Min Kahng

Min Kahng (he/him) is an award-winning playwright, composer, lyricist and creative coach whose works include The Four Immigrants: An American Musical Manga (Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award, Theatre Bay Area Award, Edgerton New Play Award, NAMT Production Grant), GOLD: The Midas Musical (Theatre Bay Area Award), Iris Lee’s Audio Odyssey (published by Playscripts), The Adventures of Honey & Leon, Inside Out & Back Again, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon: A Musical Adaptation, Bad Kitty On Stage!, The Song of the Nightingale and Tales of Olympus. Kahng is an MacDowell Fellow and an alumnus of the Playwrights Foundation Resident Initiative, Berkeley Rep’s Ground Floor, Djerassi, Willapa Bay AiR, and the TheatreWorks New Works Festival. He has been invited as a Guest Lecturer/Artist at...

Min Kahng (he/him) is an award-winning playwright, composer, lyricist and creative coach whose works include The Four Immigrants: An American Musical Manga (Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Award, Theatre Bay Area Award, Edgerton New Play Award, NAMT Production Grant), GOLD: The Midas Musical (Theatre Bay Area Award), Iris Lee’s Audio Odyssey (published by Playscripts), The Adventures of Honey & Leon, Inside Out & Back Again, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon: A Musical Adaptation, Bad Kitty On Stage!, The Song of the Nightingale and Tales of Olympus. Kahng is an MacDowell Fellow and an alumnus of the Playwrights Foundation Resident Initiative, Berkeley Rep’s Ground Floor, Djerassi, Willapa Bay AiR, and the TheatreWorks New Works Festival. He has been invited as a Guest Lecturer/Artist at Harvard University, Stanford University, UC Berkeley, San Jose State University and The San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Kahng is an NEA Grant Recipient, a Jonathan Larson Grant Finalist, a Richard Rodgers Award Finalist, and a Dramatists Guild committee member. www.minkahng.com

Scripts

The Four Immigrants: An American Musical Manga

by Min Kahng

Synopsis

This unique "documentary comic book" from the early 20th century serves as the inspiration for my next project. Follow the adventures of Henry, Charlie, Fred and Frank - four Japanese immigrants - as they adapt to life in the West. Experiencing historical events like the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, World War I, Prohibition and waves of anti-Japanese sentiment, the four protagonists each encounter America in a...

This unique "documentary comic book" from the early 20th century serves as the inspiration for my next project. Follow the adventures of Henry, Charlie, Fred and Frank - four Japanese immigrants - as they adapt to life in the West. Experiencing historical events like the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, World War I, Prohibition and waves of anti-Japanese sentiment, the four protagonists each encounter America in a different way as they grow from boys into men.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon: A Musical Adaptation

by Min Kahng

Synopsis

A thrilling musical adventure filled with magic, mystery and fantastical creatures! Young Minli’s poor village desperately needs good fortune. So she sets out on a quest to find The Old Man in the Moon, who holds all the answers to life’s questions. Along the way Minli rescues a dragon, encounters the dreaded Green Tiger and, by drawing wisdom from her father’s stories, moves closer and closer to riches greater...

A thrilling musical adventure filled with magic, mystery and fantastical creatures! Young Minli’s poor village desperately needs good fortune. So she sets out on a quest to find The Old Man in the Moon, who holds all the answers to life’s questions. Along the way Minli rescues a dragon, encounters the dreaded Green Tiger and, by drawing wisdom from her father’s stories, moves closer and closer to riches greater than gold. Adapted from the best-selling book based on Chinese folklore.

Freedom Conference

by Min Kahng

Synopsis

In 2006, a large group of Christians gathers in the Midwest for a conference: keynotes, breakout sessions, lanyards and all. Only at this conference, all of the attendees are hoping to overcome their same-sex attractions. Based loosely on the playwright’s own experience before coming out, FREEDOM CONFERENCE is a play with songs that explores the complexity of the “ex-gay” universe by examining the human...

In 2006, a large group of Christians gathers in the Midwest for a conference: keynotes, breakout sessions, lanyards and all. Only at this conference, all of the attendees are hoping to overcome their same-sex attractions. Based loosely on the playwright’s own experience before coming out, FREEDOM CONFERENCE is a play with songs that explores the complexity of the “ex-gay” universe by examining the human connections found within it.

The Last Tram

by Min Kahng

Synopsis

Nostalgia devolves into nightmare for the five strangers aboard the final Canery Studios Tram Tour. Amidst unruly animatronics and a sense of impending doom, one rider in particular keeps having troubling hallucinations of his estranged-now-dead father. Unearth the sinister secret behind the theme park in this dark comedy about commercialized memories and the price we pay to create our own happiness.

