New Musical SHIMMER to Showcase at the Edison Ballroom

During WWII, over 23,000 Jews landed in Shanghai seeking refuge from Nazi persecution. This rarely told, true and inspirational story now comes to life as an epic new musical, Shimmer. On Tuesday, December 6, The Appeal of Conscience Foundation, Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment, Hengyuanxiang Drama and Phoenix Cultural Industry Development (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. will present a showcase presentation of the musical at The Edison Ballroom in Times Square, Manhattan. Actor Richard Kind (Broadway's The Producers, Tale of the Allergist's Wife, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels; television's "Spin City," "Mad About You") will offer introductory remarks prior to the presentation.

Featuring a book by Rong Guangrun, music by Peter Pui-Tat Kam, lyrics by Liang Mang, and direction by Xu Jun, Shimmer is a bilingual musical, performed in both English and Mandarin, with an original score inspired by music of the era, traditional Jewish and Chinese music, klezmer, and contemporary musical theater. In September 2015, Shimmer premieredat Shanghai Culture Square, launching the 17th China Shanghai International Arts Festival and garnering critical acclaim from local and national media as well as many Chinese theatre awards. Featuring a company of 35 Chinese and Israeli artists, has been called the Chinese equivalent of LES MISERABLES both in musical grandeur and scope of the storytelling.

Shimmer is the true story of two unlikely worlds coming together, and empowering one another to survive in the face of adversity. When nations around the world locked their borders to Jews seeking refuge from the Nazi regime, the residents of Shanghai offer asylum, welcoming tens-of-thousands into their community.

"While this is based on a true story that took place over 80 years ago, this forgotten piece of world history could not be more relevant today," says Bob Nederlander Jr, President of Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment. "Two very different sets of people come together in a time of extreme danger and hardship. Together, these people grow stronger together, embracing one another's diversity and discovering the common challenges that make them so alike. We could not be more excited to bring this musical to new audiences."

The Appeal of Conscience Foundation, founded by Rabbi Arthur Schneier in 1965, has worked on behalf of religious freedom, human rights, peace and tolerance throughout the world. On a mission to China in 1994, Rabbi Schneier and a group of Jewish refugees who survived the Holocaust in Shanghai dedicated a monument in gratitude to the Chinese people for providing a haven for Jews fleeing Nazi occupied Europe. Since 1981, the Appeal of Conscience Foundation (ACF) has helped advance and US-China people-to-people relations and exchanges. The ACF interfaith coalition of business, religious and foreign policy leaders promotes mutual understanding, international and inter-religious cooperation.

Hengyuanxiang Drama, Founded in Jan. 2013 by HYX Group, targeted at creating high-quality dramas and musicals. During those 4 years, HYX Drama has presented 6 drama works, including the drama in Shanghainese The Eternal Snow Beauty, original drama A Merchant of Shanghai and the original musicalJews in Shanghai. Those drama works have a wide influence among the audience and have received many awards. HYX Drama always "insists original work", "insists Shanghai Stories", "insists Drama of quality, drama of high aesthetic level and drama of the soul".

Nederlander Worldwide Entertainment, founded and managed by Robert Nederlander, Jr. a third-generation member of the Nederlander entertainment family, manages theatres and presents Broadway productions in emerging international markets, produces international productions for Broadway and elsewhere around the world, and undertakes cultural educational initiatives. NWE's expertise covers the gamut of theatre management and operations, along with all facets of live entertainment, including ticketing, management, promotion, marketing, and advertising.