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Lynnette Freeman, Aimé Donna Kelly, Eric Berryman, Akeem Davis, and Ross Beltcher Set for THE DANGEROUS HOUSE OF PRETTY MBANE at InterAct Theatre through February 8

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Lynette Freeman

Lynette Freeman

Lynnette Freeman stars in the title role of THE DANGEROUS HOUSE OF PRETTY MBANE by Jen Silverman, directed by Pirronne Yusefzadeh, at InterAct Theatre, 2030 Sansom (between 20th & 21st) in Philadelphia, PA, January 16 – February 8, 2015. Opening night is Wednesday, January 21, 2015. The cast also features Aimé Donna Kelly, Eric Berryman, Akeem Davis, and Ross Beltcher.
Pretty-Mbane-Website-197x300
SYNOPSIS:
A young South African soccer phenomenon flees to England escaping persecution. But when her activist lover, Pretty Mbane, goes missing, Noxolo is forced to reassess her life and her choices. Returning to South Africa during the World Cup, Noxolo’s search brings her face to face with the demons of her past and her country’s blind eye towards violence against women. Silverman’s play is at once beautiful and haunting, exploring the mysterious reaches of love and the human spirit.

Lynnette Freeman plays South African activist, Pretty Mbane, who has a safe house for women who are targeted/ have experienced Corrective Rape. Freeman has appeared at Interact in PERMANENT COLLECTION (Kanika Weaver), and IN A DAUGHTER’S EYES (Reheema Abu-Salaam). Her regional credits include TAMER OF HORSES (Georgiane); CLYBOURNE PARK (Francine/Lena); A RAISIN IN THE SUN (Ruth Younger); INTIMATE APPAREL (Esther Mills). NY Theatre: LUZ, THE FIRE THIS TIME FESTIVAL. She is a member of Ensemble Studio Theatre. MFA Brown-Trinity Rep MFA Program.

The design team features sets by Carolyn Mraz, lighting by Maria Shaplin and costumes by Katherine Fritz.

Performance Schedule:
Friday, January 16th @ 8pm: First Preview Performance
Saturday, January 17th @ 4pm & 8pm: Preview Performances
Sunday, January 18th @ 2pm: Preview Performance
Tuesday, January 20th @ 7pm: Preview Performance
Wednesday, January 21st: Opening Night
Thursday, January 22nd: Young Friends Night
Sunday, January 25th: Speaker Sunday
Tuesday, January 27th: Coffee Conversations
Wednesday, January 28th: Coffee Conversations
Sunday, February 1st: Speaker Sunday: Ndumie Funda will also be a featured speaker in the talk back on Sunday, Feb. 1st.
Tuesday, February 3rd: Coffee Conversations
Wednesday, February 4th: Coffee Conversations
Sunday, February 8th: Speaker Sunday

TICKET INFO:
Industry/ Student tix: $15
Reg. Price: $22-$28
Also friends & fam discount: $10 off- type “FF” as the discount code.

Call 215-568-8079 for tickets and or click here for more information.

TRAVEL
If you are traveling from NYC or the Baltimore DC Area, take Megabus (www.megabus.com) or BoltBus (www.boltbus.com) which is  walking distance to the theatre (at 30th St. station), or  NJ Transit via Trenton.

Ndumie Funda will talk about her activism and her petition- that turned a world eye to the issue of corrective rape. The talk will be January 31st at 5pm at InterAct. She will also be a featured speaker in the talk back on Sunday, Feb. 1st.

Other Articles by Lia Chang:
Photos: Tony Award Winning Playwright David Henry Hwang, NEFA, Graham Sheffield CBE and Susan Stockton Receive 2015 ISPA Awards
Jan. 21: Joe Mantegna Helmed ‘Criminal Minds’ Season 10 Episode to Honor the late Meshach Taylor
Tony Award Winner BD Wong Kicks Off La Jolla Playhouse Residency
Photos: Late Night at HERE LIES LOVE with Jaygee Macapugay, David Byrne, Jose Llana, Conrad Ricamora, Melody Butiu and More
Photos: Andrew Rannells and Zuzanna Szadkowski Visit Richard Thomas, Anna Chlumsky, Julie Halston and Annaleigh Ashford at YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Remembering Garland Lee Thompson, Sr. (1938-2014); Memorial Set for February 14, 2015
Stephen McKinley Henderson, Victor Almanzar, Elizabeth Canavan, Rosal Colón, Liza Colón-Zayas, Michael Rispoli and Ron Cephas Jones Set for Stephen Adly Guirgis’ BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY at Second Stage Theatre Beginning January 16, 2015
Two-Time Tony Award Nominee André De Shields, Bowman Wright, E. Faye Butler, KenYatta Rogers, Jessica Frances Dukes and Michael Anthony Williams Set for Arena Stage’s King Hedley II, February 6- March 8, 2015
THE WIZ Turns 40- Photos from Original Broadway Production and BC/EFA Gypsy of The Year Celebration Featuring André De Shields, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ken Page, Charl Brown, Carly Hughes, Christina Sajous, Alton Fitzgerald White, Lillias White and More
Up Close and Personal with Jose Llana; HERE LIES LOVE Star Set for Lincoln Center’s American Songbook Debut on March 12, 2015
Photos: Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, Micki Grant, Woodie King Jr., Voza Rivers, Talvin Wilks, Garland Thompson Jr., Charles Turner, Jamal Joseph, Debra Ann Byrd and More at harlem is…Theater
Photos: David Byrne, Jaygee Macapugay, Jose Llana and Conrad Ricamora Bring the ‘Here Lies Love’ Disco to the Apple Store Soho
Photos: Fashion Designer Josie Natori at New Boutique in Nolita; Honored by Asian Cultural Council
Randy Reyes, Michael Sung-Ho and Meghan Kreidler Set for Mu Performing Arts’ Production of David Henry Hwang’s FOB, January 30 – February 15
Jennifer Lim, Francis Jue, Telly Leung, Jo Mei, James Saito and Sue Jin Song Set for MTC Run of World Premiere of The World of Extreme Happiness by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, February 3 – March 29
ABC’s “Fresh Off the Boat” starring Randall Park, Constance Wu, Hudson Yang, Forrest Wheeler, and Ian Chen, Premieres on February 4 & 10
Baryshnikov Arts Center Presents New York Premiere of Carmen De Lavallade’s Solo Show AS I REMEMBER IT in February 2015
Tam Mutu, Kelli Barrett, Tom Hewitt, Paul Nolan, Lora Lee Gayer, Melody Butiu, Julian Cihi and More Set for Broadway Bound Dr. Zhivago
Preview of Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Spring Exhibition, China: Through the Looking Glass, Announced at the Palace Museum in China
Photos: Ellen Burstyn, Baz Luhrmann, John Leguizamo, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Stephen McKinley Henderson, John Patrick Shanley, David Henry Hwang, Liza Colón-Zayas, Kenneth Lonergan and More Celebrate Stephen Adly Guirgis at The Mimi Awards
Photos: Tommy Tune, Bob Avian, Lee Roy Reams, Christine Toy Johnson, Orville Mendoza, Lori Tan Chinn, Raul Aranas, Virginia Wing and More Celebrate 2014 Paul Robeson Citation Award Recipient Baayork Lee Crafting a Career
Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia starred as Carole Barbara in Lorey Hayes’ Power Play at the 2013 National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, N.C., with Pauletta Pearson Washington, Roscoe Orman, and made her jazz vocalist debut in Rome Neal’s Banana Puddin’ Jazz “LADY” at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York. She is profiled in Jade Magazine.
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



Lia Chang: Playwright Camille Darby, 2014-15 Dramatists Guild Playwrighting Fellow

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Camille Darby. Photo by Lia Chang

Camille Darby. Photo by Lia Chang

Camille Darby. Photo by Lia Chang

Camille Darby. Photo by Lia Chang

Congrats to Camille Darby who has received a 2014-2015 Dramatists Guild Playwriting Fellowship. Now in it’s 14th season, the Dramatists Guild Fellows Program provides continued support and training to a select group of new theatre writers. The nine-month program includes group sessions with theatre professionals, one-on-one mentoring, and opportunities to become interns or observers with dramatists involved in professional productions.

Camille Darby was born in Jamaica, West Indies, but migrated to New York City with her family at 6 years old. Her constant attempts at adjusting to American culture—she soon discovered—were best manifested through her writing. It was her first play Mother, May I? written as a high school student during the Theatre Development Fund’s Residency Arts Program that drew the attention of acclaimed playwright, Wendy Wasserstein. With Wasserstein as her mentor, the budding playwright continued to study theatre, literature and film at Sarah Lawrence College where she received her B.A. in 2005.

Camille Darby. Photo by Lia Chang

Camille Darby. Photo by Lia Chang

Ms. Darby’s play, Lords Resistance, directed by Christopher Burris, was produced at The Kraine Theater in New York during The Horse Trade Theatre Group’s Fire This Time Festival, Season Five in January 2014. The Horse Trade Theatre Group’s Fire This Time Festival provides a platform for playwrights of African-American and African descent to present new work. The cast of Lords Resistance featured Tracey Conyer Lee as Pauline, Lelund Durond as Harvey, Matthew Murumba as Okello, and Carmen LoBue as Michelle. This is Ms. Darby’s third consecutive season with the festival. Her play, Exodus was produced in the sold-out 2011 Festival showcase.

Christopher Burris, Matthew Muramba, Camille Darby, Carmen LoBue, Tracey Conyer Lee, Lelund Durond Thompson and Barbara Matovu. Photo by Lia Chang

Christopher Burris, Matthew Muramba, Camille Darby, Carmen LoBue, Tracey Conyer Lee, Lelund Durond Thompson and Barbara Matovu. Photo by Lia Chang

Camille Darby in her Brooklyn apartment. Photo by Lia Chang

Camille Darby in her Brooklyn apartment. Photo by Lia Chang

Darby is the recipient of the Bronx Recognizes Its Own (BRIO, 2008) playwriting prize from the Bronx Council on the Arts for her full-length play Lords Resistance. The play was part of the 2012 Fire This Time Festival reading series, and was presented at the 2013 National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Darby is a 2011 finalist for the Van Lier Fellowship program at The Lark Play Development Center, and a 2012 Women’s Project Lab finalist. She holds an M.F.A (2007) in Dramatic Writing from New York University’s, Tisch School of the Arts.

I had lunch with Ms. Darby in her Brooklyn neighborhood to talk about Lords Resistance, her current projects, and her path to becoming a playwright.
Click below for Camille’s full interview.

Lia: What inspired you to write Lords Resistance?
Camille: So I was watching Oprah Winfrey, and she had three young adults, college students who had come on to the show to talk about their experience having visited Uganda. They just brought their video camera for a summer trip to explore. And in their exploration, came across these young boys and girls who had escaped their villages in the middle of the night to prevent being abducted to be part of a vicious army.

Later on in the show, they had a family who had adopted one of these children who was a former child soldier, she was both a victim and a perpetrator of the war. And being on stage, face partly disfigured, clearly nervous, a little bit terrified, all the lights and the audience in front of her. Listening to her tell her story, I was intrigued by that, and so I decided I would do a lot more research as to what was going on in Uganda, and there Lords Resistance was born.

