The History Theatre and Theater Mu are bringing something to the stage that you don’t see often anymore: a new original musical.
Blended 和 (Harmony): The Kim Loo Sisters is a Chinese Heritage Foundation commission from the two theaters with a book and lyrics by Jessica Huang and music by Jacinth Greywoode.
It follows Minneapolis’ own Kim Loo Sisters, four Chinese-Polish showgirls paving their way through Broadway during the age of white superstars like Frank Sinatra and the Andrews Sisters.
The Kim Loo’s are young and confident but still figuring out romance, family and international relations — all while in the spotlight of Broadway, touring and film.
The show provides an interesting perspective on multiracial performers in a time when society wanted people to be one thing. As Anne Miller — who was part Cherokee — says in the show, the Kim Loo’s should either go “full Chinatown” with their act or scrub it clean of any Chinese influence.
“Blended” is brought to life by the four people who play the titular characters, particularly featuring Kelsey Angel Baehrens as Jenée and rising local star Audrey Mojica, fresh off her turn as Max in the Children’s Theatre Company’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”
Baehrens and Mojica bring to life a particular musical pizazz that has always made me love musical theater: true triple threats doing what they do best.
Ethan Yaheen-Moy Chan is also a standout as Youlin, providing soaring tenor vocals for “Gold,” a highlight in Greywoode’s score. The LaGuardia grad is a welcome addition to the family ensemble.
Their expertise isn’t for a lack of great music. Greywoode provides creative and catchy music for each song even if it feels like we get one-too-many duets in the second act.
But most compelling here is playwright Huang’s personal story reflected in the musical seven years in the making. Huang, who is of mixed Chinese and Ukrainian descent, deftly connects the audience to the close bond of the four sisters, even if we hadn’t heard of them before. Huang conducted interviews with Kim Loo’s daughter/niece Leslie Li (who attended the opening) to get the story right.
Musical numbers are brought to life by sometimes-shaky choreography by Rush Benson, and the practical set and use of projections help transport us to the ‘30s and ‘40s without being distracting.
The live four-piece band on the stage is a special treat in a theater world where musical effects are often relegated to MIDI tracks.
Throughout the show, the Kim Loo family paves their way in a world not made for them. It’s with the help of the playwright and composer that “Blended” really sparkles.
Blended 和 (Harmony): The Kim Loo Sisters plays at the History Theatre through May 26.
Anya Capistrant-Kinney can be reached at capi2087@stthomas.edu.