Backstage Pass with Lia Chang

Roger Rees at Dixon Place In New York on May 20, 2012. Photo by Lia Chang

Roger Rees and Chita Rivera in Kander and Ebb’s The Visit. Photo by Frank Ockenfels

A memorial tribute will be held for Roger Rees, the legendary Tony Award-winning actor, and Tony Award nominated director, on Monday, September 21 at 1:00 PM at the New Amsterdam Theatre (214 W 42nd Street, NYC). Doors will open at 12:30 PM, with general admission seating available to the public.

Rees passed away on July 10 at the age of 71. The cause of death was brain cancer.

Roger Rees attended the world-renowned Slade School of Fine Art before joining the Royal Shakespeare Company and in 1967. His roles with the RSC included Malcolm in the acclaimed Trevor Nunn 1976 stage and 1978 television production of Macbeth, Tusenbach in Three Sisters, Semyon in The Suicide, Antipholus of Syracuse in The Comedy of Errors, Berowne in Love’s Labour’s Lost, and Hamlet. Most famously, Rees created the title role in the original production of The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, David Edgar’s stage adaptation of the Dickens novel, winning both the Olivier Award and Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play in 1982. In London’s West End, he starred in the original productions of two plays by Tom Stoppard, The Real Thing in 1982 and Hapgood in 1988, both opposite Felicity Kendal. In 1986, he starred opposite Jane Lapotaire in the original West End production of his own thriller, Double Double, co-written with Rick Elice.

From 1987-88, Rees served as Associate Artistic Director for the Bristol Old Vic, where he directed productions of Julius Caesar, Turkey Time and John Bull.

Rees began to work in television during the 1970s, appearing opposite Laurence Olivier in The Ebony Tower (1984). From 1988 to 1991 he starred in the late 80s/early 90s British sitcom Singles, with co-star Judy Loe. From 1989 to 1991 and in 1993, he had a recurring role on the long-running TV series Cheers as the English tycoon Robin Colcord. Later television appearances include My So-Called Life as substitute teacher Mr. Racine, British Ambassador Lord John Marbury on The West Wing and James MacPherson on Warehouse 13.

His film career began in 1983 when Bob Fosse cast him to star in Star 80 opposite Mariel Hemingway. Rees played the Sheriff of Rottingham in Mel Brooks’ film, Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993). Later film appearances include Julie Taymor’s Frida (2002) and Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige (2006).

Rees’ first Broadway credit was opposite Donald Sinden in London Assurance in 1974. Continuing his theatre work in New York through the 1990s, Rees won the Obie Award for his 1992 performance in Jon Robin Baitz’s The End of the Day, directed by Mark Lamos. In 1995 he was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for Indiscretions, starring with Kathleen Turner, Eileen Atkins, Jude Law and Cynthia Nixon, directed by Sean Mathias. The following year, he was back on Broadway in Anouilh’s The Rehearsal, directed by Nicholas Martin. He followed that with The Uneasy Chair, opposite Dana Ivey, directed by Richard Cottrell, and Moliere’s The Misanthrope, opposite Uma Thurman, directed by Barry Edelstein. In 2000, Rees starred opposite Derek Jacobi and Laura Linney in Uncle Vanya, directed by Michael Mayer. In 2002, he starred opposite Faith Prince and Steven Pasquale in the Lincoln Center production of the McNally/Ahrens & Flaherty musical, A Man of No Importance, directed by Joe Mantello.

In November 2004, Rees was named Artistic Director of the Williamstown Theatre Festival, only the fourth person to hold the post in its half century history. He served in that capacity through 2007.

In 2010, he starred opposite Ian McKellan in Sean Matthias’ production of Waiting for Godot at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London, and subsequently on tour throughout Australia, New Zealand and, most memorably, South Africa. In 2011, Rees succeeded Nathan Lane in the role of Gomez in the Broadway production of The Addams Family, in which he played for ten months. His final West End appearance was in the acclaimed presentation of his one-man show, What You Will, an homage to William Shakespeare, at the Apollo Theatre in the fall of 2012. In 2013, Rees returned to Broadway, receiving rave reviews as Arthur Winslow in Terrence Rattigan’s The Winslow Boy.

Rees was a noted stage director for two decades, with productions at Roundabout Theatre Company, New York Theatre Workshop and Playwrights Horizons in New York, The Old Globe in San Diego, La Jolla Playhouse, The Folger Shakespeare Theatre in Washington DC, Williamstown Theatre Festival in Massachusetts, and on Broadway. For the popular production of Peter and the Starcatcher, Rick Elice’s stage adaptation of the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, co-directed with Alex Timbers, Rees received an Obie Award and a Tony nomination for Best Direction of a Play. The production went on to win five Tony Awards in 2012.

Rees’ final Broadway appearance was opposite the legendary Chita Rivera in the McNally/Kander & Ebb musical, The Visit, directed by John Doyle, which opened on April 23, 2015.

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

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 FebOne1960.com Blog, Jade Magazine and Playbill.com.

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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 Obie and Drama Desk Award-winning MA-YI THEATER COMPANY – one of the country’s leading producers of new works for the stage by Asian-American writers – will present two new plays- Nandita Shenoy‘s WASHER/DRYER and A. Rey Pamatmat‘s HOUSE RULES– during the company’s 2015-16 season, it has been announced by Ralph Peña, Ma-Yi’s Artistic Director.

Ma-Yi’s season will also include a return engagement of its hit play THE WONG KIDS IN THE SECRET OF THE SPACE CHUPACABRA GO! — written by Lloyd Suh and directed by Ralph Peña — at Boston’s Paramount Theatre as part of ArtsEmerson’s World on Stage series in February 2016.

In addition, Ma-Yi undertakes a new partnership this season with Fordham University, where Mr. Pena is set to direct a new English adaptation of Ji Junxiang’s 13th Century play, THE ORPHAN OF ZHAO– adapted by Matthew Maguire and Ralph B. Peña-as part of Fordham University’s Main Stage Season. The production runs November 11-13 and November 19-21st.

Ma-Yi’s season Off-Broadway begins in January with the New York premiere of WASHER/DRYER, Nandita Shenoy‘s play about modern-day marriage, with previews starting January 26 prior to an official opening night on February 2. The production runs through February 21 at the Beckett Theater on Theater Row (410 W. 42 St.) in New York City.

Directed by Benjamin Kamine, WASHER/DRYER is a hilarious new farce that examines the pressures of modern-day marriage against the backdrop of New York City. Sonya and Michael’s recent elopement in Vegas seemed like a dream come true for both of them until they try living together in Sonya’s Manhattan studio apartment. As they discover that they haven’t been entirely honest with each other or themselves, their secrets come home to roost along with an intrusive mother, the co-op’s strict Board president, a harsh best friend, and a fabulous washer-dryer. Mayhem ensues as the couple is forced to re-evaluate their relationship and decide whether all really is fair in love and real estate.

Casting for WASHER/DRYER to be announced.

In March, Ma-Yi will present the world-premiere of A. Rey Pamatmat‘s HOUSE RULES at HERE (145 Ave. of the Americas), previews beginning March 22 prior to an opening night March 29. Directed by Ralph Peña, HOUSE RULES is scheduled to run through April 17.

HOUSE RULES is about what happens when members of two families – and a guy named Henry – gather for a game of cards. Rod thinks the game is fixed. Momo’s still learning the rules. Twee doesn’t think winning is enough. JJ hates his hand. And why the hell is Henry still playing? Two families (and some guy named Henry) panic with hilarious and heart-breaking results when they realize their parents won’t be around forever. Can anybody prepare for the inevitable moment when they’re the ones left holding all the cards?

Casting for HOUSE RULES to be announced.

The plot of THE ORPHAN OF ZAO follows the ambitions of the courtier Tu’an Gu, who kills his rival Zhao Dun and every member of the Zhao clan in a bid to become sole ruler. But Zhao Dun’s son survives under a new identity and is unwittingly adopted by Tu-an Gu himself. The Orphan eventually finds out his real identity and confronts his adoptive father to exact revenge.

MA-YI THEATER COMPANY recently enjoyed great critical and popular success with its double-bill last fall of LIVIN’ LA VIDA IMELDA and CHAIRS AND A LONG TABLE, and this past spring’s world premiere of SOLDIER X. The company won the Off-Broadway Alliance Award for its critically-acclaimed production of THE WONG KIDS IN THE SECRET OF THE SPACE CHUPACABRA GO! last season. Founded in 1989 and now celebrating its 27th season, MA-YI is a Drama Desk and OBIE Award-winning, Off-Broadway not-for-profit organization whose primary mission is to develop and produce new and innovative plays by Asian American writers.

Since its founding, Ma-Yi has distinguished itself as one of the country’s leading incubators of new work shaping the national discourse about what it means to be Asian American today. Its numerous acclaimed productions include Mike Lew’s BIKE AMERICA, Qui Nguyen’s THE INEXPLICABLE REDEMPTION OF AGENT G and SOUL SAMURAI (with Vampire Cowboys), Mike Lew’s MICROCRISIS and the revival of Ralph B. Peña’s FLIPZOIDS. Other productions include: RESCUE ME by Michi Barall, Lloyd Suh’s AMERICAN HWANGAP and THE CHILDREN OF VONDERLY and THE ROMANCE OF MAGNO RUBIO. Through successful programs such as the Writers Lab, Ma-Yi emboldens a new generation of Asian American artists to voice their experiences, while developing a steady stream of quality new works by Asian American playwrights for its own performing repertory. New works developed at the Writers Lab have gone on to successful productions around the country, at such theaters as Victory Gardens, Laguna Playhouse, Long Wharf Theater, Woolly Mammoth, and the Actors Theater of Louisville, to name a few. Ma-Yi Theater Company productions have earned 10 OBIE Awards, numerous Henry Hewes Award nominations, a Drama Desk nomination for Best Play and the Special Drama Desk Award for “more than two decades of excellence and for nurturing Asian-American voices in stylistically varied and engaging theater.”

Ma-Yi Theater is under the leadership of Artistic Director Ralph B. Peña and Executive Director Jorge Ortoll.

Lia Chang

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Crafting a Career

Chita Rivera (R) receives the 100 Hispanic Women National Latina Legend Award from Nancy Genova (L) Photo by Daily Photography

Two-time Tony winner Chita Rivera received the inaugural LATINA LEGEND AWARD from 100 Hispanic Women, Inc. at their 19^th Annual gala at Cipriani Wall Street on September 17, 2015. The Broadway icon was honored for her service representing the Hispanic community.

In her remarks, Ms. Rivera said “Not only here in New York City but throughout the country, Hispanic women are giving new strength and energy to the world economy, whether it be in the arts, medicine, law or Wall Street. We have made vital contributions and will continue to do so. I feel that soon we will become not 100 Hispanic Women but 100 million Hispanic women all doing daring and exceptional things. We are ALL part of the American dream.”

Also being recognized at the Gala were the following honorees: Lorraine Montenegro, Historical Consultant for United Bronx Parents, Inc. (the Latina Service of Excellence Award); Rose Rodriguez, New York State Chief Diversity Officer (the Public Service Leadership Award); the Every Woman Wellness (the Groundbreakers Award) accepted by Juana L. Cuevas, Dr. Lisette Lugo and Dr. Monica Simons; and the annual “Men-Ción” Honorable Award was presented to Dr. Magdy Mikhail, Chair of the Department of OBY/GYN and Women’s Health at Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center.

“We are extremely proud of Chita Rivera’s outstanding accomplishments, the many years of commitment from Milagros Baez O’Toole, and the amazing work of all this year’s gala honorees,” Nancy Genova President of the 100 Hispanic Women, Inc. stated.

“The Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center Family is especially proud that Dr. Magdy Mikhail was selected for the Honorable “Men” Cion award. Bronx-Lebanon’s Womens Health Center, under his leadership, is delivering exceptional services for the women of our community,” said Milagros Baez O’Toole, Executive Committee, Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center Board of Trustees/President Emerita & Founding Member of 100 Hispanic Women, Inc.

