On October 27, Golden Year 9 (2012), 6,000-plus audience
members emerged from the Shrine Auditorium rejoicing in the
show they had just seen. “A life-changing experience!”
exclaimed one attendee. Another expressed, “I have walked
out there just grateful. I’ll probably hug like ten people
that I didn’t know!”
“A
UNIQUE CELEBRATION!”
—Broadway
World
The world premiere of Loving the Silent Tears:
The Musical, in Los Angeles, California, USA, was indeed
a remarkable celebration of peace, love, culture, and charity.
The audience included many fans from other states and countries,
with members of the media covering the event. With the addition
of global viewers tuning in live, Loving the Silent Tears
truly united people, and thus aptly commemorated the 19th
Anniversary of Supreme Master Ching Hai Day honoring a world-renowned
humanitarian and peace advocate.
In addition to celebrity veg MCs, guest speakers
included vegetarian Oscar-winning actor George Chakiris (West
Side Story) and California State Senator Curren Price, Jr.
Supreme Master Ching Hai, who was in an intensive meditation
retreat, gave a special video greeting, in which she thanked
all involved in the musical and shared some good news about
our planet. She also said, “It is
good that we still can celebrate in whichever way to beautify
life on Earth as given by God. It is good that we still love,
still enjoy, still share our goodness to all that coexist in
this world and the next. It is good that we still believe in
everything that is noble and positive, and Heavenly power will
definitely prevail. … Though I possibly couldn’t
watch the event, and though I am not aware of the content of
this program in advance, I trust that it will be great, and
all who watch it will enjoy hugely.”
 |
The
poet: Supreme
Master Ching Hai (vegan); August 8, 2009 |
Many audience members were deeply impressed by Supreme
Master Ching Hai’s loving greeting. “I really would
have appreciated if she had been here and said the last words
to that musical,” said audience member Brita Millard.
“I’m looking forward to reading her poems.”
Directed by Tony nominee Vincent Paterson, who was
the director and choreographer of Michael Jackson’s and
Madonna’s world tours, and choreographed by Emmy winner
Bonnie Story of High School Musical 1, 2, 3 fame, Loving
the Silent Tears was created based on the poetry collection,
Silent Tears, by Supreme Master Ching Hai. Two-time Oscar-winning
composer Al Kasha had been profoundly touched by the poems about
humanity’s struggle for inner happiness, and wished to
express them through a musical.
“The
United States’
best
dancers display the vibrant
cultures of six continents!”
— KTLK AM1150
“[Her poetry] comes from a loving spirit, obviously;
a spirit that cares about humanity, the universe, nature, animals,”
stated Grammy winner Jody Watley, who represented Africa in
the musical. “To help bring her words to life, to be a
part of that, is very special to me.”
“A
PRESTIGIOUS CAST.”
—Jamaica Gleaner
|
One
humanity: By
the end of the show, a blissful togetherness resonates between performers
and spectators.
“FABULOUS!”
—More Magazine
“The
most professional, most beloved,
most successful people in theatre and the music world
are here today.”
—ANDISHEH TV
|
Jon
Secada (Cuban),
2-time Grammy winner |
Liel
Kolet (Israeli), Camellia Abou-Odah (Arab), Siavash Shams
(Iranian) |
|
Black
Uhuru (Jamaican), Grammy winners |
Hồ
Quỳnh Hương (vegan) (Aulacese)
& Patti Cohenour
(Joy) |
Flo Ankah (French) |
Liz
Callaway (Australian) |
Brian Joo (Korean) |
Mark Janicello
(vegetarian) (Italian) |
Other eminent composers who set Supreme Master Ching
Hai’s poems to engaging songs in diverse styles were:
6-time Grammy winner and 2-time Oscar nominee Jorge Calandrelli
(Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), Emmy winner Doug Katsaros
(Footloose), 2-time Grammy winner and 3-time Oscar nominee
Henry Krieger (Dreamgirls), Tony and Emmy winner Don
Pippin (Mame), Grammy winner Nan Schwartz (Harry Potter),
and Oscar and 2-time Grammy winner David Shire (Saturday
Night Fever).
Bethann Carbone from ExpressIt Media in Pennsylvania,
USA, said, “The creativity and talent of the professionals
that put together this tribute is truly a testament to Supreme
Master Ching Hai's vision for a more healthy, joyful, peaceful,
and more loving world.”
