‘IN CONVERSATION’ with Caleb Goh – “Cries from Within: The Struggles of the Asian Voice in Broadway Musicals”

Since the turn of the last century, the Broadway musical has been entertaining the world, growing in production quality, message, style variations, universal appeal and popularity. Out of the countless Broadway musicals mounted, only a handful feature major and/or supporting Asian-specific roles, contributing to only one per cent of shows mounted on the Great White Way.

In today’s flourishing musical theatre climate, why is there a dearth of Asian-specific roles written in Broadway musicals? What strategies might be pursued to promote Broadway musicals and enhance greater interest amongst Asian communities? How does this relate to Singapore and where we stand in the world of entertainment? I have embarked on a research quest in the hopes of finding answers, creating greater awareness of musical theatre and igniting passion in budding performers for the art form, in the hope of nurturing a new wave of Asian performers who will pave the way and allow Asian representation to flourish in this day and age.