This June, a brand new play is set to take the stage at Singapore Airlines Theatre, with a world premiere that blends history, humour, and heart. Commissioned by Pangdemonium as part of their New Works Lab playwriting programme, Singapore, Michigan is written by up-and-coming playwright Chong An Ong, and promises to be a thought-provoking debut that follows the journey of three friends—two Singaporeans and one American—as they embark on a quest to find the ghost town of Singapore, Michigan.

Set in a remote northeastern corner of the United States, the play delves into the legend of Singapore, a port town founded in 1836 that once sought to rival Chicago in prominence. After surviving power struggles, financial scandals, and a deadly 40-day blizzard in 1842, Singapore’s rise and fall in the 19th century is a testament to human ambition and fragility. By 1875, the town was abandoned, leaving only its haunting memory.

Fast forward to 2025, three individuals embark on an improbable journey to uncover this forgotten piece of history. Trapped in yet another blizzard, they must confront both the brutal cold and their inner struggles. As tensions rise, sordid secrets are spilt, shocking surprises are sprung, and they soon discover that they are searching for answers to life’s conundrums, especially when it comes to reconciling passion with practicality, dreams with duty, and the very essence of being “Singaporean” in the 21st century. What begins as an adventurous expedition quickly unfolds into a journey full of unexpected revelations and philosophical dilemmas.

The play’s fiery wit and sharp commentary will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled with the balance between tradition and progress, or the weight of expectations versus personal desires. Directed by Timothy Koh, the production features a dynamic cast including Shrey Bhargava, Shu Yi Ching, and Zane Haney. Shrey Bhargava, who workshopped the role during the Singapore International Festival of Arts (SIFA) presentation of Singapore, Michigan, now returns to bring the character to life on stage in the full production. Shu Yi Ching, a familiar presence in Pangdemonium’s productions, returns to the stage in Singapore, Michigan as a key cast member. Zane Haney, an award-winning Greek-American actor, is best known for his standout portrayal of the titular character in Graham Streeter’s Unfix: The Ari Wallenmeier Story (2023). His performance was praised by Film Threat as “the highlight of the film.”

Singapore, Michigan plays from 26th June to 11th July 2025 at the Singapore Airlines Theatre @ Lasalle College of Arts. Tickets and more information available here