Lelund Durond, Carmen LoBue, Matthew Murumba, and Tracey Conyer Lee  Camille Darby’s Lords Resistance at the Kraine Theater. Photo by Lia Chang

Lelund Durond, Carmen LoBue, Matthew Murumba, and Tracey Conyer Lee Camille Darby’s Lords Resistance at the Kraine Theater. Photo by Lia Chang

My play is about a well-to-do black family. They’re from Chicago.  They decide to adopt a former child soldier who happens to be a boy. He’s 17 years old when they adopt him, so he’s almost a man. But those are always the kids that are left behind. No one wants teenagers. Everyone wants babies. This family thought they should go with that was appropriate for their lifestyle. And they did that. And when he arrives, all sorts of bombs go off.

Tracey Conyer Lee and Matthew Murumba in Camille Darby’s Lords Resistance at the Kraine Theater through January 31, 2014. Photo by Lia Chang

Tracey Conyer Lee and Matthew Murumba in Camille Darby’s Lords Resistance at the Kraine Theater through January 31, 2014. Photo by Lia Chang

Well, Okello’s arrival (Okello is the child soldier), his arrival alone causes a lot of things to be unearthed between the marriage between Pauline and Harvey. And things that had already existed, but had not been brought up to the surface. We clearly see in the very beginning of the play the dysfunction between Pauline and Harvey. Once Okello arrives, that only gets worse. Without giving too much about the play, I would just say that he experienced one war in Uganda and come home to Chicago and experiences another war.

Lelund Durond and Tracey Conyer Lee in Camille Darby’s Lords Resistance at the Kraine Theater. Photo by Lia Chang

Lelund Durond and Tracey Conyer Lee in Camille Darby’s Lords Resistance at the Kraine Theater. Photo by Lia Chang

The thing that is more important to me is being able to show and share there are different types of stories within our community. This is a family who in their eyes have achieved the American Dream. They have gone to school. They have amazing jobs. They’re successful. They have a certain level of wealth that has afforded them to type of lifestyle they have, and they just happen to be Black.

Lia: What do you hope audiences will take away after seeing Lords Resistance?
Camille: I think that a lot of times, whether it is on stage, or in film or in television, were sort of use of seeing families, characters who are Black portrayed in one particular way, or a couple different ways. I just want to add some balance to what we see, and I think that this family, outside of whatever it is they have accomplished, they’re also very complex people. I think it’s important to share those complexities, because there is a lot to discuss and I would hope an audience would leave the theater after seeing this play with some things to think about or some things to talk about. I think that for me is one of my biggest goals in writing, is to be able to share something that people can then can have discourse about.

Carmen LoBue, Matthew Murumba, Tracey Conyer Lee and Lelund Durond in Camille Darby’s Lords Resistance at the Kraine Theater through January 31, 2014. Photo by Lia Chang

Carmen LoBue, Matthew Murumba, Tracey Conyer Lee and Lelund Durond in Camille Darby’s Lords Resistance at the Kraine Theater through January 31, 2014. Photo by Lia Chang

Camille Darby's grandmother surrounded by her children.

Camille Darby’s grandmother surrounded by her children.

Lia: What projects are you working on now?
Camille: The first is a play that deals with unconditional love. The story is born out of me catching my grandmother talking to herself. Or I thought she was talking to herself. It turns out she was actually talking to her husband who had been deceased for 35 years. The way in which she continues to love this man is astounding to me. Especially as how unconditional love plays a role today, just between men and women. Some of things that I have experienced, the things that my friends have experienced, preservation now. I wonder if we’ll ever get to a place where we’re looking to give, and not just to get, as my grandmother has done with her husband. It’s a little eerie the way in which she speaks about him. But I think it’s really dope. It’s awesome.

The second project is about West Indian nannies in New York city. I’m West Indian and very rarely do I see in plays that deal with any sort of cultural nuances that deal with any island in the West Indies. So that’s one.

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Secondly, I always though it was interesting- what is it like when you’re leaving your family at whatever hour of the day or morning or whatever, to go take care of someone else’s, because this is your livelihood. You need this money to take care of your own family, but the time may not necessarily be there because it is not being shared with another family. What is that like? What does that do to the other family. I’ve sort of had that some of those experiences in my own family. And I’ve seen the abandonment that has taken place, and I’ve seen how people come out if that, or maybe not come out of that. I don’t know, I ‘m still working on a few things with that story. That’s pretty much the foundation of it.

Camille Darby in her Brooklyn apartment. Photo by Lia Chang

Camille Darby in her Brooklyn apartment. Photo by Lia Chang

Lia: How did you decide to become a playwright?
Camille: I’ve always been interested in stories, whether I was reading them, watching them on television, or actually telling them myself. I love the English language. I love dialogue. I love talking, or listening to people talk. I think I have a pretty good ear for it. I think that’s sort of where it started.

In 1999, Wendy Wasserstein wrote this article for the New York Times. She talked about the TDF open doors program that kickstarted Darby's writing overall; and talked about the importance of theatre in young lives. Darby was 15 years old at the time of this article.

In 1999, Wendy Wasserstein wrote this article for the New York Times. She talked about the TDF open doors program that kickstarted Darby’s writing overall; and talked about the importance of theatre in young lives. Darby was 15 years old at the time of this article.

Becoming a playwright though, was something I didn’t decide until I graduated with an actual MFA. I have this thing now, so I guess I should actually start calling myself a playwright. I’m paying for this. I’m still paying for this degree, so maybe I should assume the title. I love the arts. I love theater. I love dialogue. I love stories. I think the best way for me to immerse myself in that world was through theater, was through plays.

Dramatist Guild Fund: Meet the Fellows: Camille Darby, Playwright

Other articles on Camille Darby:
Photos: The Fire This Time Festival Presents Tracey Conyer Lee, Lelund Durond, Matthew Murumba, and Carmen LoBue in Camille Darby’s Lords Resistance at The Kraine Theater through January 31, 2014.
Jan. 22-31: Photos: Tracey Conyer Lee, Lelund Durond Thompson, Matthew Murumba, and Carmen LoBue set for Camille Darby’s Lords Resistance Featured in The Fire This Time Festival at The Kraine Theater
Jan. 22- 31, 2014: Camille Darby’s Lords Resistance Featured in The Fire This Time Festival at The Kraine Theater
Camille Darby’s The White Peacock in The Classical Theatre of Harlem’s inaugural Future Classics Festival at The Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Center on June 27, 2012
Photos: Tonya Pinkins, Billy Eugene Jones, Matthew Murumba and Toccarra Cash in Reading of Camille Darby’s Lords Resistance
Reading of Camille Darby’s Lords Resistance Stars Tonya Pinkins, Billy Eugene Jones, Tocarra Cash and Matthew Murumba at The Red Room on January 18
Camille Darby’s Lord’s Resistance

Articles by Lia Chang:
Photos: Tony Award Winning Playwright David Henry Hwang, NEFA, Graham Sheffield CBE and Susan Stockton Receive 2015 ISPA Awards
Photos: Late Night at HERE LIES LOVE with Jaygee Macapugay, David Byrne, Jose Llana, Conrad Ricamora, Melody Butiu and More
Jan. 21: Joe Mantegna Helmed ‘Criminal Minds’ Season 10 Episode to Honor the late Meshach Taylor
Tony Award Winner BD Wong Kicks Off La Jolla Playhouse Residency
Photos: Andrew Rannells and Zuzanna Szadkowski Visit Richard Thomas, Anna Chlumsky, Julie Halston and Annaleigh Ashford at YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Remembering Garland Lee Thompson, Sr. (1938-2014); Memorial Set for February 14, 2015
Stephen McKinley Henderson, Victor Almanzar, Elizabeth Canavan, Rosal Colón, Liza Colón-Zayas, Michael Rispoli and Ron Cephas Jones Set for Stephen Adly Guirgis’ BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY at Second Stage Theatre Beginning January 16, 2015
Two-Time Tony Award Nominee André De Shields, Bowman Wright, E. Faye Butler, KenYatta Rogers, Jessica Frances Dukes and Michael Anthony Williams Set for Arena Stage’s King Hedley II, February 6- March 8, 2015
THE WIZ Turns 40- Photos from Original Broadway Production and BC/EFA Gypsy of The Year Celebration Featuring André De Shields, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ken Page, Charl Brown, Carly Hughes, Christina Sajous, Alton Fitzgerald White, Lillias White and More
Up Close and Personal with Jose Llana; HERE LIES LOVE Star Set for Lincoln Center’s American Songbook Debut on March 12, 2015
Photos: Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, Micki Grant, Woodie King Jr., Voza Rivers, Talvin Wilks, Garland Thompson Jr., Charles Turner, Jamal Joseph, Debra Ann Byrd and More at harlem is…Theater
Photos: David Byrne, Jaygee Macapugay, Jose Llana and Conrad Ricamora Bring the ‘Here Lies Love’ Disco to the Apple Store Soho
Photos: Fashion Designer Josie Natori at New Boutique in Nolita; Honored by Asian Cultural Council
Randy Reyes, Michael Sung-Ho and Meghan Kreidler Set for Mu Performing Arts’ Production of David Henry Hwang’s FOB, January 30 – February 15
Jennifer Lim, Francis Jue, Telly Leung, Jo Mei, James Saito and Sue Jin Song Set for MTC Run of World Premiere of The World of Extreme Happiness by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, February 3 – March 29
ABC’s “Fresh Off the Boat” starring Randall Park, Constance Wu, Hudson Yang, Forrest Wheeler, and Ian Chen, Premieres on February 4 & 10
Baryshnikov Arts Center Presents New York Premiere of Carmen De Lavallade’s Solo Show AS I REMEMBER IT in February 2015
Tam Mutu, Kelli Barrett, Tom Hewitt, Paul Nolan, Lora Lee Gayer, Melody Butiu, Julian Cihi and More Set for Broadway Bound Dr. Zhivago
Preview of Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Spring Exhibition, China: Through the Looking Glass, Announced at the Palace Museum in China
Photos: Ellen Burstyn, Baz Luhrmann, John Leguizamo, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Stephen McKinley Henderson, John Patrick Shanley, David Henry Hwang, Liza Colón-Zayas, Kenneth Lonergan and More Celebrate Stephen Adly Guirgis at The Mimi Awards
Photos: Tommy Tune, Bob Avian, Lee Roy Reams, Christine Toy Johnson, Orville Mendoza, Lori Tan Chinn, Raul Aranas, Virginia Wing and More Celebrate 2014 Paul Robeson Citation Award Recipient Baayork Lee Crafting a Career
Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia starred as Carole Barbara in Lorey Hayes’ Power Play at the 2013 National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, N.C., with Pauletta Pearson Washington, Roscoe Orman, and made her jazz vocalist debut in Rome Neal’s Banana Puddin’ Jazz “LADY” at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York. She is profiled in Jade Magazine.
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


Second Stage Theatre Presents Stephen Adly Guirgis’ BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY Starring Stephen McKinley Henderson, Victor Almanzar, Elizabeth Canavan, Rosal Colón, Liza Colón-Zayas, Michael Rispoli and Ron Cephas Jones; Opens February 11

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Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director, Casey Reitz Executive Director) is presenting the Atlantic Theater Company’s (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director, Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director) sold out production of Stephen Adly Guirgis’ acclaimed play, Between Riverside and Crazy, for a limited engagement this winter. Between Riverside and Crazy began previews on Friday, January 16, 2015, at Second Stage Theatre’s Tony Kiser Theatre (305 West 43rd Street), and will continue through March 8, 2015. The opening night performance is on Wednesday, February 11, 2015.

