Sunday, October 18, 2009

Musical Theatre Newsletter 18 October 2009

Musical Theatre Newsletter 18 October 2009


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Kenneth Lyen
Date: Sun, Oct 18, 2009 at 1:27 PM
Subject: Musical Theatre Newsletter 18 October 2009

Hi,

Yesterday (17 Oct) we ran a songwriting workshop for musical theatre
at the Arts House, which was well supported. Thanks.

Next Saturday, 24 October, we are running a workshop for writing the
book (= script) of a musical. There are some places left. Please
register if you wish to attend.

Below is a list of forthcoming events organized by Musical Theatre
Limited. Hope you can support us!

A. TELLING THE STORY: Writing the Book of a Musical
Conducted by Chet Woon (President of the Singapore Screenwriters Association)
Saturday 24 October 2-6 pm
The Arts House, 1 Parliament Square, Singapore
Entrance: Free for students (please bring your student card), entry by
donation for others.
Please register with Audrey Lee (office manager) 98339331
audrey.lee@musicaltheatrelimited.org
This is a practical workshop, and you will be asked to write a musical
story. There are a few places left, so please hurry!

B. WONDER OF MUSICALS ~ The Hit Songs! [Musical Revue, Concert of
superb Singers singing songs from Musicals]
Nov 5 THU (8pm)
Nov 6 FRI
Nov 7 SAT
Nov 8 (SUN, 7pm) is the Gala Dinner night, S$120 per head donation.
Tax Relief applies.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=118627768231

C. LOST IN TRANSIT: The Musical
A compelling story told with heartfelt songs that will make you laugh
and make you cry!
Nov 19 THU (SOLD OUT!)
Nov 20 FRI (8pm)
Nov 21 SAT
Nov 22 SUN
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=256626775190

D. MINI MUSICALS 2010
We are inviting submissions for Mini (15-minute) Musicals. Selected
musicals will be staged by Musical Theatre Limited next year.
Please contact Audrey Lee (office manager) 98339331
audrey.lee@musicaltheatrelimited.org for an application form and for
the rules and regulations. The deadline for submission is Sunday 15
November 2009.

E. BEAT-BY-BEAT INCUBATION PROGRAM
You are invited to submit your ideas for a full-length musical to be
incubated and workshopped in our Beat-by-Beat incubation program,
which is supported by the National Arts Council. The musical developed
will go through several readings, and selected musicals will have a
no-frills workshop demo staging.
Please register with Audrey Lee (office manager) 98339331
audrey.lee@musicaltheatrelimited.org

F. OTHER FUTURE EVENTS BEING PLANNED
Please look out for the following events:
1. Story Songs: This is a nationwide songwriting competition organized
by Roland Ang. Please write songs that tell a story.
2. Cabaret Musicals: We invite you to submit original songs suitable
for cabaret.

G. ROUND-UP OF WEBLINKS THAT HAVE CAUGHT MY ATTENTION

1. Non-Andrew Lloyd Webber Cats
http://bobi.org/fun/catmusic/
(there is a YouTube site of these cats with music, but I found it a
bit boring... sorry!)

2. TED Music performances
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/qi_zhang_s_electrifying_organ_performance.html
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/nora_york_sings_what_i_want.html
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/nellie_mckay_sings_clonie_1.html
http://www.ted.com/talks/benjamin_zander_on_music_and_passion.html
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/david_pogue_on_the_music_wars.html

3. Why Musical Theatre Is Well Loved By Many by Russ Bell
http://www.articlemaniac.com/article/238993/why-musical-theatre-is-well-loved-by-many.html

Please contact me if you have any news or musical ideas that you would
like developed.

Have a pleasant Deepavalli weekend!

Cheers,

Ken
http://www.musicaltheatrelimited.org/
http://kenlyen.blogspot.com/search/label/musical
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_Lyen


..............................

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Writing Story and Song ~ MTL Arts House

Hello,

A rare chance to learn and to be happier....
Teachers: Elaine CHAN! ChetWoon! KenLYEN! DezzMOEY! StellaKON! Amazing!

Elaine is our famous and composer, songwriter, music director.

Chet Woon is President of the ScreenWriters Association of Singapore

Stella KON ~ Writer of the classic "Emily of Emerald Hill."

KenLYEN ~ If he doesn't know a thing about a particular musical, you won't either.... The Musicals Encyclopedia ~ Live!

This FREE is good free stuff! Hosted at The ArtsHouse! Yes, you will write a song, a story, when you come!

*~*


Writing Story and Song

Two seminars conducted by Musical Theatre Limited

Come and learn from our experienced practitioners,

How to write music and script for Singapore musical theatre.

