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Cambodia's first-ever modern music theater work, Where Elephants Weep, will make its official world premiere in Phnom Penh, Cambodia at the Chenla Theater, November 28-December 7. The production features a libretto by Catherine Filloux, a score by Him Sophy, musical supervision by Scot Stafford, direction by Robert McQueen and choreography by Seán Curran, and is produced in association with Amrita Performing Arts.

The show tells the tale of Sam, a refugee from the Khmer Rouge genocide who leaves America and returns to his homeland of Cambodia. Committed to finding his roots in his native culture, he unexpectedly falls in love with Bopha, a homegrown pop star. The musical weaves 12th century musical styles and traditional Cambodian instruments with a contemporary, Western-style rock band to reinterpret traditional Khmer music for a new era.

The show will be performed by a group of principal U.S. performers, together with a Cambodian company of actors, singers, dancers and musicians. The production is expected to return to the U.S., after playing several Asian cities, in the autumn of 2010.

For more information, visit www.whereelephantsweep.net.