Writer and composer Khiyon Hursey will make his London debut this summer on Thursday 20 July at The Other Palace Studio showcasing his work from stage musicals, films, upcoming productions and shows in development.
Khiyon will be joined by composer and lyricist Julian Hornik, award-winning singer-songwriter Cheeyang Ng and West End performers Allyson Ava-Brown (Hamilton), Nathan Lorainey-Dineen (Motown, & Juliet) and Danielle Steers (SIX, The Cher Show) for Khiyon Hursey in Concert.
Based in Los Angeles and New York, Khiyon Hursey recently co-wrote the songs for the Apple TV+ musical Spirited with Oscar Award winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, which stars Ryan Reynolds, Will Ferrell and Octavia Spencer.
The film features the critically acclaimed Good Afternoon, which was shortlisted for the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Khiyon was staff writer for Soundtrack on Netflix and is currently co-writing Love in America, a movie musical to be produced by Issa Rae. Amongst many other accolades, he was the recipient of the 2020 Stephen Schwartz Award for which he wrote the song Higher, performed by Eden Espinosa.
Graduating from Berklee College of Music with a degree in Songwriting, Khiyon got his start as the music assistant on the off-Broadway and Broadway productions, and the Grammy Award-winning cast album of Hamilton.
You’re making your London debut with Khiyon Hursey in Concert, what can audiences expect from the evening?
Audiences can expect a wide range of genres across the evening. You’ll experience a bit of contemporary musical theatre, but also some hip-hop, some R&B, some alternative. We have something for all fans of musical theatre and for those who might not consider themselves musical theatre lovers. We’ll also have some West End stars from shows like Six, Hamilton and &Juliet and special guests from New York City!
Why did you feel like now was the right time to come to London to showcase your work?
The past few years, I’ve worked in Los Angeles and New York City across tv, film and musical theatre. I’ve had incredible experiences with folks in the States but I’m eager to work and create with artists outside of the States and it seemed natural that London would be next as it’s one of the great theatre hubs in the world. The spirit of the city is truly unlike any I’ve ever encountered and the innovation in theatricality happening here is something I definitely want to be a part of.
You recently performed at West End Live, how did you find the experience?
It was an incredible moment that I will never forget. The audience was supportive and it was thrilling to get to share new music and new work on a stage that big. I look forward to hopefully coming back if I ever have a show in the West End.
And what are you looking forward to most about sharing your work with a more intimate audience at The Other Palace?
I’m excited for people to really just drop into my world. The show is going to cover my journey of the past ten years, from working on Hamilton, to Spirited, to my own original theatrical works. It’s going to be an incredibly eclectic, diverse show and doing it in the intimacy of The Other Palace is going to result in a show that folks won’t forget.
What was it that made you want to become a songwriter?
I came of age in the early 2010s so the songs of Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Beyonce, and Kesha really made me obsessed with songwriting. I began writing pop music and when I discovered Spring Awakening and Rent, that’s when I fell into musical theatre songwriting.
You’ve been involved in some massive projects, how does it feel to have worked on shows that have become household names so early in your career?
It’s really awesome to be a part of the legacies of so many great musicals. When you work on a project, you never know how it will be received and it’s humbling to have worked on shows that folks know all around the world. And still surreal to hear folks sing songs from Hamilton!
What would you say to anyone thinking of booking to see Khiyon Hursey in Concert?
This is unlike any concert of musical theatre you’ve ever seen or will see, so book your tickets if you want an amazing, magical night of music and theatre.
