Golden Lotus (musical) explained

Golden Lotus
Lyrics:George Chiang
Basis:Jin Ping Mei (The Golden Lotus)
Premiere Date:September 12, 2014
Premiere Location:Y-Theatre, Hong Kong
Awards:Full list

Golden Lotus is a musical written and composed by George Chiang. The musical is based on the classic 17th century Chinese novel Jin Ping Mei (The Golden Lotus). Set amidst the dying, war-torn years of Song Dynasty China, the musical tells the story of the Golden Lotus (Pan Jinlian), whose desire for true love leads her into a web of deception and desperation with the valiant tiger slayer Wu Sung, the rich and powerful Xi Men (Ximen Qing), and the humble peddler Wu Da (Wu Dalang).[1] [2]

Development

Golden Lotus participated in the ASCAP Foundation/Disney Theatrical Productions Musical Theatre Workshop in New York City during March and April 2003 with artistic direction by Stephen Schwartz. The three-week workshop included two live performances by a cast of sixteen performers which included Harriet Chung as Golden Lotus, and Scott Watanabe (who also served as the music director) as the District Intendant.[3] [4] [5]

The musical was presented to a series of focus groups, which led to further revisions. This was followed by a year-long workshop led by Jim Betts with Script Lab's workshop in Toronto, modeled after BMI's Lehman Engels Musical Theater workshop in New York. Following the workshop, Betts worked directly with Chiang for several months on the musical as its dramaturge.

Hong Kong World Premiere

On September 12, 2014, Golden Lotus premiered in Hong Kong at the Y-Theatre with a cast of twenty-six performers. The production featured Harriet Chung as the title character, Boon Ho Sung as Wu Sung, and Ronan Pak Kin Yan as Ximen. Also featured were Billy Sy as Wu Da, Samantha Fa as Madam Wang, Scott Watanabe as the District Intendant, Marc Ngan as the Fruit Peddler, and Soraya Chau as Ping. Emily Chan directed the production, with music arrangements by George Gao, choreography by Ivy Chung, and set and costume design by Moe Mo.[6] [7]

The production hailed Golden Lotus as "Hong Kong's First Musical."[8] Its signature pop love song, "A World Away", has been praised.[9] The production was recognized with three Hong Kong English Drama Award nominations for Best Show, Best Actress (Harriet Chung), and Best Original Work.[10] [11] [12]

Musical film

The Hong Kong production of Golden Lotus was captured live during four consecutive performances and later edited into a feature-length film showcased at film festivals during 2021–2023. The musical film won over 60 awards across multiple categories, including Best Picture of the Festival at the 2023 World Independent Cinema Awards (WICA). Golden Lotus was selected as the standout film of the year and named the best film from all 11 festivals.[13] [14]

On May 1, 2024, Golden Lotus began streaming on the Stratford Festival's digital platform. Chiang called the deal a "proper alignment" with Straftest@Home due to their commitment to showcasing world-class theater.

Musical numbers

Act I
Song Performer(s)
1 "Prologue" Fruit Peddler
2 "Wu Sung Slayed the Tiger" Fruit Peddler, District Intendant, Townspeople
3 "Captain of the Guard" Wu Sung, Chingho Guards
4 "Fresh Buns for Sale" Wu Da, Street Kid, Fruit Peddler, Townspeople, Xi Men
5 "Confrontation" Wu Sung, Xi Men
6 "Reunited" Wu Da, Wu Sung
7 "When I Close My Eyes" Golden Lotus
8 "Forgive Me" Golden Lotus, Xi Men
9 "Ten Thousand Fold Happiness" Golden Lotus, Wu Da, Wu Sung
10 "Loyalty" Golden Lotus, Wu Sung
11 "Verdant Spring Bordello" Sing-Song Girls, Patrons, Madam Wang, Xi Men
12 "Paradise" Xi Men, Sing-Song Girls
13 "Her Name is Golden Lotus" Madam Wang, Sing-Song Girls, Xi Men
14 "Garnering the Glow" Madam Wang, Xi Men, Sing-Song Girls
15 "Fresh Buns for Sale " (Reprise) Wu Da, Fruit Peddler, Madam Wang, District Intendant, Xi Men
16 "Imperial Envoy" District Intendant
17 "As Each Day Goes By" Golden Lotus, Wu Sung
18 "Fried Dumplings" Golden Lotus, Wu Sung
19 "Dreams of My Heart" Golden Lotus, Wu Sung
20 "A World Away" Golden Lotus
21 "Life or Death" Madam Wang, Xi Men, Golden Lotus
22 "Purple Stone Street" Fruit Peddler, Street Peddlers, Townspeople, Madam Wang
23 "Clandestine Affair" Fruit Peddler, Street Peddlers, Townspeople
24 "The Perfect Plan" Wu Da, Madam Wang, Golden Lotus, Xi Men
Act II
Song Performer(s)
25 "Does Anyone Here Know?" Wu Sung, Townspeople, Fruit Peddler, Madam Wang
26 "Keep on Looking Down the Street" Fruit Peddler, Wu Sung
27 "Flag of Death" Wu Sung, Ghosts, Wu Da
28 "WaterLily Pavilion" Xi Men's Wives, Xi Men
29 "Fallen" Wu Sung, Golden Lotus, Xi Men
30 "Banished" District Intendant, Xi Men
31 "A World Away" (Reprise) Golden Lotus
32 "Little Brother Mandarin" Xi Men, District Intendant, Ping, Wedding Guests
33 "Little Brother Mandarin (Reprise)" Ping
34 "Lord of the Five Ways" Ping, Golden Lotus, Ghosts, Xi Men
35 "The Concubines" Fruit Peddler
36 "Destiny" Wu Sung, Soldiers
37 "The Auction" Madam Wang, District Intendant, Fruit Peddler, Wu Sung
38 "Eternity" Wu Sung, Golden Lotus, Madam Wang
39 "When I Close my Eyes" (Finale) Wu Sung, Golden Lotus