The story followed the bereaved mother Joy and a
worldly youth named Pete, who both board a fantasy train with
a wise albeit humorous Conductor. They find themselves on an
eventful trip across six continents, but more importantly on
a journey of the spirit.
“Remarkable...
Brilliant.
Truly a theatregoing first.”
—FOOTLIGHTS
Sixteen of the world’s magnificent cultures
were glorified through the cast that included 2-time Grammy
Award-winning music icon Jon Secada (Cuba), Grammy winner R&B/pop
star Jody Watley (Africa), and Broadway stars: Tony winners
Debbie Gravitte (USA) and Kiril Kulish (Russia), Tony nominee
Patti Cohenour (lead character Joy), and Emmy winner and Tony
nominee Liz Callaway (Australia). The stars also included Grammy-winning
Jamaican reggae legends Black Uhuru, Arab singer Camellia Abou-Odah,
French singer Flo Ankah, actor Junior Case (the Conductor),
award-winning actor Luke Eberl (Pete), Aulacese pop star Hồ
Quỳnh Hương, Italian tenor Mark Janicello, Korean
pop star Brian Joo, award-winning Israeli singer Liel Kolet,
Irish soprano Katie McMahon, Korean singer Heather Park, award-winning
Brazilian singer Fabiana Passoni, Persian superstar Siavash
Shams, and Chinese platinum pop star Kay Tse.
Al
Kasha
2-time Oscar winner |
Jorge
Calandrelli
6-time Grammy winner |
Doug
Katsaros
Emmy winner |
Henry
Krieger
2-time Grammy winner |
Don
Pippin
Tony & Emmy winner |
Nan
Schwartz
Grammy winner |
Broadway
Cares /
Equity Fights AIDS |
Animal
Defenders International |
Worldwide
Veterinary Service |
|
Letters
of gratitude:
Appreciation letters from the three charities that were
honored by Supreme Master Ching Hai during the event. |
Their enchanting vocals were complemented by the
21-piece orchestra and culturally flavored dances by 45 premier
US dancers. One theatergoer named Kent Tucker said, “The
story itself was tender and touching. But all of the entertainment
and the costumes and the dances, it was just wonderful!”
After the musical, three charitable organizations,
Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS, Animal Defenders International,
and Worldwide Veterinary Service, accepted US$100,000 each in
contributions from Supreme Master Ching Hai, who wished to donate
on behalf of all the musical artists and to honor the organizations
for their noble work. Government dignitaries presented the checks
to the groups’ representatives on stage.
The event’s uplifting experience was enhanced
even further through an ethereal art exhibition of Supreme Master
Ching Hai’s creative pieces.
“Winners
of the most major
and recognized awards in
entertainment in this country.”
—UNIVISION
One visitor enthused, “Everything is so
beautiful. Oh my God! [The jewelry] are beautiful and they seem
like they are just to give you a lift, when you were in there.
I feel so good right now!”
A VIP banquet offered an abundance of compassionate,
tasty vegan cuisine in what was a most joyful way to conclude
a memorable event.
As journalist Molli Carlson of Pasadena Magazine
recounted, “It was a full-fledged afternoon of artistic
and optimistic altruism for everyone involved.”
Read on to find out what some of the media and audience
members from around the globe have said, and get to know more
about each of the event’s extraordinary artists…
plus more, as we take an inside look at Loving the Silent
Tears! 
David
Shire
Oscar & 2-time Grammy winner |
Act
II opening number: "Eternal Game" |
|
Actors:
Junior Case, Patti Cohenour, Luke Eberl, Nikki Tomlinson |
Jody
Watley (African)
 Grammy
winner |
Kay
Tse (vegetarian)
(Chinese)
|
Katie McMahon
(Irish)
|
Debbie
Gravitte (USA)
Tony
winner |
Fabiana Passoni
(Brazilian)
|
Heather
Park (vegan) (Korean) |
|
Kiril
Kulish (Russian)
Tony winner |
| |
“ Spreading the message of peace and
love through art, and awakening the
loving kindness within everyone.”
—ETTV
Opening number: “Never Set Foot”
|
Shrine
Expo Hall: Art
exhibition of Supreme Master Ching Hai’s works |
|
VIP
vegan banquet
|
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|