Chita Rivera is Broadway’s most versatile and accomplished singer, dancer and actress. She has won Two Tony Awards and received an exceptional 10 Tony Award nominations for her starring roles in such landmark Broadway musicals as “West Side Story, “Bye Bye Birdie,” “Chicago” “The Rink”, “Kiss of the Spider Woman” and, most recently “The Visit.” Ms. Rivera received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama, and was the first Hispanic woman to receive a Kennedy Center Honor.

100 HISPANIC WOMEN NATIONAL, INC. is a non-profit, non-partisan women’s organization dedicated to guiding Latinas towards excellence in leadership by fostering educational enrichment and creating opportunities to promote personal and professional advancement. It is through the annual gala that the organization raises the much needed funds to support the organization’s efforts to secure scholarships for our young scholars.

www.chitarivera.com

100hispanicwomen.org

Lia Chang

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Click here for other articles by Lia Chang, 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

Opening night of Two River Theater’s Seven Guitars, directed by Brandon J. Dirden in Red Bank, NJ on September 18, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Seven Guitars director Brandon J. Dirden, Two River Theater Artistic Director John Dias. Photo by Lia Chang

Award-winning actor Brandon J. Dirden (All the Way, The Americans) made his directorial debut with a beautifully realized production of August Wilson’s Seven Guitars at Two River Theater in Red Bank, NJ., celebrating a glorious opening on September 18th.

The cast of Seven Guitars including Jason Dirden (A Raisin in the Sun, Fences) as Canewell, Crystal A. Dickinson (You Can’t Take It With You, Clybourne Park) as Louise, Kevin Mambo as Floyd Barton, Christina Acosta Robinson as Vera, Brian D. Coats as Hedley, Charlie Hudson III (A Raisin in the Sun) as Red Carter and Brittany Bellizeare as Ruby, enjoyed a standing ovation at their curtain call.

Charlie Hudson III, Jason Dirden, Kevin Mambo, Crystal Dickinson, Brandon J. Dirden, Christina Acosta Robinson, Brittany Bellizeare, Brian D. Coats. Photo by Lia Chang

Seven Guitars is Wilson’s 1940s play in his 10-play cycle exploring the African-American experience in each decade of the 20th century. Set in the Pittsburgh’s Hill District in 1948, Seven Guitars tells the story of Floyd “Schoolboy” Barton, played at Two River by Kevin Mambo (Fela!), a blues guitarist who sits on the edge of stardom.

Two River Theater Artistic Director John Dias. Photo by Lia Chang

Opening night of Two River Theater's Seven Guitars, directed by Brandon J. Dirden on September 18, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

The actors use every inch of scenic designer Michael Carnahan’s lush and elaborate set. The dilapidated, multi-level house and the backyard it sits on, capture not only the time period but also elevate the emotional tone of each individual character in the play.

Seven Guitars cast members Brian D. Coats, Charlie Hudson III, Jason Dirden, Christina Acosta Robinson, Kevin Mambo, Crystal Dickinson and Brittany Bellizeare with director Brandon J. Dirden at the opening night party of Two River Theater’s Seven Guitars in Red Bank, NJ on September 18, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

During rehearsals, wig designer Erin Hicks sat back and studied each actor and designed their respective wigs based on the personalities they were creating. The result is a wig design that echoes the 1940’s and that fits each individual actor to a tee. Once again, Karen Perry masterfully brings us into the time period of the 1940’s with color and meticulous attention to detail and style. In a scene in which all of the characters don their Sunday best to attend a Mother’s Day concert, Dirden has each character enter one at a time, with the result being a veritable catwalk to rival any fashion show. Each outfit outdoes the one before it and the scene has Karen Perry written all over it. With lighting by Driscoll Otto, sound by David Margolin Lawson and original music by Jason Moran.

The full company of August Wilson’s Seven Guitars at Two River Theater. From left: Charlie Hudson III (Red Carter), Brittany Bellizeare (Ruby), Crystal A. Dickinson (Louise), Jason Dirden (Canewell), Kevin Mambo (Floyd Barton), Christina Acosta Robinson(Vera), and Brian D. Coats (Hedley) in August Wilson’s Seven Guitars at Two River Theater. Photo by T. Charles Erickson

The fight direction is by Unkle Dave’s Fight-House, the casting is by Heidi Griffiths & Kate Murray, and the production stage manager is Laura Wilson.

Jason Dirden, Crystal Dickinson, Brandon J. Dirden. Photo by Lia Chang

Jason Dirden, Crystal A. Dickinson, Brandon J. Dirden. Photo by Lia Chang

Crystal Dickinson with husband Brandon J. Dirden. Photo by Lia Chang

Jason Dirden, Brandon J. Dirden, Willie Dirden and Mrs. Dirden. Photo by Lia Chang

Jason Dirden, Allie Woods, Brandon J. Dirden. Photo by Lia Chang

Elain Graham, Willie Dirden, Mrs. Dirden, Brandon J. Dirden. Photo by Lia Chang

Seven Guitars director Brandon J. Dirden and Nikiya Mathis. Photo by Lia Chang

Seven Guitars director Brandon J. Dirden, set designer Michael Carnahan. Photo by Lia Chang

Alex Ubokudom, Brandon J. Dirden and Lakisha May. Photo by Lia Chang

Crystal Dickinson with husband Brandon J. Dirden. and cast member Christina Acosta Robinson. Photo by Lia Chang

Performances will continue through Sunday, October 4 in Two River’s Rechnitz Theater, 21 Bridge Avenue, Red Bank, NJ. Ticket prices range from $37 to $65, with discounts available for groups, seniors, and U.S. military personnel, their families, and veterans. A limited number of $20 tickets are available for every performance; $20 tickets may be partial view. Tickets for patrons under 30 are $20 and include the best available seats at every performance. Tickets are available from tworivertheater.org or 732.345.1400.

Nikiya Mathis, John Dias, Stacey Sergeant. Photo by Lia Chang

Christina Acosta Robinson with her daughter Marilyn and her husband Ken Robinson. Photo by Lia Chang

Kevin Mambo, Crystal Dickinson, Brandon J. Dirden, Christina Acosta Robinson, Brittany Bellizeare. Photo by Lia Chang

Toccarra Cash and Kevin Mambo. Photo by Lia Chang

Kevin Mambo, Lisa Rothe. Photo by Lia Chang

Renee, Jason Dirden and Erin HIcks. Photo by Lia Chang

McKinley Belcher III and Brian D. Coats. Photo by Lia Chang

Inside Two River
Inside Two River is a series of events specially curated for each Two River Theater production. For more information or to reserve seats, patrons should visit tworivertheater.org or call 732.345.1400.

Jason Dirden, Mrs. Dirden, Crystal A. Dickinson, Brandon J. Dirden, Willie Dirden. Photo by Lia Chang

Andre Blake, Kevin Mambo, Keith Johnston and Keith Josef Adkins. Photo by Lia Chang

Ayo Oneke Cummings, Crystal A. Dickinson, Kaliswa Brewster, Toccarra Cash, Brittany Bellizeare, Lakisha May. Photo by Lia Chang

Audience Extras
Before Play and Lobby Display
Audiences will learn about August Wilson in Two River’s Before Play lecture series, which takes place 45 minutes prior to every performance, and Lobby Display.

Post-Play Conversations
Discussions with the cast and a member of Two River’s Artistic staff will take place on Wednesday, September 23 at 7 pm; Sunday, September 27 at 3pm; and Wednesday, September 30 at 1pm.

An audio-described performance is scheduled for Wednesday, September 30 at 1pm, and an open-captioned performance is scheduled for Saturday, October 3 at 3pm. Tickets are available at a discounted rate of $25 for patrons using these services. To reserve wheelchair-accessible seating or tickets to a performance listed above, patrons should call 732.345.1400 or e-mail boxoffice@trtc.org.

Calendar
Wednesday, September 23 at 1pm and 7pm
Thursday, September 24 at 10 am (student matinee) and 8pm
Friday, September 25 at 8pm
Saturday, September 26 at 3pm and 8pm
Sunday, September 27 at 3pm
Wednesday, September 30 at 1pm and 7pm
Thursday, October 1 at 10 am (student matinee) and 8pm
Friday, October 2 at 8pm
Saturday, October 3 at 3pm and 8pm
Sunday, October 4 at 3pm

Terria Joseph, Michael Cumptsy, Nikiya Mathis, Stacey Sergeant and Elain Graham. Photo by Lia Chang

Sponsorship
The lead production sponsor for Seven Guitars is Springpoint Senior Living Foundation at The Atrium at Navesink Harbor. Inside Two River is sponsored by The William T. Morris Foundation. The Before Play series is sponsored by Zager Fuchs, PC.

Two River Theater is supported in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, Monmouth University, The Shubert Foundation, The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Meridian Health/Riverview Medical Center, The Stone Foundation of New Jersey, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Investors Bank, The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, Springpoint Senior Living Foundation at the Atrium at Navesink Harbor, Bank of America Charitable Foundation, Wells Fargo, William T. Morris Foundation, US Trust, Brookdale Community College, and many other generous foundations, corporations and individuals.

Two River Theater, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst, creates great American theater performed by award-winning artists. We produce American and world masterpieces, and new plays and musicals. Two River Theater offers new-play commissions and artistic development activities that support the most adventurous artists in the American theater; invites its audience to be part of the creative process through readings and open rehearsals; and cultivates students and young people to participate in innovative arts-education programs and become a new generation of theatergoers. Founded in 1994 by Joan and Dr. Robert M. Rechnitz, Two River Theater is easily accessible by car, train, or bus, with great restaurants and shopping within walking distance of the theater. For more information, visit tworivertheater.org or call 732.345.1400.

In the costume shop with Karen Perry.

Brandon J. Dirden and Lia Chang. Photo by GK

Lia Chang

Click here for other articles by Lia Chang, here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

Jaygee Macapugay. Photo by Bay Milin

Congratulations to Jaygee Macapugay who is making her Broadway debut in the world premiere of School of Rock-The Musical, which begins previews on November 9th with the opening night set for December 6.

Her debut will be in the same theatre, with the same composer, where she saw her first musical on Broadway – the legendary Winter Garden Theatre and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Only this time, instead of CATS, it’s School of Rock-The Musical.

Based on the smash hit 2003 film of the same title, School of Rock-The Musical will feature music from the movie, as well as an original score by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Glenn Slater, with a book by Julian Fellowes and direction by Laurence Connor (currently represented on Broadway by Les Miserables).

Joining the previously announced Alex Brightman as “Dewey Finn” and Sierra Boggess as “Rosalie Mullins,” will be Spencer Moses as “Ned,” Mamie Parris as “Patty,”Evie Dolan as “Katie,” Carly Gendell as “Marcy,” Ethan Khusidman as “Mason,” Bobbi MacKenzie as “Tomika,” Dante Melucci as “Freddy,” Brandon Niederauer as “Zack,” Luca Padovan as “Billy,” Jared Parker as “Lawrence,” and Isabella Russo as “Summer.” The adult ensemble includes Natalie Charle Ellis, Emily Cramer, Alan H. Green, Michael Hartney, John Hemphill, Merritt David Janes, Lulu Lloyd, Jaygee Macapugay, Cassie Okenka, Patrick O’Neill, Tally Sessions, Jesse Swimm, Jonathan Wagner, and Jeremy Woodard. The children’s ensemble includes Taylor Caldwell, Ava Della Pietra, Jeffrey Samuel Kishinevskiy, Sofia Roma Rubino, Jersey Sullivan, Hayden Wall, Corinne Wilson, and Shahadi Wright-Joseph.

School of Rock will feature Choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter, Scenic and Costume Design byAnna Louizos, Lighting Design by Natasha Katz, Sound Design by Mick Potter, Comedy Direction by Cal McCrystal, and Music Supervision by Ethan Popp.

Produced by Paramount Pictures, the 2003 film was directed by Richard Linklater and starred Jack Black in a career-defining performance. The film received universal critical acclaim and was hailed by The New York Times as an “irresistible comic postscript to the rock revolution.” The film went on to gross more than $130 million worldwide.

School of Rock – The Musical follows Dewey Finn, a failed wannabe rock star who decides to earn a few extra bucks by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. Completely disinterested in academic work, Dewey decides to create his own curriculum, turning his class into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band.