Ron Cephas Jones, Liza Colón-Zayas, Elizabeth Canavan, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Rosal Colón,  Michael Rispoli and Victor Almanzar in the Second Stage Theatre green room on January 21, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Ron Cephas Jones, Liza Colón-Zayas, Elizabeth Canavan, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Rosal Colón, Michael Rispoli and Victor Almanzar in the Second Stage Theatre green room on January 21, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Stephen McKinley Henderson, who received rave reviews for his lead performance as Walter “Pops” Washington, reprises his role for the production. He was previously seen at Second Stage in August Wilson’s Jitney. Ron Cephas Jones joins other original cast members returning with the production include Victor Almanzar (Repertorio Espanol, LAByrinth Theater), Elizabeth Canavan (The Little Flower of East Orange), Rosal Colón (The Motherf*cker with the Hat) and Liza Colón-Zayas (Second Stage Theatre’s Water by the Spoonful and Living Out) and Michael Rispoli.

Stephen McKinley Henderson as Pops, Elizabeth Canavan as Detective Audrey O’Connor & Michael Rispoli as Lieutenant Caro in Between Riverside and Crazy. Photo by Kevin Thomas Garcia

Stephen McKinley Henderson as Pops, Elizabeth Canavan as Detective Audrey O’Connor & Michael Rispoli as Lieutenant Caro in Between Riverside and Crazy. Photo by Kevin Thomas Garcia

City Hall is demanding more than his signature, the Landlord wants him out, the liquor store is closed – and the Church won’t leave him alone. For ex-cop and recent widower Walter “Pops” Washington and his recently paroled son Junior, the struggle to hold on to one of the last great rent stabilized apartments on Riverside Drive collides with old wounds, sketchy new houseguests, and a final ultimatum in this dark comedy. For Pops and Junior, it seems the Old Days are dead and gone – after a lifetime living Between Riverside and Crazy.

Stephen McKinley Henderson as Pops, Rosal Colon as Lulu & Victor Almanzar as Oswaldo in Between Riverside and Crazy. Photo by Kevin Thomas Garcia

Stephen McKinley Henderson as Pops, Rosal Colon as Lulu & Victor Almanzar as Oswaldo in Between Riverside and Crazy. Photo by Kevin Thomas Garcia

Between Riverside and Crazy features scenic design by Walt Spangler; costume design byAlexis Forte; lighting design by Keith Parham; and sound design and original music by Ryan Rumery.
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Tickets are $75 (orchestra), $60 (Balcony), $67.50 (Senior), $125 premium*, $55 (subscription). Save 35% on $75 tickets with code BRACMP on performances, January 16- February 10, 2015. Rush tickets are available one hour prior to curtain to full time high school or college students. $30 Under 30 tickets available in advance for patrons ages 30 and under. One valid ID required for each ticket purchased, based on availability.  For tickets: call the box office at 212-246-4422 or 2ST.com. *A limited number of Premium Seats are available. Please call the box office at 212-246-4422 to reserve.

Recently featured on New York Times Theater Critic Ben Brantley’s Best Theater of 2014 List:

Between Riverside and Crazy: The triumphant return of Stephen Adly Guirgis, who startled Broadway in 2011 by snatching a Tony nomination for best play for a work with an unprintable title. This gleefully agnostic account of the things we do for real estate (at least when you’re poor and in unlikely possession of prime Manhattan property) blithely crossed the lines between good and bad, comedy and tragedy, faith and skepticism without missing a step. Austin Pendleton directed a wonderful cast led by Stephen McKinley Henderson.”

Click here to see the complete list.

2014 Steinberg Distinguished Playwright recipient Stephen Adly Guirgis at the 2014 Steinberg Playwright Awards hosted by the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust on November 17, 2014 in New York City. Photo by Lia Chang

2014 Steinberg Distinguished Playwright recipient Stephen Adly Guirgis at the 2014 Steinberg Playwright Awards hosted by the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust on November 17, 2014 in New York City. Photo by Lia Chang

STEPHEN ADLY GUIRGIS (Playwright) is a member and former co-artistic director of LAByrinth Theater Company. His plays have been produced on five continents and throughout the United States. They include Our Lady of 121st Street (Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, Outer Critics Circle Best Play Nominations), Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train (Edinburgh Festival Fringe First Award, Barrymore Award, Olivier Nomination for London’s Best New Play), In Arabia, We’d All Be Kings (2007 LA Drama Critics Best Play, Best Writing Award), The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (10 best Time Magazine & Entertainment Weekly), and The Little Flower of East Orange (with Ellen Burstyn & Michael Shannon). All five plays were directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman and were originally produced by LAByrinth. His most recent play, The Motherf***er with the Hat (6 Tony nominations, including Best Play), was directed by Anna D. Shapiro and marked his third consecutive world premiere co-production with The Public Theater and LAByrinth. In London, his plays have premiered at The Donmar Warehouse, The Almeida (dir: Rupert Goold), The Hampstead (Robert Delamere), and at The Arts Theater in the West End. Other plays include Den of Thieves (Labyrinth, HERE, HAI, Black Dahlia) and Dominica The Fat Ugly Ho (dir: Adam Rapp) for the 2006 E.S.T. Marathon. He has received the Yale Wyndham-Campbell Prize, a PEN/Laura Pels Award, a Whiting Award,  a TCG fellowship and the prestigious 2014 Steinberg Distinguished Playwright Award. He is also a New Dramatists Alumnae and a member of MCC’s Playwright’s Coalition, The Ojai Playwrights Festival, New River Dramatists, and Labyrinth Theater Company. As an actor, he has appeared in theater, film and television, including roles in Kenneth Lonergan’s film Margaret, Todd Solondz’s Palindromes, and Brett C Leonard’s Jailbait opposite Michael Pitt. A former violence prevention specialist and H.I.V. educator, he lives in New York City.

Austin Pendleton

Austin Pendleton

AUSTIN PENDLETON (Director) returns to Second Stage Theatre where he staged the critically acclaimed production of Spoils of War.  He has been most recently represented as a director by his productions in New York, of Gidion’s Knot (by Johnna Adams) at 59E59; Seagull69 (adapted from The Sea Gull) at Mississippi Mud; IvanovThree Sisters, and Uncle Vanya (all at CSC); and Look Homeward, Angel for Mother of Invention, among many other productions.  Other credits include: in Chicago, works at Steppenwolf (where he is a member of the Ensemble) most recently by Tribes; in London at the National Theatre by Detroit by Lisa D’Amour; and in Little Rock by A Loss of Roses by William Inge, at Arkansas Rep. He is also an actor (Broadway, off- and off-off-Broadway, regional theatre, and many movies and TV appearances), playwright (his plays include Orson’s ShadowUncle Bob, and Booth), and (at HB Studio in New York) teacher of acting.

Victor Almanzar

Victor Almanzar

VICTOR ALMANZAR is a native of the Dominican Republic, and longtime resident of Queens, New York. He has performed in productions throughout New York City, at venues including Center Stage New York, Repertorio Espanol, Aaron Davis Hall, and as part of LAByrinth Theater Company’s NYNY Festival. He is currently pursuing a Masters of Fine Arts degree at the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University. He can be seen in the feature film 11:55 Holyoke.

Elizabeth Canavan

Elizabeth Canavan

ELIZABETH CANAVAN has appeared in The Little Flower of East Orange (with Ellen Burstyn and Michael Shannon) at the Public Theater, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (with Eric Bogosian and Sam Rockwell) at the Public Theater, Our Lady of 121st Street at the Union Square Theatre, Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train (NY and London), all by Stephen Adly Guirgis and directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman; Black Lace by John Patrick Shanley at the New Ohio Theater, Love Sick by Kristina Poe, Thinner Than Water by Melissa Ross, Philip Roth in Khartoum by David Bar Katz, Penalties and Interest by Rebecca Cohen, Seven at USC Visions and Voices, Eugene O’Neill Playwrights Conference, The 52nd Street Project, Summer Play Festival. TV: “Law and Order,” “Law and Order: SVU,” “Sex and the City.” She has appeared in many independent films and has had two short films produced. Liz is a proud member of LAByrinth Theater Company and The Actors Studio.

Rosal Colón

Rosal Colón

ROSAL COLÓN has appeared on Broadway in A Free Man of Color (Lincoln Center) directed by George C. Wolfe, and The Motherf***er with the Hat directed by Anna D. Shapiro. Off-Broadway: Much Ado about Nothing (The Public) directed by Kwame Kwei-Armah, Basilica (Rattlestick at the Cherry Lane) directed by Jerry Ruiz, Ninth and Joanie (LAByrinth Theater Company) directed by Mark Wing-Davey, Dancing in My Cockroach Killers (Pregones/PRTT) directed by Rosalba Rolón. Feature film: The House That Jack Built. TV: “Law and Order: SVU.” She is a proud member of The LAByrinth Theater Company and Pregones Theater. Fiorello H. LaGuardia H.S. and SUNY Purchase College.

Liza Colón-Zayas

Liza Colón-Zayas

LIZA COLÓN-ZAYAS returns to Second Stage Theatre where she appeared in the Pulitzer Prize-winning Water by the Spoonful (HOLA award for Best Featured Actress) and Living Out (Lucille Lortel Award nomination). She has been a member of the LAByrinth Theater Company in New York City since 1992 and the Sundance Theater Ensemble 2012. She appeared in Stephen Adly Guirgis plays including In Arabia, We’d All Be Kings; Our Lady of 121st Street; The Last Days of Judas Iscariot; and The Little Flower of East Orange, all directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman. Liza toured Europe with director Peter Sellars in Story of a Soldier and later in Othello as Emilia, opposite Philip Seymour Hoffman. She starred in Athol Fugard’s latest play Have You Seen Us? opposite Sam Waterston and received a Connecticut Critics Circle Nomination. Her solo show, Sistah Supreme, had a summerlong run at the First Hip-Hop Theater Festival, produced by world renowned performance artist Danny Hoch and directed/developed by playwright Stephen Adly Guirgis. Some screen credits include “Louie” (FX), “Hung” (HBO), “Dexter” (Showtime), “How to Make It in America” (HBO), “Nurse Jackie” (Showtime), “Taking Chance” (HBO), “House” (FOX), “Law and Order,” “Law and Order: SVU” (NBC).

Stephen McKinley Henderson

Stephen McKinley Henderson

STEPHEN McKINLEY HENDERSON (Pops) returns to Second Stage Theatre where he was a member of August Wilson’s celebrated Obie Award-winning Jitney ensemble (2002 Olivier Award for Outstanding Drama). He was in the Tony-nominated revival of A Raisin in the Sun. In 2012, he received a Tony Nomination and the Richard Seff Award for his performance as Bono in August Wilson’s Fences. Last year he was Ruben Santiago-Hudson’s Associate Artistic Director for WNYC’s audio recordings of Mr. Wilson’s entire Century Cycle. Other theatre credits include Between Riverside and Crazy (Atlantic), The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (Public Theater) and Death of a Salesman (Yale Rep). Film and TV credits include Lincoln, Tower Heist, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, Red Hook Summer and HBO’s “The Newsroom.” He is a professor for the Department of Theater and Dance, SUNY Buffalo, as well as a member of the LAByrinth Theater Company, the Actor’s Center and a Fox Foundation Fellow.

Ron Cephas Jones

Ron Cephas Jones

RON CEPHAS JONES (Junior) Of Mice and Men (Longacre), Prometheus Bound (Getty Villa), Head of Passes (Steppenwolfe), Hurt Village, Two Trains Running (Signature); Titus Andronicus, Satellites (NYSF); Ajax (ART); As You Like It, The Tempest (BAM/Old Vic London); Wildflower (2nd Stage); The Overwhelming (Roundabout); The Wooden Breeks (MCC); The Heart is a Lonely Hunter (Alliance); Richard III (Public Theater, NY); The Exonerated; Othello (Royal Theatre, London); Our Lady of 121st Street; Jesus Hopped the A Train (LABryinth); Storefront Church (Atlantic Theatre). Television: “The Blacklist”, “Low Winter Sun”, “Raisin in the Sun”, “NYPD Blue”, “Law & Order”.