Nostalgia devolves into nightmare for the five strangers aboard the final Canery Studios Tram Tour. Amidst unruly animatronics and a sense of impending doom, one rider in particular keeps having troubling hallucinations of his estranged-now-dead father. Unearth the sinister secret behind the theme park in this dark comedy about commercialized memories and the price we pay to create our own happiness.

The Adventures of Honey and Leon, the Musical

by Min Kahng

Synopsis

Honey and Leon love their dads very much. But their dads often have to go away on glamorous and important business, which worries the dogs. Honey and Leon are done staying home and fretting—they’re off on a dad-protecting adventure!

Honey and Leon love their dads very much. But their dads often have to go away on glamorous and important business, which worries the dogs. Honey and Leon are done staying home and fretting—they’re off on a dad-protecting adventure!

GOLD: The Midas Musical

by Min Kahng

Synopsis

After the death of his wife, King Midas hardens his heart and turns to greed for solace. When Dionysus, the god of having a good time, offers him the power of the Golden Touch, Midas can't refuse. Only his daughter Lydia believes that the King can return to the man he used to be, and she'll do everything in her power to get her father back. Using contemporary pop and musical theatre styles, this energized and...

After the death of his wife, King Midas hardens his heart and turns to greed for solace. When Dionysus, the god of having a good time, offers him the power of the Golden Touch, Midas can't refuse. Only his daughter Lydia believes that the King can return to the man he used to be, and she'll do everything in her power to get her father back. Using contemporary pop and musical theatre styles, this energized and expanded re-telling of the Greek myth invites parents and children to remember that nothing can replace the value of your family.

Inside Out & Back Again

by Min Kahng

Synopsis

Ten-year-old Hà and her family flee from Vietnam to Alabama, where she dreams of her beloved papaya tree and struggles to adjust in a strange new land. Based on Thanhha Lai’s award-winning story told in poetry. Recommended for ages 8 and up.

Ten-year-old Hà and her family flee from Vietnam to Alabama, where she dreams of her beloved papaya tree and struggles to adjust in a strange new land. Based on Thanhha Lai’s award-winning story told in poetry. Recommended for ages 8 and up.

Tales of Olympus: A Greek Myth Musical

by Min Kahng

Synopsis

Peering down from their home on Mt. Olympus, the ancient Greek gods see a fast-paced, modern world filled with high-tech distractions. Who will remember their stories? Calliope, the goddess of epic poetry, descends from the mountaintop to enlist the help of a mortal. But will this mortal, Jason, have the guts to overcome his stagefright and become the next bard?

Peering down from their home on Mt. Olympus, the ancient Greek gods see a fast-paced, modern world filled with high-tech distractions. Who will remember their stories? Calliope, the goddess of epic poetry, descends from the mountaintop to enlist the help of a mortal. But will this mortal, Jason, have the guts to overcome his stagefright and become the next bard?

Iris Lee's Audio Odyssey: A 21st Century Radio Play

by Min Kahng

Synopsis

When her tears from a recent breakup mingle with her earbuds, Iris Lee finds herself thrust into a hilariously strange dream universe where each moment is a send-up of a contemporary radio show genre.

When her tears from a recent breakup mingle with her earbuds, Iris Lee finds herself thrust into a hilariously strange dream universe where each moment is a send-up of a contemporary radio show genre.

Calafia: A Reimagining

by Min Kahng

Synopsis

The mythical island of California was believed to be ruled by Calafia, the queen of a tribe of fierce, dark-skinned, Amazonian warrior women who slew the invading men who arrived on their shores. In CALAFIA: A REIMAGINING, Calafia faces a moral dilemma when, for the first time, an outsider who arrives on their shores turns out to be a woman. Half of her people say the outsider must be killed according to their...

The mythical island of California was believed to be ruled by Calafia, the queen of a tribe of fierce, dark-skinned, Amazonian warrior women who slew the invading men who arrived on their shores. In CALAFIA: A REIMAGINING, Calafia faces a moral dilemma when, for the first time, an outsider who arrives on their shores turns out to be a woman. Half of her people say the outsider must be killed according to their scriptures, while the other half says she must be saved since women are considered holy. How Calafia deals with the dilemma will shape the future of who her people will become.