Warner Bros. Records will release the Original Broadway Cast Recording for School of Rock – The Musical on Friday, December 4, 2015, on the eve of opening night. The new album will feature a new score by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Glenn Slater, along with three songs from the immensely popular 2003 film. Three-time Grammy Award-winner Rob Cavallo, who has worked with Green Day, My Chemical Romance, Paramore, Goo Goo Dolls, Phil Collins, andGary Clark Jr., produced the album along with Lloyd Webber.

School of Rock-The Musical is produced on Broadway by Andrew Lloyd Webber for The Really Useful Group, Warner Music Group & Access Industries, The Shubert Organization, and TheNederlander Organization. Nina Lannan and Madeleine Lloyd Webber serve as Executive Producers.

Tickets for School of Rock – The Musical are on sale to the public via Telecharge.com or by calling 800-447-7400. The Winter Garden Box Office will open on Monday, September 28, 2015.

Jaygee Macapugay as Imelda Marcos in HERE LIES LOVE. Photo by Lia Chang

Jaygee Macapugay was last seen in the Off-Broadway production of School of Rock-The Musical at The Gramercy Theatre. Before that, Jaygee was at The Public Theater in her critically acclaimed performance as Imelda Marcos in the David Byrne/Fatboy Slim collaboration HERE LIES LOVE. According to Ben Brantley of The New York Times, her “devastating” performance made her Imelda “a red-hot chiller.”

Jaygee Macapugay as Imelda Marcos in HERE LIES LOVE. Photo by Lia Chang

Other favorite NYC credits include: Irene Molloy in Hello, Dolly! with Baayork Lee’s National Asian Artists Project; originating roles in two Pete Mills musicals with Prospect Theatre Company (Honor, The Rockae); workshopping Off-Broadway’s musical comedy Disenchanted! (Mulan, Pocahontas); and featured soloist for the concert, Suites by Sondheim at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall.

Jaygee Macapugay as Irene Molloy at the curtain call of NAAP’s production of Hello Dolly!, directed by Lee Roy Reams, at the Irene Diamond Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center in New York on April 30, 2013. Photo by Lia Chang

Regionally, Macapugay has been privileged to perform at the 5th Avenue Theatre, the MUNY, Casa Manana, Maltz Jupiter Theatre, KC Starlight, North Carolina Theatre, to name a few. The productions have been as varied as the locations- Brenda in Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Kim in Miss Saigon, Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar, and The King & I with Lou Diamond Phillips.

Click to view slideshow.

Whenever possible, Jaygee loves to combine performance with community engagement. As a former USO singer, she proudly performed for our troops as a member of the Andrews sisters inspired trio, “The Liberty Belles,” and also performed for President Bush Senior and former first lady Barbara Bush, NYC Mayor Bloomberg, and live on national television for “New Year’s Eve with Carson Daly”. Macapugay is also a proud member of Broadway Barkada, a collective of Filipino American professional performing artists.

Photos: David Byrne, Alex Timbers, Jaygee Macapugay, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Adam Guettel, Sarah Saltzberg and More Celebrate Jose Llana’s Lincoln Center American Songbook Debut
Photos: Late Night at HERE LIES LOVE with Jaygee Macapugay, David Byrne, Jose Llana, Conrad Ricamora, Melody Butiu and More
Photos: David Byrne, Jaygee Macapugay, Jose Llana and Conrad Ricamora Bring the ‘Here Lies Love’ Disco to the Apple Store Soho
Photos: Christine Toy Johnson, Baayork Lee, Jose Llana, Ann Harada, Dodie Pettit and More at Charles Randolph-Wright’s “Three Voices” concert series at Stage 72

Lia Chang

Click here for other articles by Lia Chang, here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

The King and I company on the Vivian Beaumont Theater stage with Billy Porter before The Actors Fund Special Performance on September 20, 2015. Photo courtesy of The Actors Fund/Facebook

The King and I crew at the Vivian Beaumont Theater sure know how to have a good time. The Tony Award winning revival of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s beloved classic The King and I, directed by Bartlett Sher, stars Jose Llana as the King of Siam (through September 27th) and Tony winners Kelli O’Hara as Anna and Ruthie Ann Miles as Lady Thiang.

Ruthie Ann Miles, Jose Llana and Kelli O’Hara backstage at the Vivian Beaumont Theater in New York on September 20, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

On Sunday night, the entire company donated their time and talent for their ninth performance of the week for The Actors Fund special performance. All proceeds from ticket sales directly benefit The Actors Fund, a national human services organization that helps everyone-performers and those behind the scenes-who works in performing arts and entertainment, helping more than 17,000 people directly each year, and hundreds of thousands online.

Jose Llana in his dressing room at the Vivian Beaumont Theater after The Actors Fund Special Performance of The King and I on September 20, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

The King and I is the winner of four 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).

Photo by Lia Chang

The King and I also features Ashley Park (as Tuptim), Conrad Ricamora (as Lun Tha), 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 Adriana Braganza, Amaya Braganza, LaMae Caparas, Hsin-Ping Chang, Andrew Cheng, Lynn Masako Cheng, Olivia Chun, Ali Ewoldt, Bonale Fambrini,Ethan Halford Holder, MaryAnn Hu, James Ignacio, Misa Iwama, Jim Kaplan, Christie Kim, Mindy Lai, Analisa Leaming, Q Lim, Kelvin Moon Loh, Sumie Maeda, Paul HeeSang Miller, Betsy Morgan, Rommel Pierre O’Choa, Arisa Odaka, Kristen Faith Oei, Autumn Ogawa, Yuki Ozeki, Stephanie Jae Park, Bobby Pestka, Sam Poon, William Poon, Emilio Ramos, Brian Rivera, Bennyroyce Royon, Lainie Sakakura, Ann Sanders, Ian Saraceni, Julius Sermonia, Atsuhisa Shinomiya, Emily Stillings, Michiko Takemasa, Kei Tsuruharatani, Christopher Vo, Rocco Wu, Xiaochuan Xie, Timothy Yang and Minami Yusui.

Emily Stillings, Bennyroyce Royon, Viet Vo, RuthieAnn W. Blumenstein, Greg Zane, Arisa Odaka, Rommel Pierre O’choa, Yuki Ozeki and Brian Rivera backstage at the Vivian Beaumont Theater after The Actors Fund Special Performance of The King and I on September 20, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

And what a glorious night it was to experience the show from Row D, cheering on so many of my colleagues who have made their Broadway debuts with this revival of The King and I. At intermission, I ran into Bartlett Sher, the director of The King and I, who was beaming like a proud Dad.

The King and I cast members and friends backstage at the Vivian Beaumont Theater after The Actors Fund Special Performance of The King and I on September 20, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

After the show, the hallways leading to the dressing rooms were jammed with a steady stream of well wishers, with Jose Llana, the current King of Siam, playing the perfect host in dressing room 5. Check out my backstage coverage of the night.

Atsuhisa Shinomiya, Lance Roberts, Emilio Ramos, Kristen Faith Oei, Jon Viktor Corpuz, Julius Sermonia, Emily Stillings, Michiko Takemasa, Brian Rivera, Erin Quill, Jose Llana and Ashley Park backstage at the Vivian Beaumont Theater after The Actors Fund Special Performance of The King and I on September 20, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Thank you Merle Frimark for taking me to see The King and I as an early birthday present.

Publicist Merle Frimark, Joseph P. Benincasa, President & CEO, The Actors Fund and Lia Chang at the Vivian Beaumont Theater in New York on September 20, 2015. Photo by Annie Chun

Ali Ewoldt, MaryAnn Hu, Jose Llana, Ted Sperling, Orville Mendoza, Judy Kuhn backstage at the Vivian Beaumont Theater after The Actors Fund Special Performance of The King and I on September 20, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Jose Llana as The King. Photo by Lia Chang

Erin Quill and Ruthie Ann Miles backstage at the Vivian Beaumont Theater stage The Actors Fund Special Performance of The King and I on September 20, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Erin Quill, MaryAnn Hu, Orville Mendoza, Julia Murney and Jose Llana backstage at the Vivian Beaumont Theater after The Actors Fund Special Performance of The King and I on September 20, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Jose Llana and Ruthie Ann Miles backstage at the Vivian Beaumont Theater after The Actors Fund Special Performance of The King and I on September 20, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Erin Quill and Ruthie Ann Miles backstage at the Vivian Beaumont Theater after The Actors Fund Special Performance of The King and I on September 20, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Jose Llana and Lance Roberts backstage at the Vivian Beaumont Theater after The Actors Fund Special Performance of The King and I on September 20, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Paul Nakauchi, Ted Sperling, Ruthie Ann Miles, Kristen Faith Oei backstage at the Vivian Beaumont Theater after The Actors Fund Special Performance of The King and I on September 20, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Paul Nakauchi and Jon Viktor Corpuz backstage at the Vivian Beaumont Theater after The Actors Fund Special Performance of The King and I on September 20, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Lia Chang and Kelvin Moon Loh backstage at the Vivian Beaumont Theater after The Actors Fund Special Performance of The King and I on September 20, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Greg Schanuel and Paul Nakauchi backstage at the Vivian Beaumont Theater after The Actors Fund Special Performance of The King and I on September 20, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Jose Llana and Ashley Park backstage at the Vivian Beaumont Theater after The Actors Fund Special Performance of The King and I on September 20, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Lia Chang, Jose Llana and Ashley Park backstage at the Vivian Beaumont Theater after The Actors Fund Special Performance of The King and I on September 20, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Greg Schanuel, Paul Nakauchi and Orville Mendoza backstage at the Vivian Beaumont Theater after The Actors Fund Special Performance of The King and I on September 20, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Erin Quill, Jose Llana and Paul Nakauchi backstage at the Vivian Beaumont Theater after The Actors Fund Special Performance of The King and I on September 20, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Cast members of The King and I backstage at the Vivian Beaumont Theater after The Actors Fund Special Performance of The King and I on September 20, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Julius Sermonia, Kristen Faith Oei and Deon Ridley backstage at the Vivian Beaumont Theater after The Actors Fund Special Performance of The King and I on September 20, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Kristen Faith Oei, Emily Stillings, Deon Ridley, Julius Sermonia and Raji Kalra backstage at the Vivian Beaumont Theater after The Actors Fund Special Performance of The King and I on September 20, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Actors Fund Special Performances have been thrilling audiences for more than 80 years with an electric energy unlike any other night of theatre! Each year, Broadway companies, in New York and on the road, generously give their time and talent by adding a performance to already rigorous schedules to benefit The Actors Fund. In order to make Special Performances possible, members of Actors’ Equity Association, Associated Musicians of Greater New York, Local 802 AFM, Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers, Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers and United Scenic Artists Union, waive their compensation to help The Actors Fund continue its vital work.

Orville Mendoza, Ruthie Ann Miles, Lance Roberts, MaryAnn Hu, Eugene Ware-Hill, Timothy Ware-Hill backstage at the Vivian Beaumont Theater after The Actors Fund Special Performance of The King and I on September 20, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Serving professionals in film, theatre, television, music, opera, radio and dance, The Actors Fund’s programs include social services and emergency financial assistance, health care and insurance counseling, housing, and employment and training services. With offices in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, The Actors Fund has been-for 132 years-a safety net for those in need, crisis or transition. Visit www.actorsfund.org

Paul Nakauchi, Lia Chang, Ali Ewoldt and Jose Llana backstage at the Vivian Beaumont Theater after The Actors Fund Special Performance of The King and I on September 20, 2015. Photo by Erin Quill

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

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Crafting a Career

Richard Thomas. Photo by Lia Chang

Signature Theatre is presenting Incident at Vichy, written by Arthur Miller and directed by Michael Wilson, October 27 to December 6, 2015 with a Sunday, November 15 opening night in The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues). All tickets for the initial run of the production are $25 as part of the Signature Ticket Initiative: A Generation of Access. To purchase tickets for all Signature productions, call Ticket Services at 212-244-7529 (Tues. – Sun., 11am – 6pm) or visit signaturetheatre.org.

