Blended 和 (Harmony): The Kim Loo Sisters Musical
Synopsis
The children of a Polish immigrant and Chinese “Paper Son,” the Kim Loo Sisters, raised in Minneapolis, attended the same dance classes as the Andrews Sisters. Alice, Maggie, Jenée, and Bubbles’ singing and dancing vaudeville routines took them to Broadway, Hollywood, and the world on the USO circuit during World War II; they shared billing with Frank Sinatra, Jackie Gleason and Ann Miller. These extraordinary women could have been famous, inspiring generations of hapa (mixed-race Asian) girls. Today, their names are forgotten. The Kim Loo Sisters Musical tells the true story of the Sisters and juxtapose the Hollywood glamour of the 1930s and 40s with darker realities for artists of color during the era of Chinese Exclusion, Internment Camps and anti-miscegenation laws.
PRODUCTION HISTORY
History Theatre & Theater Mu (2024)
Developmental HISTORY
Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s Ground Floor Summer Lab (2019)
New York Stage and Film (2021)
Commission, History Theatre & Theater Mu
Quotes/Reviews
“While the script navigates moments of levity akin to "Little Women" and the soulful resonance of "Dreamgirls," it also confronts poignant themes of stereotyping, discrimination, and racism with unflinching honesty. The musical score, a blend of infectious upbeat tunes and poignant ballads, further enriches the narrative tapestry of the production.” Jared Fessler, Broadway World
“A heart-warming story of family and identity, told with a fabulous swing era score.” Cherry and Spoon
“Greywoode and Huang have a strong song partnership, and Huang's libretto is by turns sweet, inspiring and occasionally edgy.” Rohan Preston, Star Tribune
“Delivers genuine entertainment with some social history tucked in” Arthur Dorman Talkin’ Broadway