Albums

Golden Lotus: Sounds From The Musical was released on May 31, 2015. It is a CD consisting of 15 songs from the musical as they appeared in the Hong Kong world premiere. It was recorded in Toronto with Harriet Chung as Golden Lotus, Charles Azulay as Wu Sung, Thom Allison as Xi Men, George Chiang as Wu Da, Stacey-Lea Marhue as Madam Wang, Scott Watanabe as the District Intendant, Pierre Bayuga as the Fruit Peddler, and Josette Jorge as Ping. The music and its vocal arrangements were directed by Tim Stiff, and the music arrangements was by George Gao.[15]

Golden Lotus: Sounds From The Musical (Deluxe Edition) was released on December 1, 2023, and features 4 additional tracks from the musical, which are: "When I Close My Eyes", "Verdant Spring Bordello", "Little Brother Mandarin (Reprise)", and "Lord of the Five Ways".[16] [17]

Singles

A single of the signature pop ballad from Golden Lotus, "A World Away", was recorded by Harriet Chung. The song was arranged by Warren Robert, who also conducted the live orchestra for the recording. The single and its music video were released on August 25, 2020, as "A World Away (Remix)". The single won Best Original Song at the Hollywood Gold Awards.[18]

Harriet Chung recorded a solo version and music video of the signature duet from Golden Lotus, "As Each Day Goes By" on October 6, 2023. The single and its music video won Best Original Song and Best Music Video at the International Gold Awards.[19]

Awards

Theatre awards and nominations

AwardsYearCategoryResult
Hecklers Awards2015Best Original WorkWon
Best ActressNomination
Best ShowNomination

