each one deserves to be mentioned by name for their performances and amazing voices, the lyrics are resplendent with phenomenal messages that pull at your heartstrings. Fueled by a pulsating beat and clever choreography, the story of the conflict between being yourself and wanting to belong is told, encouraging all to jump out of the box, hit the road, and create your own journey. The audience leaves inspired and wishing there was a soundtrack to remind them of this transformational experience.

- Laurie Lawson -