Korean Folktale Musical to Be Developed by ART with All Female, Asian-American Creative Team

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 4/12/23 at 1:41pm

https://www.playbill.com/article/julia-riews-viral-hit-korean-folktale-musical-to-be-developed-by-american-repertory-theatre-by-all-female-asian-american-creative-team

Massachusetts' American Repertory Theater has signed on to develop Julia Riew's musical Dive, formerly titled Shimcheong: A Folktale. The Tony-winning company has assembled an all-female, Asian-American creative team to work on the project, including Stop Kiss playwright Diana Son and Tony Award-winning director Diane Paulus.

The work follows a young woman's journey towards self-actualization and home after falling into the depths of the ocean trying to save her father. Riew draws inspiration from her own life as a third-generation Korean-American for the story, a modernized adaptation of the Korean folktale Shimcheong, or The Blind Man's Daughter. The musical began as a senior thesis project during Riew's time at Harvard, where A.R.T. Director of Artistic Programs and Dramaturg Ryan McKittrick served as her thesis advisor. Riew is additionally transforming the project into a Young Adult novel, set to be published by HarperCollins Children's in fall 2025.

Massachusetts' American Repertory Theater has signed on to develop Julia Riew's musical Dive, formerly titled Shimcheong: A Folktale. The Tony-winning company has assembled an all-female, Asian-American creative team to work on the project, including Stop Kiss playwright Diana Son and Tony Award-winning director Diane Paulus.

The work follows a young woman's journey towards self-actualization and home after falling into the depths of the ocean trying to save her father. Riew draws inspiration from her own life as a third-generation Korean-American for the story, a modernized adaptation of the Korean folktale Shimcheong, or The Blind Man's Daughter. The musical began as a senior thesis project during Riew's time at Harvard, where A.R.T. Director of Artistic Programs and Dramaturg Ryan McKittrick served as her thesis advisor. Riew is additionally transforming the project into a Young Adult novel, set to be published by HarperCollins Children's in fall 2025.