Michael Rispoli

Michael Rispoli

MICHAEL RISPOLI (Lieutenant Carlo). Selected film: Rob the Mob opposite Andy Garcia, Michael Bay’s Pain & Gain, The Rum Diary with Johnny Depp, The Taking of Pelham 123 directed by Tony Scott and Kick-Ass produced by Brad Pitt’s Plan B. He received a Best Actor Award at the Verona Film Festival for his work in Raymond DeFellitta’s film Two Family House. Upcoming: Friends and Romans with Annabella Sciorra, (also co-writer and executive producer). Selected TV: Jackie Aprile in “The Sopranos,” “Those Who Kill” (A&E), “Magic City” (STARZ), Jimmy Breslin in “The Bronx is Burning,” “Person of Interest,” “Blue Bloods,” “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” “Law & Order,” “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” and “Law & Order: SVU.” Theatre: Between Riverside and Crazy, Circle Rep/ Steppenwolf revival of Balm in Gilead directed by John Malkovich, Magic Hands Freddy, Macbeth, Tartuffe, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and O’Neill’s The Sea Plays. Co-founder of the Willow Cabin Theatre Company, which staged a production of Wilder, Wilder, Wilder that moved to Off- Broadway and then to Broadway, earning a Tony nomination.

Related articles
Stephen McKinley Henderson, Victor Almanzar, Elizabeth Canavan, Rosal Colón, Liza Colón-Zayas, Michael Rispoli and Ron Cephas Jones Set for Stephen Adly Guirgis’ BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY at Second Stage Theatre; Opens February 11
Ben Brantley’s Best Theater of 2014: Stephen Adly Guirgis’ BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY Set for Second Stage Theatre’s Tony Kiser Theatre Beginning January 16, 2015
Stephen Adly Guirgis’ BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY at Second Stage Theatre’s Tony Kiser Theatre Beginning January 16, 2015
Photos: Ellen Burstyn, Baz Luhrmann, John Leguizamo, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Stephen McKinley Henderson, John Patrick Shanley, David Henry Hwang, Liza Colón-Zayas, Kenneth Lonergan and More Celebrate Stephen Adly Guirgis at The Mimi Awards
Stephen Adly Guirgis to Receive the Steinberg Distinguished Playwright Award at the Seventh Annual Steinberg Playwright “Mimi” Awards on November 17
Labyrinth Theater Company hosts Community Prayer and Candlelight Vigil to honor Philip Seymour Hoffman at Bank Street Theater

Other Articles by Lia Chang:
Photos: Joe Mantegna and Danny Ramm Talk about ‘Criminal Minds’ Season 10 Episode Honoring Veterans and the late Meshach Taylor
Photos: Tony Award Winning Playwright David Henry Hwang, NEFA, Graham Sheffield CBE and Susan Stockton Receive 2015 ISPA Awards
Duwende Performs at Rockwood Music Hall on February 16; Photos of Concert with m-pact at The Bitter End
Photos: Late Night at HERE LIES LOVE with Jaygee Macapugay, David Byrne, Jose Llana, Conrad Ricamora, Melody Butiu and More
Photos: Andrew Rannells and Zuzanna Szadkowski Visit Richard Thomas, Anna Chlumsky, Julie Halston and Annaleigh Ashford at YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Remembering Garland Lee Thompson, Sr. (1938-2014); Memorial Set for February 14, 2015
Two-Time Tony Award Nominee André De Shields, Bowman Wright, E. Faye Butler, KenYatta Rogers, Jessica Frances Dukes and Michael Anthony Williams Set for Arena Stage’s King Hedley II, February 6- March 8, 2015
THE WIZ Turns 40- Photos from Original Broadway Production and BC/EFA Gypsy of The Year Celebration Featuring André De Shields, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ken Page, Charl Brown, Carly Hughes, Christina Sajous, Alton Fitzgerald White, Lillias White and More
Up Close and Personal with Jose Llana; HERE LIES LOVE Star Set for Lincoln Center’s American Songbook Debut on March 12, 2015
Photos: David Byrne, Jaygee Macapugay, Jose Llana and Conrad Ricamora Bring the ‘Here Lies Love’ Disco to the Apple Store Soho
Photos: Fashion Designer Josie Natori at New Boutique in Nolita; Honored by Asian Cultural Council
Jennifer Lim, Francis Jue, Telly Leung, Jo Mei, James Saito and Sue Jin Song Set for MTC Run of World Premiere of The World of Extreme Happiness by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, February 3 – March 29
Tony Award Winner BD Wong Kicks Off La Jolla Playhouse Residency
Photos: Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, Micki Grant, Woodie King Jr., Voza Rivers, Talvin Wilks, Garland Thompson Jr., Charles Turner, Jamal Joseph, Debra Ann Byrd and More at harlem is…Theater
Photos: Fashion Designer Josie Natori at New Boutique in Nolita; Honored by Asian Cultural Council
ABC’s “Fresh Off the Boat” starring Randall Park, Constance Wu, Hudson Yang, Forrest Wheeler, and Ian Chen, Premieres on February 4 & 10
Baryshnikov Arts Center Presents New York Premiere of Carmen De Lavallade’s Solo Show AS I REMEMBER IT in February 2015
Unsuk Chin’s Opera Alice in Wonderland, Featuring Libretto Co-Written with David Henry Hwang, Set for UK Premiere at the Barbican Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s Novels on March 8, 2015
Ken Watanabe, Kelli O’Hara, Ruthie Ann Miles, Conrad Ricamora, Jon Viktor Corpuz, Paul Nakauchi and More Set for Lincoln Center Theater’s The King and I 
Tam Mutu, Kelli Barrett, Tom Hewitt, Paul Nolan, Lora Lee Gayer, Melody Butiu, Julian Cihi and More Set for Broadway Bound Dr. Zhivago
Photos: Tommy Tune, Bob Avian, Lee Roy Reams, Christine Toy Johnson, Orville Mendoza, Lori Tan Chinn, Raul Aranas, Virginia Wing and More Celebrate 2014 Paul Robeson Citation Award Recipient Baayork Lee Crafting a Career

Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia starred as Carole Barbara in Lorey Hayes’ Power Play at the 2013 National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, N.C., with Pauletta Pearson Washington, Roscoe Orman, and made her jazz vocalist debut in Rome Neal’s Banana Puddin’ Jazz “LADY” at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York. She is profiled in Jade Magazine.
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


Jan. 22: DISGRACED Discussed with Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Ayad Akhtar, Josh Radnor and Aasif Mandvi at The Drama Bookshop

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Ayad Akhtar

Ayad Akhtar

The DRAMA BOOK SHOP is presenting a free book talk and signing with Pulitzer Prize winning Broadway playwright Ayad Akhtar and Disgraced costar Josh Radnor, moderated by Aasif Mandvi, on Thursday, January 22, 2015 at 5:00 P.M. The DRAMA BOOK SHOP, Inc. is located at 250 West 40th Street in New York. Call 212 944-0595, email info@dramabookshop.com, or click here for more information.

Ayad Akhtar’s Disgraced is currently running on Broadway at the Lyceum Theatre through March 1. His plays include Disgraced (Broadway/LCT3/Lincoln Center Theater, 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Drama/2013 Obie Award for Extraordinary Achievement/2103 Jeff Award for New Work), The Who & The What (LCT3/Lincoln Center Theater and La Jolla Playhouse), and The Invisible Hand (New York Theatre Workshop/The Repertory Theater of St. Louis). Also a novelist, Akhtar is the author of American Dervish, published in 2012 by Little, Brown and Company, published in 20 languages worldwide. He co-wrote and starred in The War Within (Magnolia Pictures), which was released internationally and nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Screenplay.  As an actor, Akhtar also starred as Neel Kashkari in HBO’s adaptation of Andrew Ross Sorkin’s book Too Big to Fail.  He studied at Brown University and Columbia University’s School of the Arts.

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Josh Radnor wrote, directed, and starred in two films, both of which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival before being released in theaters: The Audience Award-winning happythankyoumoreplease opposite Kate Mara, Malin Akerman, and Tony Hale and Liberal Arts opposite Elizabeth Olsen, Richard Jenkins, Allison Janney, and Zac Efron. He was last seen in Jill Soloway’s Afternoon Delight (Sundance, 2013) opposite Kathryn Hahn and Juno Temple. Recently finished a nine-season run playing Ted Mosby on CBS’s Emmy-nominated comedy How I Met Your Mother. His other television credits include guest appearances on ERSix Feet Under, and Law & Orderamong others. He was a series regular on ABC’s The Court starring Sally Field. He made his film debut in the original teen spoof Not Another Teen Movie. On Broadway he played the title character in The Graduate opposite Kathleen Turner. Off-Broadway and regionally, he has appeared at the Manhattan Theater Club, The Vineyard Theater, and Baltimore Center Stage, among others. In Los Angeles, he appeared in the Ovation Award-winning world premiere production of Jon Robin Baitz’s The Paris Letter. Most recently Josh appeared in New York Stage and Film’s world premiere production of Richard Greenberg’s The Babylon Line, directed by Terry Kinney.

Aasif Mandvi. Photo by Lia Chang

Aasif Mandvi. Photo by Lia Chang

Aasif Mandvi is well known for his work as a correspondent on Comedy Central’s Emmy-winning show, “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.” He is currently writing, producing, and starring in HBO’s upcoming series, “The Brink” co-starring Jack Black and Tim Robbins. November marked the release of his memoir, No Man’s Land, a collection of humorous and personal stories published by Chronicle Books. Aasif received rave reviews for his performance as ‘Amir’ in the Lincoln Center production of Ayad Akhtar’s  Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Disgraced, and received an  Obie Award for Sakina’s Restaurant, which he both wrote and starred in.
Photos: AALDEF Honors Mari Matsuda, Aasif Mandvi, and John Chou in 2014 at 40th Anniversary Celebration
www.disgracedonbroadway.com

Related Articles:
Ayad Akhtar’s THE INVISIBLE HAND Stars Usman Ally, Justin Kirk, Jameal Ali and Dariush Kashani at New York Theatre Workshop through January 4, 2015
Multimedia: Yellow Face Reading & Book Signing w/ David Henry Hwang, Kathryn Layng, Francis Jue, w/ guest Edward Albee