The powerhouse cast includes Emmy Award winner Richard Thomas (The Waltons), Tony Award nominees Jonathan Hadary (Gypsy) and Jonny Orsini (The Nance), and features David Abeles (Once), Curtis Billings (The Trip to Bountiful), James Carpinello (Rock of Ages), AJ Cedeño (Strawberry & Chocolate), Quinlan Corbett (Rosario and the Gypsies), Brian Cross (Desire), Demosthenes Chrysan (Golden Boy), Jonathan Gordon (Orphans), Alex Morf (Of Mice and Men), Darren Pettie (Butley), John Procaccino (The Qualms), Alec Shaw (Off-Broadway debut), Derek Smith (Desire) & Evan Zes (The Freedom of The City).

The design team includes Jeff Cowie (Scenic Design), David C. Woolard (Costume Design),David Lander (Lighting Design), John Gromada (Sound Design), Rocco DiSanti (Projection Design), Deborah Hecht (Dialect Coach) and Mark Olsen (Fight Direction). Robert Bennett is the Production Stage Manager. Casting by Telsey + Company, Karyn Casl, CSA.

Celebrating the Centennial of Arthur Miller’s birth, Incident at Vichy returns the work of the Pulitzer Prize winning playwright to Signature for the first time since his 1997-98 Residency. In Vichy, France at the height of World War II, nine men and a boy are rounded up under suspicious circumstances. As ominous reports of far-off camps and cattle cars packed with prisoners begin to circulate, the men battle over politics, philosophy and how to escape. Longtime Signature director Michael Wilson (Horton Foote’s The Old Friends and The Orphans’ Home Cycle) helms this haunting examination of the cold, bureaucratic efficiency of evil-and the shared humanity that might overcome it.

Richard Thomas starred in the award-winning series The Waltons, for which he won an Emmy Award for Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series, and has continued to star in series, films, plays, and over 50 movies for television. His theatre career began at age seven in 1958 with Broadway’s Sunrise at Campobello and continued with Fifth of July, The Seagull, The Front Page, Tiny Alice, Peer Gynt, Richard II, Richard III, Hamlet, The Stendhal Syndrome, Democracy, and A Naked Girl on the Appian Way, as well as the Broadway national tour of 12 Angry Men and Terrence McNally’s Unusual Acts of Devotion. His recent projects include David Mamet’s Race (Broadway), Timon of Athens (The Public Theater), Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays,, An Enemy of the People (Manhattan Theatre Club) and Othello (The Old Globe). Thomas starred in the series “Just Cause,” “It’s a Miracle,” and “The Adventures of Swiss Family Robinson.” His television films include Stephen King’s Nightmares & Dreamscapes and It, All Quiet on the Western Front, The Red Badge of Courage, The Master of Ballantrae, Johnny Belinda, Berlin Tunnel 21, Living Proof: The Hank Williams, Jr. Story, Hobson’s Choice, Roots: The Next Generations, Go Toward the Light, The Christmas Secret, Beyond the Prairie: The True Story of Laura Ingalls Wilder, Annie’s Point, Wild Hearts, and Hallmark’s Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. Thomas produced What Love Sees and For All Time for television and appeared in the films The Wonder Boys, Battle Beyond the Stars, The Todd Killings, Last Summer, Winning, Red Sky at Morning, Ang Lee’s Taking Woodstock, and the forthcoming Anesthesia. He most recently appeared as Jimmy Carter in Camp David at Arena Stage and as Paul Sycamore in You Can’t Take it With You on Broadway, and can currently be seen as Agent Frank Gaad on FX’s The Americans.

Lia Chang

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Video and Photos: Ping Chong, Meredith Monk, Miriam Colón, The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Stephen King, Sally Field and more receive 2014 National Medal of Arts; Jhumpa Lahiri among 2014 National Humanities Medal recipients
Harold Koda to Step Down After Leading Met Museum’s Costume Institute for 15 Years; Andrew Bolton to Become Curator In Charge of the Department
Multimedia: In the Costume Shop with Seven Guitars’ costume designer Karen Perry at Two River Theater
Portraits of New York Chinatown after 9/11
Broadwayworld.com: Photo Flash: Phylicia Rashad, Andre De Shields & More Original Cast Members from THE WIZ Reunite in Central Park!
BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA Cast Reunion featured in BLACK BELT MAGAZINE August/September 2015
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Crafting a Career

The Old Globe opens its 2015-2016 Season with IN YOUR ARMS, a World Premiere dance-theatre musical featuring direction and choreography by Tony Award winner Christopher Gattelli (Newsies, Godspell, Lincoln Center Theater’s The King and I and South Pacific) and original music by Tony Award winner Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime, Once on This Island; two-time Oscar nominee for Anastasia). The production opens tonight, September 24, and runs through October 25, 2015.

Among the full company, the stars can claim 18 Tony Awards, 4 Pulitzer Prizes, 6 Pulitzer finalist distinctions, 3 Emmy Awards, and 2 Academy Awards — to list all their honors would take several pages.

Co-conceived by Gattelli and Jennifer Manocherian, with lyrics by Flaherty’s longtime collaborator, Tony and Emmy Award winner Lynn Ahrens, on the title song, IN YOUR ARMS features 10 dance vignettes written by an incredible and diverse lineup of theatre powerhouses, including Douglas Carter Beane, Nilo Cruz, Christopher Durang, Carrie Fisher, David Henry Hwang, Rajiv Joseph, Terrence McNally, Marsha Norman, Lynn Nottage, and Alfred Uhry.

The cast features Marija Juliette Abney (Broadway’s After Midnight, The Lion King), Stephen Bienskie (Silence! The Musical, The Fix), Henry Byalikov (“So You Think You Can Dance Australia,” Broadway’s Burn the Floor), Claire Camp (Super Fly, Flashdance The Musical),George Chakiris (Academy Award for playing Bernardo in West Side Story film), Spencer Clark(The Winter’s Tale at The Public Theater), Jeremy Davis (South Pacific, Billy Elliot), Jenn Harris (Silence! The Musical, Lucille Lortel and Theatre World Awards for Modern Orthodox Off Broadway), Glenda Sol Koeraus (known internationally as “La Argentinita”), Jess LeProtto (“So You Think You Can Dance,” Broadway’s Newsies, On the Town), Donna McKechnie (Tony Award for playing Cassie in original Broadway A Chorus Line), Adesola Osakalumi (Fela!, Equus), Karine Plantadit (Tony nomination for Broadway’s Come Fly Away, Astaire Award for After Midnight), Hayley Podschun (Broadway’s Chaplin, Anything Goes, Pal Joey), Jonathan Sharp (Fiddler on the Roof, The Red Shoes), Ryan Steele (Astaire Award nominee for Newsies, Matilda The Musical, Billy Elliot: The Musical), Brendon Stimson (Newsies, Honeymoon in Vegas, West Side Story), Alex Michael Stoll (West Side Story, Evita), Samantha Sturm (original Broadway casts of Matilda The Musical, The Addams Family, Nice Work If You Can Get It), Oscar Valero (Fuerza, El Swing del Flamenco, Met Opera’s Carmen, La Traviata), Erica Wong (company member of Ballet Theatre of Maryland and Milwaukee Ballet), and Lyrica Woodruff (Susan Stroman’s Little Dancer, two seasons on “Boston Public”).

The creative team includes Derek McLane (Scenic Design), Jess Goldstein (Costume Design), Donald Holder (Lighting Design), Peter Hylenski (Sound Design), Olivia Sebesky (Projection Design), Michael Starobin (Orchestrator), Steven Malone (Music Director), Larry Reed/ShadowLight (Shadow Sequence Design), Telsey + Company, Abbie Brady-Dalton, CSA (Casting), Mark Myars (Associate Choreographer), and Michael Domue (Production Stage Manager).

IN YOUR ARMS is a sweeping and romantic evening of theatre created by an unprecedented constellation of America’s preeminent writers for the stage. Ten dance vignettes tell wordless stories of love, yearning, and romance, and constitute a magical evening of movement and music performed by a cast of 22 talented dancers. Each vignette takes place in a different place and time, and the 10 dances range from duets to large ensemble numbers. Thrilling styles of dance from classical ballet to swing, tap to tango, rock ‘n’ roll to Charleston, modern to jazz are celebrated with verve and nuance. The emotional canvas of the stories is vast: some are funny, some are sad, and some are enchanting, but all delve deep into that most essential of human emotions: love.

A workshop production of IN YOUR ARMS was presented by New York Stage and Film & Vassar at the Powerhouse Theater, Summer 2014. It is produced by arrangement with Jennifer Manocherian, Scott Landis, and Harriet Newman Leve.

Part of The Old Globe’s yearlong celebration of its own 80th Anniversary and the Centennial of Balboa Park’s Panama-California Exposition, IN YOUR ARMS will run through October 25, 2015 on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Globe’s Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Preview performances run September 16 – September 23. Opening night is tonight, September 24. Subscription tickets to the Globe’s 2015-2016 Season range from $110 to $647. Single tickets are on sale now and start at $36. Tickets can be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE or by visiting the Box Office at 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park.

All photos by Carol Rosegg

Photo Flash: First Look - Iconic Writers, Graceful Dancers Bring Gattelli & Flaherty's IN YOUR ARMS to Life at The Old Globe
George Chakiris and Donna McKechnie (center) with the cast in Terrence McNally’s vignette SAND DANCING.

Photo Flash: First Look - Iconic Writers, Graceful Dancers Bring Gattelli & Flaherty's IN YOUR ARMS to Life at The Old Globe
George Chakiris and Donna McKechnie in Terrence McNally’s vignette SAND DANCING.

Photo Flash: First Look - Iconic Writers, Graceful Dancers Bring Gattelli & Flaherty's IN YOUR ARMS to Life at The Old Globe
Donna McKechnie and the cast perform the title number of the world premiere musical IN YOUR ARMS.

Photo Flash: First Look - Iconic Writers, Graceful Dancers Bring Gattelli & Flaherty's IN YOUR ARMS to Life at The Old Globe
Samantha Sturm (center) with the cast in Carrie Fisher’s vignette LOWDOWN MESSY SHAME.

Photo Flash: First Look - Iconic Writers, Graceful Dancers Bring Gattelli & Flaherty's IN YOUR ARMS to Life at The Old Globe
Samantha Sturm and Jess LeProtto in Carrie Fisher’s vignette LOWDOWN MESSY SHAME.

Photo Flash: First Look - Iconic Writers, Graceful Dancers Bring Gattelli & Flaherty's IN YOUR ARMS to Life at The Old Globe
Jonathan Sharp (foreground) with the cast in Douglas Carter Beane’s vignette ARTISTS AND MODELS, 1929.

Photo Flash: First Look - Iconic Writers, Graceful Dancers Bring Gattelli & Flaherty's IN YOUR ARMS to Life at The Old Globe
Ryan Steele and Jonathan Sharp in Douglas Carter Beane’s vignette ARTISTS AND MODELS, 1929.

Photo Flash: First Look - Iconic Writers, Graceful Dancers Bring Gattelli & Flaherty's IN YOUR ARMS to Life at The Old Globe
Hayley Podschun and Brendon Stimson in Alfred Uhry’s vignette LOVE WITH THE TOP DOWN.

Photo Flash: First Look - Iconic Writers, Graceful Dancers Bring Gattelli & Flaherty's IN YOUR ARMS to Life at The Old Globe
Karine Plantadit and Henry Byalikov in Marsha Norman’s vignette LIFE LONG LOVE.

Photo Flash: First Look - Iconic Writers, Graceful Dancers Bring Gattelli & Flaherty's IN YOUR ARMS to Life at The Old Globe
Stephen Bienskie and Jenn Harris (foreground) with the cast in Christopher Durang’s vignette THE DANCE CONTEST.

Photo Flash: First Look - Iconic Writers, Graceful Dancers Bring Gattelli & Flaherty's IN YOUR ARMS to Life at The Old Globe
(foreground, from left) Stephen Bienskie, Jenn Harris, Henry Byalikov, and Hayley Podschun with the cast in Christopher Durang’s vignette THE DANCE CONTEST.

Photo Flash: First Look - Iconic Writers, Graceful Dancers Bring Gattelli & Flaherty's IN YOUR ARMS to Life at The Old Globe
(foreground) Glenda Sol Koeraus and Oscar Valero with the cast in Nilo Cruz’s vignette THE LOVER’S JACKET.

