2023 NTT FUN – A Celebration of Musical

Tiger Tale ©Jassy Earl

Since 2020, NTT-FUN Summer Fun Time has become a beloved series at the National Taichung Theater (NTT) in Taiwan, filling the hot season with a delightful array of programmes suitable for all ages, including musicals, puppetry, and family programmes. Notably, musicals take center stage, distinguishing themselves as a prominent highlight of the series. NTT-FUN Summer Fun Time creates a chill and relaxed atmosphere, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in a joyous celebration of the performing arts. 

This year, the series will feature nine productions, seven of which belong to the enchanting genre of musical theatre. The lineup showcases various phases in the production process of professional musical theatre. The diverse collection of performances offers an exciting exploration of Taiwanese artists’ talents and the artistry behind creating musical productions.

Chopped ©National Taichung Theater

Throughout the Taiwan musicals in 2023 NTT Summer Fun Time, a reading concert and workshop with Meet by Red Theatre Group in Corner Salon of NTT, expands its content from initial script readings to a full-established reading session with the addition of songs. As for the productions Chopped and Chinese Cupid of Hok Khi Temple, both shows have undergone full script reading stages, and are now ready to be performed at the Black Box. Chopped, a satirical musical that is set against the backdrop of the Russo-Ukrainian War, delves into the absurdity and cruelty of war. The story follows four strangers who come together to fulfill a veteran’s dying wish of returning a soldier’s severed hand. Along the way, they also learn to heal their own wounds and rely on each other. In contract to the heavy setting of war and violence, Chinese Cupid of Hok Khi Temple dives into the emotions of human-beings with a commonly related theme: love. The job of two matchmaking divinities at Hok Khi Temple is to pair couples. After a serious accident during their mission, the temple gained a third divinity. Together, the three of them must rebuild the glory of the temple by helping a hopeless case to find her true love. Both productions skillfully tackle weighty subjects and intimate human emotions with a delightful blend of humour and heart, harnessing the power of musical theatre to deliver a truly uplifting experience. 

Tropical Angels ©林政億Terry Lin

On the other hand, another Taiwan musical, Tropical Angels, follows the Broadway production process, with three public script readings, one concert, an online English script reading, and three sold-out ticketed performances in a medium-sized theatre in 2022. This year, it returns to the grand theatre with a fresh production approach. 

In addition to nurturing local productions, NTT-FUN Summer Fun Time also continuously welcomes international acts. NTT’s Playhouse presents NEXT TO NORMAL, an award-winning Broadway musical that has been licensed for production in Taiwan with the original English book and music, featuring Taiwanese performers. The Three Musketeers is a Korean musical sensation, blending adventure, romance, comedy, and K-pop idols. The production follows D’Artagnan as he befriends the famous Three Musketeers, navigates political intrigue, and captivates audiences worldwide. With over 650 performances in Korea and Japan since its 2009 premiere, it has become an unmissable Korean musical.  

The Three Musketeers © GLOBALCONTENTS

Out of nine shows, 2023 NTT-FUN Summer Fun Time presents seven musicals based on seven different topics in six different phases during the production process, hoping that musical fans come not only as spectators but also as connoisseurs appreciating its artistry. In all, NTT-FUN is a series for all ages, providing solace and inspiration to audiences regardless of their life stage or challenges they may encounter. Despite the uncertainties of the past year, NTT has curated a bountiful series for the post-pandemic era, symbolising a collective embrace of the rejuvenating power of the summer sun. 

For more info: https://npacntt.tw/n00QEiQM