Zeelandia - Return to Formosa 

 

 

A story of a young lieutenant of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) returningto Zeelandia in search of his roots and home. It brings the audience back to 17th century Formosa, when Fort Anping was then called "Fort Zeelandia". It is a tale of forbidden love, tragedy, redemption, and reconciliation.

 

Zeelandia - Return to Formosa

．A Broadway style musical, with Taiwan aboriginal music elements

．A story about 17th century Formosa

．Directed by veteran New York musicals director Jeffrey Dunn

 

★ Historical Setting and Background

The 17th century and the next 100 years were the golden years of exploration and trade for the Netherlands. Although it suffered from countless battles overseas, it also prospered from the lucrative spice trade that the Dutch East India Company (VOC) brought. The VOC was the first public company in the world, and it had its own stock, army, and ships. The riches it brought fueled new inventions and great Dutch Golden Age art, such as those of Vermeer and Rembrandt.

 

With close to 20 outposts in greater Asia, and headquarters in Batavia (modern day Jakarta), it guarded trade routes from competing rivals such as the Portuguese and Spanish, and later, the English. While spices were bought from Indonesia, the Dutch traded cotton and tea from India, silk and porcelain from China, silver from Japan, and exported sugar and deer skin from Formosa.

 

One of the largest tribes of the plains natives in Formosa was the Siraya, or Sirayan as some call them. They settled across Southern Taiwan, and were the closest ally to the Dutch. They helped the Dutch quell other tribal disputes, Chinese rebellions and drive the Spanish out.

 

★ Production team: 

Director: Jeffrey Dunn

Associate Director: Chris Tseng

Music Director: Johnny Ku

Music and Lyrics: Derek Lin

Book: Edwin W. Chen

Based on a Libretto by Norman Szabo & Music by Derek Lin

 

★ Performance Information:

2014/5/24.25 Tainan Municipal Cultural Center

05/24 (Sat)19:30

05/25 (Sun)14:30

 

2014/6/06.08 The Metropolitan Hall, Taipei

06/06 (Fri)19:30

06/07 (Sat)14:30, 19:30

06/08 (Sun)14:30

 

★ Buy Tickets:

NTCH Ticketing System http://goo.gl/2xCYDh

Official Facebook Fan Page Zeelandia-Return to Formosa