Photo Flash: First Look - Iconic Writers, Graceful Dancers Bring Gattelli & Flaherty's IN YOUR ARMS to Life at The Old Globe
Glenda Sol Koeraus and Henry Byalikov (foreground) with the cast in Nilo Cruz’s vignette THE LOVER’S JACKET.

Photo Flash: First Look - Iconic Writers, Graceful Dancers Bring Gattelli & Flaherty's IN YOUR ARMS to Life at The Old Globe
(foreground) Henry Byalikov and Glenda Sol Koeraus with (background, from left) Ryan Steele and Oscar Valero inNilo Cruz’s THE LOVER’S JACKET.

Photo Flash: First Look - Iconic Writers, Graceful Dancers Bring Gattelli & Flaherty's IN YOUR ARMS to Life at The Old Globe
Erica Wong and Alex Michael Stoll in David Henry Hwang’s vignette WHITE SNAKE.

Photo Flash: First Look - Iconic Writers, Graceful Dancers Bring Gattelli & Flaherty's IN YOUR ARMS to Life at The Old Globe
Erica Wong and Alex Michael Stoll (center) with the cast in David Henry Hwang’s vignette WHITE SNAKE.

Photo Flash: First Look - Iconic Writers, Graceful Dancers Bring Gattelli & Flaherty's IN YOUR ARMS to Life at The Old Globe
Spencer Clark and Lyrica Woodruff in PROLOGUE.

Photo Flash: First Look - Iconic Writers, Graceful Dancers Bring Gattelli & Flaherty's IN YOUR ARMS to Life at The Old Globe
Adesola Osakalumi and Marija Juliette Abney in Lynn Nottage’s vignette A WEDDING DANCE.

Photo Flash: First Look - Iconic Writers, Graceful Dancers Bring Gattelli & Flaherty's IN YOUR ARMS to Life at The Old Globe
Jeremy Davis and Claire Camp in Rajiv Joseph’s vignette INTERGALACTIC PLANETARY.

Lia Chang

Over a two-year sojourn more than a century ago, Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) and his wife Olivia lived at Wave Hill House, situated on a sprawling garden oasis located in the Bronx overlooking the Hudson River and Palisades. Olivia was ill and required “quiet seclusion” to regain her health. After hearing about their relationship and their love letters, sculptor David McQueen was inspired to create Field Notes to an Imagined Narrative, Bridging Isolation, currently on view in Glyndor Gallery in the Wave Hill Cultural Center and on the grounds of Wave Hill through November 29th.

Sculpture and installation artist David McQueen’s Field Notes to an Imagined Narrative, Bridging Isolation is currently on view through November 29th at Wave Hill in the Bronx. Photo by Lia Chang

Visitors are encouraged to walk the same grounds the Clemens’ so loved to discover fragments of their long-ago story. The objects and drawings McQueen presents as “field notes” belong to an imagined narrative in which husband and wife construct elaborate mechanisms to communicate, thereby maintaining their intimacy despite Olivia’s prescribed isolation.

David McQueen "...then I could hear you clear your throat and it would be such a joy to feel you near." Photo by Lia Chang

“I found their story to be fantastically romantic. It was not difficult to project myself into the era,” said McQueen.

David McQueen
…the flooding sunshine, the fire of big logs, the white expanse of cushioned snow and the incomparable river., 2015
Vintage chandelier and sconces, re-purposed Underwood typewriter, momentary switches, brass, wood, wire
14’ x 4’ x 6’
Courtesy of the artist and Kim Foster Gallery

McQueen’s site specific installation includes such unlikely components as gramophone horns installed into a favorite chestnut tree, so that writing outdoors, in the afternoons, Clemens would still be able to hear his beloved’s daily singing. He envisions telescopes and mirrors installed at angles so that husband and wife might catch glimpses of one another throughout the day.

David McQueen "…the joy-light in one’s eyes and one’s own heart on the skewer." Photo by Lia Chang

In McQueen’s narrative, the use of a double-wired chandelier and sconces in Olivia’s sickroom would enable Samuel to know exactly where he was on the property. Gramophone horns have been installed around the property to transmit the sounds heard in the gardens, and the installation includes a rewired chandelier and sconces, as well as “recovered” telescopes and mirrors, all articulations of being together when you can’t be together.

David McQueen Double Wired Chandelier (work in progress) for Wave Hill installation, 2015 Dimensions variable Courtesy of the artist

David McQueen is a sculptor and installation artist living and working in Brooklyn, New York. He is represented by Kim Foster Gallery in New York. His work has been shown at Wayfarers, DUMBO Arts Center and at Parker’s Box in Brooklyn, NY; Delaware Center for Contemporary Art, Wilmington, DE; and The Bronx Museum of the Arts, Bronx, NY. He is a 2011 NYFA Fellow in sculpture, and received an MFA in sculpture from Virginia Commonwealth University and a BA from Oberlin College. He is also the Arts director for Advancement for Rural Kids (ARK), an impact organization that provides feeding programs, scholarships and arts education for children in rural provinces of the Philippines.

David McQueen
“…then I could hear you clear your throat and it would be such a joy to feel you near.” Photo by Lia Chang

Exhibition-Related Public Programs

Unless stated otherwise, all public programs listed here are free with admission to the grounds and do not require pre-registration. Related public programs include:

Exhibiting Artists and Curator Talk : Saturday, November 7, 2PM.

Gallery Tours: Wave Hill’s Curatorial Fellow leads guided tours take place Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2PM.

Wave Hill is located at West 249th St and Independence Ave Bronx, NY 10471-2899. For more information call 718-549-3200 or click here.

Support for the Visual Arts Program is provided by Lily Auchincloss Foundation, Inc., the Milton & Sally Avery Arts Foundation, The New York Community Trust, New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, and by the Cathy and Stephen Weinroth Commissioning Fund for the Arts. The family art project is generously sponsored by Target, with additional support provided by Cleveland H. Dodge Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts. Sustaining support is provided by the Sally and Gilbert Kerlin Endowment for Environmental Science and Nature Education. Support for Public Programs is provided by the William Froelich Foundation. Support for Garden Programs is provided by the Hagedorn Fund. The Institution’s operations are made possible in part by public funds provided through the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

Lia Chang

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Crafting a Career

Lucas Hnath

Lucas Hnath is the recipient of the 2015 Kesselring Prize for playwrighting for his new play THE CHRISTIANS, directed by Les Waters, which recently opened to considerable acclaim Off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizon in New York and has been extended through October 25th.

THE CHRISTIANS is a co-production of Playwrights Horizons and Center Theatre Group. Following the New York run, THE CHRISTIANS will be presented by Center Theatre Group in its Los Angeles premiere at The Mark Taper Forum from December 2, 2015 through January 10, 2016, with an Opening Night of December 13. Mr. Hnath was submitted by The Actors Theatre of Louisville for THE CHRISTIANS, which debuted there at the Humana Festival.

Linda Powell, Andrew Garmon, Larry Powell, Richard Henzel and the Choir in “The Christians.” at the 38th Humana Festival of New American Plays at Actors Theatre of Louisville. (Photo by Michael Brosilow)

The Kesselring Prize for playwriting – given by the National Arts Club in New York since 1980 – returns this year following a six-year hiatus. The Kesselring Prize comes with a cash award of $10,000; the honorable mention winner receives $2,000.

The jury for the 2015 Kesselring Prize consisted of playwright John Guare (THE HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES), Anne Cattaneo (dramaturg Lincoln Center Theater) and Lynn Nottage (RUINED, SWEAT, recipient of a 2003 Kesselring Award). Michael Parva, Artistic Director of the Directors Company in NYC, serves as Artistic Advisor of the Kesselring Prize.

The jury awarded James Ijames an Honorable Mention for his play THE MOST SPECTACULARLY LAMENTABLE TRIAL OF MIZ MARTHA WASHINGTON, submitted by the Wilma Theatre in Philadelphia.

Prior to the award to Mr. Hnath, the most recent Kesselring Award was given in 2009.

Begun in 1980 by the National Arts Club, the Kesselring Prize –established by Charlotte Kesselring in memory of her husband and long-time NAC member Joseph Kesselring, author of the comedy classic ARSENIC AND OLD LACE – honors a not-yet nationally-recognized playwright with an honorarium to support development of future work. Each year, up to 18 theatres are invited by the NAC to nominate a play and playwright whose work they have produced. In addition to the Actors Theatre and Wilma, other theatres who nominated writers this year included South Coast Repertory, Woolly Mammoth Theatre, Long Wharf, Steppenwolf, Vineyard, La Jolla, The Culture Project, Abingdon, Magic Theatre and Alliance Theater. According to Mr. Parva, the list of nominating theaters changes year to year.

Previous recipients of the Kesselring include: Tony Kushner, Anna Deavere Smith, Nicky Silver, David Auburn, Melissa James Gibson and Rajiv Joseph.

Playwrights Hnath and Ijames will be honored at The Kesselring Prize Reception and Dinner on November 22 at the National Arts Club.

Lucas Hnath’s previous plays include A PUBLIC READING OF AN UNPRODUCED SCREENPLAY ABOUT THE DEATH OF WALT DISNEY and DEATH TAX.

Lia Chang

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Crafting a Career

Opening night of Two River Theater’s Seven Guitars, directed by Brandon J. Dirden in Red Bank, NJ on September 18, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Opening night applause and photos.

Seven Guitars director Brandon J. Dirden, Two River Theater Artistic Director John Dias. Photo by Lia Chang

Run, don’t walk to the critically acclaimed production of August Wilson’s Seven Guitars at Two River Theater in Red Bank, NJ., with award-winning actor Brandon J. Dirden (All the Way, The Americans) making his self-assured directorial debut. Performances will continue through Sunday, October 4 in Two River’s Rechnitz Theater, 21 Bridge Avenue, Red Bank, NJ.

The cast of Seven Guitars including his brother Jason Dirden (A Raisin in the Sun, Fences) as Canewell, his wife Crystal A. Dickinson (You Can’t Take It With You, Clybourne Park) as Louise, Kevin Mambo as Floyd Barton, Christina Acosta Robinson as Vera, Brian D. Coats as Hedley, Charlie Hudson III (A Raisin in the Sun) as Red Carter and Brittany Bellizeare as Ruby, enjoyed a standing ovation at their curtain call.

Charlie Hudson III, Jason Dirden, Kevin Mambo, Crystal Dickinson, Brandon J. Dirden, Christina Acosta Robinson, Brittany Bellizeare, Brian D. Coats. Photo by Lia Chang

What the critics are saying:

“The extremely talented cast make Seven Guitars a must-see show this fall.” – BroadwayWorld.com

“You will go far and wait long to find a collaborative success to equal Seven Guitars… It is a marvel.” – Scene on Stage

“It’s a must-see. And with this cast, it’s doubly essential to catch this while you can.” – triCity News

“Canewell’s summary of what it is to love and be loved is up there with any Hamlet speech, while Jason Dirden’s mesmerising performance reaches the point of pinnacle through his visceral honesty and subtlety.” – Auditorium Magazine

“…Ringing out with all the power and emotion that made Wilson among the most celebrated of contemporary playwrights.” – NJ.com

The fight direction is by Unkle Dave’s Fight-House, the casting is by Heidi Griffiths & Kate Murray, and the production stage manager is Laura Wilson.

Jason Dirden, Crystal A. Dickinson, Brandon J. Dirden. Photo by Lia Chang

Jason Dirden, Mrs. Dirden, Crystal A. Dickinson, Brandon J. Dirden, Willie Dirden. Photo by Lia Chang

Andre Blake, Kevin Mambo, Keith Johnston and Keith Josef Adkins. Photo by Lia Chang

Ayo Oneke Cummings, Crystal A. Dickinson, Kaliswa Brewster, Toccarra Cash, Brittany Bellizeare, Lakisha May. Photo by Lia Chang

Calendar
Wednesday, September 30 at 1pm and 7pm
Thursday, October 1 at 10 am (student matinee) and 8pm
Friday, October 2 at 8pm
Saturday, October 3 at 3pm and 8pm
Sunday, October 4 at 3pm

Terria Joseph, Michael Cumptsy, Nikiya Mathis, Stacey Sergeant and Elain Graham. Photo by Lia Chang

In the costume shop with Karen Perry.