These seminars are for people who have just started writing/composing musicals, as well as veteran composers and scriptwriters. Panel discussions and hands-on exercises will help you get started on a full-length work or a 15 minute mini musical.

Sat Oct 17 and Sat Oct 24 2009, 2 – 6 pm

at the Arts House, SINGAPORE

FREE when you sign up for the seminar –

voucher for 1 session of personal mentorship

on your new Mini Musical script.

Five Foot Broadway Mini Musicals 2010

Entries close 15 Nov 2009.

COURSE DETAILS

Sat Oct 17 2 pm.

Writing The Songs

  1. Songwriting: the Melody and Arrangement - Elaine CHAN and Kenneth LYEN
  2. Writing Lyrics - Stella Kon and Desmond Moey

Sat 24 Oct 2 pm

Writing the Story by Chet Woon.

Cost – FREE to students showing student card. Other participants are invited to DONATE as they wish (Donor gets 2.5 times tax relief)

contact: Audrey Lee [ audrey.lee@musicaltheatrelimited.org ], tel 98339331

REGISTRATIONS CLOSE 16 October 2009


MTL wrwr

............
Useful Links


Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Musical Theatre Newsletter 2009Jul 27




From: Kenneth Lyen
Date: Mon, Jul 27, 2009 at 11:49 PM
Subject: Musical Theatre Newsletter 2009 Jul 27

Hi,

We welcome Benson Puah, the new head of the National Arts Council. We
wish him the very best (and hope that he will support musical
theatre)!

As National Day looms, Musical Theatre Limited has organized some
exciting events to lift your spirits out of recession's gloom. People
who write musicals tend to think in rhymes, but a partial rhyme is a
crime (shudder)!

1. BIG BANG! THE MUSICAL
One of the earliest "mega" musicals produced in Singapore was "Big
Bang! The Musical" in 1995. Producer Andy Lim. Book by Stephen Yan,
Music by Desmond Moey and Kenneth Lyen, Lyrics by Desmond Moey; music
arranged and conducted by Iskandar Ismail. Come to this Free Event and watch Video clips of
the original stage performance at the Kallang Theatre. Featuring Hawk
Liu and others singing songs from this landmark musical. Presented by
Musical Theatre Limited.
Date: Friday 31 Jul; Time: 7pm
Venue: The SCREENING ROOM, The Arts House
Price: Free
Enquiries: Please SMS Desmond (+65) 92721648 or visit
www.musicaltheatrelimited.org
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=132925030800

2. FULL CIRCLE
The Musicals Appreciation Series continues with Full Circle. Come and
enjoy songs from Broadway and West End musicals.
Date: Friday 7 Aug; TIme: 7 pm - 8:30 pm
Venue: The Library at the Esplanade
Price: Free
Enquiries: Shaiful < theshai@yahoo.com>

3. MONKEY: THE WHITE BONE DEMON: THE PUPPET MUSICAL
You are invited to watch the brand new puppet rock musical by Kenneth
Lyen, Desmond Moey and Stella Kon, with puppets by Frankie Yeo. This
is part of the Bukit Timah Community Club Arts program.
Time: Sat 8 Aug 7pm, and Sunday 6 Sept 2-5 pm (two shows)
Place: Bukit Timah Community Club, 20 Toh Yi Drive
Price: Free
Enquiries: Please SMS Audrey (+65) 98339331, e-mail:
musicaltheatrelimited>, or visit
www.musicaltheatrelimited.org

4. MUSICAL THEATRE WRITING SEMINAR-WORKSHOP
Come and learn how to write a musical. Take the opportunity to write a
mini (15 minute) musical.
a) WRITING THE STORY by Chet Woon, President, Screenwriters
Association of Singapore (SWA) ( www.screenwriters.org.sg) and is a
lecturer in screenwriting at the Puttnam School of FIlm, Lasalle-SIA,
and Singapore Polytechnic.
Date: 15 August; Time: 2-6 pm. Place: The COUNCIL ROOM at The Arts House
b) SONGWRITING by Stella Kon
Date: 22 August; Time 2-6 pm. Place: The COUNCIL ROOM at The Arts House
Enquiries: Please SMS Audrey (+65) 98339331, e-mail:
ted>

5. WONDER OF MUSICALS at THE HALL, THE ARTS HOUSE
Come and enjoy hit songs from Singapore musicals.
Time: Performance only: 17, 18, 20 Sept 8 pm;
Performance with dinner: 19 Sept 7 pm
Venue: The Hall at The Arts House
Price: Performance only: $28, $48 per ticket
Performance with dinner: $120 per person
Enquiries: Please SMS Audrey (+65) 98339331, e-mail:
musicaltheatrelimited>

6. MUSICAL THEATRE LIMITED NEW WEBSITE
Please visit our new website...
www.musicaltheatrelimited.org
...and give us your feedback. Thanks.

