Illegal: A New Musical - Flushing Town Hall (Concert Reading)

About this event

Join us at Flushing Town Hall for a free, live concert performance of Illegal: A New Musical, with its professional all-AAPI New York cast!

Doors open at 6:30pm, performance begins at 7:00pm.

Donate here to support our work.

Suggested donation is $15 per ticket.

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The show runs 1 hour 40 minutes without intermission.

Content advisory: The show contains some adult language and themes (such as violence and reference to suicide).

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About the Show

Written by Skyler Chin, and co-composed by Sita Sunil, Illegal is a historical fiction musical about some of America's first "illegal" immigrants—think "Hamilton" meets Bruce Lee.

Inspired by the 1923 detainment and interrogation of Skyler’s grandfather on Angel Island, Illegal confronts the history of anti-Asian prejudice that Skyler’s ancestors experienced during the Chinese Exclusion era and that many still face a century later.

The show's bold, irreverent characters and upbeat, comedic moments honor the fighting spirit of those who persevered and allowed future Americans to proudly tell their stories.

Illegal was named a Semi-Finalist for the prestigious 2022 National Music Theater Conference at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center.

Learn more here.

Listen to songs from the show on Soundcloud or on YouTube.

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Synopsis

It’s 1923. The U.S. is enforcing the Chinese Exclusion Act by systematically separating families and imprisoning them on Angel Island. A budding Hong Kong martial artist is wrongly blamed for her brother’s death and must flee to America with an imposter “paper” brother, who has been given her brother’s papers and identity, and his rich, goofy best friend. If they can survive detention and convince interrogators they’re siblings, they may get a shot at a new life. They cross paths with a tough young girl and a Chinese-American interpreter who must choose between personal success and justice for immigrants.

Inspired by family secrets and detainee poetry, Illegal asks the timely and timeless question, “What does it take to be(come) American?”

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FLUSHING TOWN HALL COVID-19 PROTOCAL- PLEASE NOTE:

All individuals must wear masks and show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 and matching identification to attend this event. If you are interested in attending this event in person, please read the full COVID Safety Policy carefully before purchasing tickets.

Thank you for helping us keep the community healthy and safe!

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Meet the Team

Skyler Chin - Composer, Lyricist, Librettist

Sita Sunil - Co-Composer, Co-Librettist

Subin Kara Ahn - Lai Wah, Sam Mom, Angel Island Poet

Skyler Chin - Slim Chin, Kai Chung, Mr. White

Nicholas Leung - Wong Fat Pork

Anna Stacy - Sam Kee Lin

Sita Sunil - Interpreter Carter Lee

Miguel Sutedjo - PB Jones, Hong Kong Colonial Cop, Wong Dad, Sam Dad

Steve Mecha - Director of Production at Flushing Town Hall

Dan Bamba - Director, Art Services at Flushing Town Hall

Howard Sang - Chinese Community Center of Flushing Team

Many thanks to the Flushing Town Hall Space Grant Program and the Chinese Community Center of Flushing for helping support this event.

This program is supported by funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, Statewide Community Regrants Program (formerly the Decentralization program) with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, and administered by Flushing Town Hall.