Brandon J. Dirden and Lia Chang. Photo by GK

Lia Chang

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Crafting a Career

HIDE AND SEEK, my award-winning short film that I co-produced, co-wrote and star in with my Bev’s Girl Films’ producing partner Garth Kravits, will have its Philadelphia premiere as an Official Selection at The 2015 Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival (PAAFF15).

The 2015 Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival will be held from November 12-22, 2015. HIDE AND SEEK will screen as part of the Women’s Shorts program on Saturday, November 21, 2015. Click here for scheduling updates.

The producing team of Bev’s Girl Films – Best Actress nominee Lia Chang and Garth Kravits for their debut short film, Hide and Seek (Top Ten Film for 72 Hour Shootout)

Kravits also directed, edited and scored the film, in addition to sharing camera operator duties with Evan Daves. Daves and Alicia Manns also appear in the film.

Lia Chang in Hide and Seek. Photo by GK

Hide and Seek speaks to the societal challenge that women, and especially women of color, endure every day. To look in the mirror and to hope to see a face other than your own. One that is closer to what magazines, television and movies define as beautiful or even normal. What face do you see when you look in the mirror?

Lia Chang and Garth Kravits in Hide and Seek. Photo by Evan Daves

Hide and Seek is a very personal film to me as I got my start in front of the camera as a model at the age of 15, before honing my craft in film, television and theater.

Garth Kravits. Photo by Lia Chang

Garth Kravits is an actor, singer, musician and composer and award winning filmmaker. On television, Kravits has guest starred on 30 Rock, The Blacklist, Nurse Jackie, Hostages, Tin Man and The Carrie Diaries and played opposite Keanu Reeves in the feature film Sweet November.

Lia Chang

Lia Chang is an award-winning filmmaker, a Best Actress nominee, a photographer, and the Arts and Entertainment reporter for AsAmNews.com. Chang recently received a Best Actress nomination at the 2015 Asian American Film Lab 72 Hour Shootout. 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 a Scripps Howard New Media Fellow at Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism, a Visual Journalism Fellow at the Poynter Institute for New Media and a Western Knight Fellow at USC’s Annenberg College of Communications for Specialized Journalism on Entertainment Journalism in the Digital Age. She is the recipient of the AAJA 2001 National Award for New Media and the OCA 2000 Chinese American Journalist Award. Avenue Magazine named her one of the “One Hundred Most Influential Asian Americans”. She is featured in Joann Faung Jean Lee’s book Asian American actors: oral histories from stage, screen, and television. She is profiled in FebOne1960.com Blog, Jade Magazine and Playbill.com.

Broadway’s Allegiance, a new musical inspired by George Takei’s true-life story, begins previews on October 6th, with an opening night set for November 8th at the Longacre Theatre (220 West 48th Street). It features a book by Marc Acito and music and lyrics by Jay Kuo. Olivier Award nominee Stafford Arima (London’s Ragtime, Off-Broadway’s Bare, Carrie, Altar Boyz) directs.

The cast of Allegiance includes: George Takei as Sam Kimura/Ojii San; Lea Salonga as Kei Kimura; Telly Leung as Sammy Kimura; Christopheren Nomura as Tatsuo Kimura; Michael K. Lee as Frankie Suzuki; Katie Rose Clarke as Hannah Campbell and Greg Watanabe as Mike Masaoka. The ensemble will feature Aaron J. Albano, Belinda Allyn, Marcus Choi, Janelle Dote, Dan Horn, Owen Johnston, Darren Lee, Kevin Munhall, Manna Nichols, Rumi Oyama, Catherine Ricafort, Momoko Sugai, Sam Tanabe, Elena Wang, Scott Watanabe and Scott Wise.

The cast of Allegiance at a press preview at the Longacre Theatre. Photo courtesy of Allegiance/Facebook

Inspired by the true-life experience of its star George Takei (Star Trek, Heroes), Allegiance follows one family’s extraordinary journey in this untold American story. A mysterious envelope leads Sam Kimura (Takei) back 60 years to a time when he (played as a young man by Telly Leung — Godspell, Glee) and his sister Kei (Tony winner Lea Salonga — Miss Saigon, Mulan) strive to save their family from the wrongful imprisonment of Japanese Americans during World War II. Sam enlists in the army to prove the Kimura’s loyalty, but Kei joins draft resisters fighting for the rights of their people. Their paths take them from the lush farmlands of California to the wastelands of Wyoming to the battlefields of Europe, and their divided loyalties threaten to tear them apart forever. But as long-lost memories are unlocked, Sam finds that it is never too late to forgive and to recognize the redemptive power of love.

Lea Salonga. Photo by Lia Chang

“I’m excited to be witnessing George Takei make his Broadway debut at the age of 78, and to be working with this company,” said Salonga at a press preview. “To get to work with Telly Leung, who made his Broadway debut with me in Flower Drum Song, to get to work with so many people who are making their Broadway debuts, it’s nice to be able to see that. We are doing this in a real entertainment community, where every show is not just a show, but it’s a family of people working to tell a story. And in every Broadway theater, that is what happens and I’m only too proud to be a part of that history.”

Click here to purchase tickets. For more information go to www.AllegianceMusical.com

Broadway.com: Lea Salonga, George Takei and Telly Leung Talk the True-Life Inspiration Behind Broadway’s ALLEGIANCE

Broadway.com: Lea Salonga Sings “Higher” from the New Broadway Musical ALLEGIANCE

Broadway.com: Telly Leung and Katie Rose Clarke Sing “I Oughta Go” from ALLEGIANCE

Broadway.com: First Look at Michael K. Lee and the company of ALLEGIANCE singing “Paradise” from the New Broadway Musical ALLEGIANCE

Lia Chang

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Crafting a Career

Richarda Abrams

Roust Theatre Company is presenting the Off-Broadway world premiere of HOMELESS AND HOW WE GOT THAT WAY, a new play by Dan McCormick starring Richarda Abrams and Brian Hickey, at the Access Theatre (380 Broadway, one block below Canal St.), with previews starting October 22 prior to a press opening October 25. James Phillip Gates directs.

The author of the award-winning play THE MORONS at the 1^st Irish Play Festival, Mr. McCormick takes on one of the most enduring social taboos with HOMELESS AND HOW WE GOT THAT WAY, a full-length, two-character one-act play about what happens when two veterans of homelessness – Eloise and Sidney – have their fragile world rocked by a vicious murder in their community. This launches them on a journey to seek safe haven in each other, not only from the ravages of street life, but to reveal the dark truth about how they came to be where they are, and the freedom those revelations ultimately provide.

Richarda Abrams (Eloise) has appeared in Suzan Lori-Parks IN THE BLOOD at The Public Theatre along with ASCENSION at the NY Fringe Festival and the solo play HARRIET’S RETURN about Harriet Tubman for The Acting Company. Brian Hickey (Sidney) has performed most frequently in Chicago – receiving Joseph Jefferson Award nominations – in leading productions of CANDIDE, WHO KILLED SANTA CLAUS and the title role in THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN.

Dan McCormick’s play THE MORONS received the Best Production award in the First Irish Play Festival. He has had staged readings of his plays at New Jersey Rep, The Middletown Arts Center and The Actor’s Chapel in NYC. His play ON THE DAY AND THE DAYS THAT FOLLOWED about 9/11 has been accepted into the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum’s Artists Registry and has been performed at Universities and High Schools around the country. He is a member of the Actors Studio Playwrights collective.

Director James Philip Gates is Artistic Director of Roust Theatre Company, having previously founded the London-based award-winning company DRAMARAMA. He directed Roust’s productions of Brecht’s THE PRIVATE LIFE OF THE MASTER RACE, Jose Rivera’s CLOUD TECTONICS, Lee Blessing’s TWO ROOMS and MACBETH. He is a member of The Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab.

Roust Theatre Company is dedicated to radical and epoch-making theatre, aiming to challenge and inspire the audience, and producing theatre that can and does make a difference in the world. Roust believes it is the duty of theatre “to break the grip of mass media, which dilutes the community consciousness.” Past productions include Brecht’s THE PRIVATE LIFE OF THE MASTER RACE, CLOUD TECTONICS, TWO ROOMS, MACBETH and THE ELEPHANT IN MY CLOSET. Last spring, Roust presented the Off-Broadway premiere of JANKA, Oscar Speace’s powerful, moving real-life account of his mother’s remarkable survival following incarceration during the Holocaust. Tracy Hostmyer is Roust’s Producing/Executive Director.

Scenic design for HOMELESS is by Kevin Kedroe, recent art director on the student Academy Award finalist short ‘Samaria’; lighting design is by Travis Sawyer – NYU Tisch School’s architectural light designer; Bill Gilinsky is Production Stage Manager.

HOMELESS AND HOW I GOT THAT WAY will perform Thursday October 22 – Sunday October 25, Thursday October 29 – Sunday November 1, Thursday November 5 – Sunday November 8, Wednesday November 11 – Saturday November 14

TIME: All shows 8pm, except Sundays at 3pm

VENUE: Access Theater, 380 Broadway, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10013 (TriBeCa).

TICKETS: All tickets $18

Advance ticket purchase via Brown Paper Tickets

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2332719

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, which will screen at the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival on November 21st. She is profiled in FebOne1960.com Blog, Jade Magazine and Playbill.com.

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AsAmNews.com: Jaygee Macapugay set for Broadway Debut in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s School of Rock-The Musical
AsAmNews.com: The King and I’s Special Performance Benefits The Actors Fund
Playbill.com: Hugs, Laughs and Photobombs By Tony Winners! Go Backstage at the Special Actors Fund Performance of The King and I
Broadwayworld.com: Photo Flash: Phylicia Rashad, Andre De Shields & More Original Cast Members from THE WIZ Reunite in Central Park!
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
AsAmNews.com: Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Ruby Yang talks about her new film, My Voice, My Life
AsAmNews.com: Actor Tzi Ma Rides ‘Hell On Wheels’ to New Heights
AsAmNews.com: What’s Next for Sesame Street’s Alan Muraoka, Director of Critically Acclaimed The Report
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AsAmNews.com: Arthur Dong’s Forbidden City, USA: Chinese American Nightclubs, 1936-1970 wins American Book Award
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Playbill.com: Retweet! BroadwayGirlNYC’s Picks For Most Useful Theatre Women on Social Media
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Crafting a Career

The inaugural New York Hakka Conference,“RECLAIMING OUR HAKKA HERITAGE”co-sponsored with the A/P/A Institute at NYU, takes place on Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18, 2015 at the Cantor Film Center (36 E. 8^th St) on the NYU campus.

The opening night welcome reception will kick off on Friday, October 16, 2015 at the Museum of Chinese in America (MoCA) from 6:00pm -9:00pm. This event will celebrate and pay tribute to Jamaican musician Byron Lee. As the founder and leader of Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, Byron Lee made the sounds and flavors of Caribbean calypso music appreciated all around the world. The New York Hakka Conference organizers will present the Hakka Achievement Award to Ms. Julianne Lee, daughter of Byron Lee. Please RSVP for the reception by Wednesday, October 14th to rsvp@pantherpr.biz.

Paula Madison and Dr. Keith Lowe

Saturday’s schedule of panel discussions include a wide range of topics such as race and culture with a screening of Paula Madison’s compelling documentary, Finding Samuel Lowe: From Harlem to China, which chronicles her search for the descendants of her Chinese grandfather; the historical importance of the Chinese cemeteries; a panel of Chinese business owners and entrepreneurs including Butch Hendrickson (National Baking Company and Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa, St. Lucia) and Vincent HoSang (Caribbean Food Delights) will discuss Chinese entrepreneurship in the Caribbean; and author Linda Lau Anusasananan (The Hakka Cookbook: Chinese Soul Food From Around the World) will discuss Hakka cuisine.

Sunday’s schedule includes a screening of filmmaker Jeanette Kong’s documentary, Half which details the poignant story of a mixed race man raised in China who struggles to re-assimilate into American life; a study of Hakka architecture led by Prof. Ruifeng Lang; a discussion on Caribbean music and art led by record label executive Randy Chin, of the pioneering Chin family – owners of VP Records; a discussion led by Dr. Martin Tsang, Florida International University, on Afro-Chinese religious practices in Cuba; and poetry readings from the literary works of Easton Lee.

