NEW@NAMT: The Next Wave of Musical Theatre Writers – Featuring Kevin Wong of Soft Magical Tofu Boy(s)
Book, Music & Lyrics by Kevin Wong
In this episode of NEW@NAMT, we step into a glittering queer Asian fantasia with Kevin Wong, the singular voice behind Soft Magical Tofu Boy(s)—a vibrant and imaginative new musical brimming with conjured memories, pop divas, anime princesses, ancestral spirits, and three magical brothers who can project images and sound into the air.
Hosts Jean-Paul Yovanoff, Lily Tung Crystal (East West Players), and Joe Barros (New York Theatre Barn) speak with Kevin about growing up as a closeted, hyper-imaginative kid in suburban Toronto, and how that deeply personal experience shaped the heart of this show.
Kevin dives into the inspiration behind the piece, from his pandemic-era live Twitch looping sessions to the 90s and early 2000s R&B/pop icons who shaped his musical voice (Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, Babyface, Max Martin, and more). He also reflects on his past life as a practicing lawyer, the emotional walls we build in adulthood, and the power of letting softness take center stage.
Commissioned by The Musical Stage Company and developed with fu-GEN Asian Canadian Theatre and the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, Soft Magical Tofu Boy(s) is already an award-winning hit in Canada—and Kevin shares what he's hoping for next, from a concept album to full production.
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https://namt.org/musicals/soft-magical-tofu-boys
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