SYNOPSIS

THE GHOST OF WU is the story of the rise to power of Wu Chao, the only official female ruler in 5,000 years of Chinese history, is told from two perspectives: that of her descendants, rivals and historians, and through commentary of her ghost. Was she the faithful daughter, wife, mother and benevolent ruler described by her ghost, or the despicable murderer that history portrays? The enigma that has puzzled and captivated the Chinese people for 1,300 years now is brought to the Western audience. You decide.

AUTHORS' BIOGRAPHIES

Michael Kaulkin (Music and Lyrics) A native of Washington, D.C., Michael Kaulkin holds a Master of Music degree in Composition from the San Francisco Conservatory, and previously studied at the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest, Hungary. Although primarily a composer of orchestral and choral music, he has focused much of his energy on music for theater in recent years. In 2000 composed music for the San Jose Children's Musical Theater's original musical "Our Tree," and he is a regular contributor of incidental music to Los Angeles-based Ark Theatre's productions. He is currently working on the score for the independent film "Shakespeare's Merchant."

Donna Kaulkin (Book and Additional Lyrics) Donna Kaulkin has been a writer since childhood. Her short stories and poetry have appeared in several anthologies and a play, "Woman At The Washington Zoo," has been included in Source Theater's annual playwright's festival in Washington, D.C. "The Ghost of Wu," developed in collaboration with her son, composer Michael Kaulkin, is her first musical work. She has earned her living as an editor and writer for McGraw-Hill and other publishing companies and currently runs her own free-lance editorial services firm. She served as President of the American News Women's Club from 1999-2001 and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Georgetown University.