International Musical “The Workshop, A Dress Rehearsal For Life!” Features All-Thai Cast

A musical by NY Times Bestselling author and globally renowned life coach Dr Cherie Carter-Scott, The Workshop, A Dress Rehearsal For Life! is a musical that must be seen for many reasons. It’s a world-premiere in Bangkok; it’s the first instance of a musical created out of a personal motivational workshop; and it’s the first English-language international production in Bangkok that has an all-Thai cast.

The setting of The Workshop is a personal motivational workshop. Eleven individuals, each with their own personal problems, visit the workshop to expound their issues through song and dance. The audience is uniquely seated in a circle around the characters, becoming a part of the workshop themselves—the intention of the American writer behind the drama. 

The Musical is about the characters in the workshop sharing their common humanity with each other, but also with the audience.

— Dr Cherie Carter-Scott

More than 17 original songs of various genres, from jazz and hip-hop to country-Western and even German beer song, have been written for this music. Every character in the show has a song that is individual to herself as well. Metabolically Challenged, for instance, is sung by a girl dealing with weight problems (played by Yah Janya) and Am I This, Or Am I That? is the song of a trans character (played by The Voice Thailand star Pete Pol).

Dr Cherie Carter-Scott

Dr Cherie Carter-Scott, often described as the “Mother of Coaches” in her spheres, has written nearly 20 books on life coaching, including a New York Times Best Seller. She was featured on Oprah twice and wrote The Workshop with her sister Lynn based on real-life individuals encountered in her personal motivational workshops held in more than 30 countries around the world, over four decades. 

The Workshop is also one-of-a-kind as an English-language international production made in Thailand with an all-Thai cast (electronic Thai subtitles are offered). The cast is made up of art graduates from Mahidol and other prestigious Thai universities, as well as local musicians, ballet dancers and opera performers. Two well-known Thai stars, pop singer Pete Pol and Thai TV3 actress Yah Janya, are also a part of the show. 

Most of the Thai cast, including Yah, are not native English speakers and have had to master it with intense training for the performance. Pete was so keen perfect his role, he travelled to the US a month prior to immerse himself in Broadway musicals.

In addition to Dr Cherie, The cast is led by Thai director Napisi Reyes, choreographer Darren Royston and founder of the Grand Opera Thailand, Stephan Sanchez, who takes the seat as the show’s producer. 

Pete Pol Yah Janya

The Workshop, A Dress Rehearsal For Life! is showing at the Thailadn Cutlural Centre (Small Hall) at 7:30pm on May 29, 30, 31 and June 1. Tickets can be purchased at Thai Ticketmajor. Student rate (500 baht) is available at the door for valid student ID cards.

For more information, visit theworkshopmusical.com or call 081-252-5905.