Other Articles by Lia Chang:
Photos: Joe Mantegna and Danny Ramm Talk about ‘Criminal Minds’ Season 10 Episode Honoring Veterans and the late Meshach Taylor
Second Stage Theatre Presents Stephen Adly Guirgis’ BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY Starring Stephen McKinley Henderson, Victor Almanzar, Elizabeth Canavan, Rosal Colón, Liza Colón-Zayas, Michael Rispoli and Ron Cephas Jones; Opens February 11
Photos: Tony Award Winning Playwright David Henry Hwang, NEFA, Graham Sheffield CBE and Susan Stockton Receive 2015 ISPA Awards
Duwende Performs at Rockwood Music Hall on February 16; Photos of Concert with m-pact at The Bitter End
Photos: Late Night at HERE LIES LOVE with Jaygee Macapugay, David Byrne, Jose Llana, Conrad Ricamora, Melody Butiu and More
Photos: Andrew Rannells and Zuzanna Szadkowski Visit Richard Thomas, Anna Chlumsky, Julie Halston and Annaleigh Ashford at YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Remembering Garland Lee Thompson, Sr. (1938-2014); Memorial Set for February 14, 2015
Two-Time Tony Award Nominee André De Shields, Bowman Wright, E. Faye Butler, KenYatta Rogers, Jessica Frances Dukes and Michael Anthony Williams Set for Arena Stage’s King Hedley II, February 6- March 8, 2015
Lia Chang Picks: Arthur Dong’s Forbidden City: Chinese-American Nightclubs, 1930-1970
THE WIZ Turns 40- Photos from Original Broadway Production and BC/EFA Gypsy of The Year Celebration Featuring André De Shields, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ken Page, Charl Brown, Carly Hughes, Christina Sajous, Alton Fitzgerald White, Lillias White and More
Up Close and Personal with Jose Llana; HERE LIES LOVE Star Set for Lincoln Center’s American Songbook Debut on March 12, 2015
Photos: David Byrne, Jaygee Macapugay, Jose Llana and Conrad Ricamora Bring the ‘Here Lies Love’ Disco to the Apple Store Soho
Photos: Fashion Designer Josie Natori at New Boutique in Nolita; Honored by Asian Cultural Council
Jennifer Lim, Francis Jue, Telly Leung, Jo Mei, James Saito and Sue Jin Song Set for MTC Run of World Premiere of The World of Extreme Happiness by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, February 3 – March 29
Tony Award Winner BD Wong Kicks Off La Jolla Playhouse Residency
Photos: Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, Micki Grant, Woodie King Jr., Voza Rivers, Talvin Wilks, Garland Thompson Jr., Charles Turner, Jamal Joseph, Debra Ann Byrd and More at harlem is…Theater
Photos: Fashion Designer Josie Natori at New Boutique in Nolita; Honored by Asian Cultural Council
ABC’s “Fresh Off the Boat” starring Randall Park, Constance Wu, Hudson Yang, Forrest Wheeler, and Ian Chen, Premieres on February 4 & 10
Baryshnikov Arts Center Presents New York Premiere of Carmen De Lavallade’s Solo Show AS I REMEMBER IT in February 2015
Unsuk Chin’s Opera Alice in Wonderland, Featuring Libretto Co-Written with David Henry Hwang, Set for UK Premiere at the Barbican Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s Novels on March 8, 2015
Ken Watanabe, Kelli O’Hara, Ruthie Ann Miles, Conrad Ricamora, Jon Viktor Corpuz, Paul Nakauchi and More Set for Lincoln Center Theater’s The King and I 
Tam Mutu, Kelli Barrett, Tom Hewitt, Paul Nolan, Lora Lee Gayer, Melody Butiu, Julian Cihi and More Set for Broadway Bound Dr. Zhivago
Photos: Tommy Tune, Bob Avian, Lee Roy Reams, Christine Toy Johnson, Orville Mendoza, Lori Tan Chinn, Raul Aranas, Virginia Wing and More Celebrate 2014 Paul Robeson Citation Award Recipient Baayork Lee Crafting a Career

Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia starred as Carole Barbara in Lorey Hayes’ Power Play at the 2013 National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, N.C., with Pauletta Pearson Washington, Roscoe Orman, and made her jazz vocalist debut in Rome Neal’s Banana Puddin’ Jazz “LADY” at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York. She is profiled in Jade Magazine.
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


Playwright Rajiv Joseph wins $150,000 Laurents/Hatcher Foundation Award for New Play THE GUARDS AT THE TAJ; Set for World Premiere at Atlantic Theater Company in May

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Omar Metwally, Rajiv Joseph and Arian Moayed in the Vivian Beaumont Theater Lobby for the 2013 Steinberg Playwright Award Reception on November 18, 2013. Photo by Lia Chang

Omar Metwally, Rajiv Joseph and Arian Moayed in the Vivian Beaumont Theater Lobby for the 2013 Steinberg Playwright Award Reception on November 18, 2013. Photo by Lia Chang

While doing research for his new play, The Guards at the Taj with cast members Arian Moayed and Omar Metwally in India, Bengal Tiger in the Baghdad Zoo playwright Rajiv Joseph learned the news that The Guards at the Taj, is the recipient of the 2015 Laurents/Hatcher Foundation Award, which provides $50,000 to the winning playwright and an additional $100,000 to defray production costs for the play’s premiere, as reported by Patrick Healy in The New York Times.

The Laurents/Hatcher award, given annually for an unproduced, full-length play of social relevance by an emerging American playwright, was first presented in 2011 and was last given to Daniel Pearle for “A Kid Like Jake” two years ago.
Click below to read more about the Laurents/Hatcher Award.
nytimes.com: Rajiv Joseph Wins $150,000 Laurents/Hatcher Foundation Award

The Guards at the Taj will have its world premiere at Atlantic Theater Company, directed by Amy Morton, from May 20, 2015 to June 28, 2015. Set in 1648 at the completion of the Taj Mahal, two Imperial Guards watch from their post and are forced to question the concept of friendship, beauty and duty that changes them forever.

Joseph’s play Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo was a 2010 finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, and he received the 2013 Steinberg Playwright Award from the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust at The 2013 Steinberg Playwright “Mimi” Awards, held in Lincoln Center’s Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater in New York on November 18, 2013. Moayed and Metwally presented a scene from The Guards at The Taj during the awards ceremony.

Arian Moayed and Omar Metwally in a scene from Rajiv Joseph's Guards at The Taj at The 2013 Steinberg Playwright “Mimi” Awards, held in Lincoln Center’s Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater in New York on November 18, 2013. Photo by Lia Chang

Arian Moayed and Omar Metwally in a scene from Rajiv Joseph’s Guards at The Taj at The 2013 Steinberg Playwright “Mimi” Awards, held in Lincoln Center’s Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater in New York on November 18, 2013. Photo by Lia Chang

Playwright Rajiv Joseph on the set of his new play, "Describe the Night" at the Shubert Theatre in New York on November 21, 2014. Photo by Lia Chang

Playwright Rajiv Joseph on the set of his new play, “Describe the Night” at the Shubert Theatre in New York on November 21, 2014. Photo by Lia Chang

In addition to the world premiere of The Guards at The Taj and South Coast Repertory’s world premiere of Mr. Wolf, directed by David Emmes as part of the 18th Annual Pacific Playwrights Festival in April, The Hollywood Reporter announced Nicolas Cage will star in Army of One, an Osama Bin Laden satire From ‘Borat’ director, with a script written by Joseph and his Draft Day co-writer Scott Rothman.

Rajiv Joseph’s plays include Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, a 2010 finalist for the Pulitzer Prize; Gruesome Playground Injuries (2009); Animals Out of Paper (2008); The North Pool (2011); The Monster at the Door (2011); Huck and Holden (2005); and The Lake Effect (2013). He is the book writer and co-lyricist for the new Peter Pan musical, Fly, and the co-screenwriter of the Lionsgate release Draft Day, a 2014 feature dramedy about pro football, directed by Ivan Reitman and starring Kevin Costner and Jennifer Garner. He also wrote during the third and fourth seasons of the Showtime series “Nurse Jackie.” Joseph earned his BA in creative writing from Miami University and his MFA in playwriting from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. He served for three years in the Peace Corps in Senegal, West Africa. Joseph was named a 2010 Rockefeller Fellow by United States Artists. He is the recipient of the Lucille Lortel Award, the Whiting Award, the Glickman Award, the 2013 Equity Jeff Award for The Lake Effect, produced by Silk Road Rising in Chicago, and the prestigious 2013 Steinberg Playwright Award from the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust.

Upcoming projects:
South Coast Repertory is presenting the world premiere of Mr. Wolf, directed by David Emmes as part of the 18th Annual Pacific Playwrights Festival, on the Julianne Argyros Stage, from April 12, 2015 – May 3, 2015. In Mr. Wolf, Theresa is 17 years old, and she can map out the solar system. She understands the universe—how and why it came to be. She has a man named Mr. Wolf to thank for that. Now the only life she has ever known is coming to an end. She’s being taken away—turned over to people who are strangers to her. They can’t possibly understand her needs, when they seem to be lost, too. And they’re all asking the same questions: What is home? Where do I belong?

Related Articles
NYU Theatrical Production Presents the World Premiere of Rajiv Joseph’s Describe the Night in the Shubert Theatre at Tisch School of the Arts through November 24
Nov. 19-24: NYU Theatrical Production Presents the World Premiere of Rajiv Joseph’s Describe the Night in the Shubert Theatre at Tisch School of the Arts
East West Players’ Los Angeles Premiere of “Animals Out of Paper” by Rajiv Joseph, Featuring C.S. Lee and Tess Lina, Opens Sept. 10, 2014
Dec. 16: Award Winning Playwrights Rajiv Joseph and Tarell Alvin McCraney, the focus of PBS Film, Playwright: From Page to Stage
Photos: David Henry Hwang, Annie Baker and Rajiv Joseph honored at Sixth Annual Steinberg Playwright “Mimi” Awards
Nov. 18: David Henry Hwang, Annie Baker and Rajiv Joseph to be honored at Sixth Annual Steinberg Playwright “Mimi” Awards
Photos: André De Shields, Michael Shannon, Rajiv Joseph, Christine Sherrill, Doug Peck, Alexis J. Rogers, Karen Ziemba and More Celebrate 2013 Jeff Equity Awards

Other Articles by Lia Chang:
Photos: Joe Mantegna and Danny Ramm Talk about ‘Criminal Minds’ Season 10 Episode Honoring Veterans and the late Meshach Taylor
Second Stage Theatre Presents Stephen Adly Guirgis’ BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY Starring Stephen McKinley Henderson, Victor Almanzar, Elizabeth Canavan, Rosal Colón, Liza Colón-Zayas, Michael Rispoli and Ron Cephas Jones; Opens February 11
Photos: Tony Award Winning Playwright David Henry Hwang, NEFA, Graham Sheffield CBE and Susan Stockton Receive 2015 ISPA Awards
Duwende Performs at Rockwood Music Hall on February 16; Photos of Concert with m-pact at The Bitter End
Photos: Late Night at HERE LIES LOVE with Jaygee Macapugay, David Byrne, Jose Llana, Conrad Ricamora, Melody Butiu and More
Photos: Andrew Rannells and Zuzanna Szadkowski Visit Richard Thomas, Anna Chlumsky, Julie Halston and Annaleigh Ashford at YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Remembering Garland Lee Thompson, Sr. (1938-2014); Memorial Set for February 14, 2015
Two-Time Tony Award Nominee André De Shields, Bowman Wright, E. Faye Butler, KenYatta Rogers, Jessica Frances Dukes and Michael Anthony Williams Set for Arena Stage’s King Hedley II, February 6- March 8, 2015
Lia Chang Picks: Arthur Dong’s Forbidden City: Chinese-American Nightclubs, 1930-1970
THE WIZ Turns 40- Photos from Original Broadway Production and BC/EFA Gypsy of The Year Celebration Featuring André De Shields, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ken Page, Charl Brown, Carly Hughes, Christina Sajous, Alton Fitzgerald White, Lillias White and More
Up Close and Personal with Jose Llana; HERE LIES LOVE Star Set for Lincoln Center’s American Songbook Debut on March 12, 2015
Photos: David Byrne, Jaygee Macapugay, Jose Llana and Conrad Ricamora Bring the ‘Here Lies Love’ Disco to the Apple Store Soho
Photos: Fashion Designer Josie Natori at New Boutique in Nolita; Honored by Asian Cultural Council
Jennifer Lim, Francis Jue, Telly Leung, Jo Mei, James Saito and Sue Jin Song Set for MTC Run of World Premiere of The World of Extreme Happiness by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, February 3 – March 29
Tony Award Winner BD Wong Kicks Off La Jolla Playhouse Residency
Photos: Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, Micki Grant, Woodie King Jr., Voza Rivers, Talvin Wilks, Garland Thompson Jr., Charles Turner, Jamal Joseph, Debra Ann Byrd and More at harlem is…Theater
Photos: Fashion Designer Josie Natori at New Boutique in Nolita; Honored by Asian Cultural Council
ABC’s “Fresh Off the Boat” starring Randall Park, Constance Wu, Hudson Yang, Forrest Wheeler, and Ian Chen, Premieres on February 4 & 10
Baryshnikov Arts Center Presents New York Premiere of Carmen De Lavallade’s Solo Show AS I REMEMBER IT in February 2015
Unsuk Chin’s Opera Alice in Wonderland, Featuring Libretto Co-Written with David Henry Hwang, Set for UK Premiere at the Barbican Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s Novels on March 8, 2015
Ken Watanabe, Kelli O’Hara, Ruthie Ann Miles, Conrad Ricamora, Jon Viktor Corpuz, Paul Nakauchi and More Set for Lincoln Center Theater’s The King and I 
Tam Mutu, Kelli Barrett, Tom Hewitt, Paul Nolan, Lora Lee Gayer, Melody Butiu, Julian Cihi and More Set for Broadway Bound Dr. Zhivago
Photos: Tommy Tune, Bob Avian, Lee Roy Reams, Christine Toy Johnson, Orville Mendoza, Lori Tan Chinn, Raul Aranas, Virginia Wing and More Celebrate 2014 Paul Robeson Citation Award Recipient Baayork Lee Crafting a Career

Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia starred as Carole Barbara in Lorey Hayes’ Power Play at the 2013 National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, N.C., with Pauletta Pearson Washington, Roscoe Orman, and made her jazz vocalist debut in Rome Neal’s Banana Puddin’ Jazz “LADY” at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York. She is profiled in Jade Magazine.
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


Lia Chang Photos: Playwright Ayad Akhtar, Josh Radnor and Aasif Mandvi Talk DISGRACED at The Drama Book Shop

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Josh Radnor, Ayad Akhtar and Aasif Mandvi at a book talk and signing at The Drama Book Shop in New York on January 22, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Josh Radnor, Ayad Akhtar and Aasif Mandvi at a book talk and signing at The Drama Book Shop in New York on January 22, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

The Pulitzer Prize winning play Disgraced by Ayad Akhtar starring Hari Dhillon, Gretchen Mol, Danny Ashok, Karen Pittman and Josh Radnor, celebrated its 100th performance at the Lyceum Theatre this week, and will play its final Broadway performance on Sunday, March 1, 2015. In addition to the Pulitzer Prize, Disgraced received Obie and Joseph Jefferson Awards under the direction of Kimberly Senior, who helmed the two previous US productions.

Josh Radnor, playwright Ayad Akhtar and Aasif Mandvi discuss DISGRACED at The Drama Book Shop in New York on January 22, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Josh Radnor, playwright Ayad Akhtar and Aasif Mandvi discuss DISGRACED at The Drama Book Shop in New York on January 22, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

This afternoon, The Drama Book Shop in New York presented a book talk featuring playwright Ayad Akhtar and Josh Radnor, who costars in the current Broadway production. A book signing followed the conversation, moderated by Aasif Mandvi, who starred in Lincoln Center Theater’s Off-Broadway production.

Ayad Akhtar's DISGRACED on display at The Drama Book Shop in New York on January 22, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang Copies of Ayad Akhtar's DISGRACED at The Drama Book Shop in New York on January 22, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang Josh Radnor, playwright Ayad Akhtar and Aasif Mandvi discuss DISGRACED at The Drama Book Shop in New York on January 22, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang DISGRACED playwright Ayad Akhtar at The Drama Book Shop in New York on January 22, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang DISGRACED playwright Ayad Akhtar and Aasif Mandvi at a book talk and signing at The Drama Book Shop in New York on January 22, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang Josh Radnor and DISGRACED playwright Ayad Akhtar at a book talk at The Drama Book Shop in New York on January 22, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang DISGRACED playwright Ayad Akhtar at The Drama Book Shop in New York on January 22, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang Waiting for Ayad Akhtar to sign copies of DISGRACED at The Drama Book Shop in New York on January 22, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang DISGRACED playwright Ayad Akhtar at The Drama Book Shop in New York on January 22, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang DISGRACED playwright Ayad Akhtar at The Drama Book Shop in New York on January 22, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang DISGRACED playwright Ayad Akhtar at The Drama Book Shop in New York on January 22, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang Budding playwrights with Ayad Akhtar at The Drama Book Shop in New York on January 22, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang
Disgraced is the story of a successful Muslim-American lawyer and his wife — an artist influenced by Islamic tradition — enjoying their comfortable and successful life on New York’s Upper East Side. When a co-worker and her husband come to dinner, what begins as polite table conversation explodes, leaving everyone’s relationships and beliefs about race and identity in shards.

DISGRACED playwright Ayad Akhtar at The Drama Book Shop in New York on January 22, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

DISGRACED playwright Ayad Akhtar at The Drama Book Shop in New York on January 22, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Ayad Akhtar was born in New York City and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Akhtar is the author of American Dervish, published in 2012 by Little, Brown and Company in more than 20 languages worldwide, and a 2012 Best Book of the Year at Kirkus Reviews, Toronto’s Globe and Mail, Shelf-Awareness, and O (Oprah) Magazine. He is also a playwright and screenwriter. His play Disgraced premiered in New York at LCT3/Lincoln Center Theater in 2012, won the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the 2013 Obie Award for Extraordinary Achievement and the 2013 Jeff Award for New Work, and is currently on Broadway through March 1, 2015. His latest plays, The Who & The What (LCT3/Lincoln Center Theater and La Jolla Playhouse) and The Invisible Hand (New York Theatre Workshop/The Repertory Theater of St. Louis) made their New York premieres in 2014. As a screenwriter, he co-wrote and starred in The War Within (Magnolia Pictures), which was released internationally and nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Screenplay. As an actor, Akhtar also starred as Neel Kashkari in HBO’s adaptation of Andrew Ross Sorkin’s book Too Big to Fail. He has received commissions from Lincoln Center Theater and fellowships from The Yaddo Foundation and The MacDowell Colony. He is a graduate of Brown University and Columbia School of the Arts.

Good pals Aasif Mandvi and Josh Radnor at The Drama Book Shop in New York on January 22, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Good pals Aasif Mandvi and Josh Radnor at The Drama Book Shop in New York on January 22, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Josh Radnor wrote, directed, and starred in two films, both of which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival before being released in theaters: The Audience Award-winning happythankyoumoreplease opposite Kate Mara, Malin Akerman, and Tony Hale and Liberal Arts opposite Elizabeth Olsen, Richard Jenkins, Allison Janney, and Zac Efron. He was last seen in Jill Soloway’s Afternoon Delight (Sundance, 2013) opposite Kathryn Hahn and Juno Temple. Recently finished a nine-season run playing Ted Mosby on CBS’s Emmy-nominated comedy How I Met Your Mother. His other television credits include guest appearances on ERSix Feet Under, and Law & Orderamong others. He was a series regular on ABC’s The Court starring Sally Field. He made his film debut in the original teen spoof Not Another Teen Movie. On Broadway he played the title character in The Graduate opposite Kathleen Turner. Off-Broadway and regionally, he has appeared at the Manhattan Theater Club, The Vineyard Theater, and Baltimore Center Stage, among others. In Los Angeles, he appeared in the Ovation Award-winning world premiere production of Jon Robin Baitz’s The Paris Letter. Most recently Josh appeared in New York Stage and Film’s world premiere production of Richard Greenberg’s The Babylon Line, directed by Terry Kinney.

Aasif Mandvi is well known for his work as a correspondent on Comedy Central’s Emmy-winning show, “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.” He is currently writing, producing, and starring in HBO’s upcoming series, “The Brink” co-starring Jack Black and Tim Robbins. November marked the release of his memoir, No Man’s Land, a collection of humorous and personal stories published by Chronicle Books. Aasif received rave reviews for his performance as ‘Amir’ in the Lincoln Center production of Ayad Akhtar’s  Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Disgraced, and received an Obie Award for Sakina’s Restaurant, which he both wrote and starred in.

Photos: AALDEF Honors Mari Matsuda, Aasif Mandvi, and John Chou in 2014 at 40th Anniversary Celebration

Tickets ($37.50-$138) for Disgraced are available by calling Telecharge.com at 212-239-6200, online at www.telecharge.com, or at the Lyceum Theatre box office (149 West 45th Street).

Performances are Tuesdays at 7PM, Wednesdays at 2PM and 7PM, Thursdays at 7PM, Fridays at 8PM, Saturdays at 2PM and 8PM, Sundays at 3PM.

www.disgracedonbroadway.com

Related Articles:
Photos: AALDEF Honors Mari Matsuda, Aasif Mandvi, and John Chou in 2014 at 40th Anniversary Celebration
Jan. 22: DISGRACED Discussed with Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Ayad Akhtar, Josh Radnor and Aasif Mandvi at The Drama Bookshop
Ayad Akhtar’s THE INVISIBLE HAND Stars Usman Ally, Justin Kirk, Jameal Ali and Dariush Kashani at New York Theatre Workshop through January 4, 2015
Multimedia: Yellow Face Reading & Book Signing w/ David Henry Hwang, Kathryn Layng, Francis Jue, w/ guest Edward Albee

