More Asian American talent to hit Broadway

Hm. They used to say that Asian shows tank in New York.

However, in the next few months, a tidal wave (no, I'm not going to say tsunami) of Asian talent will wash over the Great White Way.

First, David Henry Hwang teams up with Phil Collins for the new Disney musical, Tarzan, which is undergoing previews at the Richard Rodgers Theatre right now and is set to open on May 9 of this year. Lots of trapeze, vine/wire work in this one, according to the New York Times.

Next, Bob and Harvey Weinstein are planning a musical adaption of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, with a great big helping of Cirque du Solei (Hm. More wire work here).

Chicago-based Elephant Eye Theatricals is planning a bio-musical called Bruce Lee: Journey to the West. David Henry Hwang is set to to do the book; there are rumors of David Bowie may be interested in doing lyrics and music. No wire work here, but target date is 2008.

Now, producer Don Gregory (The Belle of Amherst) plans a Broadway musical about the Flying Tigers, the volunteer American air guard that helped defend China from the Japanese during World War II. Target takeoff: April 2007. Nothing set in stone yet, but preliminary story plans are to zero in on the years 1940-42. The story will include the Flying Tiger recruitment process as well as a fictional romance between a Chinese doctor and an American nurse (hey! will the Asian guy get the girl now?).

Sources tell me that's not all for major Asian American theatre news, so stay tuned for more news and rumors.