Vocalists representing 16 of the world’s glorious cultures include:
• Grammy-winners: Jon Secada (Just Another Day), Jody Watley (Real Love), Jamaican reggae group Black Uhuru (Anthem)
• Broadway stars: Patti Cohenour (Phantom of the Opera), Liz Callaway (Miss Saigon), Kiril Kulish (Billy Elliot the Musical), Debbie Gravitte (Jerome Robbins' Broadway)
• International stars: Kay Tse (Hong Kong), Brian Joo (Korea), Siavash Shams (Iran), Hồ Quỳnh Hương (Vietnam)
Loving the Silent Tears: The Musical was a unique celebration combining a talented team who collectively hold over two dozen Academy, Grammy, Tony and Emmy Awards. Oscar-winning composer Al Kasha (The Poseidon Adventure) was inspired to create and write music for the musical after reading the poetry anthology Silent Tears written by Supreme Master Ching Hai during her own spiritual quest. Mr. Kasha stated “Silent Tears…has touched my heart so greatly, that I saw the potential it had to affect people’s lives by being turned into a musical.”
As MTV noted, the composers are “titans in their musical fields” who include Jorge Calandrelli (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon), Doug Katsaros (Footloose), Henry Krieger (Dreamgirls), Don Pippin (La Cage aux Folles), Nan Schwartz (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) and David Shire (Saturday Night Fever).
Directed by Tony nominee Vincent Paterson (Michael Jackson’s and Madonna’s world tours) and choreographed by Emmy-winner Bonnie Story (High School Musical 1, 2, 3), Loving the Silent Tears transformed Supreme Master Ching Hai’s profound and engaging poems into a musical sensation that takes listeners across six continents. The one-time only benefit show was held on October 27, 2012 at the 6,300-seat Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California.
In keeping with the international theme of the show, the music features a wide range of styles and genres, such as “Your Eyes, Your Ears, Your Heart,” performed by Fabiana Passoni in English and Portuguese and accompanied by samba dancing, Jody Watley’s song, the African-inspired “A Real Fool” with its rich, rhythmic melodies and distinct percussion, and the tender ballad “Singing Praise,” sung by Korean pop star Brian Joo and Korean-American singer Heather Park, incorporated elements of traditional Korean music. Singers representing other cultures include Camellia Abou-Odah (Arab), Mark Janicello (Italian), Liel Kolet (Israeli), and Katie McMahon (Irish).
The song representing Brazil was written by the esteemed Jorge Calandrelli, who said of the poetry he set to music, “Beautiful! Very inspiring! That's why when I wrote the music, mainly I responded to what the lyrics were. And lyrics are all about enlightenment, love, all positive things and that kind of message is so beautiful. Nowadays, it's what we all need. We all need spiritual, profound, deep thoughts and emotions. So that's what I really tried to portray in the music.”
Fabiana also expressed, “It changed my life in so many ways. I think everybody [in the cast] somehow, someway was touched in our hearts with the message. Everybody was very good, very professional and everybody put their love and soul into it. And I think that’s why it was a great success.”
The legendary Jon Secada also set Supreme Master Ching Hai’s poem “All Love, All Forgive,” to music in a salsa piece inspired by his native Cuba. He said, “I love the fact that it’s a simple message but with a lot of depth: love, forgiveness, understanding, and caring. Those messages we need today more than ever.”
After viewing the musical, singer/songwriter Sunny Hilden, who has written songs for Ray Charles, Sting, Patti LaBelle, Herbie Hancock, expressed, “If we keep reminding each other we’re supposed to be kind and loving to each other, then we get back to that place where I think that’s our natural state. And I think this musical really spoke to that beautifully.”
The CD includes a special bonus of Supreme Master Ching Hai singing “Talking to a Stone Buddha,” which was composed by the poet herself.
Distributed by Ocean of Love Entertainment, this original cast album comes in a 2-disc CD set and includes a full color booklet with the English lyrics, along with artist and composer biographies and color photos. The album is also available in MP3 format for download, with PDF e-booklet included. Both are available for purchase along with other souvenir items at www.SilentTearsMusical.com/store
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