The Song of the Nightingale

by Min Kahng

Synopsis

Based upon a Hans Christian Andersen fairy-tale, The Song of the Nightingale tells the story of an Emperor of China who is unaware of the beautiful Nightingale who sings in his land. The only palace worker who knows of the Bird is Mei Lin, a lowly kitchen-maid who is looking to move up inthe palace. When the Emperor requests that Mei Lin help him locate the Nightingale in exchange for a lofty promotion, Mei Lin...

Based upon a Hans Christian Andersen fairy-tale, The Song of the Nightingale tells the story of an Emperor of China who is unaware of the beautiful Nightingale who sings in his land. The only palace worker who knows of the Bird is Mei Lin, a lowly kitchen-maid who is looking to move up inthe palace. When the Emperor requests that Mei Lin help him locate the Nightingale in exchange for a lofty promotion, Mei Lin is only too happy to oblige. However, this transaction brings about tragic consequences as the Emperor and others in the palace fail to see the Nightingale's true beauty, judging her only by her plain and brown outer appearance.

This script is currently undergoing revisions. Please contact the playwright for a perusal.

Bad Kitty On Stage!

by Min Kahng

Synopsis

Straight from the pages of the wildly popular Bad Kitty comic book series: here Kitty sprawls, in solitary splendor, until one day . . . (loud hissing) PUPPY! Uh oh. And then . . . (hair on back standing on end) a MOUSE! And then. . . well, let’s just say life gets complicated in this play with live music for the whole family.

Straight from the pages of the wildly popular Bad Kitty comic book series: here Kitty sprawls, in solitary splendor, until one day . . . (loud hissing) PUPPY! Uh oh. And then . . . (hair on back standing on end) a MOUSE! And then. . . well, let’s just say life gets complicated in this play with live music for the whole family.

Jin vs. the Beach

by Min Kahng

Synopsis

Fifth grader Jin is headed to the beach for the very first time on a class field trip. Jin is more comfortable spending his time indoors, playing his favorite game, CUBECRAFTIA. Even though Jin grew up near the ocean, going to the beach is something new to him. He’s a bit anxious about it, but with the support of friends, teachers, and his imagination, Jin learns that everyone has different feelings when it...

Fifth grader Jin is headed to the beach for the very first time on a class field trip. Jin is more comfortable spending his time indoors, playing his favorite game, CUBECRAFTIA. Even though Jin grew up near the ocean, going to the beach is something new to him. He’s a bit anxious about it, but with the support of friends, teachers, and his imagination, Jin learns that everyone has different feelings when it comes to approaching the unknown and that it is important to express those feelings, and try new things even when they feel scary.

Story Explorers

by Min Kahng

Synopsis

Story Explorers is an immersive and sensory-friendly theatre experience created specifically for children with autism and other special needs, age 3-12. Jump into a myriad of fascinating story worlds–from a jungle adventure, to a relaxing day at the beach, and even outer space! Your child will be transported through their imagination, accompanied by live music and a variety of multi-sensory interactive moments.

Story Explorers is an immersive and sensory-friendly theatre experience created specifically for children with autism and other special needs, age 3-12. Jump into a myriad of fascinating story worlds–from a jungle adventure, to a relaxing day at the beach, and even outer space! Your child will be transported through their imagination, accompanied by live music and a variety of multi-sensory interactive moments.

Half A Dozen of the Other

by Min Kahng

Synopsis

Lee has instructed their family not to open the locked wardrobe in their bedroom. Kit, Lee's sibling, can't help but wonder what Lee is hiding. And with the help of a bolt cutter, Kit is about to find something wholly unexpected.

Lee has instructed their family not to open the locked wardrobe in their bedroom. Kit, Lee's sibling, can't help but wonder what Lee is hiding. And with the help of a bolt cutter, Kit is about to find something wholly unexpected.

Please Seat Yourself

by Min Kahng

Synopsis

K is trying to enjoy a meal alone when the mysterious L interrupts -- and seems to know a lot about K.

K is trying to enjoy a meal alone when the mysterious L interrupts -- and seems to know a lot about K.

Homeless Fairy Godmother

by Min Kahng

Synopsis

Alex encounters a homeless fairy godmother who asks what Alex's wish is!

Alex encounters a homeless fairy godmother who asks what Alex's wish is!

Space Spelunker

by Min Kahng

Synopsis

Kevin pitches his amazing idea for a brand-new sci-fi television show: Space Spelunker!

Kevin pitches his amazing idea for a brand-new sci-fi television show: Space Spelunker!

Variations on a Fairy Tale

by Min Kahng

Synopsis

A collection of five short plays, each taking the fairy tale of Snow White in a completely different direction than the original story!

A collection of five short plays, each taking the fairy tale of Snow White in a completely different direction than the original story!