Film awards and nominations

AwardsYearCategoryResult
World Class Film Awards[20] 2023Best ProducerWon
Best Acting EnsembleWon
World Independent Cinema Award[21] 2023Best Picture of the FestivalWon
Barcelona International Film Festival[22] [23] 2022Best ProducerWon
Best ActressWon
Best ActorHonorable Mention
Best Costume DesignWon
Canadian Cinematography Awards[24] 2022Best SongWon
Best Original ScoreWon
Dreamz Catcher International Film Festival[25] 2022Best Performing ArtsWon
Best ActressWon
Film Fest International London[26] [27] 2022Jury AwardWon
Best Hair & MakeupWon
Film Fest International Paris[28] [29] 2022Best Picture of the FestivalWon
Outstanding Actress in an English Language FilmWon
Film Fest International Rome[30] 2022Best DirectorWon
Madrid International Film Festival[31] 2022Best Original ScoreWon
Best Supporting ActressWon
Moscow Russia International Film Festival2022Best Music FeatureWon
Mykonos International Film Festival[32] [33] 2022Best Music Feature FilmWon
Prague International Film Festival[34] 2022Filmmaker of the YearWon
Best Original ScoreHonorable Mention
Best EditingHonorable Mention
Seoul International Monthly Film Festival2022Best Production DesignWon
Amsterdam International Film Festival 2021Best Original ScoreWon
Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival2021Best Art FilmWon
Best Actor& Director Awards - New York2021Best Actress in a Musical[35] Won
Cinematic European Film Festival[36] 2021Best Original ScoreWon
Filmmaker Life Awards[37] 2021Best Musical FilmWon
Best Film Score CompositionWon
Best Female FilmmakerNomination
Filmmaker Globe AwardNomination
Golden Sparrow International Film Festival[38] 2021Best Original Score - Feature Film[39] Won
Hollywood Global Film Festival2021Best Musical Film[40] Won
Hollywood Gold Awards[41] 2021Best Original SongGold Winner
Best ProducerGold Winner
Best Costume DesignGold Winner
Best Hairstyling & MakeupGold Winner
International Smyrna Movie Festival[42] 2021Best Original ScoreGold Winner
Best Art DirectorSilver Winner
London Movie Awards[43] 2021Best Original SongWon
Megaflix Film Awards[44] 2021Best Musical FilmPlatinum Award
Milan Gold Awards[45] 2021Best Producer[46] Silver Award
Best Original SongSilver Award
Munich Music Video Awards[47] 2021Best Musical Feature Film[48] Won
Naples Film Awards[49] 2021Best Original Score[50] Won
New York International Film Awards™ - NYIFA[51] 2021Best Musical Film[52] Won
New York Movie Awards[53] 2021Best Original ScoreWon
Best Costume DesignWon
Makeup & HairstylingHonorable Mention
Oniros Film Awards® - New York[54] 2021Best Musical Film[55] Grand Jury Award
Only The Best Film Awards[56] 2021Best Original Song or Score[57] Won
Best Musical | Short or Feature Film[58] Won
Best ActressSpecial Award
Portugal International Film Festival[59] 2021Honorable MentionWon[60]
Pure Magic Film Festival[61] 2021Best Original Musical[62] Won
Best Original SongWon
Best musical ScoreWon
River Atreyee International Film Festival[63] 2021Best Performing ArtWon
San Diego Movie Awards[64] 2021Best Original MusicWon
Tokyo International Monthly Film Festival 2021Honorable MentionWon
Virgin Spring Cinefest[65] 2021Best Music Score[66] Won

