The Wiz’s André De Shields brought the house down as he sang “Believe in Yourself” in his original Broadway costume as part of The Black Stars of The Great White Way Broadway Reunion: Live The Dream at Carnegie Hall in New York on June 23, 2014. Photo by Lia Chang

Two-time Tony nominee André De Shields is headed to Winston-Salem, NC, this August to perform for two nights only as part of the “Black Stars of the Great White Way” anniversary concert, a Chapman Roberts Concept, Inc., at the 14th National Black Theatre Festival, the biennial celebration of African and the African American cultures.

Chapman Roberts and Norm Lewis. Photo by Lia Chang

On August 3rd & 4th, he’ll be joined by Melba Moore, Jackee Harry, Harold Wheeler, Hattie Winston, Obba Babatunde, Maurice Hines, Alyson Williams, Norm Lewis, Larry Marshall, Peggi Blu, Longineu Parsons, Jeffrey Anderson- Gunter, Kirk Taylor, Jacob Wheeler, Dawnn Lewis and Jermaine Coles, for the soaring music and dance celebration of the glorious 100 year history of African Americans on Broadway and at Carnegie Hall.

The Gala All Broadway Star Production at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts Stevens Center will honor NBTF luminaries past and present, and will feature selections from “Eubie,” “Bubbling Brown Sugar,” “Sunset Boulevard,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “Les Miserables,” “Smokey Joe’s Cafe,” “The Wiz” and the film “Selma.”

Click here to purchase tickets.

André De Shields, Melba Moore, Jackee Harry, Harold Wheeler, Hattie Winston, Obba Babatunde, Maurice Hines, Alyson Williams, Norm Lewis, Larry Marshall, Peggi Blu, Longineu Parsons, Jeffrey Anderson- Gunter, Kirk Taylor, Jacob Wheeler, Dawnn Lewis and Jermaine Coles set for BLACK STARS OF THE GREAT WHITE WAY at National Black Theatre Festival, Aug. 3-4

Photos & Video: The Wiz’s André De Shields Sang “So You Wanted to Meet the Wizard” in The Black Stars of The Great White Way Broadway Reunion: Live The Dream at Carnegie Hall 
Photos and Video: Obba Babatunde and cast members from the original cast of Dreamgirls perform at Carnegie Hall in The Black Stars of The Great White Way Broadway Reunion: Live The Dream

The National Black Theatre Festival’s Living Legend Award recipient will present a Living Legend Award to his friend and colleague Maurice Hines at the Gala Dinner.

Maurice Hines, André De Shields and Motown helmer Charles Randolph Wright at The Laurie Beechman on October 5, 2012. Photo by Lia Chang

Bill Cobbs, Nate Jacobs, Erich McMillan-McCall, Katori Hall, Clinton Turner Davis, ESOSA, A. Peter Bailey, Maurice Hines, Robert Hooks, Grace Jones, Hattie Winston, Karamu House & More among 2015 National Black Theatre Festival Honorees; Gala on August 3 

Doug Peck, Robert Reddrick, André De Shields, Tony Mhoon, Kimberly Lawson and Donica Lynn in CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P. in Victory Gardens’ 2015 IGNITION Festival of New Plays in Chicago on July 16, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

De Shields has had an ongoing love affair with Chicago since making his professional debut at Chicago’s Shubert Theatre in the 1969 production of Hair. He is the recipient of three Jeff Awards, one as Director for Victory Gardens’ 1987 production of The Colored Museum, and two as Featured Performer in a Musical for the Goodman Theatre productions of Play On! (1998) and most recently for his role as King Louie in Mary Zimmerman’s The Jungle Book (2013).

On July 16th, the Victory Gardens Theater’s Fox Foundation Resident Actor Fellow kicked off the Victory Gardens Theater’s 2015 IGNITION Festival of New Plays with a bang, debuting his riveting solo show, CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P., at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater in Chicago.

Bassist Tony Mhoon, Kimberly Lawson, André De Shields and Donica Lynn sing “Smile” (Duet for Voice and Bass)‬ in CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P. in Victory Gardens’ 2015 IGNITION Festival of New Plays in Chicago on July 16, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Written by and starring De Shields, with Samuel G. Roberson at the helm, the cast also featured Kimberly Lawson, Donica Lynn, Tony Mhoon (Bassist), Robert Reddrick (Percussionist) and Doug Peck (piano and musical director).

There was so much love in the sold-out house for De Shields, who through song, dance and spoken word, shared his adventure from inner city impoverishment and urban insurrection in Baltimore, Maryland, to his path of self-actualization in the incandescent glare of New York’s Great White Way.

André De Shields and Wardell Julius Clark at the opening night party of Victory Gardens Theater’s 2015 IGNITION Festival of New Plays in Chicago on July 16, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Actor Wardell Julius Clark (who appeared with De Shields at Victory Gardens in Charles Smith’s The Gospel According to James in 2011) recapped the night on his Facebook page:

“So much fun last night watching the master himself, an American theatre treasure, the broadway living legend, André De Shields in his solo performance of CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P. at the opening night of the ‪#‎IGNITION Festival.

André has that rare star quality that you rarely get in a performer nowadays: its a kind of perfectly poised, exactly executed showmanship and a flat out old school Broadway pizzazz, razzle dazzle, that makes you feel good in your soul. Its why we go to the theatre. Its a kind of acute stage presence,that demands your every attention, that draws you into the man, the performer, and the performance.

Whenever André is performing if you can go, GO! Cheers to Samuel G. Roberson Jr. and the outstanding musicians.”

Robert Reddrick, Doug Peck, André De Shields, Tony Mhoon, Kimberly Lawson and Donica Lynn at the curtain call for CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P. in Victory Gardens’ 2015 IGNITION Festival of New Plays in Chicago on July 16, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

The production team includes Dramaturg Isaac Gomez, Stage Manager Cathryn Bulicek, Literary Assistant Talia Weingarten and Costume Design by Austin Pettinger.

SONG LIST

1. BALTIMORE (Music and lyrics: Boxhead Teddy) Ben Sidran: fender rhodes, Leo Sidran: bass, drums, Al Falaschi: solo saxophone, Jon Natchez: saxophones, trumpet, trombone, The Boxers: back-up vocals. Recorded by Leo Sidran.

2. HARLEM (Lyrics: Langston Hughes, Music: André De Shields

3. SMILE (A Duet for Voice and Double Bass) Music and Lyrics: André De Shields, Arrangement: Michael Thurber

4. THE PICTURE SHOW SONG (Music & lyrics: Lamar Alford)

5. SHINE (Music: Ford Dabney, Lyrics: Cecil Mack)

Kimberly Lawson and Donica Lynn in CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P. in Victory Gardens’ 2015 IGNITION Festival of New Plays in Chicago on July 16, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

6. POPPA WAS A ROLLIN’ STONE (Norman Whitfield & Barrett Strong)

André De Shields, Robert Reddrick and Kimberly Lawson in CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P. in Victory Gardens’ 2015 IGNITION Festival of New Plays in Chicago on July 16, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

7. HEADS OR TAIL (Music and Lyrics by Dennis Andreopoulos)

8. STREET CORNER SYMPHONY (Music and Lyrics by André De Shields)

9. MARY MACK (Traditional, Adaptation: André De Shields

Donica Lynn and André De Shields in CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P. in Victory Gardens’ 2015 IGNITION Festival of New Plays in Chicago on July 16, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

André De Shields at the opening night party of Victory Gardens Theater’s 2015 IGNITION Festival of New Plays in Chicago on July 16, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

10. SWEET LITTLE SIXTEEN (Music & Lyrics: Chuck Berry)

11. ONE MINT JULEP (Music & Lyrics: Rudy Toombs)

12. EVERY LOVES A LOVER (Music: Robert Allen, Lyrics: Richard Adler)

13. YOU AIN’T NOTHIN’ BUT A HOUND DOG (Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller)

14. MAMA SAID (Luther Dixon and Willie Denson)

15. LOVE IN THE MORNING (Steven Lemberg and Kim Larsen)

16. GIMME SOME OF YOUR LOVE (Frederick and Sam Dees)

17. WHITE ROOM (Jack Bruce and Pete Brown)

18. YOU MAKE ME FEEL (MIGHTY REAL) (James Wirrick and Sylvester James)

19. STANDING IN THE NEED OF LOVE (Music and Lyrics by Dennis Andreopoulos)

20. ALSO SPRACH ZARATHURSTRA OP. 30 (Richard Strauss) Performed by the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra,     Portsmouth, NH

Musical director Doug Peck takes center stage to “conduct” during CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P. in Victory Gardens’ 2015 IGNITION Festival of New Plays in Chicago on July 16, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

21. L-O-V-E (Music and Lyrics by André De Shields)

22. NOW IS THE TIME  (Music and Lyrics: Boxhead Teddy) Leo Sidran: all instruments; The Boxettes: back-up vocals. Recorded by Leo Sidran

A Jungle Book reunion for Ed Kross, Doug Peck, André De Shields, Anjali Bhimani, Alka Nayyar and Monique Haley at the opening night party of Victory Gardens Theater’s 2015 IGNITION Festival of New Plays in Chicago on July 16, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

De Shields was also featured in a staged reading of Basil Kreimendahl’s Sadie River’s Drag Ball on the Lawn, with Echaka Agba, Chris Chmelik, and Mary Williamson, directed by Bonnie Metzgar on July 19th.

André De Shields, Samuel G. Roberson Jr. and Kelvin Roston Jr. at the opening night party of Victory Gardens Theater’s 2015 IGNITION Festival of New Plays in Chicago on July 16, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

This Fall, he returns to Chicago for rehearsals of the Broadway-bound musical GOTTA DANCE, starring alongside Tony Award winner Lillias White, ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK’s Lori Tan Chinn, Stephanie Powers and Georgia Engel, set to begin performances in December.

Two-Time Tony nominee André De Shields, Tony Winner Lillias White, ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK’s Lori Tan Chinn, Stephanie Powers, Georgia Engel & More Will Lead Broadway-Bound Musical GOTTA DANCE in Chicago

André De Shields at the opening night party of Victory Gardens Theater’s 2015 IGNITION Festival of New Plays in Chicago on July 16, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

In a career spanning forty-six years, André De Shields has distinguished himself as an unparalleled actor, director, choreographer and educator.  He is the recipient of three Jeff Awards, one as Director for Victory Gardens’ 1987 production of The Colored Museum, and two as Featured Performer in a Musical for the Goodman Theatre productions of Play On! (1998) and Mary Zimmerman’s The Jungle Book (2013). In fact André’s professional career began at Chicago’s Shubert Theatre in the 1969 production of Hair.  From there he moved on to The Me Nobody Knows at the Civic Opera House, and ultimately became a member of The Organic Theatre Company, where he created the role of Xander the Unconquerable, Ruler of the Sixth Dimension in the cult sensation Warp. A multiple Tony Award nominee, he is best known for his show-stopping performances in four legendary Broadway musicals: The Wiz, Ain’t Misbehavin’, Play On! and The Full Monty. His numerous accolades include an Emmy Award for the NBC Special based on Ain’t Misbehavin’, the National Black Theatre Festival’s Living Legend Award, the Village Voice OBIE Award for Sustained Excellence of Performance and two Doctor of Fine Arts degrees honoris causa one each from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the State University of New York-College at Buffalo. A triple Capricorn, Mr. De Shields is the ninth of eleven children born and reared in Baltimore, Maryland. www.andredeshields.com.

André De Shields and the Victory Gardens staff at the opening night party of Victory Gardens Theater’s 2015 IGNITION Festival of New Plays in Chicago on July 16, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

For more information about Victory Gardens, www.victorygardens.org. Follow up on Facebook at Facebook.com/victorygardens and Twitter @VictoryGardens.

Samuel G. Roberson, Robert Reddrick, Doug Peck, Andre De Shields, Donica Lynn, Kimberly Lawson, Tony Mhoon during tech for CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P. in Victory Gardens’ 2015 IGNITION Festival of New Plays in Chicago on July 16, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

André De Shields and Lia Chang at the opening night party of Victory Gardens Theater’s 2015 IGNITION Festival of New Plays in Chicago on July 16, 2015. Photo by Talia Weingarten

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon and Taxman. She has guest starred on “One Life to Live,” “As the World Turns,” and “New York Undercover.” She is profiled in Jade Magazine. 

Other articles about André De Shields:
Multimedia: CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P. Opening Night with André De Shields; #Ignition Festival Continues through July 19
Video: André De Shields sings Smile in CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P. in Victory Gardens’ 2015 IGNITION Festival of New Plays
Video: André De Shields sings Street Corner Symphony and Mary Mack in CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P. in Victory Gardens’ 2015 IGNITION Festival of New Plays
Photo and Video Preview: Two-time Tony nominee André De Shields Kicks Off Victory Gardens’ 2015 Ignition Festival of New Plays with CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P
Two-time Tony nominee André De Shields, GREY’S ANATOMY star Sandra Oh, Kimberly Lawson, Donica Lynn, Tony Mhoon, Doug Peck, Robert Reddrick, Anjali Bhimani and More set for 2015 IGNITION Festival of New Plays at Victory Gardens Theater, July 16-19
Victory Gardens Theater’s IGNITION Festival of New Plays features new works by Two-time Tony nominee André De Shields, Julia Cho, Minita Gandhi, Basil Kreimendahl, José Rivera, Madhuri Shekar and A. Zell Williams, July 16-19 
Two-Time Tony nominee André De Shields, Tony Winner Lillias White, ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK’s Lori Tan Chinn, Stephanie Powers, Georgia Engel & More Will Lead Broadway-Bound Musical GOTTA DANCE in Chicago
tcgcircle.org THE GRAND ILLUSION by ANDRÉ DE SHIELDS in FOX FELLOWSHIPS
Conversations with the Divine with Owais Ahmed, Baize Buzan, Kathryn Cesarz, Kamal Hans, Brian Grey, Donica Lynn, Patrese McClain and Miranda Zola at Chicago’s Victory Gardens Theater
Photos: André De Shields, Michael Shannon, Rajiv Joseph, Christine Sherrill, Doug Peck, Alexis J. Rogers, Karen Ziemba and More Celebrate 2013 Jeff Equity Awards
Click here for more articles on André De Shields.

Other articles by Lia Chang
Q & A with Jose Llana, the new King of Siam in LCT’s Tony Award-Winning Revival of The King and I
Broadway To Dim Its Lights Wednesday Night In Memory Of Celebrated Actor and Director Roger Rees
Photo Tribute: Welsh Actor and Director Roger Rees, a Tony, Olivier and Obie Winner Best Known for Nicholas Nickleby, ‘Cheers,’ ‘The West Wing,’ and most recently, The Visit, Dies at 71 
Photos and Video:’The Visit’ Broadway cast performance and CD signing at Barnes & Noble with Chita Rivera, John Kander, Graciela Daniele and Co.
Drumhead Magazine: Living Colour Drummer Will Calhoun, Photos by Lia Chang  
Photos: #EmptyMet Tour with Chief Digital Officer Sree Sreenivasan
China: Through the Looking Glass Exhibition Extended through September 7 at Metropolitan Museum
Photos:Lunch with Tony Winner Lea Salonga and George Takei, Stars of ALLEGIANCE
July 25-26: #AAIFF2015 Spotlight on Arthur Dong- Screenings of THE KILLING FIELDS OF HAING S. NGOR and FORBIDDEN CITY, U.S.A, plus an on-stage conversation
2015 Asian American International Film Festival Lineup, July 23-Aug. 1
WORLD PREMIERE of THE TOP TEN 72 Hour Shootout films of 2015 at Village Cinema East on July 25
Behind the Scenes of the Asian American Film Lab’s 72 Hour Shootout with Lia Chang, Garth Kravits, Evan Daves and Alicia Manns in HIDE AND SEEK
Photos: The 11th Annual 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Launch Party at The Korea Society; TWO FACES is this year’s theme 
Photos: Traveling through the mouth of the Dragon with BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA’s James Hong, Peter Kwong, Lia Chang, Gerald Okamura, George Cheung, Al Leong, Jeff Imada, James Lew, Gary Goldman, Eric Lee
Coming to America through The Angel Island Immigration Station
Michael K. Lee, Christopheren Nomura, Greg Watanabe and More Join George Takei, Lea Salonga and Telly Leung in Broadway’s ALLEGIANCE; Full Cast Announced!
Crafting a Career

Click here  for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.
All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2015 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com

The Public Theater production of NAATCO’s acclaimed production of AWAKE AND SING! opened to stellar reviews and has been extended through August 8, due to popular demand. The National Asian American Theatre Company, under Artistic Producing Director Mia Katigbak and Associate Producer Peter Kim kicked off their 25th Season in residency at The Public with this classic Odets drama at The Public’s Shiva Theater (425 Lafayette Street) on July 6 and was scheduled to play through August 1.

Stephen Brown-Fried directs an all-Asian American cast that includes Mia Katigbak recreating her OBIE Award-winning role as the matriarch Bessie along with Sanjit De Silva, Mel Duane Gionson, Teresa Avia Lim, James Saito, Jon Norman Schneider, David Shih, Alok Tewari, and Henry Yuk. AWAKE AND SING! will have scenic design by Anshuman Bhatia, costume design by Alexae Visel, lighting design by Gina Scherr, and sound design by Toby Jaguar Algya.

Mia Katigbak and Alok Tewari in NAATCO’s Awake and Sing. Photo by William P. Steele

“NAATCO is a company that has pursued its beautiful mission with integrity, passion, and extraordinary talent,” said Artistic Director Oskar Eustis. “The Public is proud to host their luminous production of Awake and Sing.”

“Being at The Public to celebrate NAATCO’s 25th anniversary is such an important way to kick off our celebrations,” said Mia Katigbak. “We are very thankful to Oskar for his generosity and for his support of Asian American representation on the American stage.”

Considered Odets’s finest play, AWAKE AND SING! premiered on Broadway in 1935, performed by the Group Theater. It is the story of the Bergers, a lower middle class, three-generation Jewish family living in a Bronx apartment during the Depression. Odets described it as “a struggle for life amid petty conditions,” capturing the frenetic, pressured existence in this crowded dwelling with robust authenticity. The play recalls that this country was founded as the land of opportunity for immigrants who came with an enduring belief in the American dream. Odets’s characters are all the parents, grandparents, and children who sought refuge and forged new lives. Families like these from around the world continue to make their way here every day, making Awake & Sing! as timely today as it was when it was first written.

Performances will be Mondays through Saturdays at 7:00 p.m. with matinees on Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. Tickets for all seats for all performances are $45.

To access tickets or for more information, visit www.publictheater.org or call 212-967-7555. You may also purchase tickets in person at the Taub Box Office at The Public Theater at 425 Lafayette Street.

