New York City
Tony Speciale directs the musical for Abingdon Stage Company.
Abingdon Theatre Company's New York premiere production of the new musical The Boy Who Danced on Air is currently running at the June Havoc Theatre. Tony Speciale directs the production, set to open May 25. Performances are scheduled through June 11.
Written by Tim Rosser and Charlie Sohne, the production tells the story of Paiman and Feda, to young Afghani men who have spent their lives as dancers in the world of bacha bazi, where wealthy men take in boys from poor families, train them to dance at parties, and often abuse them. The two boys' chance meeting changes the course of their lives and sets them on a journey to find their independence in this musical fable about love, tradition, morality, and the strength of the human spirit.
Troy Iwata and Jonathan Raviv head the company, alongside Osh Ghanimah, Deven Kolluri, and Nikhil Saboo. The production has scenic design by Christopher Swader and Justin Swader, costume design by Andrea Lauer, lighting design by Wen-Ling Liao, sound design by Justin Graziani, props by Jerry Marsini, music direction by David Gardos, and choreography by Nejla Yatkin.