7. MY FAVORITE SPOOF SONGS
Over the past few years, I have been sending out links to various
spoof songs. Here is a compilation of my favorites. Do you have any to
share?
Web Site Story http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1913584
Food Court Musical http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1806179
Airport Musical http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1824285
Lecture Musical http://www.collegehumor.com/video:248334
Library Musical http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mUyvaPtsJw
Write Your Own Musical http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1896663
Waterworld the Musical http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1891692
The Office Musical http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1903007
Honest Graduation Song http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1913071
Porn Song http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1901172
Musical Kitchen http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1737791
Thriller in Tesco http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiZTF05x1RM
The Customer is Always Right http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t32RLGckWMo
E-Bay
song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCIp7eo4MvY
Fine Line http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewiXA_he6VQ
Here Comes Another Bubble http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuAJHaXKgFk
Swine Flu http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbt_PuVAVTU

8. DONCH LAFF IF NO FUNNY
Phua Chu Kang Rap http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1i5es62BGQ
Mosquito Songs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_3MGNVH8qs&NR=1
Swine Flu (in Singlish) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K93dCa8GM34

9. ANOTHER TALENTED NEWCOMER
Kevin Skinner, unemployed farmer (Courtesy of Joo Peng Lim)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lzul5rxd-i8

10. QUESTION
Can you have a musical without live music?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/tomserviceblog/2009/jul/07/classical-music-opera-musicals

11. MINI MUSICALS
The next series of Mini Musicals (15 minute musicals) is being planned
for mid 2010. Submissions now accepted.
Enquiries: Please SMS Audrey (+65) 98339331 or visit
www.musicaltheatrelimited.org

12. BEAT-BY-BEAT
If you would like to write a full length musical, come and join our
incubation program, Beat-by-Beat.
Enquiries: Please SMS Audrey (+65) 98339331 or visit
www.musicaltheatrelimited.org

Happy National Day!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPza1lPLUjA

Ken

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Musical Theatre Newsletter 24 June 2009


From: Kenneth Lyen
Date: Wed, Jun 24, 2009 at 11:39 PM
Subject: Musical Theatre Newsletter 24 June 2009







Hi,

Just as the H1N1 virus is proliferating inexorably, Musical Theatre
Limited (MTL) is spreading its tentacles relentlessly. Come join MTL's
facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=34981745963

1. MUSICAL THEATRE LIMITED IS THE THEATRE-IN-RESIDENCE FOR THE
HALL@THE ARTS HOUSE
Congratulations to all involved in the successful launch of the
partnership between Musical Theatre Limited and The Arts House on the
5th and 6th June. We have been appointed the Theatre-in-Residence at
The Hall in The Arts House.

2. STORY SONG COMPETITION: "A musical in one song!"
Musical Theatre Limited will be launching a nationwide songwriting
competition on Sunday 6th Sept. There will be an exhibition of sample
songs on Sat 18 July. Please contact Roland Ang at
<
roats901@yahoo.com.sg> for more details.

3. MONKEY: THE WHITE BONE DEMON: the puppet rock musical
We have been invited to perform this puppet musical as part of the
Bukit Timah Community Club Festival of Arts
Puppets by Frankie Yeo, Book by Kenneth Lyen, Music by Kenneth Lyen
and Desmond Moey, Lyrics by Stella Kon
Sat 18 July 3 pm, IMM Shopping Centre, Fri 24 July 8 pm IMM Shopping
Centre, Sun 6 Sept 2009 Bukit Timah Community Centre

4. THE PERFECT PARK: animated short
Leon SOOI Li-Aun is a talented animator who recently graduated from
Hwa Chong Junior College. Please vote for his animated short: "I
completed a short film, "The Perfect Park", for my A-levels exam last
year and recently submitted it to REEL 13, an online competition in
New York. Please help by voting for it here -
http://www.thirteen.org/sites/reel13/category/vote/ . It'll be great
if you could spread the word too. Thanks! (Voting ends on 26 June, 5AM) - Leon"

5. BEAT-BY-BEAT INCUBATION PROGRAM
You are invited to join Musical Theatre Limited's incubation program
to help you write a full-length musical. Mentors will help guide you
through the writing process, and there will be readings of your
musical at several stages of its development. For details please
contact Audrey Lee, office manager . HP +65.98339331. E-mail
<
audrey.lee@musicaltheatrelimited.org> The Arts House 1 Old
Parliament Lane Singapore 179429 Tel: +65.98339331
www.musicaltheatrelimited.org