Lia Chang

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon and Taxman. She has guest starred on “One Life to Live,” “As the World Turns,” and “New York Undercover.” She is profiled in Jade Magazine.

2015 Asian American International Film Festival Lineup, July 23-Aug. 1
#AAIFF2015: Oscar-winning filmmaker Ruby Yang’s MY VOICE, MY LIFE kicks off The Festival at Asia Society on July 23
WORLD PREMIERE of THE TOP TEN 72 Hour Shootout films of 2015 at Village Cinema East on July 25 
July 25-26: #AAIFF2015 Spotlight on Arthur Dong- Screenings of THE KILLING FIELDS OF HAING S. NGOR and FORBIDDEN CITY, U.S.A, plus an on-stage conversation
#AAIFF2015: Short Film about Chinese Opera, LAO WONG, to screen at Village East Cinema on July 26
#AAIFF2015: Dax Phelan’s Award winning JASMINE to have New York Premiere at Village East Cinema on July 30 
JASMINE and TWINSTERS Take Top Honors at the 31st Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival; ADVANTAGEOUS, MISS INDIA AMERICA, THE KILLING FIELDS OF DR. HAING S. NGOR among the winners
#AAIFF2015: Closing Night Award Ceremony and New York premiere of Wong Fu Productions’ EVERYTHING BEFORE US at the Museum of the Moving Image on August 1
Behind the Scenes of the Asian American Film Lab’s 72 Hour Shootout with Lia Chang, Garth Kravits, Evan Daves and Alicia Manns in HIDE AND SEEK
Photos: The 11th Annual 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Launch Party at The Korea Society; TWO FACES is this year’s theme 
André De Shields in CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P., Black Stars of the Great White Way anniversary concert at NBTF and Broadway-Bound GOTTA DANCE http://wp.me/pla1d-dKV
Award-winning Filmmaker Jennifer Phang’s Sci-Fi film ADVANTAGEOUS starring Jacqueline Kim, Ken Jeong and Samantha Kim, available on Netflix and iTunes
Q & A with Jose Llana, the new King of Siam in LCT’s Tony Award-Winning Revival of The King and I
Photos and Video:’The Visit’ Broadway cast performance and CD signing at Barnes & Noble with Chita Rivera, John Kander, Graciela Daniele and Co.
Drumhead Magazine: Living Colour Drummer Will Calhoun, Photos by Lia Chang  
Photos: #EmptyMet Tour with Chief Digital Officer Sree Sreenivasan
China: Through the Looking Glass Exhibition Extended through September 7 at Metropolitan Museum
Photos:Lunch with Tony Winner Lea Salonga and George Takei, Stars of ALLEGIANCE
Photos: Traveling through the mouth of the Dragon with BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA’s James Hong, Peter Kwong, Lia Chang, Gerald Okamura, George Cheung, Al Leong, Jeff Imada, James Lew, Gary Goldman, Eric Lee
Coming to America through The Angel Island Immigration Station
Crafting a Career

Click here  for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.
All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2015 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com

(Top) Big Trouble in Little China screenwriter Gary Goldman with actors James Hong, Lia Chang, Gerald Okamura and George Cheung. Photo by Tami Chang
(Bottom) Peter Kwong and the action figures based on his character. Photo by Lia Chang

“On an otherwise normal Wednesday night (well, normal as Los Angeles gets), in an otherwise normal corner of the Little Tokyo district, in the otherwise normal and oh-dignified Japanese American National Museum, a normal visitor expecting a normal museum visit might have been shocked right down to his soles as he rounded an otherwise normal corner and stumbled on a reunion of the greatest collection of kung fu villains (and a few heroes) ever gathered. Who were they? The cast and creators of Big Trouble in Little China.

Hosting a special screening of the 1986 cult classic that many martial artists and kung fu fans call their fave, the theater was positively packed with more famous faces, martial masters and original cast members than you could shake a “six demon bag” at.”

Check out Jason William McNeill’s full story on the BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA REUNION, in BLACK BELT MAGAZINE August/September 2015.

(Top) Cast members Peter Kwong and Gerald Okamura. (Bottom) Veteran actor James Hong. Photos by Lia Chang

I played a Wing Kong guard in Big Trouble in Little China. It was a rich stroll down memory lane with my fellow cast members including the legendary James Hong (David Lo Pan), Peter Kwong (Rain), Gerald Okamura (Wing Kong Hatchet Man), Al Leong (Wing Kong Hatchet Man), George Cheung (Chang Sing #6), James Lew (Chang Sing #1), Jeff Imada (Needles), martial artist Eric Lee, Joycelyne Lew and screenwriter Gary Goldman.

A Big Trouble in Little China reunion with Peter Kwong, screenwriter Gary Goldman, James Lew, George Cheung, James Hong, Lia Chang, Gerald Okamura, Jeff Imada, Joycelyn Lew, Al Leong and Eric Lee at JANM’s Tateuchi Democracy Forum in LA on April 8, 2015. Photo by Tami Chang.

Big Trouble was the jumping off point for many of their successful careers in the industry. The cast shared secrets from the set, how they have navigated working as Asian American actors and stuntmen in Hollywood.

Lia Chang and Donna Noguchi in John Carpenter’s Big Trouble in Little China (1986).

Related articles:
Photos: Traveling through the mouth of the Dragon with BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA’s James Hong, Peter Kwong, Lia Chang, Gerald Okamura, George Cheung, Al Leong, Jeff Imada, James Lew, Gary Goldman, Eric Lee
Rafu.com: A ‘LITTLE CHINA’ REUNION, Cast members of 1986 film gather at JANM.
Up Close and Personal with Actor Peter Kwong
AsAmNews.com: Traveling into Big Trouble in Little China ‪
lookitseugeneabano.wordpress.com: Big Trouble in Little China Revisited- Picture Heavy
Funko to Release Big Trouble in Little China Pop! and ReAction Figures
Lia Chang, James Hong, Peter Kwong, George Cheung, Al Leong, Gerald Okamura, Jeff Imada, James Lew and Gary Goldman to attend BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA Screening at JANM on April 8

Lia Chang

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon and Taxman. She has guest starred on “One Life to Live,” “As the World Turns,” and “New York Undercover.” She is profiled in Jade Magazine.

2015 Asian American International Film Festival Lineup, July 23-Aug. 1
#AAIFF2015: Oscar-winning filmmaker Ruby Yang’s MY VOICE, MY LIFE kicks off The Festival at Asia Society on July 23
WORLD PREMIERE of THE TOP TEN 72 Hour Shootout films of 2015 at Village Cinema East on July 25 
July 25-26: #AAIFF2015 Spotlight on Arthur Dong- Screenings of THE KILLING FIELDS OF HAING S. NGOR and FORBIDDEN CITY, U.S.A, plus an on-stage conversation
#AAIFF2015: Short Film about Chinese Opera, LAO WONG, to screen at Village East Cinema on July 26
#AAIFF2015: Dax Phelan’s Award winning JASMINE to have New York Premiere at Village East Cinema on July 30 
JASMINE and TWINSTERS Take Top Honors at the 31st Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival; ADVANTAGEOUS, MISS INDIA AMERICA, THE KILLING FIELDS OF DR. HAING S. NGOR among the winners
#AAIFF2015: Closing Night Award Ceremony and New York premiere of Wong Fu Productions’ EVERYTHING BEFORE US at the Museum of the Moving Image on August 1
Behind the Scenes of the Asian American Film Lab’s 72 Hour Shootout with Lia Chang, Garth Kravits, Evan Daves and Alicia Manns in HIDE AND SEEK
Photos: The 11th Annual 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Launch Party at The Korea Society; TWO FACES is this year’s theme 
André De Shields in CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P., Black Stars of the Great White Way anniversary concert at NBTF and Broadway-Bound GOTTA DANCE 
Award-winning Filmmaker Jennifer Phang’s Sci-Fi film ADVANTAGEOUS starring Jacqueline Kim, Ken Jeong and Samantha Kim, available on Netflix and iTunes
Q & A with Jose Llana, the new King of Siam in LCT’s Tony Award-Winning Revival of The King and I
Photos and Video:’The Visit’ Broadway cast performance and CD signing at Barnes & Noble with Chita Rivera, John Kander, Graciela Daniele and Co.
Drumhead Magazine: Living Colour Drummer Will Calhoun, Photos by Lia Chang  
Photos: #EmptyMet Tour with Chief Digital Officer Sree Sreenivasan
China: Through the Looking Glass Exhibition Extended through September 7 at Metropolitan Museum
Photos:Lunch with Tony Winner Lea Salonga and George Takei, Stars of ALLEGIANCE
Coming to America through The Angel Island Immigration Station
Crafting a Career

Click here  for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.
All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2015 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com

FOR HERE OR TO GO?

Rucha Humnabadkar’s feature debut, FOR HERE OR TO GO? starring Ali Fazal, Omi Vaidya, Melanie Kannokada, Amitosh Nagpal, Rajit Kapur and Samrat Chakrabarti, will have it’s New York City premiere at the 2015 Asian American International Film Festival at Village Cinema East, 181-189 2nd Ave, at 1:30 pm on Sunday, July 26th.  Click here for tickets.

The 2008 recession was a hard time for the U.S., but American citizens were not the only ones who faced obstacles. Like many Americans, immigrants with working visas also faced the challenges of maintaining their lifestyle in America. This film is the story about Vivek, a young software professional who no longer wishes to work at his current job, he sees the potential of startups, and what it will do to his future. After being able to land a position at a promising healthcare startup, he faces his first obstacle: his work visa expiring within the year. Not willing to sponsor him, the startup pulls back their offer, leaving Vivek without much choice but to continue his current job and convince them to extend his visa or find another company that  would be willing to sponsor him. After being directed to department after department in his current job, any hope for his existing job to extend his visa was lost. To make matters worse,  the struggle did not end there. Employers ceased to consider him due to the remaining time he had left to work in America.

Due to a sequence of events the idea of returning to India started to look promising. Without much choice left, Vivek started to prepare himself for what would be one of the biggest changes in his life after moving and settling in Silicon Valley. When he meets a girl, an Americanized young Indian woman, she forces him to continue fighting for the life he has built in America thus far.

FOR HERE OR TO GO? Shows the struggles that were born out of the tech community by Indian immigrants that currently live in San Francisco Bay Area, showcasing the many different circumstances and lifestyles. Whether it be from older generations who have already settled in America and have fully adapted the American lifestyle or newer generations who have come to America and struggle to retain their identity, their cultural beliefs are still integrated into a new society while still facing the uncertainty of immigration status. http://forhereortogomovie.com

Co-presented by: NYC Bhangra and Network of Indian Professionals (NetIP) New York

Post Screening Panelists:

Rucha Humnabadkar, Director, FOR HERE OR TO GO?
Rishi Bhilawadikar, Producer & Writer, FOR HERE OR TO GO?

Director’s Bio

Rucha Humnabadkar is known for her work with acclaimed Indian filmmaker Nagesh Kukunoor. As Assistant Director and Art Director she was instrumental in delivering indie hits such as Hyderabad Blues, Rockford and Bollywood Calling. Rucha’s directorial debut, short film Arranged Marriage, played at festivals in 2012 prior to being selected for inclusion in the Smithsonian Asian Heritage 2015-2020 traveling exhibit “Beyond Bollywood.” FOR HERE OR TO GO? is her first feature film.

To learn more about the full schedule of events, visit http://aaiff.org/2015.

Festival Ticket Information
Tickets for general admission are $14. Tickets for seniors (65+), students and handicapped (must present valid ID) are $12. Tickets for ACV members and Community Partners are $10.50.

General Festival Information
The Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) is a presentation of Asian CineVision. The festival is a celebration of inspiring Asian and Asian American works in film and video from innovative artists around the world. AAIFF 2015 takes place July 23-August 1, 2015 in Manhattan and Queens. Manhattan venues include: Cinema Village East (181-189 2nd Avenue); Asia Society (725 Park Avenue); Museum of Chinese in America (215 Centre Street); Queens venues include: Museum of the Moving Image (36-01 35th Ave, Astoria); Queens Botanical Garden (43-50 Main Street, Flushing); and Flushing Town Hall (13735 Northern Boulevard, Flushing).

About Asian CineVision:
Asian CineVision (ACV) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit media arts organization devoted to the development, exhibition, promotion, and preservation of Asian and Asian American film and video.

Lia Chang

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon and Taxman. She has guest starred on “One Life to Live,” “As the World Turns,” and “New York Undercover.” She is profiled in Jade Magazine.

Related Articles
BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA Cast Reunion featured in BLACK BELT MAGAZINE August/September 2015
2015 Asian American International Film Festival Lineup, July 23-Aug. 1
#AAIFF2015: Oscar-winning filmmaker Ruby Yang’s MY VOICE, MY LIFE kicks off The Festival at Asia Society on July 23
#AAIFF2015: 11th Annual 72 Hour Shootout World Premiere Film Screening at Village Cinema East, Wrap Party and Red Carpet Awards Ceremony at The Azure on July 25 
July 25-26: #AAIFF2015 Spotlight on Arthur Dong- Screenings of THE KILLING FIELDS OF HAING S. NGOR and FORBIDDEN CITY, U.S.A, plus an on-stage conversation
#AAIFF2015: Short Film about Chinese Opera, LAO WONG, to screen at Village East Cinema on July 26
#AAIFF2015: Comic Book Master Class with Greg Pak at Museum of Chinese in America on July 26
#AAIFF2015: Dax Phelan’s Award winning JASMINE to have New York Premiere at Village East Cinema on July 30 
JASMINE and TWINSTERS Take Top Honors at the 31st Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival; ADVANTAGEOUS, MISS INDIA AMERICA, THE KILLING FIELDS OF DR. HAING S. NGOR among the winners
#AAIFF2015: Closing Night Award Ceremony and New York premiere of Wong Fu Productions’ EVERYTHING BEFORE US at the Museum of the Moving Image on August 1
Behind the Scenes of the Asian American Film Lab’s 72 Hour Shootout with Lia Chang, Garth Kravits, Evan Daves and Alicia Manns in HIDE AND SEEK
Photos: The 11th Annual 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Launch Party at The Korea Society; TWO FACES is this year’s theme 
Photos: Traveling through the mouth of the Dragon with BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA’s James Hong, Peter Kwong, Lia Chang, Gerald Okamura, George Cheung, Al Leong, Jeff Imada, James Lew, Gary Goldman, Eric Lee 
Click here for other film articles.

Other articles by Lia Chang:
André De Shields in CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P., Black Stars of the Great White Way anniversary concert at NBTF and Broadway-Bound GOTTA DANCE 
Award-winning Filmmaker Jennifer Phang’s Sci-Fi film ADVANTAGEOUS starring Jacqueline Kim, Ken Jeong and Samantha Kim, available on Netflix and iTunes
Q & A with Jose Llana, the new King of Siam in LCT’s Tony Award-Winning Revival of The King and I
Photos and Video:’The Visit’ Broadway cast performance and CD signing at Barnes & Noble with Chita Rivera, John Kander, Graciela Daniele and Co.
Drumhead Magazine: Living Colour Drummer Will Calhoun, Photos by Lia Chang  
Photos: #EmptyMet Tour with Chief Digital Officer Sree Sreenivasan
China: Through the Looking Glass Exhibition Extended through September 7 at Metropolitan Museum
Photos:Lunch with Tony Winner Lea Salonga and George Takei, Stars of ALLEGIANCE
Coming to America through The Angel Island Immigration Station
Crafting a Career

Click here  for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.
All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2015 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com

Seoul Searching

On Saturday, June 25th, award-winning Korean American filmmaker Benson Lee’s SEOUL SEARCHING makes its New York debut as AAIFF 2015’s Centerpiece presentation at 7:30 p.m. at Cinema Village East.

SEOUL SEARCHING is a fun coming-of-age feature, chronicling the shenanigans and personal journeys of a group of international Korean teens sent to a government-sponsored summer camp for a crash course in Korean culture. Justin Chon (TWILIGHT, 21 & OVER, REVENGE OF THE GREEN DRAGONS) and Jessica Van (THE GAMBLER) star in this John Hughes-inspired dramedy delivers a pitch-perfect tale of teenage angst, modernized with a stellar Asian and Asian American cast. The cast also features Teo Yoo, Esteban Ahn, 강별 (Kang Byul), Rosalina Leigh, Sue Son, Crystal Kay, Heejun Han, Uatchet Jin Juch and Nekhebet Kum Juch.

SEOUL SEARCHING made its premiere at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. It has also been screened at CAAMFest 2015 and LAFF 2015. Director Benson Lee and main actor Justin Chon will attend screenings.

Co-Presented by: Korean American International Film Festival (KAFFNY), Asian American Association of Times Inc. , Korea Society and Cape

Post Screening Panelists:

Benson Lee, Director, SEOUL SEARCHING
Justin Chon, Actor, SEOUL SEARCHING
Esteban Ahn, Actor, SEOUL SEARCHING

The Official AAIFF 2015 Centerpiece Party takes place after the screening of SEOUL SEARCHING at Drom NYC, 85 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009, in the East Village — a 10-minute walk from Village East Cinema.

Director’s Bio

Benson Lee is an award-winning Korean-American filmmaker who has directed drama, documentary and viral content for 20 years. His films have been distributed in over 80 countries and his works have premiered at the Sundance and Cannes Film Festivals and aired on HBO, MTV and the Sundance Channel. He is the first Korean-American director to be accepted into the Dramatic Competition of the Sundance Film Festival (1998), where his film MISS MONDAY received the Special Grand Jury Prize.

To learn more about the full schedule of events, visit http://aaiff.org/2015.

Festival Ticket Information
Tickets for general admission are $14. Tickets for seniors (65+), students and handicapped (must present valid ID) are $12. Tickets for ACV members and Community Partners are $10.50.

General Festival Information
The Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) is a presentation of Asian CineVision. The festival is a celebration of inspiring Asian and Asian American works in film and video from innovative artists around the world. AAIFF 2015 takes place July 23-August 1, 2015 in Manhattan and Queens. Manhattan venues include: Cinema Village East (181-189 2nd Avenue); Asia Society (725 Park Avenue); Museum of Chinese in America (215 Centre Street); Queens venues include: Museum of the Moving Image (36-01 35th Ave, Astoria); Queens Botanical Garden (43-50 Main Street, Flushing); and Flushing Town Hall (13735 Northern Boulevard, Flushing).

About Asian CineVision:
Asian CineVision (ACV) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit media arts organization devoted to the development, exhibition, promotion, and preservation of Asian and Asian American film and video.

Lia Chang

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon and Taxman. She has guest starred on “One Life to Live,” “As the World Turns,” and “New York Undercover.” She is profiled in Jade Magazine. 

