“Illegal: A New Musical” - A Riveting Performance at Kupferberg Center for the Arts

Flushing, NY – 'Illegal: A New Musical', presented by Youth Civil Service, has garnered significant acclaim as it continues to captivate audiences with its poignant narrative and powerful performances. The musical was recently named a Richard Rogers Award Finalist and Eugene O’Neill National Music Theater Conference semifinalist, affirming its impact and relevance in contemporary theater.

Illegal: A New Musical

·       Sun, Aug 28, 2022 at 2:00-4:00 PM

·       153-49 Reeves Ave, Flushing, NY 11367, USA

·       Presented by the Youth Civil Service (YCS)

·       Illegal: A New Musical (Staged Reading)

·       Created by Skyler Chin

·       Book and Music by Skyler Chin & Sita Sunil

·       2022 National Music Theater Conference Semi-Finalist

Synopsis:

Set in 1923, during the enforcement of the Chinese Exclusion Act, 'Illegal' tells the story of Kee Lin, a budding martial artist from Hong Kong, who is forced to flee to America after being wrongly blamed for her brother’s death. Assuming her deceased brother's identity, she and a makeshift “paper” brother, Slim Chin, face the harrowing challenge of surviving detention on Angel Island and convincing interrogators of their sibling relationship to secure a chance at a new life in America. Amidst these struggles, they meet Chinese-American interpreter, Carter Lee, who faces her own moral dilemma: pursuing personal success or fighting for justice for immigrants. 'Illegal' explores the deep and complex layers of immigration, identity, and belonging, asking what it means to become an American.

Development History & Awards:

• March 11, 2023: Matinee and evening staged readings in Herricks, Long Island.

• October 21-22, 2022: Special Bay Area concert on Angel Island and presentation at UC Berkeley.

• April – August 2022: Staged readings across venues including Queens College and Bronx Science.

• March 11-12, 2022: Concert Reading at Munsey Park Auditorium, Long Island, with two sold-out shows.

• October 9, 2021: Performance at Carnegie Hall, Music For Change Benefit Concert.

• May – August 2021: Virtual tour in partnership with numerous educational and cultural institutions.

• May 20, 2019: Yale Pauli Murray Class of 2019 Outstanding Achievement in the Arts Award.

• April 2019 – July 2018: Early showcases and workshops at Yale and MOCA NYC highlighted the developmental journey of the musical.

Inspired by real family secrets and the poignant poetry of Angel Island detainees, 'Illegal' resonates with both historical depth and current socio-political issues, making it a must-see production for those interested in the intersections of theater, history, and social justice.

About Youth Civil Service:

Youth Civil Service is an organization committed to promoting civic engagement and cultural education among young people. Through dynamic programming like 'Illegal: A New Musical', YCS aims to foster a deeper understanding of complex cultural narratives and encourage active participation in societal issues.