6. MINI MUSICALS
Entries of next year's Mini Musicals of 15 minutes duration are
currently being accepted. For details please contact Audrey Lee,
office manager . HP +65.98339331. E-mail
<
audrey.lee@musicaltheatrelimited.org> The Arts House 1 Old
Parliament Lane Singapore 179429 Tel: +65.98339331
www.musicaltheatrelimited.org

7. T-MOBILE ADVERT LIFE'S FOR SHARING
Have fun!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUZrrbgCdYc

8. LITTLE CHARICE PEMPENGCO
Please have a listen to this little girl. Comments?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4b56-C2iPg

9. MUSICALS IN CHINESE
You might like to join this facebook, and drop us a note if you're
interested in writing a musical in Chinese.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=88128188089

If you have any news or ideas to share, please drop me a note.

Thanks,

Ken
http://kenlyen.blogspot.com/




////////////




THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE" on
Wednesday, August 12 at 8:00pm. 2009

Event:
THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
"2005 Tony-Award winning Broadway Musical Comedy Premiers in Singapore!!!"
What: Performance
Host: Citystate Arts & Events Management (CAEM)
Start Time: Wednesday, August 12 at 8:00pm
End Time: Monday, August 17 at 3:00pm
Where: Victoria Theatre

To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=92977656866&mid=abf439G232a3c7eG205b8faG7

/////////////////////

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Chinese*Musicals MTL 2009*Jun*22


Chinese*Musicals MTL 2009*Jun*22



From:
Kenneth
Date: Mon, Jun 22, 2009 at 12:14 AM
Subject: Musicals in Chinese
To:

Hi,

You asked for a list of musicals in Chinese. Unfortunately my list of
musicals in Chinese is incomplete: I have grouped them according to
country of origin:

SINGAPORE
Mr Beng (1999)
http://kenlyen.com/gpage19.html

If There're Seasons (2007)
http://inkpot.com/theatre/07reviews/0824,iftherseas,ny.html

A Kung Fu Tale (2006)
http://kenlyen.com/gpage51.html

Lao Jiu (2005)
http://inkpot.com/theatre/05reviews/1119,laojiu,dt.html
http://laojiuthemusical.com/

HONG KONG
Shanghai Blues (2008)
http://kenlyen.com/gpage61.html

Snow Wolf Lake (1997)
http://kenlyen.com/gpage40.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow.Wolf.Lake

I Have a Date with Spring
http://kenlyen.com/gpage14.html

1941 the musical
I haven't reviewed it....

CHINA
Sacrifice
Book and Lyrics: Kenneth Clarke; Music: Richard Daniels; Music
Arrangement Mark Troops
http://www.sacrificeworldwide.com/whoswho.asp

The Long River (an adaptation of the novel Dream of Red Mansions)
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-12/12/content_10494274.htm

Chinese musicals
http://english.cri.cn/4026/2007/09/18/1361@275242.htm
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-09/27/content_6800743.htm

London's West End is branching into China:
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/arts/2009/01/05/2009-01-05_as_broadway_struggles_producers_look_to_-1.html
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117997926.html?categoryId=15&cs=1
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/west-end-stages-an-invasion-of-china-musicals-market-402393.html

Hope this helps,

Ken

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Musical Theatre Newsletter 2009 May 20



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Kenneth Lyen
Date: Wed, May 20, 2009 at 7:41 PM
Subject: Musical Theatre Newsletter 20 May 2009
To: Kenneth Lyen


Hi,

The double whammy of global economic recession and swine flu has not left the entertainment industry unscathed. We at Musical Theatre Limited are soldiering on and thank you for your support. We invite
you to the following:

1. DR CHRIS BOESCH INTRODUCES SONGS BY DESMOND MOEY & KENNETH LYEN
National Library at the Esplanade Open Stage: Fri 22 May 2009 7 pm Presentation of songs from musicals by Desmond Moey & Kenneth Lyen. Musicals include Big Bang!, Yum Sing!, Schoolhouse Rockz, and many more, All are welcome.

2. BEAT-BY-BEAT INCUBATION PROGRAM
Sat 23 May 2009 2 pm
Reading of two new full-length musicals as part of the new cycle of incubation.

3. OPEN HOUSE AT THE ARTS HOUSE HALL:
Carnival of Songs Sat 6th June 3-9 pm Come and have a look at The Hall, a new theatre space at the Arts House for small-scale musical events. Be entertained by live performances of Singapore songs.