Related Articles
BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA Cast Reunion featured in BLACK BELT MAGAZINE August/September 2015
2015 Asian American International Film Festival Lineup, July 23-Aug. 1
#AAIFF2015: Oscar-winning filmmaker Ruby Yang’s MY VOICE, MY LIFE kicks off The Festival at Asia Society on July 23
#AAIFF2015: 11th Annual 72 Hour Shootout World Premiere Film Screening at Village Cinema East, Wrap Party and Red Carpet Awards Ceremony at The Azure on July 25 
July 25-26: #AAIFF2015 Spotlight on Arthur Dong- Screenings of THE KILLING FIELDS OF HAING S. NGOR and FORBIDDEN CITY, U.S.A, plus an on-stage conversation
#AAIFF2015: Short Film about Chinese Opera, LAO WONG, to screen at Village East Cinema on July 26
#AAIFF2015: Comic Book Master Class with Greg Pak at Museum of Chinese in America on July 26
#AAIFF2015: Dax Phelan’s Award winning JASMINE to have New York Premiere at Village East Cinema on July 30 
JASMINE and TWINSTERS Take Top Honors at the 31st Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival; ADVANTAGEOUS, MISS INDIA AMERICA, THE KILLING FIELDS OF DR. HAING S. NGOR among the winners
#AAIFF2015: Closing Night Award Ceremony and New York premiere of Wong Fu Productions’ EVERYTHING BEFORE US at the Museum of the Moving Image on August 1
Behind the Scenes of the Asian American Film Lab’s 72 Hour Shootout with Lia Chang, Garth Kravits, Evan Daves and Alicia Manns in HIDE AND SEEK
Photos: The 11th Annual 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Launch Party at The Korea Society; TWO FACES is this year’s theme 
Photos: Traveling through the mouth of the Dragon with BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA’s James Hong, Peter Kwong, Lia Chang, Gerald Okamura, George Cheung, Al Leong, Jeff Imada, James Lew, Gary Goldman, Eric Lee 
Click here for other film articles.

Other Articles by Lia Chang:
André De Shields in CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P., Black Stars of the Great White Way anniversary concert at NBTF and Broadway-Bound GOTTA DANCE 
Award-winning Filmmaker Jennifer Phang’s Sci-Fi film ADVANTAGEOUS starring Jacqueline Kim, Ken Jeong and Samantha Kim, available on Netflix and iTunes
Q & A with Jose Llana, the new King of Siam in LCT’s Tony Award-Winning Revival of The King and I
Photos and Video:’The Visit’ Broadway cast performance and CD signing at Barnes & Noble with Chita Rivera, John Kander, Graciela Daniele and Co.
Drumhead Magazine: Living Colour Drummer Will Calhoun, Photos by Lia Chang  
Photos: #EmptyMet Tour with Chief Digital Officer Sree Sreenivasan
China: Through the Looking Glass Exhibition Extended through September 7 at Metropolitan Museum
Photos:Lunch with Tony Winner Lea Salonga and George Takei, Stars of ALLEGIANCE
Coming to America through The Angel Island Immigration Station
Crafting a Career

Click here  for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.
All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2015 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com

Penny Jackson’s dark comedy I KNOW WHAT BOYS WANT, now playing at Theatre Row’s Lion Theatre, 410 West 42nd Street, NYC through August 2nd, is hosting a talk-back about cyber bullying following the 3 PM Sunday matinee on July 26th lead by Nicholas Carlisle, the founder of No Bully, an evidence-based program that leverages student empathy to stop bullying and cyber bullying. The No Bully System has created bully-free campuses for over 120,000 students.

In I KNOW WHAT BOYS WANT, a prep school girl discovers that this week’s internet sensation is a video of her having sex. Her feminist mother wants to help but Vicky insists she can handle the crisis alone. Can Vicky free herself from the curse of social media or will she always be caught in its web?

Director Joan Kane said: “Bullying is a preventable tragedy in our schools and society today. In many cases it is steeped in institutional memory and traditions and we have to learn to say it is time to stop. Our play illustrates a situation where someone draws a line in the sand and says “bullying isn’t going to happen to me anymore.” The No Bully organization is doing exactly that, drawing a line in the sand and trying to put an end to these cruelties.”

Produced by Ego Actus, the World Premiere of I KNOW WHAT BOYS WANT opened July 18th. The Equity production is directed by Joan Kane with scene design by David Goldstein, costumes by Caitlin Cisek, lights by Dennis Parichy, sound by Andy Evan Cohen, projections by Jim Marlowe. The Stage Manager is Tyler Winthrop.

The cast features Olivia Scott, Lué McWilliams, Alex Esola, Kelsey Wang, Charlotte Frøyland, Alexander Nifong and Jesse Shane Bronstein. Also appearing in I Know What Boys Want are Molly Collier, Lori Lusted, Joshua Spencer, Meghan St. Thomas and Phoebe Torres.

The performance schedule for I Know What Boys Want at The Lion Theatre, 410 West 42nd Street, is Wednesday to Saturday at 8 PM, with matinees Saturdays at 2 PM and Sundays at 3 PM.

Tickets at $19.25 are available via TeleCharge at (212) 239-6200, www.TeleCharge.com or at the Theatre Row Box Office (12 noon to 6 PM daily).

Lia Chang

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon and Taxman. She has guest starred on “One Life to Live,” “As the World Turns,” and “New York Undercover.” She is profiled in Jade Magazine. 

Other articles by Lia Chang
BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA Cast Reunion featured in BLACK BELT MAGAZINE August/September 2015
#AAIFF2015: 11th Annual 72 Hour Shootout World Premiere Film Screening at Village Cinema East, Wrap Party and Red Carpet Awards Ceremony at The Azure on July 25 
July 25-26: #AAIFF2015 Spotlight on Arthur Dong- Screenings of THE KILLING FIELDS OF HAING S. NGOR and FORBIDDEN CITY, U.S.A, plus an on-stage conversation
André De Shields in CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P., Black Stars of the Great White Way anniversary concert at NBTF and Broadway-Bound GOTTA DANCE 
Q & A with Jose Llana, the new King of Siam in LCT’s Tony Award-Winning Revival of The King and I
Photos and Video:’The Visit’ Broadway cast performance and CD signing at Barnes & Noble with Chita Rivera, John Kander, Graciela Daniele and Co.
Drumhead Magazine: Living Colour Drummer Will Calhoun, Photos by Lia Chang  
Photos: #EmptyMet Tour with Chief Digital Officer Sree Sreenivasan
China: Through the Looking Glass Exhibition Extended through September 7 at Metropolitan Museum
Photos:Lunch with Tony Winner Lea Salonga and George Takei, Stars of ALLEGIANCE
Behind the Scenes of the Asian American Film Lab’s 72 Hour Shootout with Lia Chang, Garth Kravits, Evan Daves and Alicia Manns in HIDE AND SEEK
Photos: The 11th Annual 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Launch Party at The Korea Society; TWO FACES is this year’s theme 
Photos: Traveling through the mouth of the Dragon with BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA’s James Hong, Peter Kwong, Lia Chang, Gerald Okamura, George Cheung, Al Leong, Jeff Imada, James Lew, Gary Goldman, Eric Lee 
Coming to America through The Angel Island Immigration Station
Crafting a Career

Click here  for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.
All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2015 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com

The Hangover and “Community” star Ken Jeong headlines a new comedy series on ABC, “Dr. Ken” which premieres on October 2.

The cast of “Dr Ken” – Dave Foley, Tisha Campbell-Martin, Jonathan Slavin, Ken Jeong, Albert Tsai, Suzy Nakamura and Krista Marie Yu. Photo: ABC

Ken Jeong. Photo: ABC

Jeong stars as a brilliant physician with no bedside manner. Suzy Nakamura (“Go On”) stars as Jeong’s therapist wife. Dr Ken is always trying to be a good doctor, husband and father to their two kids, played by Albert Tsai (“Trophy Wife”) and Krista Marie Yu (“The Thundermans”), but he has a knack for driving everyone nuts, both at work and at home. Dave Foley (“Hot in Cleveland”), Tisha Campbell-Martin (“Martin”) and Jonathan Slavin (“Better Off Ted”) round out the cast.

Jared Stern penned “Dr. Ken” with Jeong and Mike O’Connell. Stern and Jeong will also serve as exec producers, along with John Davis, John Fox and Mike Sikowitz with O’Connell as co-exec producer. The series hails from Sony Pictures TV and ABC Studios.

Jeong has been a regular as Señor Chang on the hit NBC show “Community,” which debuted in 2009, and is currently available on Yahoo Screen. Jeong is featured in Jennifer Phang’s Sci-Fi film Advantageous, which has garnered numerous awards on the film festival circuit since it premiered at Sundance in January, and served as one of the producers. In 2015, he also guest starred on Fox’s Glee, appeared in the teen comedy, The Duff, and in the indie feature Ktown Cowboys, which he also executive produced.

The cast and creative team of Jennifer Phang’s ADVANTAGEOUS at the Los Angeles premiere at the Aratani Theatre on August 24, 2015. Photo courtesy of Ed Moy/Facebook

ABC Renews “Fresh Off the Boat” and Picks up Ken Jeong’s “Dr. Ken”
Variety.com: Ken Jeong to Star in ABC Medical Comedy Pilot ‘Dr. Ken’
JASMINE and TWINSTERS Take Top Honors at the 31st Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival; ADVANTAGEOUS, MISS INDIA AMERICA, THE KILLING FIELDS OF DR. HAING S. NGOR among the winners

Source:Biography.com

Ken Jeong was born in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina, where his father, D.K. Jeong, was a professor at North Carolina A&T State University. He completed his pre-med studies at Duke University in 1990, and obtained his medical degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1995.

While training for his residency in internal medicine at Oshsner Medical Center in New Orleans, Jeong moonlighted, pursuing his love of theater and comedy. In New Orleans, he won the “Big Easy Laff-Off,” judged by late NBC president Brandon Tartikoff and Improv comedy club founder Budd Friedman, both of whom encouraged Jeong to move to Los Angeles to pursue his entertainment dreams.

While working as a practicing physician, seeing patients for seven years at Kaiser Permanente, Jeong performed at Los Angeles’ famed Improv and Laugh Factory comedy clubs. His side gigs gave him the experience he needed to secure higher profile entertainment jobs, and he soon appeared on ABC’s The View and earned the title “The Funniest Doctor in America.”

Several television appearances followed, including on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (2000), HBO’s “Entourage” (2004), NBC’s “The Office” (2005) and ABC’s “Boston Legal”. Jeong’s feature film debut, as a wisecracking doctor in Judd Apatow’s 2007 hit Knocked Up, opened more doors for the rising star. He went on to land roles in films like Role Models, Step Brothers and Pineapple Express—all released in 2008—and 2009’s All About Steve. Also in 2009, the actor-comedian was cast in his breakthrough role, as Asian mobster Mr. Chow in the sleeper-hit comedy film The Hangover, starring opposite Bradley Cooper and Zack Galifianakis. The film, which became one of the highest-grossing R-rated comedies of all time, has become a money-making franchise, lifting the Chow character into the comic canon. Jeong also appears in  The Hangover‘s follow up films, The Hangover Part II and The Hangover Part III. Click here for Jeong’s complete filmography.

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon and Taxman. She has guest starred on “One Life to Live,” “As the World Turns,” and “New York Undercover.” Lia starred as Carole Barbara in Lorey Hayes’ Power Play at the National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, N.C., with Pauletta Pearson Washington and Roscoe Orman. She is profiled in Jade Magazine.

Dr. Ken Official Website

Lia Chang

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon and Taxman. She has guest starred on “One Life to Live,” “As the World Turns,” and “New York Undercover.” She is profiled in Jade Magazine. 

Other articles by Lia Chang
BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA Cast Reunion featured in BLACK BELT MAGAZINE August/September 2015
#AAIFF2015: 11th Annual 72 Hour Shootout World Premiere Film Screening at Village Cinema East, Wrap Party and Red Carpet Awards Ceremony at The Azure on July 25 
July 25-26: #AAIFF2015 Spotlight on Arthur Dong- Screenings of THE KILLING FIELDS OF HAING S. NGOR and FORBIDDEN CITY, U.S.A, plus an on-stage conversation
André De Shields in CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P., Black Stars of the Great White Way anniversary concert at NBTF and Broadway-Bound GOTTA DANCE 
Q & A with Jose Llana, the new King of Siam in LCT’s Tony Award-Winning Revival of The King and I
Photos and Video:’The Visit’ Broadway cast performance and CD signing at Barnes & Noble with Chita Rivera, John Kander, Graciela Daniele and Co.
Drumhead Magazine: Living Colour Drummer Will Calhoun, Photos by Lia Chang  
Photos: #EmptyMet Tour with Chief Digital Officer Sree Sreenivasan
China: Through the Looking Glass Exhibition Extended through September 7 at Metropolitan Museum
Photos:Lunch with Tony Winner Lea Salonga and George Takei, Stars of ALLEGIANCE
Behind the Scenes of the Asian American Film Lab’s 72 Hour Shootout with Lia Chang, Garth Kravits, Evan Daves and Alicia Manns in HIDE AND SEEK
Photos: The 11th Annual 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Launch Party at The Korea Society; TWO FACES is this year’s theme 
Photos: Traveling through the mouth of the Dragon with BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA’s James Hong, Peter Kwong, Lia Chang, Gerald Okamura, George Cheung, Al Leong, Jeff Imada, James Lew, Gary Goldman, Eric Lee 
Coming to America through The Angel Island Immigration Station
Crafting a Career

Click here  for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.
All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2015 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com

Arthur Dong’s Forbidden City, USA: Chinese American Nightclubs, 1936-1970 is a 2015 American Book Award winner, presented by the Before Columbus Foundation. The 2015 American Book Award winners will be formally recognized on Sunday, October 25th from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at the SF Jazz Center, Joe Henderson Lab, 201 Franklin Street (at Fell), San Francisco, CA. This event is open to the public. Click here for the full list of winners.

This weekend you have the opportunity to meet Dong, see a couple of his films, and get your very own autographed copy of Forbidden City, USA: Chinese American Nightclubs, 1936-1970, thanks to Asian CineVision who is presenting a tribute to the Oscar®-nominated and three-time Sundance award-winning filmmaker, during the Asian American International Film Festival in New York.

Opening night at New York’s #AAIFF2015 at Asia Society on July 23, 2015. L-R: Jack Ong, Sophia Demetri Ngor, Brooke Demetri (Dr. Ngor’s grandniece), Reed Dong-Gee, Arthur Dong, and Young Gee. Photo courtesy of The Killing Fields of Dr. Haing S. Ngor/Facebook

Highlights of the tribute include an on-stage conversation with Dong, as well as screenings of the new digitally remastered FORBIDDEN CITY, U.S.A. (1989), and his latest documentary THE KILLING FIELDS OF HAING S. NGOR. A film visionary who has earned a multitude of prestigious awards for not only his work in film, but also for his public service, Dong is known for his prowess in utilizing the art of film as a means to investigate social issues and examine undisclosed parts of Asian American and LGBT history and identity.

FORBIDDEN CITY, U.S.A. (1989)- Saturday, July 25th at Cinema Village East at 4:00 P.M.

Arthur Dong’s Forbidden City U.S.A.
Choreographer Walt Biggerstaff with the chorus of Andy Wong’s Chinese Skyroom, the first Chinatown nightclub in the world (San Francisco, 1937)! Photo courtesy of the Andy Wong Collection.

Arthur Dong takes a glimpse into the lives of the performers of the Forbidden City, an all-Chinese nightclub in San Francisco in the 1930s and 40s. The film blends song and dance with more serious themes of racism and identity to showcase a group of performers willing to challenge cultural stereotypes. Dong’s compilation of original video footage with interviews with the aging performers offers viewers the chance to meet the “Chinese Fred Astaire” and the “Chinese Sophie Tucker,” pioneering Chinese-American entertainers.

FORBIDDEN CITY, U.S.A. has been digitally remastered from original film elements by the UCLA Film & Television Archive, revealing beautiful and crisp details never before seen.

“Forbidden City, U.S.A.” book signing with Arthur Dong will take place after the screening of the film in the lobby of Village Cinema East at 5:15 p.m. Click here for tickets.

CONVERSATION WITH ARTHUR DONG- Saturday, July 25th at Cinema Village East at 5:15 P.M.

Filmmaker Arthur Dong and cinematographer Stephen Lighthill. Photo by Zand Gee

The on-stage conversation with filmmaker Arthur Dong will be punctuated with clips from Dong’s oeuvre of award-winning films spanning over thirty years. This illuminating talk will cover the personal challenges and emotional thrills of creating artistic and socially relevant independent media. Click here for tickets.

THE KILLING FIELDS OF DR. HAING S. NGOR – Saturday, July 25th at Village Cinema East at 6:30 P.M.

PHOTO: Dr. Haing S. Ngor on location for “The Killing Fields.” Courtesy the Dr. Haing S. Ngor Archive

Winner of the BEST DOCUMENTARY AUDIENCE AWARD at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, The Killing Fields of Dr. Haing S. Ngor chronicles a journey of love, loss and reconciliation, set against the backdrop of Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge reign of terror. Survivor Haing Ngor drew upon his own experiences as a war slave for “The Killing Fields,” winning an Oscar® for his first acting job. But he played his greatest role as the worldwide ambassador for justice in his homeland, only to be murdered in Chinatown Los Angeles – a case still surrounded by conspiracy theories. Through an inspired blend of original animation and rare archival material – anchored by Ngor’s richly layered autobiography – the years encapsulating the Khmer Rouge’s tyrannical rule over Cambodia are experienced though a politically charged transnational journey of loss and reconciliation.

Join Oscar® nominated director Arthur Dong and subjects from the film, Sophia Demetri (Ngor’s niece), Wayne Ngor (Ngor’s nephew), and Jack Ong (executive director of Ngor’s foundation) for the New York premiere. Click here for tickets.

BOOK TALK WITH ARTHUR DONG AND RECEPTION- Sunday, July 26, 2015 at 6:00 P.M.

AAIFF and Museum of Chinese in America are presenting a book talk and signing with award-winning writer/filmmaker Arthur Dong, who will introduce his book, Forbidden City, U.S.A. on Sunday, July 26th at 6:00 P.M. at MoCA, 215 Centre St, New York, NY 10013. Admission is Pay What You Wish. Suggested Donation: $10

Forbidden City, U.S.A. captures the magic and glamour of the Chinese American nightclub scene, which peaked in San Francisco during World War II. Previously unpublished personal stories, along with over four hundred stunning images and rare artifacts, are presented in this sexy and insightful chronicle of Asian American performers who defied racial and cultural barriers to pursue their showbiz dreams.

It was the mid-1930s: Prohibition was repealed and the Great Depression was waning. With a global conflict on the rise, people were out to drink, dine, dance, and see a show to forget their woes—and what a surprise for the world to behold an emerging generation of Chinese American entertainers commanding the stage in their own nightclubs. Forbidden City, USA reveals the sassy, daring, and sometimes heartbreaking memories of the dancers, singers, and producers who lived this story, and it weaves in a fascinating collection of photos, postcards, menus, programs, and yes, even souvenir chopsticks. Together they recreate a forgotten era, treating readers to a dazzling night on the town.

