T H E A T R E     R O W  -  M A N H A T T A N ,   N E W   Y O R K 
N A T I O N A L     S A W D U S T     T H E A T R E   -   B R O O K L Y N 
F L U S H I N G    T O W N    H A L L   -   Q U E E N S

Based on a true story.  
​An exciting adventure into the lavish, extravagant and deadly world of 1940s Shanghai.

A love story and a murder mystery.   
Inspired by diaries discovered in a hidden safe, interwoven with lush music and lyrical songs,
this theatrical work recreates the sensuous and forgotten fabled city of Grand Shanghai.

The Paris of the East, and the New York of the West.

 A time of beautiful clothes and elevated emotions,
a floating world where everything is transient.
An era now lost to history. 

w r i t t e n   a n d   c o m p o s e d  
b y    A n g e l   L a m

Development History:

ART NY Bruce Mitchell Room
New York, New York

Reading featuring Broadway lead singers Paulina Yeung and Pedro Ka'awaloa (2019)
520  8th Avenue, New York, 3rd floor

Theatre Row
New York, New York

Six semi-staged readings presented by Pan Asian Repertory Theatre (2017)
​Directed by Chongren Fan

Flushing Town Hall
Queens, New York

Semi-staged reading presented by Pan Asian Repertory Theatre (2017)
​Directed by Chongren Fan

National Sawdust Theater
Brooklyn, New York

Songs and scenes from Lost Shanghai with live music ensemble and visual projections (2017)
Hosted by curator Robert Sirota, former dean of Manhattan School of Music and moderated by music critic Steve Smith

Steinway Hall
New York, New York

Presented  songs from Lost Shanghai (2016)

Museum of Chinese American (MOCA)
New York, New York

An evening of songs and scenes from Lost Shanghai  (2015)
Composer showcase concert hosted and sponsored by Bloomberg News and Credit Suisse

Comments & Feedbacks:

A captivating story that stands out from most other work due to the setting. The play effectively drew me into the ambience of the time period. The lead actor was charming, and the actor playing the government official was excellent. He completely embodied that role. The music is lovely, and the end was especially beautiful. 
                                               - Ana F., NY Theasy.com critic

Captured the essence of 1940s Shanghai...The juxtaposition of eastern and western influence is apparent in the imageries and soundscape, both of which were quite evocative. Loved the touch of magic...(and) the idea of this being a memory play.
                                             ​- Ran X., NY Theasy.com critic

The internal, external, interpersonal and societal conflicts are all present to make this a great tragedy."
​
 - Acting Studio New York, playwriting mentor Jeremy Kareken

The stylized writing and florid details kept us totally engaged."
 
- Barrow Group workshop lead by award-winning playwright Arlene Hutton (New York Drama League award winner)

Music and the sound world are affecting, immediate and uniquely hers."
​
- Dr. Robert Sirota, prominent composer and former Dean of Manhattan School of Music and Director of Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University