Islamabad, November 5, 2017 – The American Embassy presented Broadway Bridges, a Broadway theatrical revue, at the Marriott Hotel fro, November 4-5. The production featured seven Pakistani actors directed by Broadway theatre professionals visiting from New York. The cast performed hits from the new American musical, Hamilton, as well as classics from The Sound of Music, Rent, Aladdin and more.
The joint theater production exhibits a shared appreciation for the arts and demonstrates the American Embassy’s commitment to cultural exchange between the United States and Pakistan. The Pakistani and American team are conducting a variety of performances and workshops, organized by American Voices and the Pakistan-based Foundation for Arts Culture and Education (FACE), with funding from the American Embassy. Performances will follow in Lahore and Karachi.
“It is important to share these types of exchanges and cultivate ties through the arts as we continue to celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and Pakistan,” said Cultural Attaché Arlissa Reynolds. “Broadway is synonymous with American theater and though these performances we can explore themes such as freedom and diversity, which resonate with both Pakistani and American audiences,” he continued.
“Broadway” refers to the 40 professional theaters with 500 or more seats located in the Theater District in Manhattan, New York City. The typical Broadway musical brings singing, acting, and dance into one performance, which has become a unique American genre that has arguably made New York City the cultural capital of the nation. Early shows were written by composers such as George Gershwin, Richard Rodgers, and Oscar Hammerstein. Contemporary musicals include well known shows, many of which have been made into films, such as Grease, West Side Story, and Phantom of the Opera.
The American Embassy supports arts programming through a variety of initiatives. Each year, with U.S. government support, dozens of Pakistani musicians participate in programs like the Pakistani Showcase at South-by-Southwest Music Festival, the Dosti Music Project, and Daniel Pearl World Music Days. For more information on the American Embassy’s activities, visit https://pk.usembassy.gov.
Contact: U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section 051-201-5427, 051-201-4423