Lia Chang Picks: Arthur Dong’s Forbidden City: Chinese-American Nightclubs, 1930-1970

“Forbidden City, USA” is the culmination of Arthur Dong’s nearly thirty-year devotion to the topic of Chinese American nightclubs, originally inspired by his research for his documentary of the same name.  I first met Arthur when he came to New York to interview dancer turned manager of Asian American talent Jadin Wong (my former manager) for the documentary. The tome is Dong’s virtual love letter to those who paved the way and made their mark for today’s Asian American performing artists.

Jadin Wong, Dancer. Contemporary photo taken in 1985 by Arthur Dong. Copyright 2012 DeepFocus Productions, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

“Forbidden City, USA: Chinese American Nightclubs, 1936-1970,” co-authored with his sister Lorraine Dong, features excerpts of interviews with Forbidden City owner Charlie Low; dancers Jadin Wong, Dottie Sun, Ivy Tam (Mrs. Charlie Low #4), Jackie Mei Ling, Jade Ling, Mary Mammon, Noel Toy, Tony Wing, Dorothy Toy and Paul Wing of Toy and Wing; singers Frances Chun, Larry Ching and Toy Yat Mar; and choreographer and producer Walton Biggerstaff.

Charlie Low, Forbidden City Impresario, MC, and sometime performer. Contemporary photo taken in 1985 by Arthur Dong. Copyright 2012 DeepFocus Productions, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Previously unpublished personal stories, along with over four hundred stunning images and rare artifacts, are presented in this “sexy and insightful chronicle” of Asian American performers who defied racial and cultural barriers to pursue their showbiz dreams.

Purchased the book.

In the mid-1930s Prohibition had been repealed and the Great Depression was waning. With a global conflict on the rise, people were out to drink, dine, dance, and see a show to forget their woes—and an emerging generation of Chinese American entertainers commanded the stage in their own nightclubs. “Forbidden City, USA” reveals the sassy, daring, and sometimes heartbreaking first-hand accounts of the dancers, singers, and producers who lived this story, and weaves in a fascinating collection of photos, postcards, menus, programs, and even souvenir chopsticks. Together they recreate a forgotten era, taking readers on a dazzling tour of the old “Chop Suey Circuit.”
The slideshow below features Contemporary photographs taken by Arthur Dong during the making of his documentary, alongside vintage glamour promotional images.

Click to view slideshow.
Dong’s previously published works as editor and contributing writer include the exhibition catalogues for shows that he also curated: “Chop Suey on Wax: The Flower Drum Song Album” at the Chinese Historical Society of America Museum in, San Francisco and “Hollywood Chinese: The Arthur Dong Collection” at the Chinese American Museum in Los Angeles.

Arthur Dong

Arthur Dong
As a film student at San Francisco State University, Arthur Dong produced Sewing Woman, his Academy Award nominated short documentary in 1984. The film focused on his mother’s immigration to America from China. Instead of finding an outside distributer for the film, Dong then started his own company, DeepFocus Productions, and serves as its producer, director and writer. Dong has produced, directed, written, edited, and filmed independent films on social issues such as gay rights and the Chinese American experience. A two-time Rockefeller Media Arts Fellow as well as a Guggenheim Fellow in Film, Dong has served on the boards of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Film Independent, OutFest, and the National Film Preservation Board at the Library of Congress. In addition to the 1995 Peabody Award for his highly praised film “Coming Out Under Fire,” the honors include three Sundance Film Festival awards, an Oscar nomination, the Berlin Film Festival’s Teddy Award, Taipei’s Golden Horse Award, a GLAAD Media Award, and five Emmy nominations. Dong has taught documentary film around the world and his impact on the film industry is undeniable.

To learn more about the full schedule of events, visit http://aaiff.org/2015.

Festival Ticket Information
Tickets for general admission are $14. Tickets for seniors (65+), students and handicapped (must present valid ID) are $12. Tickets for ACV members and Community Partners are $10.50. Tickets will be available for purchase on the AAIFF website on Tuesday, June 23, 2015. For Opening, Centerpiece, and Closing Night Events, please check website for ticket details.

General Festival Information
The Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) is a presentation of Asian CineVision. The festival is a celebration of inspiring Asian and Asian American works in film and video from innovative artists around the world. AAIFF 2015 takes place July 23-August 1, 2015 in Manhattan and Queens. Manhattan venues include: Cinema Village East (181-189 2nd Avenue); Asia Society (725 Park Avenue); Museum of Chinese in America (215 Centre Street); Queens venues include: Museum of the Moving Image (36-01 35th Ave, Astoria); Queens Botanical Garden (43-50 Main Street, Flushing); and Flushing Town Hall (13735 Northern Boulevard, Flushing).

About Asian CineVision:
Asian CineVision (ACV) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit media arts organization devoted to the development, exhibition, promotion, and preservation of Asian and Asian American film and video.

Lia Chang

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon and Taxman. She has guest starred on “One Life to Live,” “As the World Turns,” and “New York Undercover.” She is profiled in Jade Magazine. 

Related Articles
#AAIFF2015 Tribute to Arthur Dong- Screenings of THE KILLING FIELDS OF HAING S. NGOR and FORBIDDEN CITY, U.S.A., plus an on-stage conversation, July 25-26 
2015 Asian American International Film Festival Lineup, July 23-Aug. 1
April 26: The 31st Annual Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF) Artist Spotlight- Arthur Dong’s FORBIDDEN CITY, U.S.A. and THE KILLING FIELDS OF DR. HAING S. NGOR
CAAMFest 2015 Honors Filmmaker Arthur Dong with World Premiere Screenings of Forbidden City, USA (3/14), The Killing Fields of Dr. Haing S. Ngor (3/15) & In Conversation with B. Ruby Rich (3/20)
April 23-30: The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF) Lineup includes EVERYTHING BEFORE US, KTOWN COWBOYS, Shonali Bose’s MARGARITA, WITH A STRAW, Jennifer Phang’s ADVANTAGEOUS, Arthur Dong’s FORBIDDEN CITY, U.S.A. and THE KILLING FIELDS OF DR. HAING S. NGOR

Other articles by Lia Chang
BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA Cast Reunion featured in BLACK BELT MAGAZINE August/September 2015
Video Promo: Ken Jeong stars in ABC’s “Dr. Ken”
André De Shields in CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P., Black Stars of the Great White Way anniversary concert at NBTF and Broadway-Bound GOTTA DANCE 
Q & A with Jose Llana, the new King of Siam in LCT’s Tony Award-Winning Revival of The King and I
Photos and Video:’The Visit’ Broadway cast performance and CD signing at Barnes & Noble with Chita Rivera, John Kander, Graciela Daniele and Co.
Drumhead Magazine: Living Colour Drummer Will Calhoun, Photos by Lia Chang  
Photos: #EmptyMet Tour with Chief Digital Officer Sree Sreenivasan
China: Through the Looking Glass Exhibition Extended through September 7 at Metropolitan Museum
Photos:Lunch with Tony Winner Lea Salonga and George Takei, Stars of ALLEGIANCE
Behind the Scenes of the Asian American Film Lab’s 72 Hour Shootout with Lia Chang, Garth Kravits, Evan Daves and Alicia Manns in HIDE AND SEEK
Photos: The 11th Annual 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Launch Party at The Korea Society; TWO FACES is this year’s theme 
Photos: Traveling through the mouth of the Dragon with BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA’s James Hong, Peter Kwong, Lia Chang, Gerald Okamura, George Cheung, Al Leong, Jeff Imada, James Lew, Gary Goldman, Eric Lee 
Coming to America through The Angel Island Immigration Station
Crafting a Career

Click here  for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.
All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2015 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com

To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Broadway production of The Wiz, Summerstage, as part of its 30th Anniversary season, is presenting The Wiz: A Celebration in Dance and Music. The concerts are free. 

Wednesday, August 12th, Summerstage, Rumsey Playfield, enter Central Park on 69th and 5th Ave.  Doors open at 7pm, showtime is at 8pm. Click here for directions.

Thursday, August 13th and Friday, August 14th, Summerstage, Marcus Garvey Park, W. 122nd St. and Mt. Morris Park West in New York.  Showtime is at 7pm. Click here for more information.

The Wiz’s André De Shields brought the house down as he sang ” Do You Wanted to Meet the Wizard” in his original Broadway costume as part of The Black Stars of The Great White Way Broadway Reunion: Live The Dream at Carnegie Hall in New York on June 23, 2014. Photo by Lia Chang

Choreographed by Tony Award-winner George Faison with musical direction by Damien L. Sneed, The Wiz: A Celebration in Dance and Music will feature co-host/emcee Tony Award-winner (and Munchkin from the original Broadway run!) Phylicia Rashad; Two-time Tony nominee André De Shields (reprising his role as The Wiz); Tony Award-Winner for the role of Glinda, Dee Dee Bridgewater; Ebony Jo-Ann in the role of Addaperle; singer/songwriter Wallace Gary as The Scarecrow; Inaya Day  and Darlesia Cearcy as Dorothy; Nicole Elaine Phifer as Evillene, Reji Wood as Lion, Wallace Gary as Scarecrow and more.

George Faison. Photo by Lia Chang

George Faison, internationally celebrated producer, writer, composer, director, choreographer and dancer, made history in 1975 when he became the first African American to win a Tony Award for Best Choreography for The Wiz. In honor of the Broadway hit’s 40th anniversary this year, Faison will present performances of original songs and dances from the show. Mr. Faison also heads the Faison Firehouse Theater in Central Harlem, which he founded in 2000 along with Tad Schnugg.The Firehouse is a technologically advanced theater where Mr. Faison develops digital applications for the performing arts as well as original theater pieces. The 130-seat theater, branded “Hollywood of Harlem” by the media, is a full service performing arts and cultural center with fine arts galleries, rehearsal facilities and a cabaret theater. faisonfirehouse.org

Tony Award winners Dee Dee Bridgewater and George Faison celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Broadway debut of THE WIZ on January 5, 2015 at the Faison Firehouse Theater in New York. Photo by Brian Whitted

One of the first large-scale, big-budget Broadway musicals to star an all-black cast, The Wiz features music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls and book by William F. Brown. It is a retelling of L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in the context of African-American culture.

Actor André De Shields (C) w. cast in a scene fr. the Broadway musical “The Wiz”. (c.1974) Photo by Martha Swope courtesy of THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY DIGITAL COLLECTIONS

The Wiz opened on October 21, 1974 at the Morris A. Mechanic Theatre in Baltimore, Maryland, and on January 5, 1975, moved to the Majestic Theatre on Broadway with Geoffrey Holder at the helm.

Actors (Front L-R) Clarice Taylor, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ted Ross & Tiger Haynes w. cast in a scene fr. the Broadway musical “The Wiz”.( c.1974) Photo by Martha Swope courtesy of THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY DIGITAL COLLECTIONS

The cast starred Stephanie Mills as Dorothy, Hinton Battle as the Scarecrow, Tiger Haynes as the Tin Man, Ted Ross as the Lion, Dee Dee Bridgewater as Glinda, the Good Witch of the South, André De Shields as the Wizard, Mabel King as Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West, Clarice Taylor as Addaperle, the Good Witch of the North, Tasha Thomas as Aunt Em, Ralph Wilcox as Uncle Henry and Phylicia Rashād as a Munchkin.

Actors (L-R) Clarice Taylor, Stephanie Mills & Phylicia Rashad (rear) in a scene fr. the Broadway musical “The Wiz”. (c.1974) Photo by Martha Swope courtesy of THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY DIGITAL COLLECTIONS

The 1975 Broadway production garnered seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Original Score for Charlie Smalls, Best Featured Actor in a Musical – Ted Ross, Best Featured Actress in a Musical – Dee Dee Bridgewater, Best Costume Design For Geoffrey Holder, Best Choreography for George Faison, Best Direction of a Musical for Geoffrey Holder; and five Drama Desk Awards including Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Music and Lyrics for Charlie Smalls, Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical – Ted Ross, Outstanding Choreography for George Faison, Outstanding Costume Design for Geoffrey Holder.

The Broadway production moved to The Broadway Theatre on May 25, 1977, and closed on January 28, 1979, after four years and 1,672 performances.

Geoffrey Holder, Artist, Actor, Dancer, Choreographer, Two-Time Tony Award-winning Director and Costume Designer for The Wiz, Dies at 84; Son Pens Intimate Account of Last Days

THE WIZ Turns 40- Photos from Original Broadway Production and BC/EFA Gypsy of The Year Celebration Featuring André De Shields, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ken Page, Charl Brown, Carly Hughes, Christina Sajous, Alton Fitzgerald White, Lillias White and More

Photos and Video: The Wiz’s André De Shields sang “So You Wanted to Meet the Wizard” as part of The Black Stars of The Great White Way Broadway Reunion: Live The Dream at Carnegie Hall  

For complete series lineup, please visit SummerStage.org

PLEASE NOTE: SummerStage shows take place outdoors and take place RAIN OR SHINE. Shows are only cancelled in the event of what event organizers consider to be dangerous winds or lightning. Schedule of events and performers is subject to change. The following cannot be brought into the Central Park venue: glass bottles, cans, coolers, folding chairs, bikes, rollerblades, skateboards, beach umbrellas, video cameras, selfie sticks, professional camera gear, tripods or pets. SummerStage is not responsible for prohibited items left outside the venue. Bags subject to search. Alcoholic beverages are forbidden in NYC Parks. The distribution and sale of unauthorized promotional materials is banned. Beer and wine are on sale at the Central Park venue for onsite consumption only. Smoking is prohibited in all NYC parks.

Lia Chang

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon and Taxman. She has guest starred on “One Life to Live,” “As the World Turns,” and “New York Undercover.” She is profiled in Jade Magazine. 

The Wiz articles:
Kenny Leon Helmed ‘The Wiz’ Set as NBC’s Next Live Musical to air on Dec. 3; Broadway Revival Slated for 2016-17
THE WIZ Turns 40- Photos from Original Broadway Production and BC/EFA Gypsy of The Year Celebration Featuring André De Shields, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ken Page, Charl Brown, Carly Hughes, Christina Sajous, Alton Fitzgerald White, Lillias White and More
Photos: André De Shields, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ken Page, Charl Brown, Carly Hughes, Alton Fitzgerald White, Lillias White in 40th Anniversary of The WIZ Tribute at BC/EFA’s GYPSY OF THE YEAR; Competition Breaks Records With Over $5 Million as Hugh Jackman’s THE RIVER Brings in Top Donation
Geoffrey Holder, Artist, Actor, Dancer, Choreographer, Two-Time Tony Award-winning Director and Costume Designer for The Wiz, Dies at 84; Son Pens Intimate Account of Last Days

Other articles about André De Shields:
André De Shields in CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P., Black Stars of the Great White Way anniversary concert at NBTF and Broadway-Bound GOTTA DANCE 
Multimedia: CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P. Opening Night with André De Shields; #Ignition Festival Continues through July 19
Video: André De Shields sings Smile in CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P. in Victory Gardens’ 2015 IGNITION Festival of New Plays
Video: André De Shields sings Street Corner Symphony and Mary Mack in CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P. in Victory Gardens’ 2015 IGNITION Festival of New Plays
Photo and Video Preview: Two-time Tony nominee André De Shields Kicks Off Victory Gardens’ 2015 Ignition Festival of New Plays with CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P
Two-time Tony nominee André De Shields, GREY’S ANATOMY star Sandra Oh, Kimberly Lawson, Donica Lynn, Tony Mhoon, Doug Peck, Robert Reddrick, Anjali Bhimani and More set for 2015 IGNITION Festival of New Plays at Victory Gardens Theater, July 16-19
Two-Time Tony nominee André De Shields, Tony Winner Lillias White, ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK’s Lori Tan Chinn, Stephanie Powers, Georgia Engel & More Will Lead Broadway-Bound Musical GOTTA DANCE in Chicago
tcgcircle.org THE GRAND ILLUSION by ANDRÉ DE SHIELDS in FOX FELLOWSHIPS
Click here for more articles on André De Shields.

Other articles by Lia Chang
BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA Cast Reunion featured in BLACK BELT MAGAZINE August/September 2015
Drumhead Magazine: Living Colour Drummer Will Calhoun, Photos by Lia Chang 
#AAIFF2015: 11th Annual 72 Hour Shootout World Premiere Film Screening at Village Cinema East, Wrap Party and Red Carpet Awards Ceremony at The Azure on July 25 
July 25-26: #AAIFF2015 Spotlight on Arthur Dong- Screenings of THE KILLING FIELDS OF HAING S. NGOR and FORBIDDEN CITY, U.S.A, plus an on-stage conversation
Q & A with Jose Llana, the new King of Siam in LCT’s Tony Award-Winning Revival of The King and I
Photos and Video:’The Visit’ Broadway cast performance and CD signing at Barnes & Noble with Chita Rivera, John Kander, Graciela Daniele and Co.
Drumhead Magazine: Living Colour Drummer Will Calhoun, Photos by Lia Chang  
Photos: #EmptyMet Tour with Chief Digital Officer Sree Sreenivasan
China: Through the Looking Glass Exhibition Extended through September 7 at Metropolitan Museum
Photos:Lunch with Tony Winner Lea Salonga and George Takei, Stars of ALLEGIANCE
Behind the Scenes of the Asian American Film Lab’s 72 Hour Shootout with Lia Chang, Garth Kravits, Evan Daves and Alicia Manns in HIDE AND SEEK
Photos: The 11th Annual 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Launch Party at The Korea Society; TWO FACES is this year’s theme 
Photos: Traveling through the mouth of the Dragon with BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA’s James Hong, Peter Kwong, Lia Chang, Gerald Okamura, George Cheung, Al Leong, Jeff Imada, James Lew, Gary Goldman, Eric Lee 
Coming to America through The Angel Island Immigration Station
Crafting a Career

Click here  for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.
All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2015 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com

Chita!
Photo by Joseph Sinnott/THIRTEEN Productions LLC

Chita Rivera’s GREAT PERFORMANCES special, subtitled ‘A LOT OF LIVIN’ TO DO’, will air as part of PBS’s Fall Arts Festival 2015.

The special combines newly shot performances with a wealth of archival footage and new interviews with colleagues including Dick Van Dyke, John Kander, Carol Lawrence, and Ben Vereen.

THE VISIT star pushed forward with her concert taping earlier this year on January 26, despite the blizzard warnings being trumpeted throughout New York City.

