A war brings them together on a tropical island. Only survival ensures their stories will be passed on. Under the gaze of the Southern Cross, they struggle to sing in tears to prove that they are still alive.

Based on Coming Back Alive, an autobiographical novel by Taiwanese literature laureate CHEN Chien-wu, Tropical Angels is a musical adaptation by LIN Meng-huan. He spent two years painstakingly converting the story to the stage during his artist-in-residence at the National Taichung Theater (NTT). It tells the story of LIN Yi-ping, a young Taiwanese man who is recruited by the Imperial Japanese Army and sent to the South-East Asian battlefield. By chance, he meets LAI Sha-lin, a comfort woman. Although their status and positions make the relationship awkward, LIN offers her peanut bars in exchange for her story and their feelings for each other grow over time. In the army, LIN is bossed around by Japanese officer Matsunaga. Oppressed by authoritarian militarism, he strives to defend his own identity. As the warfare continues to escalate, the two promise each other they will do their best to survive after the war. However, the radio abruptly broadcasts Japanese Emperor surrender address, suddenly melting the tension into emptiness.  

In the face of looming threat of life, identity struggle imposed by an authoritarian rule, the two protagonists still cling to a slim hope for survival and fight to keep their humanity despite the cruelty of war. They persist to sing on to prove that they are
still alive even in tears under the gaze of the Southern Cross. Their story is a song of agony about fate, salvation and commitment. 

Playwright╱LIN Meng-huan

Lyrics╱LIN Meng-huan, MC JJ, LEI Sheng

Music╱LEI Sheng

Director╱CHEN Shih-ying

Music Director╱Sobina CHI KANTER

Orchestrations╱Emily CHIU

Movement╱YEH Ming-hwa

Scenic Design╱LIN Shih-lun

Lighting Design╱CHOU Chia-yi

Costume Design╱LIN Yu-yuan

Sound Design╱TSAI Hung-lin

Associate Music Director╱KUO Meng-mei

Vocal Coach╱WEI Shih-fen

Acting Coach╱LIN Zi-heng

Dramaturge╱WU Cheng-han

Literary Consultant╱WU Ying

Performers╱Howl YU, WANG Hao-chuan, WU Tzu-chi, LEE Man, LIN Zi-heng, LIN Tzu -yin, CHOU Chia-kuan, Ariel CHEN, CHANG Ching-chia, YEH Wen-hao, Chi, Madeline Blue (in Chinese stroke order)

Stand-in Performers╱CHOU Chun-peng, Madeline Blue (in Chinese stroke order)

Production Manager╱YANG Li-chiao

Stage Manager╱WANG Min

Assistant Stage Manager╱HSIAO Yi-hsuan

Assistant to Director╱HSU Hsin-ying

Taiwanese Hokkien Coach╱Billy Lin,CHOU Chun-peng

Producer╱Jessie LIN

Executive Producer╱CHEN Ching-hui

Production Assistant╱Chrsitine LAI

Produced by PROJECT ZERO Performing Arts Management