[May 24-June 8, 2014] English-language Musical about Taiwan's History: Zeelandia - Return to Formosa

I'm not sure I've ever seen a musical about the history of Taiwan, all in English, at least before this one.  I've been lucky enough to see the show's development over recent weeks, and I am really excited about seeing the live performances.  I absolutely love the songs. The story is also told very well, with lots of sub-plot to keep the audience engaged.

There is a little bit of innuendo during one scene, but it is a necessary part of the story. I didn't have a problem with my seven and nine year old children seeing the scene, but if you are particularly conservative, I would recommend the show for children aged ten and up.  It is also quite a long one, at about 2 1/2 hours.  There is lots of song, dance, and humor to keep children occupied, and my seven-year-old keeps asking when we can go to rehearsal again, even after four nights of watching the show. 

 

Summary of story:

Taiwan's original English musical, Zeelandia - Return to Formosa. A story of a young lieutenant of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) returning to Zeelandia in search of his roots and home. It brings the audience back to 17th century Formosa, when Fort Anping was then called "Fort Zeelandia". It is a tale of forbidden love, tragedy, redemption, and reconciliation.

More detail:

My son and his Siyaran father, rehearsing.

It's the 17th century, an age of great exploration.
A young Dutch officer on a journey in search of his father.

In an era of naval supremacy, the search for home begins thousands of miles across the ocean.
Zealandia – Return to Formosa, is the first ever attempt to present 17th Century Tainan in the form of a Broadway musical. This is a collaboration between Jeffery Dunn, the seasoned New York director of West Side Story along with the authors of this heart warming original story, and actors from Taiwan and abroad. The story begins with the search for self recognition. With impassioned conflicts and gentle love, you will feel the embrace of home again. Zeelandia – Return to Formosa narrates the return to the core spirit of the people. Enjoy a wonderful feast for the senses.
Based on a Libretto by Norman Szabo & Music by Derek Lin
NTCH Ticketing System in Chinese here.  You can still get NTD600 tickets in  Tainan. The lower-priced seats in Taipei are all sold out already!

5/24- 25 Tainan
6/06- 08 Taipei


2014/05/24 (六)19:30 臺南文化中心演藝廳 Saturday May 24, 7:30pm Tainan
2014/05/25 (日)19:30 臺南文化中心演藝廳 Sunday May 25, 7:30pm Tainan 2014/06/06 (五)19:30 台北市社教館城市舞台 Friday, June 6, 7:30pm, Taipei 2014/06/07 (六)14:30 台北市社教館城市舞台 Saturday, June 7, 2:30pm, Taipei 2014/06/07 (六)19:30 台北市社教館城市舞台 Saturday, June 7, 7:30pm, Taipei 2014/06/08 (日)14:30 台北市社教館城市舞台 Sunday, June 8, 2:30pm, Taipei

Tainan Address: Tainan Municipal Cultural Center, Address: No.332, Sec. 3, Jhonghua E. Rd., East District, Tainan City 701, Taiwan (R.O.C.) TEL:06-2692864 FAX:06-2897913 (Map to location here.)

Taipei Address: Taipei Cultural Center, Address: No.25, Sec. 3, Bade Rd., Songshan Dist., Taipei City 10554, TEL:(02)2577-5931 FAX:(02)2577-9310 (Map to location: http://english.tmseh.taipei.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=107740&CtNode=9135&mp=119052