Other Articles by Lia Chang:
Rajiv Joseph Wins $150,000 Laurents/Hatcher Foundation Award for New Play The Guards at the Taj; Set for World Premiere at Atlantic Theater Company in May
Photos: Joe Mantegna and Danny Ramm Talk about ‘Criminal Minds’ Season 10 Episode Honoring Veterans and the late Meshach Taylor
Second Stage Theatre Presents Stephen Adly Guirgis’ BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY Starring Stephen McKinley Henderson, Victor Almanzar, Elizabeth Canavan, Rosal Colón, Liza Colón-Zayas, Michael Rispoli and Ron Cephas Jones; Opens February 11
Photos: Tony Award Winning Playwright David Henry Hwang, NEFA, Graham Sheffield CBE and Susan Stockton Receive 2015 ISPA Awards
Duwende Performs at Rockwood Music Hall on February 16; Photos of Concert with m-pact at The Bitter End
Photos: Late Night at HERE LIES LOVE with Jaygee Macapugay, David Byrne, Jose Llana, Conrad Ricamora, Melody Butiu and More
Photos: Andrew Rannells and Zuzanna Szadkowski Visit Richard Thomas, Anna Chlumsky, Julie Halston and Annaleigh Ashford at YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Remembering Garland Lee Thompson, Sr. (1938-2014); Memorial Set for February 14, 2015
Two-Time Tony Award Nominee André De Shields, Bowman Wright, E. Faye Butler, KenYatta Rogers, Jessica Frances Dukes and Michael Anthony Williams Set for Arena Stage’s King Hedley II, February 6- March 8, 2015
Lia Chang Picks: Arthur Dong’s Forbidden City: Chinese-American Nightclubs, 1930-1970
THE WIZ Turns 40- Photos from Original Broadway Production and BC/EFA Gypsy of The Year Celebration Featuring André De Shields, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ken Page, Charl Brown, Carly Hughes, Christina Sajous, Alton Fitzgerald White, Lillias White and More
Up Close and Personal with Jose Llana; HERE LIES LOVE Star Set for Lincoln Center’s American Songbook Debut on March 12, 2015
Photos: David Byrne, Jaygee Macapugay, Jose Llana and Conrad Ricamora Bring the ‘Here Lies Love’ Disco to the Apple Store Soho
Photos: Fashion Designer Josie Natori at New Boutique in Nolita; Honored by Asian Cultural Council
Jennifer Lim, Francis Jue, Telly Leung, Jo Mei, James Saito and Sue Jin Song Set for MTC Run of World Premiere of The World of Extreme Happiness by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, February 3 – March 29
Tony Award Winner BD Wong Kicks Off La Jolla Playhouse Residency
Photos: Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, Micki Grant, Woodie King Jr., Voza Rivers, Talvin Wilks, Garland Thompson Jr., Charles Turner, Jamal Joseph, Debra Ann Byrd and More at harlem is…Theater
Photos: Fashion Designer Josie Natori at New Boutique in Nolita; Honored by Asian Cultural Council
ABC’s “Fresh Off the Boat” starring Randall Park, Constance Wu, Hudson Yang, Forrest Wheeler, and Ian Chen, Premieres on February 4 & 10
Baryshnikov Arts Center Presents New York Premiere of Carmen De Lavallade’s Solo Show AS I REMEMBER IT in February 2015
Unsuk Chin’s Opera Alice in Wonderland, Featuring Libretto Co-Written with David Henry Hwang, Set for UK Premiere at the Barbican Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s Novels on March 8, 2015
Ken Watanabe, Kelli O’Hara, Ruthie Ann Miles, Conrad Ricamora, Jon Viktor Corpuz, Paul Nakauchi and More Set for Lincoln Center Theater’s The King and I 
Tam Mutu, Kelli Barrett, Tom Hewitt, Paul Nolan, Lora Lee Gayer, Melody Butiu, Julian Cihi and More Set for Broadway Bound Dr. Zhivago
Photos: Tommy Tune, Bob Avian, Lee Roy Reams, Christine Toy Johnson, Orville Mendoza, Lori Tan Chinn, Raul Aranas, Virginia Wing and More Celebrate 2014 Paul Robeson Citation Award Recipient Baayork Lee Crafting a Career

Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia starred as Carole Barbara in Lorey Hayes’ Power Play at the 2013 National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, N.C., with Pauletta Pearson Washington, Roscoe Orman, and made her jazz vocalist debut in Rome Neal’s Banana Puddin’ Jazz “LADY” at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York. She is profiled in Jade Magazine.
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


Jan. 23: Aasif Mandvi In Conversation with Ayad Akhtar at BookCourt; “No Land’s Man” Reading and Book Signing

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Aasif Mandvi. Photo by Lia Chang

Aasif Mandvi. Photo by Lia Chang

BookCourt is presenting Aasif Mandvi in conversation with Ayad Akhtar on Friday, January 23, 2015 at 7 P.M. Mandvi will read excerpts from his new book, No Land’s Man, which will be followed by an audience Q & A and a book signing. BookCourt is located at 163 Court Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201. For more information, call (718) 875-3677 or email bookcourtinfo@gmail.com.

Aasif Mandvi is a correspondent on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and one of the stars of HBO’s upcoming series, The Brink for which he also serves as writer/producer. He won an OBIE award for his one-man play Sakina’s Restaurant which he later adapted into the film Today’s Special. He has appeared in numerous theater, film and television productions including Ayad Akhtar’s Pulitzer Prize winning play Disgraced at Lincoln Center, the films Million Dollar Arm and The Internship, and most recently on the television show “Madame Secretary”. He lives in New York City.
9781452107912
Praise:
If you’re an Indo-Muslim-British-American actor who has spent more time in bars than mosques over the past few decades, turns out it’s a little tough to explain who you are or where you are from. In No Land’s Man Aasif Mandvi explores this and other conundrums through stories about his family, ambition, desire, and culture that range from dealing with his brunch-obsessed father, to being a high-school-age Michael Jackson impersonator, to joining a Bible study group in order to seduce a nice Christian girl, to improbably becoming America’s favorite Muslim/Indian/Arab/Brown/Doctor correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

This is a book filled with passion, discovery, and humor. Mandvi hilariously and poignantly describes a journey that will resonate with anyone who has had to navigate his or her way in the murky space between lands. Or anyone who really loves brunch.

“It always bothered me that Aasif was more than merely funny-he’s also a great actor. Now I’ve learned he’s an amazing storyteller as well, and I am furious . . . but also grateful. Aasif’s movement between cultures and genres is what makes him and his story singularly funny, poignant, and essential.” -John Hodgman, author of The Areas of My Expertise and More Information Than You Require

“Highly entertaining and engaging” -India West

“We need more books like this – or rather, we need to read more books like this – in order to understand the fundamental humanity that we all share, regardless of skin color.” -Daily Kos

“Mandvi’s book No Land’s Man is a collection of humorous essays that explore his myriad identities: Indian, Muslim, British, and American…The book is a lighthearted but heartfelt portrait of Mandvi’s childhood and his struggles to come to terms with his rather complicated life.” -The Boston Globe

“Aasif is my favorite Indo-Muslim-British- American Daily Show correspondent ever. I loved No Land’s Man!” -Jim Gaffigan, author of Dad Is Fat and Food: A Love Story

DISGRACED playwright Ayad Akhtar at The Drama Book Shop in New York on January 22, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

DISGRACED playwright Ayad Akhtar at The Drama Book Shop in New York on January 22, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Ayad Akhtar was born in New York City and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Akhtar is the author of American Dervish, published in 2012 by Little, Brown and Company in more than 20 languages worldwide, and a 2012 Best Book of the Year at Kirkus ReviewsToronto’s Globe and MailShelf-Awareness, and O (Oprah) Magazine. He is also a playwright and screenwriter. His play Disgraced premiered in New York at LCT3/Lincoln Center Theater in 2012, won the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the 2013 Obie Award for Extraordinary Achievement and the 2013 Jeff Award for New Work, and is currently on Broadway through March 1, 2015. His latest plays, The Who & The What (LCT3/Lincoln Center Theater and La Jolla Playhouse) and The Invisible Hand (New York Theatre Workshop/The Repertory Theater of St. Louis) made their New York premieres in 2014. As a screenwriter, he co-wrote and starred in The War Within (Magnolia Pictures), which was released internationally and nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Screenplay. As an actor, Akhtar also starred as Neel Kashkari in HBO’s adaptation of Andrew Ross Sorkin’s book Too Big to Fail. He has received commissions from Lincoln Center Theater and fellowships from The Yaddo Foundation and The MacDowell Colony. He is a graduate of Brown University and Columbia School of the Arts.

Related Articles:
Photos: Playwright Ayad Akhtar, Josh Radnor and Aasif Mandvi Talk DISGRACED at The Drama Book Shop
Photos: AALDEF Honors Mari Matsuda, Aasif Mandvi, and John Chou in 2014 at 40th Anniversary Celebration
Jan. 22: DISGRACED Discussed with Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Ayad Akhtar, Josh Radnor and Aasif Mandvi at The Drama Bookshop
Ayad Akhtar’s THE INVISIBLE HAND Stars Usman Ally, Justin Kirk, Jameal Ali and Dariush Kashani at New York Theatre Workshop through January 4, 2015
Multimedia: Yellow Face Reading & Book Signing w/ David Henry Hwang, Kathryn Layng, Francis Jue, w/ guest Edward Albee

Other Articles by Lia Chang:
Rajiv Joseph Wins $150,000 Laurents/Hatcher Foundation Award for New Play The Guards at the Taj; Set for World Premiere at Atlantic Theater Company in May
Photos: Joe Mantegna and Danny Ramm Talk about ‘Criminal Minds’ Season 10 Episode Honoring Veterans and the late Meshach Taylor
Second Stage Theatre Presents Stephen Adly Guirgis’ BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY Starring Stephen McKinley Henderson, Victor Almanzar, Elizabeth Canavan, Rosal Colón, Liza Colón-Zayas, Michael Rispoli and Ron Cephas Jones; Opens February 11
Photos: Tony Award Winning Playwright David Henry Hwang, NEFA, Graham Sheffield CBE and Susan Stockton Receive 2015 ISPA Awards
Duwende Performs at Rockwood Music Hall on February 16; Photos of Concert with m-pact at The Bitter End
Photos: Late Night at HERE LIES LOVE with Jaygee Macapugay, David Byrne, Jose Llana, Conrad Ricamora, Melody Butiu and More
Photos: Andrew Rannells and Zuzanna Szadkowski Visit Richard Thomas, Anna Chlumsky, Julie Halston and Annaleigh Ashford at YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Remembering Garland Lee Thompson, Sr. (1938-2014); Memorial Set for February 14, 2015
Two-Time Tony Award Nominee André De Shields, Bowman Wright, E. Faye Butler, KenYatta Rogers, Jessica Frances Dukes and Michael Anthony Williams Set for Arena Stage’s King Hedley II, February 6- March 8, 2015
Lia Chang Picks: Arthur Dong’s Forbidden City: Chinese-American Nightclubs, 1930-1970
THE WIZ Turns 40- Photos from Original Broadway Production and BC/EFA Gypsy of The Year Celebration Featuring André De Shields, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ken Page, Charl Brown, Carly Hughes, Christina Sajous, Alton Fitzgerald White, Lillias White and More
Up Close and Personal with Jose Llana; HERE LIES LOVE Star Set for Lincoln Center’s American Songbook Debut on March 12, 2015
Photos: David Byrne, Jaygee Macapugay, Jose Llana and Conrad Ricamora Bring the ‘Here Lies Love’ Disco to the Apple Store Soho
Photos: Fashion Designer Josie Natori at New Boutique in Nolita; Honored by Asian Cultural Council
Jennifer Lim, Francis Jue, Telly Leung, Jo Mei, James Saito and Sue Jin Song Set for MTC Run of World Premiere of The World of Extreme Happiness by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, February 3 – March 29
Tony Award Winner BD Wong Kicks Off La Jolla Playhouse Residency
Photos: Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, Micki Grant, Woodie King Jr., Voza Rivers, Talvin Wilks, Garland Thompson Jr., Charles Turner, Jamal Joseph, Debra Ann Byrd and More at harlem is…Theater
Photos: Fashion Designer Josie Natori at New Boutique in Nolita; Honored by Asian Cultural Council
ABC’s “Fresh Off the Boat” starring Randall Park, Constance Wu, Hudson Yang, Forrest Wheeler, and Ian Chen, Premieres on February 4 & 10
Baryshnikov Arts Center Presents New York Premiere of Carmen De Lavallade’s Solo Show AS I REMEMBER IT in February 2015
Unsuk Chin’s Opera Alice in Wonderland, Featuring Libretto Co-Written with David Henry Hwang, Set for UK Premiere at the Barbican Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s Novels on March 8, 2015
Ken Watanabe, Kelli O’Hara, Ruthie Ann Miles, Conrad Ricamora, Jon Viktor Corpuz, Paul Nakauchi and More Set for Lincoln Center Theater’s The King and I 
Tam Mutu, Kelli Barrett, Tom Hewitt, Paul Nolan, Lora Lee Gayer, Melody Butiu, Julian Cihi and More Set for Broadway Bound Dr. Zhivago
Photos: Tommy Tune, Bob Avian, Lee Roy Reams, Christine Toy Johnson, Orville Mendoza, Lori Tan Chinn, Raul Aranas, Virginia Wing and More Celebrate 2014 Paul Robeson Citation Award Recipient Baayork Lee Crafting a Career

Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia starred as Carole Barbara in Lorey Hayes’ Power Play at the 2013 National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, N.C., with Pauletta Pearson Washington, Roscoe Orman, and made her jazz vocalist debut in Rome Neal’s Banana Puddin’ Jazz “LADY” at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York. She is profiled in Jade Magazine.
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


Stephen Adly Guirgis’ BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY Extends through March 22

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Second Stage Theatre has announced the two-week extension of the Atlantic Theater Company’s sold out production of Stephen Adly Guirgis’ acclaimed play, Between Riverside and Crazy, through March 22, 2015.