Notes and References

  1. http://madbuzzhk.com/review-golden-lotus-musical/ Review: "Golden Lotus The Musical
  2. http://hkeld.com/articles/view/review-golden-lotus-the-musical/ Review- Golden Lotus, the Musical
  3. https://www.filmfestinternational.com/3d-flip-book/london-edinburgh-2023/
  4. Web site: Preview-Golden Lotus, the Musical. hkeld.com. 2014-09-14.
  5. Woman Pursues Her Passion in Life and Dance, The Standard HK, September 10, 2014
  6. Rebirth of an Epic Tale of Passion, The Standard HK, page 4, September 5, 2014
  7. 身演出振雄風 白健恩生擒潘金蓮 He Was Born to Capture Golden Lotus, hd.stheadline.com, September 5, 2014
  8. Web site: Golden Lotus – The Musical: 'Hong Kong's First Musical'. 11 September 2014. madbuzzhk.com. 2014-09-11.
  9. 白健恩激情戲成重點 Ronan Pak Kin Yan's Passion Play, SING PAO, September 25, 2014
  10. Web site: 白健恩主演音樂劇《金瓶梅》獲《最佳原創作品獎》Ronan Pak Kin Yan starred in Golden Lotus Which Won the "Best Original Work" Award. a1c1.com.hk. 2015-09-08.
  11. http://hkeld.com/articles/view/and-the-winners-are3. And the winners are...
  12. Web site: Golden Lotus Leads The Pack With 4 Award Wins At The Barcelona International Film Festival . 2023-05-17 . nationalpost . en-CA.
  13. Web site: 2023-02-20 . Stouffville composer wins accolades for Golden Lotus film . 2023-05-17 . thestar.com . en.
  14. Web site: 2024-04-23 . Golden Lotus begins streaming on Stratfest@Home . 2024-07-31 . Stratford Today . en.
  15. Web site: Golden Lotus. stouffvilleuxbridge.snapd.com. 2016-07-01. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20170118033025/https://stouffvilleuxbridge.snapd.com/event/849533#/. 2017-01-18.
  16. https://www.recordworldinternational.com/2023/10/20/harriet-chung-enchants-audiences-with-her-celestial-single-as-each-day-goes-by, recordworld.com, October 20, 2023
  17. https://tinnitist.com/2023/10/19/harriet-chung-loves-you-more-as-each-day-goes-by, Tinnitist.com, October 13, 2023
  18. Web site: Awards. Hollywood Gold. Hollywood Gold Awards. 2021-11-15. Hollywood Gold Awards. en-EN. 2021-11-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20211115230926/https://hollywoodgoldawards.com/october-2021. dead.
  19. Web site: Awards. International Gold. International Gold Awards. 2023-10-01. International Gold Awards. en-EN.
  20. Web site: WINNERS . 2023-06-20 . World Class Film Awards . en-US.
  21. Web site: WICA 2023 Winners – Film Fest International . 2023-02-13 . en-GB.
  22. News: 2022-02-08 . Golden Lotus Leads The Pack With 4 Award Wins At The Barcelona International Film Festival . en . Financial Post . 2022-03-09.
  23. Web site: 2021 Results. 2022-02-08. Barcelona International Film Festival. en-GB. 2022-02-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20220208020325/https://barcelonainternationalfilmfestival.com/winners-2/. dead.
  24. Web site: SEPTEMBER 2021 WINNERS . 2022-08-11 . Canadian Cinematography Awards . en-US.
  25. Web site: RESULT. 2022-02-02. DCIFF. en.
  26. News: 2022-02-23 . Canadian Musical Film Golden Lotus Wins Jury Award Prize at the Film Fest International London . en . Financial Post . 2022-03-09.
  27. Web site: London IFF 2022 Winners – Film Fest International. 2022-02-22. en-GB.
  28. Web site: Golden Lotus Wins Best Picture at the Film Fest International Paris . 2022-06-06 . finance.yahoo.com . en-US.
  29. Web site: Paris IFF 2022 Winners – Film Fest International . 2022-05-25 . en-GB.
  30. Web site: Rome – Film Fest International . 2023-02-13 . en-GB.
  31. Web site: Madrid IFF 2022 Winners – Film Fest International . 2022-07-26 . en-GB.
  32. News: 2022-05-03 . Canadian musical Golden Lotus Wins Best Music Feature Film at the Mykonos International Film Festival . 2022-06-06 . National Post . en.
  33. Web site: Winners . 2022-05-02 . Mykonos International Film Festival . en-GB.
  34. Web site: WINNERS . 2022-07-08 . Prague International Film Festival . en-US.
  35. Web site: Best Actor & Director Awards - New York - Winner List.
  36. Web site: HOME - cinematiceuropeanfilmfestivall. 2021-11-16. cinematiceuropeanfilmfestivall.website2.me. en.
  37. Web site: Winners List . 2021-11-16 . Filmmaker Life . en-US.
  38. Web site: GOLDEN SPARROW INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL. 2021-11-16. www.gsiff.co.in.
  39. Web site: Golden Sparrow International Film Festival (2021). 2021-11-16. IMDb.
  40. Hollywood Global Film Festival Nominations List 2021 . 2021-11-18 . www.prnewswire.com . en.
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  42. Web site: International Smyrna Movie Festival ISMOVIEFEST. 2021-11-16. www.ismoviefest.com.
  43. Web site: LONDON MOVIE AWARDS . 2021-11-16 . London Movie Awards . it-IT.
  44. Web site: Megaflix Film Awards Winner List .
  45. Web site: Awards. Milan Gold. MILAN GOLD AWARDS. 2021-11-16. Milan Gold Awards. it-IT.
  46. Web site: Awards. Milan Gold. MILAN GOLD AWARDS. 2021-11-16. Milan Gold Awards. it-IT. 2021-11-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20211115230929/https://milangoldawards.com/october-2021. dead.
  47. Web site: Music Video Munich Music Video Awards Munich. 2021-11-16. Munchen music awards. sk.
  48. Web site: Second Season May 2021 Munich Music Video Awards. 2021-11-16. Munchen music awards. sk.
  49. Web site: Awards. Naples Film. NAPLES FILM AWARDS. 2021-11-16. Naples Film Awards. it-IT.
  50. Web site: Awards. Naples Film. NAPLES FILM AWARDS. 2021-11-16. Naples Film Awards. it-IT. 2021-11-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20211115230934/https://naplesfilmawards.com/september-2021. dead.
  51. Web site: Staff. New York International Film Awards™ - NYIFA - Monthly Film Festival. 2021-11-16. New York International Film Awards™ - NYIFA. en-US.
  52. Web site: New York International Film Awards Winner List.
  53. Web site: Awards. New York Movie. New York Movie Awards. 2021-11-16. New York Movie Awards. it-IT.
  54. Web site: Staff. Home. 2021-11-16. Oniros Film Awards® - New York. en-US.
  55. Web site: Oniros Film Awards Winner List.
  56. Web site: otbfilmawards.com – Film Festival and Awards. 2021-11-16. pt-PT.
  57. Web site: Only The Bes Finalists AugustSeptember.
  58. Web site: Only The Best Film Awards Winner List. 2021-10-29. 2021-10-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20211029191327/https://otbfilmawards.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/winners_september_final.pdf. dead.
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  62. Web site: Pure Magic International Film Festival (2021). 2021-11-16. IMDb.
  63. A Modern Interpretation of a Chinese Classic Tale, The Standard HK, p. 22 September 26, 2014
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