Chita Rivera & Cast of THE VISIT. Photo by Thom Kaine

I was lucky enough to be front and center in the packed audience of Ms. Rivera’s die-hard fans at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s The Appel Room/ in the Time Warner Center. The two-time Tony Award winner gave us the old razzle dazzle as she performed signature moments from her legendary career including numbers from West Side Story, Sweet Charity, Chicago, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Bye, Bye, Birdie, The Rink and The Visit, along with a special tribute to her dear friends John Kander, Fred Ebb and Terrence McNally. The divine Ms. Rivera was on fire during this truly magical evening of historic proportions, framed by the Appel Room’s picturesque winter wonderland backdrop of Central Park and Columbus Circle.

Jazz at Lincoln Center’s The Appel Room/ in the Time Warner Center in New York on January 26, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Ms. Rivera was accompanied by an 11-piece orchestra led by her music director Michael Croiter, and long-time associate music director/pianist Michael Patrick Walker and bassist Jim Donica.

New York City Blizzard Does Not Deter Broadway Icon Chita Rivera From Performing in Concert Taping for THIRTEEN’s Great Performances Series

Chita Rivera and Roger Rees in the Broadway production of The Visit at The Lyceum. Photo by Thom Kaine

Rivera returned to Broadway this season in THE VISIT, the final musical written by Kander, Ebb and McNally. Co-starring Roger Rees, who passed way tragically this month, the production was directed by John Doyle and choreographed by Graciele Daniele. It closed on June 14th at Broadway’s Lyceum Theatre.

Actors John Riddle, Tom Nelis, Chita Rivera and Michelle Veintimilla perform at’The Visit’ Broadway cast performance and CD signing at Barnes & Noble, 86th & Lexington on July 9, 2015 in New York City. Photo by Lia Chang

The cast of The Visit recently reunited for the release of the original cast recording at Barnes and Noble.

A reunion for the cast of ‘The Visit’ at ‘The Visit’ CD signing at Barnes & Noble, 86th & Lexington on July 9, 2015 in New York City. Photo by Lia Chang

Photos and Video: ‘The Visit’ Broadway cast performance and CD signing at Barnes & Noble with Chita Rivera, John Kander, Graciela Daniele and Co. 

The Visit is now the top-selling cast album in the country according to the new Billboard cast recordings chart, available to view here.

Composer John Kander, producer Tom KIrdahy and Actress Chita Rivera attend the ‘The Visit’ Broadway cast performance and CD signing at Barnes & Noble, 86th & Lexington on July 9, 2015 in New York City. Photo by Lia Chang

Actress Chita Rivera attends ‘The Visit’ Broadway cast performance and CD signing at Barnes & Noble, 86th & Lexington on July 9, 2015 in New York City. Photo by Lia Chang

Rivera has been honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom and recognized as part of the Kennedy Center Honors. The actress has won two Tony Awards, one for KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN and the other for THE RINK. Among her other Broadway credits are THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, THE DANCER’S LIFE, NINE, JERRY’S GIRLS and more.

Visit Great Performances Online at www.pbs.org/gperf for additional information about this and other programs.

Major support for Great Performances is provided by the Irene Diamond Fund, the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Arts Fund, The Agnes Varis Trust, The LuEsther T. Mertz Charitable Trust, The Starr Foundation, the Kate W. Cassidy Foundation, the Philip and Janice Levin Foundation, and PBS.

About WNET

As New York’s flagship public media provider and the parent company of THIRTEEN and WLIW21 and operator of NJTV, WNET brings quality arts, education and public affairs programming to over 5 million viewers each week. WNET produces and presents such acclaimed PBS series as Nature, Great Performances, American Masters, PBS NewsHour Weekend, Charlie Rose and a range of documentaries, children’s programs, and local news and cultural offerings available on air and online. Pioneers in educational programming, WNET has created such groundbreaking series as Get the Math, Oh Noah! and Cyberchase and provides tools for educators that bring compelling content to life in the classroom and at home. WNET highlights the tri-state’s unique culture and diverse communities through NYC-ARTS, Reel 13, NJTV News with Mary Alice Williams and MetroFocus, the multi-platform news magazine focusing on the New York region. WNET is also a leader in connecting with viewers on emerging platforms, including the THIRTEEN Explore App where users can stream PBS content for free.

www.chitarivera.com

Lia Chang

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon and Taxman. She has guest starred on “One Life to Live,” “As the World Turns,” and “New York Undercover.” She is profiled in Jade Magazine.

Related articles:

Welsh Actor and Director Roger Rees, a Tony, Olivier and Obie Winner Best Known Nicholas Nickleby, Cheers and most recently, The Visit, Dies at 71
Two-Time Tony Award Winner Chita Rivera and company signing CDs of THE VISIT after live performance at Barnes and Noble on July 9
The Visit starring Chita Rivera to end run at Lyceum on June 14
The Curious Incident Of the Dog in the Nighttime, An American in Paris, The King and I, You Can’t Take It With You and Chita Rivera among Drama League Award Winners 
Two-Time Tony Award Winner Chita Rivera, Broadway Producer Daryl Roth, Graciela Daniele, Lisa D’Amour, Deirdre O’Connell, Shakina Nayfack, Boo Killebrew, Quincy Tyler Bernstein to be honored at the 6th Annual Lilly Awards on June 1 
Hamilton leads 2015 Drama Desk Awards Nominations with 13, along with An American in Paris, Something Rotten!, The Visit, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
2014-15 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations; Something Rotten!, On the Twentieth Century, An American in Paris garner most nods
Two-Time Tony Award Winner Chita Rivera, Broadway Producer Daryl Roth, Graciela Daniele, Lisa D’Amour, Deirdre O’Connell, Shakina Nayfack, Boo Killebrew, Quincy Tyler Bernstein to be honored at the 6th Annual Lilly Awards on June 1 
AN AMERICAN IN PARIS AND FUN HOME Lead 2015 Tony Award Nominations with 12 each; Ken Watanabe, Ruthie Ann Miles, Kelli O’Hara, Chita Rivera, Bradley Cooper, Kristin Chenoweth, Bill Nighy, Helen Mirren, Elisabeth Moss, Carey Mulligan, Ruth Wilson, K. Todd Freeman, Patricia Clarkson Among the Nominees
81st Annual Drama League Awards Nominations
Hamilton leads 2015 Drama Desk Awards Nominations with 13, along with An American in Paris, Something Rotten!, The Visit, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time 
Tony Award Winners Chita Rivera and Roger Rees, Jason Danieley, Mary Beth Peil, David Garrison & More Begin Previews in Terrence McNally’s THE VISIT on March 26 
New York City Blizzard Does Not Deter Broadway Icon Chita Rivera From Performing in Concert Taping for THIRTEEN’s Great Performances Series

Dec. 31: Chita Rivera Ushers in 2014 at 54 Below, Profiled on CBS Sunday Morning

Other articles by Lia Chang
BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA Cast Reunion featured in BLACK BELT MAGAZINE August/September 2015
#AAIFF2015: 11th Annual 72 Hour Shootout World Premiere Film Screening at Village Cinema East, Wrap Party and Red Carpet Awards Ceremony at The Azure on July 25 
July 25-26: #AAIFF2015 Spotlight on Arthur Dong- Screenings of THE KILLING FIELDS OF HAING S. NGOR and FORBIDDEN CITY, U.S.A, plus an on-stage conversation
André De Shields in CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P., Black Stars of the Great White Way anniversary concert at NBTF and Broadway-Bound GOTTA DANCE 
Q & A with Jose Llana, the new King of Siam in LCT’s Tony Award-Winning Revival of The King and I
Drumhead Magazine: Living Colour Drummer Will Calhoun, Photos by Lia Chang  
Photos: #EmptyMet Tour with Chief Digital Officer Sree Sreenivasan
China: Through the Looking Glass Exhibition Extended through September 7 at Metropolitan Museum
Photos:Lunch with Tony Winner Lea Salonga and George Takei, Stars of ALLEGIANCE
Behind the Scenes of the Asian American Film Lab’s 72 Hour Shootout with Lia Chang, Garth Kravits, Evan Daves and Alicia Manns in HIDE AND SEEK
Photos: The 11th Annual 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Launch Party at The Korea Society; TWO FACES is this year’s theme 
Photos: Traveling through the mouth of the Dragon with BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA’s James Hong, Peter Kwong, Lia Chang, Gerald Okamura, George Cheung, Al Leong, Jeff Imada, James Lew, Gary Goldman, Eric Lee 
Coming to America through The Angel Island Immigration Station
Crafting a Career

Click here  for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.
All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2015 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com

Ali Ewoldt

Tonight, Ali Ewoldt will perform the role of Tuptim in Lincoln Center Theater’s Tony Award-winning revival of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I, directed by Bartlett Sher, at the Vivian Beaumont Theater (150 West 65 Street).

Ms. Ewoldt appeared in the 1st Broadway Revival of Les Miserables (Cosette). Her Off-Broadway credits incude The Fantasticks (Luisa), Carnival (Lili), and Quarter Century Baby (Carissa). Her touring and regional credits include West Side Story (Broadway 1st National Tour, International Tour, PCLO, The MUNY, Music Theater Wichita; Maria), Tennessee Williams’ Period of Adjustment (Isabel/W.H.A.T.), A Christmas Carol at The McCarter Theatre (Fan, directed by Michael Unger), Baayork Lee’s tour of The King and I (Tuptim) and Aladdin at Disney’s California Adventure (Jasmine).  She was featured on The Michael J. Fox Show and in the short film Yield with Leviathan Lab. She has a BA in Psychology from Yale University.  www.aliewoldt.com

Backstage with Ali Ewoldt: Ali and Ruthie Ann Miles, Ali and Conrad Ricamora and Ali and Jose LLana. Photo: Ali Ewoldt/Facebook

The King and I is the winner of 4 2015 Tony Awards — Best Revival of a Musical, Best Actress in a Musical (Kelli O’Hara), Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Ruthie Ann Miles), and Best Costume Design of a Musical (Catherine Zuber).

Jon Viktor Corpuz. Photo by Paul Kolnik

The King and I stars Jose Llana as The King of Siam, Tony winners Kelli O’Hara as Anna and Ruthie Ann Miles as Lady Thiang, and Conrad Ricamora (as Lun Tha). The cast also features Edward Baker-Duly (as Sir Edward Ramsey), Jon Viktor Corpuz (as Prince Chulalongkorn), Murphy Guyer (as Captain Orton), Jake Lucas (as Louis), Paul Nakauchi (as Kralahome), and Marc Oka (as Phra Alack), and Aaron J. Albano, Alan Ariano, Adriana Braganza, Amaya Braganza,  LaMae Caparas, Hsin-Ping Chang, Andrew Cheng, Lynn Masako Cheng, Olivia Chun, Ali Ewoldt, Ethan Halford Holder, MaryAnn Hu, James Ignacio, Misa Iwama, Christie Kim, Q Lim, Kelvin Moon Loh, Sumie Maeda, Paul HeeSang Miller, Betsy Morgan, Rommel Pierre O’Choa, Kristen Faith Oei, Autumn Ogawa, Yuki Ozeki, Stephanie Jae Park, Bobby Pestka, Sam Poon, William Poon, Brian Rivera, Bennyroyce Royon, Lainie Sakakura, Ann Sanders, Ian Saraceni, Atsuhisa Shinomiya, Michiko Takemasa, Kei Tsuruharatani, Christopher Vo, Rocco Wu, Xiaochuan Xie, and Timothy Yang.

Kelli O’Hara and Jose Llana in The King and I. Photo by Paul Kolnik

The King and I is performed Tuesday at 7pm, Wednesday at 2pm and 8pm, Thursday at 7pm, Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm and 8pm, and Sunday at 3pm. Tickets are available at the Lincoln Center Theater box office (150 West 65 Street), at telecharge.com, or by visiting KingandIBroadway.com. A limited number of tickets priced at $32 are available at every performance through LincTix, LCT’s program for 21 to 35 year olds. For information and to enroll, visit LincTix.org.

Lia Chang

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon and Taxman. She has guest starred on “One Life to Live,” “As the World Turns,” and “New York Undercover.” She is profiled in Jade Magazine.

Related articles:
Theater of the Stars Presents The King and I Starring Ronobir Lahiri, Victoria Mallory, Raul Aranas, Ali Ewoldt, Josh Dela Cruz, Jee Hyun Lim and Raphael Aranas, Helmed by Baayork Lee on Tour through September 11, 2012
Q & A with Jose Llana, the new King of Siam in LCT’s Tony Award-Winning Revival of The King and I
The King and I wins 4 Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical, Kelli O’Hara (Best Leading Actress in a Musical), Ruthie Ann Miles (Best Featured Actress in a Musical) and Catherine Zuber (Best Costume Design) 
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Photos: Traveling through the mouth of the Dragon with BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA’s James Hong, Peter Kwong, Lia Chang, Gerald Okamura, George Cheung, Al Leong, Jeff Imada, James Lew, Gary Goldman, Eric Lee 
Coming to America through The Angel Island Immigration Station
Crafting a Career

Click here  for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.
All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2015 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com

FILM LAB ANNOUNCES THE TOP TEN FILMS OF THE 11th ANNUAL 72 HOUR SHOOTOUT FILMMAKING COMPETITION

Garth Kravits and Best Actress Nominee Lia Chang in Hide and Seek of “GK Films” (Top Ten Film)

I took the plunge into indie filmmaking with my producing partner Garth Kravits of GK films, a very talented actor, singer, composer and musician, as part of the Asian American Film Lab’s 11^th annual 72 Hour Shootout (“Shootout”) – TWO FACES – filmmaking competition. We co-produced, co-wrote and co-starred in our short film Hide and Seek. Garth also directed, edited, composed the score and served as director of photography. The film also featured Evan Daves and Alicia Manns. It was a blast to make.

My sister nominees.

Yesterday afternoon, I attended the sold-out World Premiere screening of the Top Ten winning films at the Asian American International Film Festival at Cinema Village East, and was thrilled to learn that Hide and Seek was named as one of the top ten winning films of the 11^th annual 72 Hour Shootout (“Shootout”) – TWO FACES – filmmaking competition, and that I had been nominated for Best Actress.

Film Lab President, actor Jennifer Betit Yen, and Shootout Coordinator, videographer and vocalist Youn Jung Kim, started off the premiere with thanks to the 2015 filmmakers and sponsors for “fighting inequality through creativity; promoting gender and ethnic diversity through entertainment and challenging mainstream constructions of race, gender and sexuality.”

The award winners of the 2015 72 Hour Shootout:

Best Actress Nominee Lia Chang in Hide and Seek by “GK Films” (Top Ten Film)

Hide and Seek by “GK Films” (Top Ten Film; Best Actress nomination, Lia Chang)

Boxer by “The MFA’s” (Top Ten Film; Grand Prize Winner; Best Actress; and Best Action Film, Toy Lei)

Finding You by “The Perfect Asian Pear” (Top Ten Film; Best Actor, Grant Chang; Best Director, Grant Chang)

My Two Faces by “Inspirasian” (Top Ten Film; Most Original Use of Theme). Photo by Lia Chang

Snigdha Kappor won Best Cinematographer for Shattered Beauty by “Team Spirited” at the1th Annual 72 Hour Shootout Red Carpet Awards Ceremony at The Azure in New York on July 25, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

My Two Faces by “Inspirasian” (Top Ten Film; Most Original Use of Theme)

One Lunch by “RAWMIX Productions” (Top Ten Film; Best Writer, Rommel Andaya)

Bare by “Chomp Productions” (Top Ten Film)

A Case of Mistaken Identities by “Dayside Productions” (Top Ten Film)

Funny Faces by “Random Fox Productions” (Top Ten Film)

Rest Stop by “DTX Pictures” (Top Ten Film)

The Other Woman by “Tiny Giants” (Top Ten Film)

Shattered Beauty by “Team Spirited” (Snigdha Kappor, Best Cinematographer)

The premiere was followed by a red carpet awards ceremony at The Azure, where Christopher Lee of Adorama, Matthew Salinas of aLanguage Bank and Blue Michael of Blue Michael Cosmetics presented awards to the winning filmmakers.

Other sponsors and donors were on hand at the wrap party at The Azure, where the wine, Tiger beer and other drinks flowed and guests enjoyed an organic medley of finger foods and cake from the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory.  The wrap party also included silent auctions, raffles, giveaways, and a rousing live musical performance by Ben Barson, followed by DJ Eun Woo!

Lia Chang, Garth Kravits, Blue Michael, Jennifer Betit Yen and Erin Quill at the 11th Annual 72 Hour Shootout Red Carpet Awards Ceremony and wrap party at The Azure in New York on July 25, 2015.

The top 40 72 Hour Shootout films will be available on the Film Lab’s online channel AAFLTV (subscribe for free at YouTube.com/asamfilmlab and many will also be featured on the Film Lab’s TV series, “Film Lab Presents.”  The Shootout is a worldwide filmmaking competition celebrating gender and ethnic diversity in film in which filmmaking teams are given a common theme at the start and have 72 hours to write, shoot, edit, and complete short films up to five minutes in length. Teams promote gender and ethnic diversity in media and compete for cash and prizes and the chance to have their films screened at the prestigious Asian American International Film Festival, the only festival of its kind on the East Coast, as well as at the Asians on Film Festival in Los Angeles, California.  Judges include Emmy nominated director Rodrigo Garcia, ABC Executive Director of Casting Marci Phillips, playwright David Henry Hwang, agent David Elliott, stuntman Lane Leavitt, and director Bertha Bay-Sa Pan.  Several of the judges were in attendance at the premiere and awards ceremony and judges David Henry Hwang and Bertha Bay-Sa Pan, who could not appear in person, gave remarks via video and congratulated the filmmakers.

Sponsors include Adorama, Blue Michael Cosmetics, aLanguage Bank, Executive Wear NY, MyJennyBook, and many others.  The speeches of both women will be available on AAFLTV at youtube.com/asamfilmlab and on the Film Lab website at www.film-lab.org, along with a complete list of Shootout sponsors.

About the Asian American Film Lab
The Film Lab is a non-profit 501(c)(3) that promotes ethnic and gender diversity through outreach, education and production. The Film Lab provides free or low cost programming ranging from screenwriting workshops to panels to seminars to screenings. The Film Lab produces the television series “Film Lab Presents” and a wide variety of online content on AAFL TV. The Film Lab management team consists of Jennifer Betit Yen (President and Board Member, founder of AAFL TV Production Arm), Huseina Sulaimanee (Treasurer and Volunteer), Daryl King (Secretary and Board Member), Cecilia Mejia (Unfinished Works), Youn Jung Kim (2015 72 Hour Shootout Coordinator), Nick Sakai (Industry Spotlight), along with a dedicated Board, interns and event volunteers. Board members include James Kyson, Ed Wong and Aaron Woolfolk, among others.

www.asianamericanfilmlab.com

Hide and Seek filmmakers Lia Chang and Garth Kravits at the 11th Annual 72 Hour Shootout Red Carpet Awards Ceremony and wrap party at The Azure in New York on July 25, 2015. Photo by Erin Quill

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, an award-winning filmmaker and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon and Taxman. She has guest starred on “One Life to Live,” “As the World Turns,” and “New York Undercover.” She is profiled in Jade Magazine.