4. MINI MUSICALS 2010
You are invited to submit a 15-minute musical for 2010. Deadline for submissions: 31 July 2009. Selected musicals will be produced by Musical Theatre Limited in 2010. Please contact Audrey Lee
<audrey.lee@musicaltheatrelimited.org> HP 98339331 for the entry form, rules and regulations.

5. MUSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOP
We are conducting a writing and music composing workshop this coming
June 2009. Please e-mail Audrey Lee (see above) for more details.

6. MY ROMANCE: MATTHEW QUEK'S FIFTH CD ALBUM
Announcing the launch of Matthew Quek's fifth CD, which contains many
musical theatre songs, at Love the World Soul Bistro cafe @ Singapore Flyer (2nd floor) on the 24th May at 6pm. Matthew will be singing some of the songs from the album.

7. YOUTUBE LINKS
Here are some of the YouTube clips that I've been watched recently:

a) Evil Dead: the animation musical
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YO5W79TJdY

b) Monkey King Opera
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5avJgf5Jso

c) Light in the Piazza
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9t5u5L1gLlU

d) Bleach the Musical
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2TKhGBP3lU

e) Tony Awards 2009 (winning announcements on 7 June 2009)
http://www.tonyawards.com/en_US/index.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNFqZGVqOIQ

f) Shrek the Musical
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9P8KOlsgEI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgIit9LXHfQ

8. MISCELLANEOUS TOPICS
Some interesting articles I have come across recently:

a) Remaking Fame the film musical
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7925690.stm

b) Little Dead Riding Hood: the tap dance opera
http://blog.danceruniverse.com/blog/story/2009/5/15/72247/4149

9. QUOTATION
I like this quotation by Anne Bogart, artistic director of the Siti
Company, and has written a book, A Director Prepares. She says in this
book:

"Do not assume that you have to have some prescribed conditions to do
your work. Do not wait. Do not wait for enough time or money to
accomplish what you think you have in mind. Work with what you have
right now.Work with the people around you right now. Work with the
architecture you see around you right now. Do not wait for what you
assume is the appropriate, stress-free environment in which to
generate expression. Do not wait for maturity or insight or wisdom. Do
not wait till you are sure that you know what you are doing. Do not
wait till you have enough technique. What you do now, what you make of
your present circumstances will determine the quality and scope of
your future endeavors."

Nike said the same thing, but more succinctly: "Just Do It!"

Please join us to write, compose, choreograph, sing, act, direct,
design, produce, musicals. Let's Do It!

Musical Theatre Limited depends on sponsors and donors to keep its
activities alive. We welcome any and all donations. We are now an
Institution of Public Character. This means that for any donations to
MTL you will get 2.5 times tax deduction. In other words, when you
donate to MTL, you will get some of your money back from an automatic
tax rebate.

If you would like to make a donation, please contact: AUDREY LEE our
office manager (+65) 98339331 <audrey.lee@musicaltheatrelimited.org>
MUSICAL THEATRE LIMITED
The Arts House
1 Old Parliament Lane
Singapore 179429 [t] (+65)98339331

And if you wish to write a musical, please contact me.

Thanks,

Ken
20 May 2009

Saturday, November 8, 2008

ACW - A Christmas Wish - Musical-Revue 2008*Dec*19-20-21


ACW - A Christmas Wish - Musical-Revue 2008*Dec*19/20/21
Fusionopolis Theatre

A Christmas Wish, scripted by Stella Kon, is about Kirrian, a volunteer doctor from Singapore, who goes to disaster-hit Myanmar near Christmas time. While she deals with the sadness of being away from her family at the festive season, Kirrian also discovers the courage and resilience of the villagers recovering from the typhoon. She overcomes obstacles to tell the people back in Singapore about the situation in Myanmar, and her spoilt little daughter Melissa is motivated to join the volunteer effort. They return to Myanmar where Kirrian meets her friend Neil and the tale ends on a note of romance.

This production of Musical Theatre Limited focuses on the songs which will charm and entertain the audience. We have invited ten of our top writers and composers to compose sixteen original songs which form the backbone of the show; many of these songs, though not religious, are themed around the Christmas values of family and kindness.

The story of A Christmas Wish encourages the spirit of voluntarism and charity. Video screened during the show will show actual relief efforts in Myanmar, to which we will donate some of the proceeds of the show, as well as our own Incubation Program.

We hope you will support our production and we send you in advance, the warmest good wishes for Christmas!

Sincerely yours,
Musical Theatre Limited
2008-1108-1911