Over the past year, David Quang Pham has continued developing Turnover: A New Leaf, the plant-based musical at the center of his 2024 Great Performances Artist Fellowship. Initially proposed as a studio concept album, the project has evolved through a series of live productions, workshops, and ongoing creative development.
A major milestone came in May 2025, when Turnover: A New Leaf received a full production with Queer Theatre Kalamazoo, running May 16–18 at the Judy K. Jolliffe Theatre. This marked an important step forward for the piece, building on earlier concert readings in Philadelphia and New York and bringing the musical to a wider audience in a fully staged format.
The musical continues to gain recognition for its distinctive storytelling. Set in the fictional “Dirty City,” the show follows a Vietnamese mother and son, reimagined as cilantro plants, as they navigate immigration, identity, and belonging, blending science concepts like photosynthesis with themes of queer self-discovery and family dynamics. Its unique voice has already earned accolades, including Best Book and Best Director at the Philadelphia New Musicals Festival, along with a nomination for Best Musical.
Development has extended beyond the stage, with Turnover continuing to grow as part of David’s broader creative ecosystem. The project has expanded into multimedia exploration, including early development toward animated formats and other storytelling platforms, while also appearing in a range of settings from festival readings to conference presentations which demonstrates its flexibility as both an educational and theatrical work.
While the original Fellowship proposal focused on producing a studio concept album, the past year reflects a broader, more holistic evolution of the musical. Through performances, workshops, and interdisciplinary expansion, Turnover: A New Leaf has continued to build momentum and visibility, laying the groundwork for future recordings and productions. We’re proud to have supported David through the Great Performances Artist Fellowship and look forward to seeing how the project continues to grow and reach new audiences.