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Click here for other film articles.

Other articles by Lia Chang:
BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA Cast Reunion featured in BLACK BELT MAGAZINE August/September 2015
THE WIZ: A Celebration in Dance and Music featuring André De Shields, Phylicia Rashad, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ebony Jo-Ann, Inaya Day and more at SummerStage in Central Park on 8/12; Marcus Garvey Park on 8/13, 8/14
André De Shields in CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P., Black Stars of the Great White Way anniversary concert at NBTF and Broadway-Bound GOTTA DANCE 
Award-winning Filmmaker Jennifer Phang’s Sci-Fi film ADVANTAGEOUS starring Jacqueline Kim, Ken Jeong and Samantha Kim, available on Netflix and iTunes
Q & A with Jose Llana, the new King of Siam in LCT’s Tony Award-Winning Revival of The King and I
Photos and Video:’The Visit’ Broadway cast performance and CD signing at Barnes & Noble with Chita Rivera, John Kander, Graciela Daniele and Co.
Drumhead Magazine: Living Colour Drummer Will Calhoun, Photos by Lia Chang  
Photos: #EmptyMet Tour with Chief Digital Officer Sree Sreenivasan
China: Through the Looking Glass Exhibition Extended through September 7 at Metropolitan Museum
Photos:Lunch with Tony Winner Lea Salonga and George Takei, Stars of ALLEGIANCE
Coming to America through The Angel Island Immigration Station
Crafting a Career

Click here  for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.
All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2015 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com

The Hangover and “Community” star Ken Jeong headlines a new comedy series on ABC, “Dr. Ken” which premieres on October 2.

The cast of “Dr Ken” – Dave Foley, Tisha Campbell-Martin, Jonathan Slavin, Ken Jeong, Albert Tsai, Suzy Nakamura and Krista Marie Yu. Photo: ABC

Ken Jeong. Photo: ABC

Jeong stars as a brilliant physician with no bedside manner. Suzy Nakamura (“Go On”) stars as Jeong’s therapist wife. Dr Ken is always trying to be a good doctor, husband and father to their two kids, played by Albert Tsai (“Trophy Wife”) and Krista Marie Yu (“The Thundermans”), but he has a knack for driving everyone nuts, both at work and at home. Dave Foley (“Hot in Cleveland”), Tisha Campbell-Martin (“Martin”) and Jonathan Slavin (“Better Off Ted”) round out the cast.

Jared Stern penned “Dr. Ken” with Jeong and Mike O’Connell. Stern and Jeong will also serve as exec producers, along with John Davis, John Fox and Mike Sikowitz with O’Connell as co-exec producer. The series hails from Sony Pictures TV and ABC Studios.

Jeong has been a regular as Señor Chang on the hit NBC show “Community,” which debuted in 2009, and is currently available on Yahoo Screen. Jeong is featured in Jennifer Phang’s Sci-Fi film Advantageous, which has garnered numerous awards on the film festival circuit since it premiered at Sundance in January, and served as one of the producers. In 2015, he also guest starred on Fox’s Glee, appeared in the teen comedy, The Duff, and in the indie feature Ktown Cowboys, which he also executive produced.

The cast and creative team of Jennifer Phang’s ADVANTAGEOUS at the Los Angeles premiere at the Aratani Theatre on August 24, 2015. Photo courtesy of Ed Moy/Facebook

ABC Renews “Fresh Off the Boat” and Picks up Ken Jeong’s “Dr. Ken”
Variety.com: Ken Jeong to Star in ABC Medical Comedy Pilot ‘Dr. Ken’
JASMINE and TWINSTERS Take Top Honors at the 31st Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival; ADVANTAGEOUS, MISS INDIA AMERICA, THE KILLING FIELDS OF DR. HAING S. NGOR among the winners

Source:Biography.com

Ken Jeong was born in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina, where his father, D.K. Jeong, was a professor at North Carolina A&T State University. He completed his pre-med studies at Duke University in 1990, and obtained his medical degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1995.

While training for his residency in internal medicine at Oshsner Medical Center in New Orleans, Jeong moonlighted, pursuing his love of theater and comedy. In New Orleans, he won the “Big Easy Laff-Off,” judged by late NBC president Brandon Tartikoff and Improv comedy club founder Budd Friedman, both of whom encouraged Jeong to move to Los Angeles to pursue his entertainment dreams.

While working as a practicing physician, seeing patients for seven years at Kaiser Permanente, Jeong performed at Los Angeles’ famed Improv and Laugh Factory comedy clubs. His side gigs gave him the experience he needed to secure higher profile entertainment jobs, and he soon appeared on ABC’s The View and earned the title “The Funniest Doctor in America.”

Several television appearances followed, including on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (2000), HBO’s “Entourage” (2004), NBC’s “The Office” (2005) and ABC’s “Boston Legal”. Jeong’s feature film debut, as a wisecracking doctor in Judd Apatow’s 2007 hit Knocked Up, opened more doors for the rising star. He went on to land roles in films like Role Models, Step Brothers and Pineapple Express—all released in 2008—and 2009’s All About Steve. Also in 2009, the actor-comedian was cast in his breakthrough role, as Asian mobster Mr. Chow in the sleeper-hit comedy film The Hangover, starring opposite Bradley Cooper and Zack Galifianakis. The film, which became one of the highest-grossing R-rated comedies of all time, has become a money-making franchise, lifting the Chow character into the comic canon. Jeong also appears in  The Hangover‘s follow up films, The Hangover Part II and The Hangover Part III. Click here for Jeong’s complete filmography.

Dr. Ken Official Website

Lia Chang

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon and Taxman. She has guest starred on “One Life to Live,” “As the World Turns,” and “New York Undercover.” She is profiled in Jade Magazine. 

Other articles by Lia Chang
BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA Cast Reunion featured in BLACK BELT MAGAZINE August/September 2015
#AAIFF2015: 11th Annual 72 Hour Shootout World Premiere Film Screening at Village Cinema East, Wrap Party and Red Carpet Awards Ceremony at The Azure on July 25 
July 25-26: #AAIFF2015 Spotlight on Arthur Dong- Screenings of THE KILLING FIELDS OF HAING S. NGOR and FORBIDDEN CITY, U.S.A, plus an on-stage conversation
André De Shields in CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P., Black Stars of the Great White Way anniversary concert at NBTF and Broadway-Bound GOTTA DANCE 
Q & A with Jose Llana, the new King of Siam in LCT’s Tony Award-Winning Revival of The King and I
Photos and Video:’The Visit’ Broadway cast performance and CD signing at Barnes & Noble with Chita Rivera, John Kander, Graciela Daniele and Co.
Drumhead Magazine: Living Colour Drummer Will Calhoun, Photos by Lia Chang  
Photos: #EmptyMet Tour with Chief Digital Officer Sree Sreenivasan
China: Through the Looking Glass Exhibition Extended through September 7 at Metropolitan Museum
Photos:Lunch with Tony Winner Lea Salonga and George Takei, Stars of ALLEGIANCE
Behind the Scenes of the Asian American Film Lab’s 72 Hour Shootout with Lia Chang, Garth Kravits, Evan Daves and Alicia Manns in HIDE AND SEEK
Photos: The 11th Annual 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Launch Party at The Korea Society; TWO FACES is this year’s theme 
Photos: Traveling through the mouth of the Dragon with BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA’s James Hong, Peter Kwong, Lia Chang, Gerald Okamura, George Cheung, Al Leong, Jeff Imada, James Lew, Gary Goldman, Eric Lee 
Coming to America through The Angel Island Immigration Station
Crafting a Career

Click here  for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.
All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2015 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com

Asian CineVision and cable network, AMC are partnering for the first time in festival history to screen two episodes of the hit TV series, HELL ON WHEELS at the Asian American International Film Festival at Village East Cinemas on July 31 at 8:00pm. Admission is free, but will require that guests RSVP to the screening.

Chang (Byron Mann) in Episode 2
Photo by Chris Large/AMC

“Our mission at Asian CineVision has always been to shed light on important parts of the Asian American identity. Whether that is through film or television, it’s important that we give filmmakers the opportunity to showcase their unique stories and tell the world how those experiences have shaped their cultural identity. We feel it is important for us to share AMC’s series, HELL ON WHEELS, not only because it was a significant event in Asian American history, but also because of its profound effect on millions of Asian Americans in the United States,” said Executive Director of Asian CineVision, John Woo.

Circling around the history of the transcontinental railroad and how immigrant Chinese workers became an integral part of it’s construction, this contemporary Western tells the story of Cullen Bohannon, whose experience with Union Pacific’s construction of the first transcontinental railroad takes him westward into a lawless melting pot of a town called “Hell on Wheels”. The screening will also include special guest attendance by Executive Producer and Showrunner John Wirth, and actors Byron Mann, Tzi Ma and Angela Zhou.

Tzi Ma, HELL ON WHEELS

“This festival means so much to me and I’m grateful to be here with you representing work I’m extremely proud of,” said Tzi Ma, who plays Tao in AMC’s “Hell on Wheels.” “I’ve been involved with Asian CineVision since Peter Chow launched it on a public access cable channel and persuaded me to be a part of one of his home-grown videotaped shows about life in New York’s Chinatown. I’m so impressed by what has been accomplished since then. AAIFF, Asian CineVision and “Hell On Wheels” are making history!”

A. Zhou as Fong – Hell On Wheels _ Season 5, Episode 2 – Photo Credit: Michelle Faye/AMC

In Season 5A, Cullen Bohannon finds himself a stranger in a strange land – the mountain town of Truckee, California, home to the Central Pacific Railroad. This rough railroad town teems with thousands of Chinese workers, foreign in language, culture and traditions. Despite the challenges of corralling his new workforce, Cullen leads the herculean effort to tunnel through the Sierra Nevada Mountains, sometimes achieving only inches a day in the race to complete the first Transcontinental Railroad.

Ticket Information
The event is free, but we ask guests to please email judy@asiancinevision.org to RSVP to the screening.

About AMC
Whether commemorating favorite films from every genre and decade, or creating acclaimed original programming, AMC brings to its audience something deeper, something richer, Something More. The network reigns as the only cable network in history ever to win the Emmy® Award for Outstanding Drama Series four years in a row with Mad Men,and six of the last seven with current back-to-back honoree, “Breaking Bad”. The network boasts the most-watched drama series in basic cable history and the number one show on television among adults 18 to 49 for the last three years with “The Walking Dead:. AMC’s current original drama series include “Mad Men,” “The Walking Dead,” “Better Call Saul,” “Hell on Wheels,” “TURN: Washington’s Spies,” “Halt and Catch Fire,” “Humans,” and the forthcoming “Fear the Walking Dead,” “Into the Badlands” and “The Night Manager”. AMC also explores authentic worlds and discussion with original shows like “Talking Dead,” “The Making of The Mob: New York” and “Comic Book Me”n. AMC is owned and operated by AMC Network Entertainment LLC and its sister networks include IFC, SundanceTV, BBC America and WE tv. AMC is available across all platforms, including on-air, online, on demand and mobile. AMC: Something More.

About Asian CineVision
Asian CineVision (ACV) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit media arts organization devoted to the development, exhibition, promotion, and preservation of Asian and Asian American film and video.

General Festival Information
The Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) is a presentation of Asian CineVision. The festival is a celebration of inspiring Asian and Asian American works in film and video from innovative artists around the world. AAIFF 2015 takes place July 23-August 1, 2015 in Manhattan and Queens. Manhattan venues include: Cinema Village East (181-189 2nd Avenue); Asia Society (725 Park Avenue); Museum of Chinese in America (215 Centre Street); Queens venues include: Museum of the Moving Image (36-01 35th Ave, Astoria); Queens Botanical Garden (43-50 Main Street, Flushing); and Flushing Town Hall (13735 Northern Boulevard, Flushing).

Lia Chang at the 11th Annual 72 Hour Shootout World Premiere Film Screening at Village Cinema East in New York on July 25, 2015. Photo by GK

Lia Chang is an award-winning filmmaker, a Best Actress nominee,   a photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman and Hide and Seek. She has guest starred on “One Life to Live,” “As the World Turns,” and “New York Undercover.” She is profiled in Jade Magazine.

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#AAIFF2015:11th Annual 72 Hour Shootout World Premiere Film Screening at Village Cinema East, Wrap Party and Red Carpet Awards Ceremony at The Azure on July 25
2015 Asian American International Film Festival Lineup, July 23-Aug. 1
#AAIFF2015: Oscar-winning filmmaker Ruby Yang’s MY VOICE, MY LIFE kicks off The Festival at Asia Society on July 23
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#AAIFF2015: Short Film about Chinese Opera, LAO WONG, to screen at Village East Cinema on July 26
#AAIFF2015: Dax Phelan’s Award winning JASMINE to have New York Premiere at Village East Cinema on July 30 
JASMINE and TWINSTERS Take Top Honors at the 31st Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival; ADVANTAGEOUS, MISS INDIA AMERICA, THE KILLING FIELDS OF DR. HAING S. NGOR among the winners
#AAIFF2015: Closing Night Award Ceremony and New York premiere of Wong Fu Productions’ EVERYTHING BEFORE US at the Museum of the Moving Image on August 1
Behind the Scenes of the Asian American Film Lab’s 72 Hour Shootout with Lia Chang, Garth Kravits, Evan Daves and Alicia Manns in HIDE AND SEEK
Photos: The 11th Annual 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Launch Party at The Korea Society; TWO FACES is this year’s theme 
Jennifer Betit Yen, Erin Quill and Lia Chang are co-hosting AAFLTV’s “Focus on the Philippines” featuring MATUD NILA, a series of animated creations by artist John Day Film Lab Selected for WNYC/WQXR Radio’s Support The ARtS Initiative (STAR) 
Crossings TV to Televise A New Season of Bold Contemporary Content from the Film Lab
Photos: Traveling through the mouth of the Dragon with BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA’s James Hong, Peter Kwong, Lia Chang, Gerald Okamura, George Cheung, Al Leong, Jeff Imada, James Lew, Gary Goldman, Eric Lee 
11th annual 72 Hour Shootout™ Filmmaking How-To Workshop: Writing the Best Script on April 16; Enter to Win a Free 72 Hour Shootout Registration
11th annual 72 Hour Shootout™ Filmmaking Workshops on March 19 and April 16; Enter to Win a Free 72 Hour Shootout Registration
Filmmakers Can Register for the 11th annual 72 Hour Shootout™; Youn Jung Kim named Shootout Coordinator 
Asian American Film Lab Receives Manhattan Chamber of Commerce Community Benefit Grant
Click here for other film articles.

Other articles by Lia Chang:
BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA Cast Reunion featured in BLACK BELT MAGAZINE August/September 2015
THE WIZ: A Celebration in Dance and Music featuring André De Shields, Phylicia Rashad, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ebony Jo-Ann, Inaya Day and more at SummerStage in Central Park on 8/12; Marcus Garvey Park on 8/13, 8/14
André De Shields in CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P., Black Stars of the Great White Way anniversary concert at NBTF and Broadway-Bound GOTTA DANCE 
Award-winning Filmmaker Jennifer Phang’s Sci-Fi film ADVANTAGEOUS starring Jacqueline Kim, Ken Jeong and Samantha Kim, available on Netflix and iTunes
Q & A with Jose Llana, the new King of Siam in LCT’s Tony Award-Winning Revival of The King and I
Photos and Video:’The Visit’ Broadway cast performance and CD signing at Barnes & Noble with Chita Rivera, John Kander, Graciela Daniele and Co.
Drumhead Magazine: Living Colour Drummer Will Calhoun, Photos by Lia Chang  
Photos: #EmptyMet Tour with Chief Digital Officer Sree Sreenivasan
China: Through the Looking Glass Exhibition Extended through September 7 at Metropolitan Museum
Photos:Lunch with Tony Winner Lea Salonga and George Takei, Stars of ALLEGIANCE
Coming to America through The Angel Island Immigration Station
Crafting a Career

Click here  for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.
All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2015 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com

SUMMERSTAGE 30 PRESENTS!

A FAISON FIREHOUSE THEATER/APAC, INC. PRODUCTION

THE WIZ IS 40

A CELEBRATION IN DANCE & SONG

George Faison & Tad Schnugg, Producers

Wednesday, August 12th, Summerstage, Rumsey Playfield, enter Central Park on 69th and 5th Ave.  Doors open at 7pm, showtime is at 8pm. Click here for directions.

Thursday, August 13th and Friday, August 14th, Summerstage, Marcus Garvey Park, W. 122nd St. and Mt. Morris Park West in New York.  Showtime is at 7pm. Click here for more information.

TO DONATE OR SECURE RESERVED VIP SEATS PLEASE VISIT THE CAMPAIGN BY CLICKING:

http://www.gofundme.com/The-Wiz-2015

The Wiz’s André De Shields brought the house down as he sang ” Do You Wanted to Meet the Wizard” in his original Broadway costume as part of The Black Stars of The Great White Way Broadway Reunion: Live The Dream at Carnegie Hall in New York on June 23, 2014. Photo by Lia Chang

Choreographed by Tony Award-winner George Faison with musical direction by Damien L. Sneed, The Wiz: A Celebration in Dance and Music will feature co-host/emcee Tony Award-winner (and Munchkin from the original Broadway run!) Phylicia Rashad; Two-time Tony nominee André De Shields (reprising his role as The Wiz); Tony Award-Winner for the role of Glinda, Dee Dee Bridgewater; Ebony Jo-Ann in the role of Addaperle; singer/songwriter Wallace Gary as The Scarecrow; Inaya Day  and Darlesia Cearcy as Dorothy; Nicole Elaine Phifer as Evillene, Reji Woods as Lion, John Manzari and Anitra McKinney.

The cast also includes Elijah Avraham, Jahmal Chase, Raymond Matsamura, Nahum McLean, Martell Ruffin Nehemiah Spencer, Jerome Wells, Khalia Campbell, Priscilla Greco, Aqura Lacey, Krystal Mackie, Mahalia Mays, Briana Nuamah, Amber Pickens and Bria Williams.

PIT SINGERS: Chenee Campbell Kojo Littles, Matia Washington and Darrell Williams.

