Noted literary work for children “Diary of A Cricket” comes to HCMC’s stage

With the desire to create a work of art of high artistic and entertainment value that fits the new global trend yet still bears the Vietnamese cultural identity, Vu Viet Anh and Tran Nhat Minh have collaborated to write the modern musical based on the famous “Diary of a Cricket” by To Hoai.

The musical “Diary of a Cricket” might be the first Broadway-styled musical ever produced in Vietnam, combining multiple visual arts and techniques of modern theater with popular musical arts such as pop, rock, jazz…

“I had an idea of creating a work for the inner child in each grown-up, who was still somewhere in each of us, and then I was drawn into the wide imaginary world of the writer [To Hoai]. The message in his work is still a topic today. I tried to incorporate into the musical what speak to me: the trend of the youth the “move around”, the warning for our dying nature, social conflicts, inner struggles. And more than that, a peaceful world of friendship, clear of misunderstanding and hatred… all are family. Perhaps what we’re looking for our whole adventure, our whole life is just somewhere right next to our home. We know that, yet still leaving for the world…” Vu Viet Anh shared.

Although just performed as a concert and yet to be a stage play, the modern musical Diary of a Cricket received wide acclaim for its premiere at Saigon Opera House in December 2018. Its music were complete, bringing a breath of new life of the world combined with Vietnamese traditional music, attracted a wide range of audience including foreigners.

This time the musical also performed as a concert in Vietnamese, the full version is expected to premiere at the end of 2019. Performing artists include Đào Mác, Lý Hoàng Kim, Nguyễn Duyên Quỳnh, Trần Thanh Nam, Phan Hữu Trung Kiệt, Vũ Minh Trí, HBSO choir and orchestra.

The event will be held on June 23 at HCMC Opera House (No. 7 Lam Son Square, D.1, HCMC).

VNF