The conference is the lead by Dr. Keith Lowe, who also co-founded the quadrennial Hakka conference in Toronto. This is event marks the first such gathering in the U.S.

The conference is open to the public. Discounted registration rates are available for students (with proof of student identification). Registration and a full schedule of events information can be found here.

This conference aims to educate persons of Chinese and Hakka-Chinese descent in retaining and adapting their traditional culture. It is open to all interested persons, including students and staff of New York University.

The official website is www.NYHakkaConference.com, Facebook – NYHakkaConference and Twitter- @NYHakkaConf

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, which will screen at the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival on November 21st. She is profiled in FebOne1960.com Blog, Jade Magazine and Playbill.com.

New York, NY—This afternoon, workers from B&H Photo and their families launched a union campaign representing over 150 warehouse workers, with worker-led group Laundry Workers Center and the United Steelworkers, calling for the NY-based photo and video giant to fix dangerous workplace conditions, end discrimination against Latino employees, and stop wage theft at their two Brooklyn warehouses.

“We decided to change the conditions in our workplace. We demand respect and to be treated as human beings,” said Raul Pedraza, a B&H warehouse worker for over 6 years.

The workers described shocking conditions at B&H Photo warehouses. Employees are told to unload or carry extremely heavy loads, without sufficient help or safety training. Pallets are often stacked more than 15 feet high, and workers operating the heavy machinery to unload the pallets are rarely trained. Other workers are forced to carry heavy loads alone and suffer back injuries. Dust is constantly in the air, and the rooms are extremely hot and dirty. “My nose bleeds two or three times a day sometimes,” said B&H worker Silverio Cano. “I went to the doctor, and she told me that the nosebleeds were caused by the dust in the warehouse.”

Workers say they are not permitted to use emergency exits. During a recent fire at the warehouse, “there was a ton of smoke, but we continued working, even when the room filled with smoke,” recalled B&H Photo worker Baltizar Martinez. “When we were finally allowed to leave, we had to go through the metal detectors. This process lasted for a half hour. When we got outside, there were 50 firefighters and a helicopter, and imagine! We had been inside, working, this whole time.” After the fire, nothing changed. “The alarm goes off from time to time, but no one pays it any attention,” said Martinez.

B&H workers detail erratic and oppressive scheduling, working from 7:30am until whenever management says they can leave—often as late as 11pm. Workers say they are not allowed to take the meals and rest breaks required by law, nor use their cell phones to reach their families. On the heels of a number of discrimination settlements at B&H, the campaign alleges significant discrimination against Latino workers, who are verbally abused and paid substantially less than other warehouse employees, many of whom are Orthodox Satmar Jews.

The workers leading the B&H campaign have trained with Laundry Workers Center for over a year, learning about their rights in the workplace as immigrant workers. The Laundry Workers Center is a grassroots group training workers to take action and better their jobs, lives and communities. “There is no justice except the justice you make for yourself,” said Mahoma López, co-executive director of Laundry Workers Center.

Now workers are forming a union with United Steelworkers, and demand that B&H formally recognize their union. “The managers and the owners act as if they have the right to do whatever they want,” said Martinez. “But it shouldn’t be that way. We have rights too.”

FAM (Filipino American Museum) is celebrating Filipino American History Month with an unprecedented weekend-long production of Jose Rizal’s NOLI ME TANGERE – his seminal work that defined Filipino national identity. MANHATTAN READS RIZAL is an immersive marathon production that pushes the boundaries of theater, multidisciplinary performance, and literary presentation.

SCHEDULE
SAT 10/17, 12-2pm
Noli Me Tangere: The Dinner Party
http://nolimetangeresat.brownpapertickets.com/
FAM presents a dinner party out of the 1800’s. Join a cast of characters from religious zealots to military officers to socialites as they navigate the social mores and complicated politics of late 19th century colonial Philippines. Eat lunch and observe the happenings of the first three chapters of the seminal Jose Rizal novel Noli Me Tangere as the characters come to life around you.

Ken Leung helms a cast that featuring Alan Ariano, Quinn Coughlin, Ron Domingo, Marshall Factora, Jessica Hagedorn, Jose Llana, PJ Policarpio, Dan Raymond, Moses Villarama and Ching Valdes-Aran.

General (includes lunch buffet): $30 online / $40 at the door
Weekend Pass (includes lunch buffet and admission to 3:30pm Sunday and 6:30pm Monday shows): $40 online / $50 at the door.
Buy Tickets

SUN 10/18, 3:30-8pm
Noli Me Tangere: The Marathon
FAM presents a marathon reading of the seminal Jose Rizal novel Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not) . Artists, actors, dancers, activists read from the novel that shaped a national identity. Come hear the story of a colonized society and all the secrets, conspiracies, heroes and villains that result from a fractured country’s subconscious.

Featuring Marilyn Abalos, Stella Abrera, Patricia Astorga, Harold Augenbraum, Rechelle Balanzat, Liz Casasola, Maha Chelaoui, Luis Francia, Rio Guerrero, Maia Cruz Palileo, Christelle de Castro, Lorial Crowder, Avena Gallagher, Cecilia Pagkalinawan, Nicole Ponseca, Bino Realuyo, Steven Raga, Patrick Rosal, Ninotchka Rosca, Jon Santos, Sophia Skiles, Paz Tanjuaquio, Aldrin Valdez, Grace Villamil and Jaret Vadera.
Tickets: $7 online / $10 at the door Buy Tickets

MON 10/19, 6-8pm
Jose Rizal: What Tomorrow Brings
FAM presents as a close to its exploration of Noli Me Tangere, a continuation of the marathon and musings from some of Rizal’s most ardent and distinguished fans: what can a community learn from its hero’s words?
Featuring Gina Apostol, Stephen Decker, K Rizz and more.

Tickets: $7 online / $10 at the door. Buy Tickets

Lia Chang

Lia Chang is an award-winning filmmaker, a Best Actress nominee, a special events and performing arts 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, which will screen at the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival on November 21st. She is profiled in FebOne1960.com Blog, Jade Magazine and Playbill.com.

Other Articles:
George Takei, Lea Salonga, Telly Leung, Michael K. Lee and more at the first preview of Broadway’s Allegiance; opens Nov. 8
Alldigitocracy.org: “Allegiance,” Featuring George Takei, Lea Salonga and Telly Leung, Opens November 8
AsAmNews.com: Get Excited: George Takei’s ‘Allegiance’ Opens in Previews on Broadway
AsAmNews.com: Creating an Asian American presence on Wikipedia, one WikiAPA Edit-a-thon at a time
AsAmNews.com: Jaygee Macapugay set for Broadway Debut in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s School of Rock-The Musical
AsAmNews.com: The King and I’s Special Performance Benefits The Actors Fund
Playbill.com: Hugs, Laughs and Photobombs By Tony Winners! Go Backstage at the Special Actors Fund Performance of The King and I
Broadwayworld.com: Photo Flash: Phylicia Rashad, Andre De Shields & More Original Cast Members from THE WIZ Reunite in Central Park!
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
AsAmNews.com: Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Ruby Yang talks about her new film, My Voice, My Life
AsAmNews.com: Actor Tzi Ma Rides ‘Hell On Wheels’ to New Heights
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AsAmNews.com: Lunch with Tony Winner Lea Salonga and George Takei, Stars of ALLEGIANCE
AsAmNews.com: AAPI Heritage Month: My Grandmother’s Detention on Angel Island
Crafting a Career

The OBIE Award-winning NAATCO (National Asian American Theater Company) continues their 25th season with the World Premiere of Lloyd Suh’s Charles Francis Chan, Jr.’s Exotic Oriental Murder Mystery. Ed Sylvanus Iskandar directs a cast that includes Jeff Biehl, Jennifer Ikeda, Peter Kim, Orville Mendoza, KK Moggie and Jeffrey Omura. This Off-Broadway limited engagement at Walker Space (46 Walker Street) will begin October 26th, with Opening Night set for November 2nd. The limited engagement continues through November 21st.

1967. The auspicious beginnings of a new political identity called Asian American, as a young literary hippie named Frank essays an inscrutable Chinese detective. A harmless sing-song Orientalist minstrel show that ends in a grotesque carnival of murder! Lloyd Suh’s Charles Francis Chan, Jr.’s Exotic Oriental Murder Mystery is NAATCO’s first commission. It is an adaptation of Agatha Christie’s The Mysterious Affair at Styles, the novel that introduced Hercule Poirot.

Lloyd Suh is the author of American Hwangap, The Wong Kids in the Secret of the Space Chupacabra Go!, Jesus in India, Great Wall Story, Franklinland, The Children of Vonderly, Masha No Home and others, produced with Ma-Yi,The Play Company, Ensemble Studio Theatre, La Mama ETC, Magic Theatre (SF), ArtsEmerson (MA), Denver Center Theatre Company, Children’s Theatre Company (MN), East West Players (LA), and internationally at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Manila, and with PCPA in Seoul, Korea. He has received support from the NEA Arena Stage New Play Development program, the Andrew W. Mellon Launching New Plays Into the Repertoire initiative via the Lark Play Development Center, the New York Foundation for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, Jerome Foundation, Theatre Communications Group and Dramatists Guild. Additional residences and readings include: Ojai Playwrights’ Conference, Public Theater, Powerhouse Season at New York Stage & Film, Stamford Center for the Arts, Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum, Arena Stage, and the National Theatre of Timisoara in Romania. His plays have been published by Samuel French, Playscripts, Smith & Kraus, Duke University Press and American Theater magazine. He is a member of Ensemble Studio Theatre and The Actors Studio, an alum of Youngblood and the Soho Rep Writer Director Lab, and from 2005-2010 served as Artistic Director of Second Generation and Co-Director of the Ma-Yi Writers Lab. He has served since 2011 as the Director of Artistic Programs at The Lark.

Ed Sylvanus Iskandar is the recipient of the 2014 Drama Desk Special Award for the “visionary directorial excellence [and] bold and strikingly original imagination” of The Mysteries (NY Times Critic’s Pick, The Flea) and The Golden Dragon (Time Out NY Critic’s Pick, Play Co). Ed is also a two-time Drama Desk nominee for Outstanding Direction for Restoration Comedy and These Seven Sicknesses (both NY Times Critic’s Picks, The Flea). As Founding Artistic Director of invite-only NYC theatre collective Exit, Pursued By a Bear [EPBB], he has served over 12,000 free home-cooked meals and shared 150 priceless nights of theater over the course of staging 8 Labs and 40 Salons (all NY or world premieres). Ed’s body of work was honored with the 2013 National Theatre Conference Emerging Professional Award. Ed is a New York Theatre Workshop [NYTW] Usual Suspect, and Artist-in-Residence at Singapore Repertory Theatre. Previously honored as an NYTW Emerging Artist Fellow, Drama League Directing Fellow, two-time OSF Resident Director and Lincoln Center Directors Lab participant, Ed is the recipient of the Robert M. Golden Medal for excellence in the creative arts and the Sherifa Omade Edoga Prize for work involving social issues for his body of work as an undergraduate at Stanford University. Coming up: Mfoniso Udofia’s Sojourners (world premiere, Playwrights’ Realm); and an immersive all-male Taming of the Shrew (Shakespeare Theatre, D.C.). Ed is also under commission by Broadway Asia to conceive and create an immersive experience in Macau Island based on the The Golden Lotus, an erotic Chinese novel.

Charles Francis Chan, Jr.’s Exotic Oriental Murder Mystery will have scenic design by Jason Sherwood, costume design by Loren Shaw, lighting design by Seth Reiser, projections design by Olivia Sebesky, and sound design by Jeremy S. Bloom. Composer and Musical Director is Alan Schmuckler, Dramaturg is Kimber Lee, Props Supervisor is Samantha Shoffner and Qui Nguyen will serve as Fight Choreographer.