KEYBOARDS: Edward Callahan,  Jeremy Jordan

Assistants to Mr. Faison: Gina Ellis, David Robertson

Production Stage Manager: Gwen Gilliam

Dance Arranger/Musical Supervisor: Timothy Graphenreed

George Faison. Photo by Lia Chang

George Faison, internationally celebrated producer, writer, composer, director, choreographer and dancer, made history in 1975 when he became the first African American to win a Tony Award for Best Choreography for The Wiz. In honor of the Broadway hit’s 40th anniversary this year, Faison will present performances of original songs and dances from the show. Mr. Faison also heads the Faison Firehouse Theater in Central Harlem, which he founded in 2000 along with Tad Schnugg.The Firehouse is a technologically advanced theater where Mr. Faison develops digital applications for the performing arts as well as original theater pieces. The 130-seat theater, branded “Hollywood of Harlem” by the media, is a full service performing arts and cultural center with fine arts galleries, rehearsal facilities and a cabaret theater. faisonfirehouse.org

Tony Award winners Dee Dee Bridgewater and George Faison celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Broadway debut of THE WIZ on January 5, 2015 at the Faison Firehouse Theater in New York. Photo by Brian Whitted

One of the first large-scale, big-budget Broadway musicals to star an all-black cast, The Wiz features music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls and book by William F. Brown. It is a retelling of L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in the context of African-American culture.

Actor André De Shields (C) w. cast in a scene fr. the Broadway musical “The Wiz”. (c.1974) Photo by Martha Swope courtesy of THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY DIGITAL COLLECTIONS

The Wiz opened on October 21, 1974 at the Morris A. Mechanic Theatre in Baltimore, Maryland, and on January 5, 1975, moved to the Majestic Theatre on Broadway with Geoffrey Holder at the helm.

Actors (Front L-R) Clarice Taylor, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ted Ross & Tiger Haynes w. cast in a scene fr. the Broadway musical “The Wiz”.( c.1974) Photo by Martha Swope courtesy of THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY DIGITAL COLLECTIONS

The cast starred Stephanie Mills as Dorothy, Hinton Battle as the Scarecrow, Tiger Haynes as the Tin Man, Ted Ross as the Lion, Dee Dee Bridgewater as Glinda, the Good Witch of the South, André De Shields as the Wizard, Mabel King as Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West, Clarice Taylor as Addaperle, the Good Witch of the North, Tasha Thomas as Aunt Em, Ralph Wilcox as Uncle Henry and Phylicia Rashād as a Munchkin.

Actors (L-R) Clarice Taylor, Stephanie Mills & Phylicia Rashad (rear) in a scene fr. the Broadway musical “The Wiz”. (c.1974) Photo by Martha Swope courtesy of THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY DIGITAL COLLECTIONS

The 1975 Broadway production garnered seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Original Score for Charlie Smalls, Best Featured Actor in a Musical – Ted Ross, Best Featured Actress in a Musical – Dee Dee Bridgewater, Best Costume Design For Geoffrey Holder, Best Choreography for George Faison, Best Direction of a Musical for Geoffrey Holder; and five Drama Desk Awards including Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Music and Lyrics for Charlie Smalls, Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical – Ted Ross, Outstanding Choreography for George Faison, Outstanding Costume Design for Geoffrey Holder.

The Broadway production moved to The Broadway Theatre on May 25, 1977, and closed on January 28, 1979, after four years and 1,672 performances.

Geoffrey Holder, Artist, Actor, Dancer, Choreographer, Two-Time Tony Award-winning Director and Costume Designer for The Wiz, Dies at 84; Son Pens Intimate Account of Last Days

THE WIZ Turns 40- Photos from Original Broadway Production and BC/EFA Gypsy of The Year Celebration Featuring André De Shields, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ken Page, Charl Brown, Carly Hughes, Christina Sajous, Alton Fitzgerald White, Lillias White and More

Photos and Video: The Wiz’s André De Shields sang “So You Wanted to Meet the Wizard” as part of The Black Stars of The Great White Way Broadway Reunion: Live The Dream at Carnegie Hall  

For complete series lineup, please visit SummerStage.org

PLEASE NOTE: SummerStage shows take place outdoors and take place RAIN OR SHINE. Shows are only cancelled in the event of what event organizers consider to be dangerous winds or lightning. Schedule of events and performers is subject to change. The following cannot be brought into the Central Park venue: glass bottles, cans, coolers, folding chairs, bikes, rollerblades, skateboards, beach umbrellas, video cameras, selfie sticks, professional camera gear, tripods or pets. SummerStage is not responsible for prohibited items left outside the venue. Bags subject to search. Alcoholic beverages are forbidden in NYC Parks. The distribution and sale of unauthorized promotional materials is banned. Beer and wine are on sale at the Central Park venue for onsite consumption only. Smoking is prohibited in all NYC parks.

Lia Chang

Lia Chang is an award-winning filmmaker, a Best Actress nominee,   a photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon and Taxman. She has guest starred on “One Life to Live,” “As the World Turns,” and “New York Undercover.” She is profiled in Jade Magazine. 

The Wiz articles:
THE WIZ: A Celebration in Dance and Music featuring André De Shields, Phylicia Rashad, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ebony Jo-Ann, Inaya Day and more at SummerStage in Central Park on 8/12; Marcus Garvey Park on 8/13, 8/14
Kenny Leon Helmed ‘The Wiz’ Set as NBC’s Next Live Musical to air on Dec. 3; Broadway Revival Slated for 2016-17
THE WIZ Turns 40- Photos from Original Broadway Production and BC/EFA Gypsy of The Year Celebration Featuring André De Shields, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ken Page, Charl Brown, Carly Hughes, Christina Sajous, Alton Fitzgerald White, Lillias White and More
Photos: André De Shields, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ken Page, Charl Brown, Carly Hughes, Alton Fitzgerald White, Lillias White in 40th Anniversary of The WIZ Tribute at BC/EFA’s GYPSY OF THE YEAR; Competition Breaks Records With Over $5 Million as Hugh Jackman’s THE RIVER Brings in Top Donation
Geoffrey Holder, Artist, Actor, Dancer, Choreographer, Two-Time Tony Award-winning Director and Costume Designer for The Wiz, Dies at 84; Son Pens Intimate Account of Last Days

Other articles about André De Shields:
André De Shields in CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P., Black Stars of the Great White Way anniversary concert at NBTF and Broadway-Bound GOTTA DANCE 
Multimedia: CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P. Opening Night with André De Shields; #Ignition Festival Continues through July 19
Video: André De Shields sings Smile in CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P. in Victory Gardens’ 2015 IGNITION Festival of New Plays
Video: André De Shields sings Street Corner Symphony and Mary Mack in CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P. in Victory Gardens’ 2015 IGNITION Festival of New Plays
Photo and Video Preview: Two-time Tony nominee André De Shields Kicks Off Victory Gardens’ 2015 Ignition Festival of New Plays with CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P
Two-time Tony nominee André De Shields, GREY’S ANATOMY star Sandra Oh, Kimberly Lawson, Donica Lynn, Tony Mhoon, Doug Peck, Robert Reddrick, Anjali Bhimani and More set for 2015 IGNITION Festival of New Plays at Victory Gardens Theater, July 16-19
Two-Time Tony nominee André De Shields, Tony Winner Lillias White, ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK’s Lori Tan Chinn, Stephanie Powers, Georgia Engel & More Will Lead Broadway-Bound Musical GOTTA DANCE in Chicago
tcgcircle.org THE GRAND ILLUSION by ANDRÉ DE SHIELDS in FOX FELLOWSHIPS
Click here for more articles on André De Shields.

Other articles by Lia Chang
#AAIFF2015: Top Ten Winning Films of the Film Lab’s 11th Annual 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Competition- Awards and Wrap Party
BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA Cast Reunion featured in BLACK BELT MAGAZINE August/September 2015
Drumhead Magazine: Living Colour Drummer Will Calhoun, Photos by Lia Chang 
Q & A with Jose Llana, the new King of Siam in LCT’s Tony Award-Winning Revival of The King and I
Photos and Video:’The Visit’ Broadway cast performance and CD signing at Barnes & Noble with Chita Rivera, John Kander, Graciela Daniele and Co.
Drumhead Magazine: Living Colour Drummer Will Calhoun, Photos by Lia Chang  
Photos: #EmptyMet Tour with Chief Digital Officer Sree Sreenivasan
China: Through the Looking Glass Exhibition Extended through September 7 at Metropolitan Museum
Photos: Traveling through the mouth of the Dragon with BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA’s James Hong, Peter Kwong, Lia Chang, Gerald Okamura, George Cheung, Al Leong, Jeff Imada, James Lew, Gary Goldman, Eric Lee 
Coming to America through The Angel Island Immigration Station
Crafting a Career

Click here  for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.
All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2015 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com

AAIFF 2015 Sheraton LaGuardia East Hospitality Lounge

On Saturday, August 1st from 11:00am to 4:00pm, AAIFF will join over 80 local New York businesses and organizations at the second annual Flushing BID Street Fair. Visit the AAIFF booth for complimentary passes to the AAIFF 2015 Sheraton LaGuardia East Hospitality Lounge.

Take advantage of the encore screenings of all AAIFF 2015 Shorts Programs during the day!

At 6:00pm, New York’s own, Eric G. will hit the stage for a free live performance. A Filipino-American pop/R&B artist influenced by the likes of Michael Jackson, Eric G is a singer/songwriter and producer known for his catchy melodies and soul rock-infused beats. The night continues with two free encore screenings of THE PURPLE ONION and OFF THE MENU: ASIAN AMERICA at the Sheraton-LaGuardia outdoor terrace.

Here’s the screening and entertainment schedule for Saturday, August 1st at the Sheraton-LaGuardia East Hospitality Lounge:

LAO WONG

#AAIFF2015: Short Film about Chinese Opera, LAO WONG, to screen at Village East Cinema on July 26 

12:40PM – HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS: LGBTQ SHORTS 

PAMANHIKAN

I am delighted that my short film, Hide and Seek, created with my producing partner Garth Kravits, will screen as part of the lineup of the Top Ten award-winning films of the 72 Hour Shootout.

AsAmNews.com: Playing Hide and Seek with Actress Lia Chang

Click below to read more about the Top Ten award-winning films of the 72 Hour Shootout.

#AAIFF2015: Top Ten Winning Films of the Film Lab’s 11th Annual 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Competition- Awards and Wrap Party

6:00PM  – Live performance by ERIC G

8:00PM – OFF THE MENU: ASIAN AMERICA
Directed by Grace Lee
Documentary / USA / 2015 / 56 mins / English

Off The Menu: Asian America

From the stories about how food is prepared to the traditions that are passed on from generation to generation, people and food have always had a close relationship. AAIFF will feature Grace Lee’s OFF THE MENU: ASIAN AMERICA, a film that explores how we define “Asian America” — through that thing that is near and dear to everyone, food. OFF THE MENU is a documentary that travels from the Gulf Coast of Texas to the heartland of Wisconsin to New York’s Lower East Side and delves into a wealth of stories, traditions, and unexpected characters that explore what it means to be Asian American today.

9PM – THE PURPLE ONION 
Directed by Matt Szymanowski
Narrative / USA, Poland / 2015 / Comedy, Drama / 75 mins / English

The Purple Onion

THE PURPLE ONION is an offbeat feature-length, comic-drama film about the most unfortunate stand-up comedian you have never heard of. Johnny, a struggling Chinese American comedian in San Francisco, finds himself on a downward spiral of disappointment in his private and personal life.

Our well-intentioned and increasingly more hapless comedian works as a dishwasher and hopes to move up to server. Most of all, he wants to get on stage and perform comedy; but gradually more serious, absurd and unexpected obstacles prevent him from doing so. The comedian’s estranged and single relative Jeanie suddenly moves in to Johnny’s tiny apartment; she’s lost everything and her home to foreclosure. As the new roommates adjust to one another’s personal habits Johnny (a habitual masturbator) and Jeanie (a snooper) also struggle to find their own roles in a vibrantly diverse, often profoundly beautiful yet intrinsically challenging metropolitan San Francisco. Emotionally confused and in need of a human connection, sexual intrigue develops as Johnny and Jeanie’s fates intertwine.

Read more about The Purple Onion below.

NYDailyNews.com: Asian American International Film Festival debuts ‘The Purple Onion’

americanfobs.com: Whoa, an Asian Guy Plays the Lead in a Film?

About Asian CineVision
Asian CineVision (ACV) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit media arts organization devoted to the development, exhibition, promotion, and preservation of Asian and Asian American film and video.

General Festival Information
The Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) is a presentation of Asian CineVision. The festival is a celebration of inspiring Asian and Asian American works in film and video from innovative artists around the world. AAIFF 2015 takes place July 23-August 1, 2015 in Manhattan and Queens. Manhattan venues include: Cinema Village East (181-189 2nd Avenue); Asia Society (725 Park Avenue); Museum of Chinese in America (215 Centre Street); Queens venues include: Museum of the Moving Image (36-01 35th Ave, Astoria); Queens Botanical Garden (43-50 Main Street, Flushing); and Flushing Town Hall (13735 Northern Boulevard, Flushing).

Lia Chang at the 11th Annual 72 Hour Shootout World Premiere Film Screening at Village Cinema East in New York on July 25, 2015. Photo by GK

Lia Chang is an award-winning filmmaker, a Best Actress nominee,   a photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman and Hide and Seek. She has guest starred on “One Life to Live,” “As the World Turns,” and “New York Undercover.” She is profiled in Jade Magazine.

Related Articles
#AAIFF2015: Actors Byron Mann, Tzi Ma, Angela Zhou and Executive Producer and Showrunner John Wirth set for free screening of AMC’s HELL ON WHEELS on July 31
#AAIFF2015: Top Ten Winning Films of the Film Lab’s 11th Annual 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Competition- Awards and Wrap Party
#AAIFF2015:11th Annual 72 Hour Shootout World Premiere Film Screening at Village Cinema East, Wrap Party and Red Carpet Awards Ceremony at The Azure on July 25
2015 Asian American International Film Festival Lineup, July 23-Aug. 1
#AAIFF2015: Oscar-winning filmmaker Ruby Yang’s MY VOICE, MY LIFE kicks off The Festival at Asia Society on July 23
July 25-26: #AAIFF2015 Spotlight on Arthur Dong- Screenings of THE KILLING FIELDS OF HAING S. NGOR and FORBIDDEN CITY, U.S.A, plus an on-stage conversation
#AAIFF2015: Short Film about Chinese Opera, LAO WONG, to screen at Village East Cinema on July 26
#AAIFF2015: Dax Phelan’s Award winning JASMINE to have New York Premiere at Village East Cinema on July 30 
JASMINE and TWINSTERS Take Top Honors at the 31st Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival; ADVANTAGEOUS, MISS INDIA AMERICA, THE KILLING FIELDS OF DR. HAING S. NGOR among the winners
#AAIFF2015: Closing Night Award Ceremony and New York premiere of Wong Fu Productions’ EVERYTHING BEFORE US at the Museum of the Moving Image on August 1
Behind the Scenes of the Asian American Film Lab’s 72 Hour Shootout with Lia Chang, Garth Kravits, Evan Daves and Alicia Manns in HIDE AND SEEK
Photos: The 11th Annual 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Launch Party at The Korea Society; TWO FACES is this year’s theme 
Jennifer Betit Yen, Erin Quill and Lia Chang are co-hosting AAFLTV’s “Focus on the Philippines” featuring MATUD NILA, a series of animated creations by artist John Day Film Lab Selected for WNYC/WQXR Radio’s Support The ARtS Initiative (STAR) 
Crossings TV to Televise A New Season of Bold Contemporary Content from the Film Lab
Photos: Traveling through the mouth of the Dragon with BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA’s James Hong, Peter Kwong, Lia Chang, Gerald Okamura, George Cheung, Al Leong, Jeff Imada, James Lew, Gary Goldman, Eric Lee 
11th annual 72 Hour Shootout™ Filmmaking How-To Workshop: Writing the Best Script on April 16; Enter to Win a Free 72 Hour Shootout Registration
11th annual 72 Hour Shootout™ Filmmaking Workshops on March 19 and April 16; Enter to Win a Free 72 Hour Shootout Registration
Filmmakers Can Register for the 11th annual 72 Hour Shootout™; Youn Jung Kim named Shootout Coordinator 
Asian American Film Lab Receives Manhattan Chamber of Commerce Community Benefit Grant
Click here for other film articles.

Other articles by Lia Chang:
BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA Cast Reunion featured in BLACK BELT MAGAZINE August/September 2015
THE WIZ: A Celebration in Dance and Music featuring André De Shields, Phylicia Rashad, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ebony Jo-Ann, Inaya Day and more at SummerStage in Central Park on 8/12; Marcus Garvey Park on 8/13, 8/14
André De Shields in CONFESSIONS OF A P.I.M.P., Black Stars of the Great White Way anniversary concert at NBTF and Broadway-Bound GOTTA DANCE 
Award-winning Filmmaker Jennifer Phang’s Sci-Fi film ADVANTAGEOUS starring Jacqueline Kim, Ken Jeong and Samantha Kim, available on Netflix and iTunes
Q & A with Jose Llana, the new King of Siam in LCT’s Tony Award-Winning Revival of The King and I
Photos and Video:’The Visit’ Broadway cast performance and CD signing at Barnes & Noble with Chita Rivera, John Kander, Graciela Daniele and Co.
Drumhead Magazine: Living Colour Drummer Will Calhoun, Photos by Lia Chang  
Photos: #EmptyMet Tour with Chief Digital Officer Sree Sreenivasan
China: Through the Looking Glass Exhibition Extended through September 7 at Metropolitan Museum
Photos:Lunch with Tony Winner Lea Salonga and George Takei, Stars of ALLEGIANCE
Coming to America through The Angel Island Immigration Station
Crafting a Career

Click here  for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.
All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2015 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com

Allegiance stars George Takei, Lea Salonga with producer Lorenzo Thione at The Strand Bistro in New York on June 26, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Lorenzo Thione and Andrew Treagus, producers of the upcoming Broadway musical Allegiance starring Lea Salonga and George Takei, released their new docuseries ALLEGIANCE: Trek to Broadway, which chronicles the musical’s journey to Broadway, directly to their fans exclusively on Facebook. The first of this ten-part docuseries debuted today, with new bimonthly installments through December 2015.  Broadway’s Allegiance, a new musical inspired by Takei’s true-life story, opens on November 8, 2015 at the Longacre Theatre (220 West 48^th Street).  Previews begin October 6.

In a statement, producer Lorenzo Thione said: “Since we began the journey to bring Allegiance to Broadway, we have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the millions of online fans of George Takei and our show.  To further engage with them, we are thrilled to debut this series on Facebook, giving fans of George, of the show, and of Broadway in general, an exciting behind-the-scenes look at building a Broadway musical — think “Survivor” meets “The Bachelor” meets “Shark Tank”— while also being an intimate portrait of George’s lifelong dream to bring this personal story to the stage.”

