WORLD PREMIERE AT THE SAIGON OPERA HOUSE
OCTOBER 3 & 4, 2026
BROADWAY EXCELLENCE PRESENTS
THE BELOVED VIETNAMESE LEGEND
In a humble village, hardworking Mai An Tiêm performs a brave act that saves the King and wins the heart of Princess Mỹ Linh. But as light shines on the rising hero, shadows of jealousy grow within the palace walls. A web of royal deceit leads to An Tiêm’s banishment to a barren island, where a desperate struggle for survival becomes a miraculous journey of resilience and faith.
Making its stage debut at the historic Saigon Opera House, The Watermelon Prince unites Broadway’s leading creative forces with Vietnam’s finest artistic talent for the first time in a full scale live musical.
With direction and choreography by two-time Emmy nominee Spencer Liff, Emmy Award winner Doug Katsaros as Music Director, a book by award-winning writer Nicole Jones-Dion, and music by an international roster including Doug Katsaros, Joe Gautrey, Taras Kuznetsov, Jamie Jordan, Pavel Berezovsky, David Luke, and songs by Eternal Treasure, this world premiere is a bold celebration of Vietnam’s rich cultural legacy.
Executive produced by Tony Award nominee Gabriel Barre and produced by Happy Sunshine Entertainment, the production brings world class theatre to Vietnam.
A first-of-its-kind Broadway collaboration in Vietnam
Sneak Peek of the Score
“One of the things that excites me most about The Watermelon Prince is the opportunity to bring the storytelling traditions and theatrical language of Broadway musicals together with the rich history, culture, music, and traditions of Vietnam.”
— SPENCER LIFF
2‑time Emmy nominee, Director/Choreographer
“My work has been to weave Western musical theater craft with Eastern flavors, so that the score can feel culturally familiar to the local audiences and yet still have them on the edge of their seats in the tradition of the great Broadway shows.”
— DOUG KATSAROS
Emmy Award winner, Music Director
“The story is well known in Vietnam and will arouse tons of interest and attract a wide family audience, who will love the splendor and magic of seeing one of their favorite and beloved tales brought to life so faithfully and lovingly.”
— GABRIEL BARRE
Tony Award nominee, Executive Producer
“The Watermelon Prince has all the ingredients of great theater: love, faith, hope and the resilience of the human spirit. I read the script and was genuinely impressed. By combining Broadway craft with an authentically Vietnamese story, this production will resonate with audiences everywhere. Something truly special is taking shape.”
— VINCENT PATERSON
Tony-nominated director and choreographer
(Michael Jackson & Madonna world tours)
“What I appreciate most is the commitment to honoring Vietnamese culture while presenting it in its most glorious form. We create a world that feels both true and magical. This is a musical, not a history book, that shows the beauty and heart of Vietnam through the lens of the Broadway musical, and I believe that is exactly the right approach for this collaborative production.”
Associate Director
— LÊ HOÀNG GIANG
“There is still tremendous potential and space for growth in Vietnam’s theater landscape. I warmly congratulate Happy Sunshine Entertainment for their dedication, courage, and goodwill in producing a completely original Broadway-style musical in Ho Chi Minh City. This ambitious project is a perfect initiative to bring audiences closer to the magic of theater and the performing arts.”
Artistic Director, Saigon Philharmonic Orchestra