Associate Producer Peter Kim and Artistic Producing Director Mia Katigbak. Photo by Lia Chang

Under the leadership of Artistic Producing Director Mia Katigbak and co-founder Richard Eng, NAATCO was founded in 1989 to assert the presence and significance of Asian American theatre in the United States, demonstrating its vital contributions to the fabric of American culture by offering European and American classics as written with all Asian American casts; adaptations of these classics by Asian American playwrights; and new plays – preferably world premieres – written by non-Asian Americans, not for or about Asian Americans, but realized by an all Asian American cast. NAATCO puts into service its total commitment to Asian American theatre artists to more accurately represent onstage the multi- and inter-cultural dynamics of our society. By doing so, they demonstrate a rich tapestry of cultural difference bound by the American experience. The enrichment accrues to each different culture as well as to America as a whole. NAATCO performs the western classical repertory as written, with no forced Asian cultural associations. The repertory’s importance comes not only through the valuable training it provides for theatrical craft, but also from its ability to reach across ethnic boundaries to illuminate abiding characteristics of human nature. For her performance in the 2013 production of Clifford Odets’ Awake and Sing!, Mia Katigbak won an OBIE Award. NAATCO was the recipient of the 2012-13 Lucille Lortel Award from the League of Professional Theatre Women for their work “highlighting the multi- and intercultural dynamics of our society” and the 2006 Rosetta LeNoire Award from Actors’ Equity Association in recognition of its contribution toward increasing diversity and non-traditional casting in American theatre. NAATCO received an OBIE Grant in 2000 in recognition of the season’s productions: William Finn’s Falsettoland and the Brecht/Weill pieces, He Who Says Yes/He Who Says No. For more information, visit www.naatco.org.

Performances are Monday through Saturday evenings at 7:00pm with matinees Saturday at 2pm. Tickets for all seats for all performances are from $25 – $40 and may be purchased at www.naatco.org or by calling 866/811-4111.

Lia Chang

Other Articles:
AsAmNews.com: George Takei, Lea Salonga, Telly Leung, Michael K. Lee and more at the first preview of Broadway’s Allegiance; opens Nov. 8
Alldigitocracy.org: “Allegiance,” Featuring George Takei, Lea Salonga and Telly Leung, Opens November 8
AsAmNews.com: Get Excited: George Takei’s ‘Allegiance’ Opens in Previews on Broadway
AsAmNews.com: Creating an Asian American presence on Wikipedia, one WikiAPA Edit-a-thon at a time
AsAmNews.com: Jaygee Macapugay set for Broadway Debut in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s School of Rock-The Musical
AsAmNews.com: The King and I’s Special Performance Benefits The Actors Fund
Playbill.com: Hugs, Laughs and Photobombs By Tony Winners! Go Backstage at the Special Actors Fund Performance of The King and I
Broadwayworld.com: Photo Flash: Phylicia Rashad, Andre De Shields & More Original Cast Members from THE WIZ Reunite in Central Park!
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
AsAmNews.com: Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Ruby Yang talks about her new film, My Voice, My Life
AsAmNews.com: Actor Tzi Ma Rides ‘Hell On Wheels’ to New Heights
AsAmNews.com: What’s Next for Sesame Street’s Alan Muraoka, Director of Critically Acclaimed The Report
AsAmNews.com: Sesame Street’s Alan Muraoka Directs New Off Broadway Drama THE REPORT
Broadwayworld.com: Photo Flash: First Look at THE REPORT as Part of FringeNYC
AsAmNews.com: Arthur Dong’s Forbidden City, USA: Chinese American Nightclubs, 1936-1970 wins American Book Award
AsAmNews.com: Future Looks Bright for Asian American Cinema
Playbill.com: Retweet! BroadwayGirlNYC’s Picks For Most Useful Theatre Women on Social Media
AsAmNews.com:Playing Hide And Seek With Actress Lia Chang
AsAmNews.com: The King and I’s Jose Llana, Ruthie Ann Miles and Betsy Morgan Perform Concert in the Park
AsAmNews.com: Lunch with Tony Winner Lea Salonga and George Takei, Stars of ALLEGIANCE
AsAmNews.com: AAPI Heritage Month: My Grandmother’s Detention on Angel Island
Crafting a Career

Suzan-Lori Parks. Photo by Lia Chang

Congratulations to playwright, novelist and songwriter Suzan-Lori Parks who is this year’s recipient of the 22nd Annual $300,000 Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize.

Established in 1994 through the will of the legendary actress Lillian Gish, the Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious honors given to artists in the United States and bears one of the largest cash awards. Over the past two decades, the Gish Prize Trust has paid tribute to Lillian Gish’s achievements as the First Lady of American Cinema by recognizing highly accomplished artists who have pushed the boundaries of their art forms, contributed to social change and paved the way for the next generation. Suzan-Lori Parks now joins a roster of honorees that includes Maya Lin, Frank Gehry, Bob Dylan, Arthur Miller, Shirin Neshat, Ornette Coleman, Trisha Brown, Anna Deavere Smith and Spike Lee.

Click here to read the full article in the LATimes.

Playwright Suzan-Lori Parks (left) with Public Theater Associate Artistic Director Mandy Hackett, Father Comes Home From the Wars director Jo Bonney, and Artistic Director Oskar Eustis. Photo by Lia Chang

The Gish Prize will be presented to Parks on the evening of Monday, November 30, 2015 at The Public Theater in New York City, where she has served since 2008 as the institution’s first Master Writer Chair. The private ceremony, attended by leaders of the performing arts and literary communities, will include remarks by Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director of The Public Theater, and playwright and screenwriter Tony Kushner. The event will also feature a performance of an excerpt from Parks’s play Topdog/Underdog featuring actors Brandon J. Dirden and Jason Dirden, as well as a musical performance by Parks and bandmate Steven Bargonetti.

Suzan-Lori Parks said, “To be a recipient of the Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize is a great honor. Past winners—I’ve been looking up to them and following in their footsteps for years. And now I’m invited to join them? It’s brilliantly trippy. And it’s humbling too, getting invited into this family of artists.”

The company of Father Comes Home from the Wars (Parts 1, 2 & 3). Photo by Joan Marcus

Suzan-Lori Parks. Photo by Lia Chang

Named among Time magazine’s “100 Innovators for the Next Wave,” Suzan-Lori Parks is one of the most acclaimed playwrights in American drama today. She is the first African-American woman to receive the Pulitzer Prize in Drama, and is a MacArthur “Genius” Award recipient. Ms. Parks has created a powerful and pervasive body of work that has helped define American theater today. Best known for such groundbreaking dramas as Topdog/Underdog—awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 2002—and Father Comes Home From The Wars, Parks’s work challenges contemporary conceptions of race, sexuality, family and society, and is distinguished by its striking wordplay, vibrant wit and uninhibited style. Throughout her career, Parks has drawn inspiration from a rich blend of literary and historical traditions to produce her plays, her novel Getting Mother’s Body (Random House, 2003) and numerous screenplays, including scripts for Spike Lee’s Girl 6 and an adaptation of Zora Neale Hurston’s novel Their Eyes Were Watching God for executive producer Oprah Winfrey. In 2007, after writing one short play every day for a year, Parks undertook one of the largest and most ambitious grassroots collaborations in theater history when 365 Days/365 Plays was produced in more than 700 venues around the world, from street corners to opera houses. Following the success in 2011 of the Tony Award Winning Broadway production of The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, for which she wrote the script adaptation, Parks has deepened her involvement with music, performing solo and with her band at venues around New York City and overseas. She was named the first Master Writer Chair at The Public Theater in 2008 and currently appears regularly on the mezzanine of the lobby in the free performance piece Watch Me Work, a meditation on the artistic process and actual work session in which audience members participate by doing their own writing and then getting feedback and guidance from Parks about their creative process. Parks also serves as a visiting arts professor in dramatic writing at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and holds honorary doctorates from Brown University, among other institutions.

She’s been awarded grants by the National Endowment for the Arts, Rockefeller Foundation, Ford Foundation, New York State Council on the Arts and New York Foundation for the Arts. She is also the recipient of a Lila-Wallace Reader’s Digest Award, a CalArts/Alpert Award in the Arts, and a Guggenheim Foundation Grant. She and is an alum of New Dramatists and of Mount Holyoke College.

Her newest plays, Father Comes Home From The Wars (Parts 1, 2 & 3)—set during the Civil War—was awarded the Horton Foote Prize, the Edward M. Kennedy Prize for Drama as well as being a 2015 Pulitzer Prize Finalist.

Father Comes Home From The Wars Opening Night Celebration on October 28, 2014 at The Public Theater- Cast members Sterling K Brown, Jenny Jules, Jeremie Harris, Peter Jay Fernandez, Tonye Patano, playwright Suzan-Lori Parks, Louis Cancelmi, Russell G. Jones, Jacob Ming Trent, director Jo Bonney and Julian Rozzell Jr. Photo by Lia Chang

Suzan-Lori Parks’ FATHER COMES HOME FROM THE WARS, PARTS 1, 2 & 3 is the 2015 Winner of the Edward M. Kennedy Prize for Drama Inspired by American History

Parks credits her mentor James Baldwin for starting her on the path of playwriting. One of the first to recognize Parks’ writing skills, Mr. Baldwin declared Parks “an astonishing and beautiful creature who may become one of the most valuable artists of our time.”

The Gish Prize selection committee chose Suzan-Lori Parks from among a multidisciplinary group of 54 outstanding figures nominated by members of the arts community. The selection committee for 2015 was chair Ella Baff, newly appointed Senior Program Officer for the Arts and Cultural Heritage Program for The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation; Russell Granet, Executive Director of Lincoln Center Education; Kevin Moriarty, Artistic Director of the Dallas Theater Center; Mikki Shepard, Executive Director of the Apollo Theater; and A.M. Homes, writer.

Ella Baff stated, “Suzan-Lori Parks has, in the words of Ms. Gish, ‘made an outstanding contribution to the beauty of the world and to mankind’s enjoyment and understanding of life.’ She has an audacious and vivid imagination. Her writing is a complex and multi-layered articulation of history, myth, sexuality and identity told in voices that need to be heard.”

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. serves as trustee of the Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize Trust. Speaking for The Philanthropy Centre at J.P. Morgan Private Bank, Managing Director Jacqueline E. Elias stated, “With the help of our esteemed selection committee, we have continued to support Lillian Gish’s vision of recognizing and celebrating those artists who have made an indelible impact through their work. In choosing Suzan-Lori Parks, this year’s committee has underscored the continuing importance of dramatic writing in giving voice to the endless variety of human experience and shaping our society, and has provided substantive support to Ms. Parks’s ongoing creative endeavors. We congratulate Suzan-Lori Parks on receiving this high honor.”

The Gish Prize selection committee, a group that changes every year, has included filmmaker Mira Nair, sculptor Martin Puryear, President Emerita of The Museum of Modern Art Agnes Gund, President of the Ford Foundation Darren Walker, and playwright, librettist and screenwriter David Henry Hwang.

About Dorothy and Lillian Gish
Dorothy and Lillian Gish followed their mother onto the stage at an early age. The older of the two sisters, Lillian took her first theatrical curtain call in 1902 at the age of eight in the play In Convict’s Stripes. In 1912, the sisters’ childhood friend Mary Pickford introduced them to D.W. Griffith, who launched their film careers. Lillian would become one of America’s best-loved actresses and is considered by many the First Lady of the Screen. In her 85-year career, she appeared in more than 100 films—from Griffith’s An Unseen Enemy (1912) to Lindsay Anderson’sThe Whales of August (1987)—and also took numerous roles in television and on stage. Dorothy Gish began her stage career at the age of four and also went on to make more than 100 films, many of them with Lillian. Dorothy’s early work in film highlighted her keen sense of humor, bringing her acclaim as a star of comedy. At the end of the silent era, she turned her attention to the stage, where success in Young Love brought her accolades with New York audiences, on the road and subsequently in London. In 1939 Dorothy and Lillian each played Vinnie Day, wife of Clarence Day, Sr., in two extensive American road company productions of Life with Father. Dorothy returned to film and television in the 1950s. Upon her death in 1968, Dorothy Gish left the bulk of her estate to the arts. Lillian Gish died in 1993 and also left the bulk of her estate to the arts, including a trust for the formation of the Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize.

For further information, visit www.gishprize.com.

Lia Chang

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