Fans can watch the series on George Takei’s official Facebook Page

You can watch the first episode directly on Facebook at: http://gaman.me/TrektoBway

The cast also stars Telly Leung and features Katie Rose Clarke as Hannah Campbell, Michael K. Lee as Frankie Suzuki, Christopheren Nomura as Tatsuo Kimura and Greg Watanabe as Mike Masaoka.The ensemble includes Aaron J. Albano, Belinda Allyn, Marcus Choi, Janelle Dote, Dan Horn, Owen Johnston, Darren Lee, Manna Nichols, Autumn Ogawa, Rumi Oyama, Momoko Sugai, Cary Tedder, Elena Wang, Scott Watanabe and Scott Wise.

Related articles
Photos: Lunch with Tony Winner Lea Salonga and George Takei, Stars of ALLEGIANCE
Michael K. Lee, Christopheren Nomura, Greg Watanabe and More Join George Takei, Lea Salonga and Telly Leung in Broadway’s ALLEGIANCE; Full Cast Announced
Photos and Video: Telly Leung, Yumi Kurosawa, Lei Pasifika, Soh Daiko perform at The Met’s Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month Celebration
George Takei Receives Distinguished Medal of Honor at Japanese American National Museum’s 2015 Gala Dinner; JANM Acquires Japanese American Incarceration Artifacts once slated for public auction 
Star Trek’s George Takei & Broadway Bound ALLEGIANCE Create Indiegogo Campaign as Endowment for the Japanese American National Museum 
Tony Award winner Lea Salonga and Telly Leung Set to Co-star with George Takei in ALLEGIANCE; Previews Begin at the Longacre Theatre on October 6 
George Takei Set for Broadway Debut in ALLEGIANCE in October 
The Old Globe’s Production Photos of George Takei, Lea Salonga, Telly Leung and Paolo Montalban in World Premiere of Allegiance – A New American Musical 
George Takei, Lea Salonga, Telly Leung and Paolo Montalban star in the World Premiere of Allegiance – A New American Musical at The Old Globe, September 7 – October 21, 2012

Lia Chang

Lia Chang is an award-winning filmmaker, a Best Actress nominee,  a photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman and Hide and Seek. She is profiled in Jade Magazine.

Related Articles
Partying at the Closing Night Screening of Wong Fu Productions’ EVERYTHING BEFORE US; AAIFF 2015 Award Winners Announced
AsAmNews.com: Asian American Tweeters Get Special Shout-out in Playbill
Playbill.com: Retweet! BroadwayGirlNYC’s Picks For Most Useful Theatre Women on Social Media
AsAmNews.com:Playing Hide And Seek With Actress Lia Chang
BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA Cast Reunion featured in BLACK BELT MAGAZINE August/September 2015
Drumhead Magazine: Living Colour Drummer Will Calhoun, Photos by Lia Chang 
THE WIZ: A Celebration in Dance and Music featuring André De Shields, Phylicia Rashad, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ebony Jo-Ann, Inaya Day and more at SummerStage in Central Park on 8/12; Marcus Garvey Park on 8/13, 8/14
Photos and Video:’The Visit’ Broadway cast performance and CD signing at Barnes & Noble with Chita Rivera, John Kander, Graciela Daniele and Co.
Photos: #EmptyMet Tour with Chief Digital Officer Sree Sreenivasan
China: Through the Looking Glass Exhibition Extended through September 7 at Metropolitan Museum
Coming to America through The Angel Island Immigration Station
Crafting a Career

Click here  for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.
All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2015 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com

The closing night party of the 38th Asian American International Film Festival at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria on August 1, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Fans of Wong Fu Productions flocked to the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria last Saturday night to celebrate the New York premiere of EVERYTHING BEFORE US, Wong Fu Productions’ first feature, which was screened as the closing presentation of the 38th Asian American International Film Festival. The cast includes Aaron Yoo, Ki Hong Lee, Randall Park, Brandon Soo Hoo, Brittany Ishibashi and Victoria Park.

Actor Aaron Yoo at the AAIFF 2015 screening of Wong Fu Productions’ debut feature film EVERYTHING BEFORE US at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria on August 1, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

My producing partner Garth Kravits, with whom I share my Top Ten Winning Film Award for our short film Hide and Seek created for the Film Lab’s 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking competition, was periscoping live for AsAmNews.com while I photographed the festivities.

Jasmine director Dax Phelan and actor Jason Tobin being interviewed by Garth Kravits at the 38th Asian American International Film Festival at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria on August 1, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

The 2015 AAIFF Awards were presented prior to the screening (see the full list below).

Click below for highlights of the night.

After the screening, directors Wesley Chan, Philip Wang and Chris Dinh were joined by lead actor Aaron Yoo on stage for an engaging Q & A moderated by AAIFF 2015 PR Manager Kevin Lee.

Actor Aaron Yoo, and Wong Fu Productions’ Chris Dinh, Wesley Chan and Philip Wang at the AAIFF 2015 screening of their debut feature film EVERYTHING BEFORE US at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria on August 1, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Founded by Wesley Chan, Ted Fu, and Philip Wang, Wong Fu Productions is primarily known for their YouTube channel, which has grown to over 2 million subscribers and over 300 million views in the span of 10 years.

Actor Aaron Yoo, and Wong Fu Productions’ Chris Dinh, Wesley Chan and Philip Wang, and AAIFF 2015 PR Manager Kevin Lee at the AAIFF 2015 screening of their debut feature film EVERYTHING BEFORE US at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria on August 1, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Their work has been critically recognized and praised by organizations such as CNN, NPR, the 2008 Cannes and 2011 Sundance Film Festivals, and even the White House.

Aaron Yoo, and Wong Fu Productions’ Philip Wang, guest, Chris Dinh, Wesley Chan, Taylor Chan at the closing night party of the 38th Asian American International Film Festival at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria on August 1, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

While Wesley, Ted, and Philip initially met as friends who simply enjoyed making videos, they are recognized as pioneers for a new generation of content creators, as well as a voice for the under represented Asian American Community. They create short films, sketches, music videos and vlogs for their fanbase of supporters from around the world.

AAIFF 2015 Festival Director Judy Lei and ACV Executive Director John Woo announced the 2015 AAIFF Award winners at the closing night awards ceremony of the 38th Asian American International Film Festival at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria on August 1, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

After 10 days of Asian and Asian American films, conversations and events, AAIFF 2015 dims the lights to yet another successful year. As the nation’s first and longest running Asian American film festival, AAIFF 2015 welcomed over 150 filmmakers and guests and showcased over 50 films from 9 different countries. With 2 World Premieres, including 15 New York Premieres, AAIFF 2015 featured films from renowned filmmakers such as Oscar Winner Ruby Yang, Sundance Winner and Oscar Nominee Arthur Dong, as well as Centerpiece Presentation SEOUL SEARCHING and the Closing Night Presentation of Wong Fu’s first feature film, EVERYTHING BEFORE US. AAIFF 2015 drew close to 8,000 audience members.

Film Lab’s 72 Hour Shootout Winners Garth Kravits and Lia Chang (HIDE AND SEEK) and Grant Chang (FINDING YOU) at the closing night party of the 38th Asian American International Film Festival at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria on August 1, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

The reception which followed the Q&A featured Bubble Tea, Bruce Cost Ginger Ale, tastings of Knob Creek Rye, Maker’s Mark 46, and Basil Hayden, provided by Beam Suntory, and tasty bites from Flo Lounge and
 BentOn.

Congrats to the 2015 AAIFF Award winners.

Emerging Director of Narrative Feature 

LA SALADA

LA SALADA, dir. Juan Martin Hsu
Jury Statement: “The crack of golf drives is an unlikely proxy for the tick of the clock, but this is an unusual movie that sees and hears attentively and inventively. From the first images that swap foreground and background, the film announces its interests in investigating the quieter elements in a scene (and a life) that might normally be missed. The characters in the film are diverse, but they are united by a balanced, sympathetic eye content to observe their lives without judgment. Loneliness, textured space, layered sounds, relief, movement & stillness, they rotate in and out of prominence in a unique rhythm. This is textbook neo-classicism, using the old lessons of aesthetic harmony alongside a child-like curiosity and joy in discovery of the new”.
–Patrick Wang (Juror)

A Girl at My Door

A GIRL AT MY DOOR, dir. July Jung
Jury Statement: “True to Korean cinema, A Girl At My Door is a heated portrayal of domestic abuse, and I’m very taken by this story’s female heroes set against the backdrop of South Korean rural life. It’s dramatic, but not melodramatic. I admire the filmmaker’s quest in tackling a variety of issues, including migration, abuse, and homosexuality. Film is such a powerful medium, and this team made an excellent attempt to bringing these issues to light”.

Emerging Director of Documentary Feature

Live from UB

LIVE FROM UB, dir. Lauren Knapp

LIVE FROM UB is the result of ten months of immersion in Mongolia’s small but vibrant music scene, learning Mongolian, attending concerts, and filming a plethora of interviews with Mongolia’s top performers.

Jury Statement: “I enjoyed this refreshing view of modern “Mongolia” alongside another favorite SUMMER PASTURE and appreciate how it showcases a living culture surviving and thriving — beyond sweeping (Western-made) epics frozen in the “Golden Horde” past”. – Theresa Navarro (Juror)

Jury Statement: “Thoroughly enjoyable and informative, with some excellent integration of character footage and archival material”.
–John Woo (Juror)

Excellence in Short Filmmaking

Director Steve Maing received the 2015 AAIFF Excellence in Short filmmaking Award for THE SURRENDER from AAIFF 2015 Festival Director Judy Lei at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria on August 1, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

THE SURRENDER, dir. Steve Maing

In August 2010, Stephen Kim, a highly-regarded State Department intelligence analyst, was indicted under the Espionage Act for jeopardizing national security by allegedly divulging classified information to a reporter. Despite numerous officials in the State Department describing Kim’s disclosure as nothing extraordinary, he faced 10 to 15 years in prison if convicted at trial.

The Surrender intimately documents Stephen Kim’s struggle to understand the events leading up to his prosecution as well as his last free days before prison.

Jury Statement: “Important and powerful documentary. Excellent on so many levels. The film successfully humanizes Stephen, and shows how his life was ruined by the espionage charges”.

Screenplay Competition Winner

EAST OF WESTERN, by Timothy Drain
The screenplay is a story of Alex, a criminal enforcer in LA’s Korea Town neighborhood. As a Hispanic outsider within the Korean mob, he’s earned his keep through service to the mob boss, Hong. Starting as a young child who fetched his cigarettes, Alex grew into a man Hong trusts with his most important criminal tasks. Growing up alongside him are Hong’s two children: Jihyeok, the bright but soft-natured son; and Su-bin the rebellious older sister. After a sudden stroke puts Hong into a coma, Alex must defend his boss’ position and this surrogate family from dangerous challengers to the throne.

For Youth By Youth One to Watch Award

Director Adler Yang received the AAIFF 2015 For Youth By Youth One to Watch Award from AAIFF 2015 Festival Director Judy Lei for his film IF THERE IS A REASON TO STUDY at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria on August 1, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

IF THERE IS A REASON TO STUDY, dir. Adler Yang
For Youth By Youth program celebrates works by media makers of Asian descent under the age of 21, articulating their perceptions of life and the world in the most original voice. IF THERE IS A REASON TO STUDY is directed by a then 14 year-old student Alder Yang who has spent 6 years to document a test-driven education’s impact on students. In addition to filmmaking, Alder strives to make a difference in education by means such as writing, journalism, workshop design and facilitation, and entrepreneurship. We are fascinated by his one-man crusade and selected the film for its subject matter as well as the young director’s rarely seen courage and perseverance.

Audience Award (Documentary Feature)

LIVE FROM UB, dir. Lauren Knapp

Audience Award (Narrative Feature)

FACTORY BOSS

FACTORY BOSS (by Wei Zhang)

FACTORY BOSS

After successfully running a toy factory in Shenzhen for 20 years, Lin Dalin has to face the economic squeeze and competition from cheaper Southeast Asian countries. Under intense pressure from all sides, Lin struggles to hold his business together and fulfill the big order.

The closing night party of the 38th Asian American International Film Festival at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria on August 1, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Membership
Members support Asian CineVision’s year round programming, including AAIFF. They receive fantastic benefits including discounts on AAIFF tickets, invitations to events throughout the year, and complimentary AAIFF tickets. For more information on membership and upcoming AAIFF events visit asiancinevision.org.

The Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) is a presentation of Asian CineVision. The festival is a celebration of inspiring Asian and Asian American works in film and video from innovative artists around the world.

AAIFF 2015 staff and volunteers at the closing night party of the 38th Asian American International Film Festival at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria on August 1, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

About Asian CineVision:
Asian CineVision (ACV) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit media arts organization devoted to the development, exhibition, promotion, and preservation of Asian and Asian American film and video.

HIDE AND SEEK filmmakers Garth Kravits and Lia Chang. Photo by Phil Nee

Lia Chang is an award-winning filmmaker, a Best Actress nominee,  a photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman and Hide and Seek. She has guest starred on “One Life to Live,” “As the World Turns,” and “New York Undercover.” She is profiled in Jade Magazine.

Other articles:
AsAmNews.com: Future Looks Bright for Asian American Cinema
AsAmNews.com: Chinese Railroad Workers Portrayed on Major Television
#AAIFF2015: Top Ten Winning Films of the Film Lab’s 11th Annual 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Competition- Awards and Wrap Party
AsAmNews.com: Asian American Tweeters Get Special Shout-out in Playbill
Playbill.com: Retweet! BroadwayGirlNYC’s Picks For Most Useful Theatre Women on Social Media
AsAmNews.com:Playing Hide And Seek With Actress Lia Chang
BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA Cast Reunion featured in BLACK BELT MAGAZINE August/September 2015
Drumhead Magazine: Living Colour Drummer Will Calhoun, Photos by Lia Chang 
THE WIZ: A Celebration in Dance and Music featuring André De Shields, Phylicia Rashad, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ebony Jo-Ann, Inaya Day and more at SummerStage in Central Park on 8/12; Marcus Garvey Park on 8/13, 8/14
Photos and Video:’The Visit’ Broadway cast performance and CD signing at Barnes & Noble with Chita Rivera, John Kander, Graciela Daniele and Co.
Photos: #EmptyMet Tour with Chief Digital Officer Sree Sreenivasan
China: Through the Looking Glass Exhibition Extended through September 7 at Metropolitan Museum
Coming to America through The Angel Island Immigration Station
Crafting a Career

Click here  for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.
All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2015 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com

Alan Muraoka

A haunting new world premiere drama, THE REPORT, will be presented August 15 – 28 in the New York International Fringe Festival. Based on the novel by Jessica Francis Kane, THE REPORT is adapted by Martin Casella, whose THE IRISH CURSE earned the Outstanding Playwriting Award in the 2005 FringeNYC and went on to a highly acclaimed Off-Broadway run. The director is Alan Muraoka, whose credits include FALSETTOLAND (NAATCO), KARAOKE STORIES and “Sesame Street.”  With speciality movement and choreography by Darren Lee.

THE REPORT examines the true, unknown story of the British government’s cover-up of the largest civilian disaster of World War II. On March 3, 1943, 173 people died in London’s Bethnal Green tube station, which served as a bomb shelter during air raids. But not a single bomb was dropped that fateful night. The cause of this tragedy was kept secret for almost 30 years, until a young BBC journalist making a documentary began to uncover what actually took place. As the truth is revealed, we discover how trauma, fear and the paranoia of war impact our very humanity, and how the specter of a single public calamity resonates throughout multiple generations.

THE REPORT features Michael Countryman (“Boardwalk Empire,” “The Sopranos,” A FEW GOOD MEN, LAUGHTER ON THE 23rd FLOOR, THE COMMON PURSUIT, YOU CAN COUNT ON ME) along with a company of British, Welsh, Canadian and American actors including Philippa Dawson, Denny Desmarias, Clemmie Evans, Natalie Frost, Jenny Green, Louis Lavoie, James Physick, Sophie Sorensen, Jonathan Stephens, Zoë Watkins, David Wells and Stuart Williams.

Martin Casella’s recent theater credits, in addition to the Off-Broadway and worldwide productions of THE IRISH CURSE, include the award-winning DIRECTIONS FOR RESTORING THE APPARENTLY DEAD and SCITUATE. He is the screenwriter of TOM’S DAD starring Will Ferrell and directed by Lasse Hallstrom, and THE LAND OF SOMETIMES, an animated British feature film.

Scenic design for THE REPORT is by Lauren Helpern, with costume design by Brian Hemesath, lighting design by Michael O’Connor and sound design by Chris Cassano.

The performance schedule will be Saturday August 15 at 3:15 pm, Tuesday August 18 at 9:45 pm, Monday August 24 at 4:30 pm, Thursday August 27 at 4:15 pm and Friday August 28 at 9:00 pm at Venue 13: Lynn RedgraveTheater@Culture Project located at 45 Bleecker Street.

THE REPORT is being presented by Barry Goralnick, Sarahbeth Grossman, Craig Zehms in association with Cutting Hedge Productions. For information & tickets visit www.FringeNYC.org. For more information about THE REPORT, please visit www.TheReportThePlay.com.

Lia Chang

Lia Chang is an award-winning filmmaker, a Best Actress nominee,  a photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman and Hide and Seek. She is profiled in Jade Magazine.

Other Articles
AsAmNews.com: Future Looks Bright for Asian American Cinema
AsAmNews.com: Chinese Railroad Workers Portrayed on Major Television
#AAIFF2015: Top Ten Winning Films of the Film Lab’s 11th Annual 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Competition- Awards and Wrap Party
Partying at the Closing Night Screening of Wong Fu Productions’ EVERYTHING BEFORE US; AAIFF 2015 Award Winners Announced
AsAmNews.com: Asian American Tweeters Get Special Shout-out in Playbill
Playbill.com: Retweet! BroadwayGirlNYC’s Picks For Most Useful Theatre Women on Social Media
AsAmNews.com:Playing Hide And Seek With Actress Lia Chang
BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA Cast Reunion featured in BLACK BELT MAGAZINE August/September 2015
Drumhead Magazine: Living Colour Drummer Will Calhoun, Photos by Lia Chang 
THE WIZ: A Celebration in Dance and Music featuring André De Shields, Phylicia Rashad, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ebony Jo-Ann, Inaya Day and more at SummerStage in Central Park on 8/12; Marcus Garvey Park on 8/13, 8/14
Photos and Video:’The Visit’ Broadway cast performance and CD signing at Barnes & Noble with Chita Rivera, John Kander, Graciela Daniele and Co.
Photos: #EmptyMet Tour with Chief Digital Officer Sree Sreenivasan
China: Through the Looking Glass Exhibition Extended through September 7 at Metropolitan Museum
Coming to America through The Angel Island Immigration Station
Crafting a Career

Click here  for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.
All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2015 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at liachangpr@gmail.com