Helmed by Austin Pendleton, the cast lead by Stephen McKinley Henderson, who received rave reviews as Walter “Pops” Washington, Victor Almanzar as Oswaldo, Elizabeth Canavan as Detective O’Connor, Rosal Colón Lulu, Liza Colón-Zayas as Church Lady, Ron Cephas Jones as Junior, and Michael Rispoli as Lieutenant Caro has been knocking it out of the ball park since their first preview on January 16th at Second Stage Theatre’s Tony Kiser Theatre (305 West 43rd Street). Opening night is February 11, 2015.

Ron Cephas Jones, Liza Colón-Zayas, Elizabeth Canavan, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Rosal Colón,  Michael Rispoli and Victor Almanzar in the Second Stage Theatre green room on January 21, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Ron Cephas Jones, Liza Colón-Zayas, Elizabeth Canavan, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Rosal Colón, Michael Rispoli and Victor Almanzar in the Second Stage Theatre green room on January 21, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

City Hall is demanding more than his signature, the Landlord wants him out, the liquor store is closed – and the Church won’t leave him alone. For ex-cop and recent widower Walter “Pops” Washington and his recently paroled son Junior, the struggle to hold on to one of the last great rent stabilized apartments on Riverside Drive collides with old wounds, sketchy new houseguests, and a final ultimatum in this dark comedy. For Pops and Junior, it seems the Old Days are dead and gone – after a lifetime living Between Riverside and Crazy.

Stephen McKinley Henderson as Pops, Elizabeth Canavan as Detective Audrey O’Connor & Michael Rispoli as Lieutenant Caro in Between Riverside and Crazy. Photo by Kevin Thomas Garcia

Stephen McKinley Henderson as Pops, Elizabeth Canavan as Detective Audrey O’Connor & Michael Rispoli as Lieutenant Caro in Between Riverside and Crazy. Photo by Kevin Thomas Garcia

Recently featured on New York Times Theater Critic Ben Brantley’s Best Theater of 2014 List:

Between Riverside and Crazy: The triumphant return of Stephen Adly Guirgis, who startled Broadway in 2011 by snatching a Tony nomination for best play for a work with an unprintable title. This gleefully agnostic account of the things we do for real estate (at least when you’re poor and in unlikely possession of prime Manhattan property) blithely crossed the lines between good and bad, comedy and tragedy, faith and skepticism without missing a step. Austin Pendleton directed a wonderful cast led by Stephen McKinley Henderson.”
Click here to see the complete list.

Stephen McKinley Henderson as Pops, Rosal Colon as Lulu & Victor Almanzar as Oswaldo in Between Riverside and Crazy. Photo by Kevin Thomas Garcia

Stephen McKinley Henderson as Pops, Rosal Colon as Lulu & Victor Almanzar as Oswaldo in Between Riverside and Crazy. Photo by Kevin Thomas Garcia

Between Riverside and Crazy features scenic design by Walt Spangler; costume design byAlexis Forte; lighting design by Keith Parham; and sound design and original music by Ryan Rumery.
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Tickets are $75 (orchestra), $60 (Balcony), $67.50 (Senior), $125 premium*, $55 (subscription). Save 35% on $75 tickets with code BRACMP on performances, January 16- February 10, 2015. Rush tickets are available one hour prior to curtain to full time high school or college students. $30 Under 30 tickets available in advance for patrons ages 30 and under. One valid ID required for each ticket purchased, based on availability.  For tickets: call the box office at 212-246-4422 or 2ST.com. *A limited number of Premium Seats are available. Please call the box office at 212-246-4422 to reserve.

2014 Steinberg Distinguished Playwright recipient Stephen Adly Guirgis at the 2014 Steinberg Playwright Awards hosted by the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust on November 17, 2014 in New York City. Photo by Lia Chang

2014 Steinberg Distinguished Playwright recipient Stephen Adly Guirgis at the 2014 Steinberg Playwright Awards hosted by the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust on November 17, 2014 in New York City. Photo by Lia Chang

STEPHEN ADLY GUIRGIS (Playwright) is a member and former co-artistic director of LAByrinth Theater Company. His plays have been produced on five continents and throughout the United States. They include Our Lady of 121st Street (Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, Outer Critics Circle Best Play Nominations), Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train (Edinburgh Festival Fringe First Award, Barrymore Award, Olivier Nomination for London’s Best New Play), In Arabia, We’d All Be Kings (2007 LA Drama Critics Best Play, Best Writing Award), The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (10 best Time Magazine & Entertainment Weekly), and The Little Flower of East Orange (with Ellen Burstyn & Michael Shannon). All five plays were directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman and were originally produced by LAByrinth. His most recent play, The Motherf***er with the Hat (6 Tony nominations, including Best Play), was directed by Anna D. Shapiro and marked his third consecutive world premiere co-production with The Public Theater and LAByrinth. In London, his plays have premiered at The Donmar Warehouse, The Almeida (dir: Rupert Goold), The Hampstead (Robert Delamere), and at The Arts Theater in the West End. Other plays include Den of Thieves (Labyrinth, HERE, HAI, Black Dahlia) and Dominica The Fat Ugly Ho (dir: Adam Rapp) for the 2006 E.S.T. Marathon. He is currently collaborating with Academy Award nominated director Baz Luhrmann on a Netflix Series about the birth of hip-hop in the 1970s. He has received the Yale Wyndham-Campbell Prize, a PEN/Laura Pels Award, a Whiting Award,  a TCG fellowship and the prestigious 2014 Steinberg Distinguished Playwright Award. He is also a New Dramatists Alumnae and a member of MCC’s Playwright’s Coalition, The Ojai Playwrights Festival, New River Dramatists, and Labyrinth Theater Company. As an actor, he has appeared in theater, film and television, including roles in Kenneth Lonergan’s film Margaret, Todd Solondz’s Palindromes, Brett C Leonard’s Jailbait opposite Michael Pitt and Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Birdman opposite Michael Keaton. A former violence prevention specialist and H.I.V. educator, he lives in New York City.

Austin Pendleton

Austin Pendleton

AUSTIN PENDLETON (Director) returns to Second Stage Theatre where he staged the critically acclaimed production of Spoils of War.  He has been most recently represented as a director by his productions in New York, of Gidion’s Knot (by Johnna Adams) at 59E59; Seagull69 (adapted from The Sea Gull) at Mississippi Mud; IvanovThree Sisters, and Uncle Vanya (all at CSC); and Look Homeward, Angel for Mother of Invention, among many other productions.  Other credits include: in Chicago, works at Steppenwolf (where he is a member of the Ensemble) most recently by Tribes; in London at the National Theatre by Detroit by Lisa D’Amour; and in Little Rock by A Loss of Roses by William Inge, at Arkansas Rep. He is also an actor (Broadway, off- and off-off-Broadway, regional theatre, and many movies and TV appearances), playwright (his plays include Orson’s ShadowUncle Bob, and Booth), and (at HB Studio in New York) teacher of acting.

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Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia starred as Carole Barbara in Lorey Hayes’ Power Play at the 2013 National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, N.C., with Pauletta Pearson Washington, Roscoe Orman, and made her jazz vocalist debut in Rome Neal’s Banana Puddin’ Jazz “LADY” at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York. She is profiled in Jade Magazine.
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



Tony Award-Winner Lillias White Stars with Scott Wakefield in The York Theatre Company’s World Premiere of TEXAS IN PARIS, January 27 – March 1

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Lillias White sings “Home,” at the BC/EFA's Gypsy of the Year at The New Amsterdam Theatre in New York on December 9, 2014. Photo by Lia Chang

Lillias White sings “Home,” at the BC/EFA’s Gypsy of the Year at The New Amsterdam Theatre in New York on December 9, 2014. Photo by Lia Chang

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The York Theatre Company, in association with Everyday Songs, is presenting the world premiere of the new musical play, Texas in Paris, written by Alan Govenar with spirituals, cowboy songs and country hymns, starring Tony award-winner Lillias White (Fela!, The Life) with Scott Wakefield (Hands on a Hardbody).

Performances are set to begin Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. for a limited engagement through Sunday, March 1, 2015 at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter’s (entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue). Opening Night is Thursday, February 5, 2015.

Akin Babatundé (Blind Lemon Blues) directs this two character play based on true events. Texas in Paris is the musical journey of a man and a woman — one white, one black – invited to France to perform at the Maison des Cultures du Monde. They have never met, have no professional singing experience, and face the challenge of working together and co-existing in an unfamiliar world. Apprehensive of each other, they struggle with preconceptions but forge a surprising spiritual bond that transforms their on-stage performance and their lives. With music supervision by Amy Jones.

Check out the discount ticket codes below.

Tickets $36 — all preview performances through Feb 4 with code TEXAS1

Tickets $46 for Tues, Wed Thur performances Feb 6-Mar 1 with code TEXAS2

Tickets $56 Fri -Sun performances Feb 6-Mar 1 with code TEXAS3

Tickets can be purchased online at www.yorktheatre.org, by calling 212.935.5820, or in person at the York Theatre Box Office Theatre at Saint Peter’s, 619 Lexington Avenue @ East 54th Street.

For groups 10+ Contact Marcia Pendelton at 646-467-7393 or by email at marcia@walktallgirlproductions.com.

Lillias White, Elain Graham and Billy Porter after a performance of Porter's While I Yet Live at The Duke Theater on October 30, 2014. Photo by Lia Chang

Lillias White, Elain Graham and Billy Porter after a performance of Porter’s While I Yet Live at The Duke Theater on October 30, 2014. Photo by Lia Chang

Lillias White made her Broadway debut in 1981 with the company of Barnum. Later that year, she understudied the role of Effie in the original 1981 production of Dreamgirls, going on to play the role in the 1987 revival. She won the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critic Circle Awards for her role in Cy Coleman’s The Life. White has also appeared on Broadway in Cats, Carrie, Once on this Island, How to Succeed…, Chicago, and Fela!. Selected Off-Broadway credits include the Public Theater production of the William Finn musical Romance in Hard Times, for which she won the Obie Award, Dinah Was at the Gramercy Theatre as singer Dinah Washington, and Second Stage Theatre’s Crowns, for which she won the AUDELCO Award. White’s concert performances include Funny GirlHairDreamgirls, and South Pacific. She has appeared in concert at the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, and Lincoln Center and has toured internationally with her one-woman show, From Brooklyn to Broadway. White won an Emmy for her work on “Sesame Street” and can be heard in Anastasia and Disney’s Hercules. Last Fall, she appeared in Primary Stages’ World Premiere of While I Yet Live by the Tony-winning star of Kinky Boots and Angels in America, Billy Porter, at The Duke on 42nd. Directed by Tony Award nominee Sheryl Kaller, the cast also featured Elain Graham, Emmy Award winner S. Epatha Merkerson, Kevyn Morrow, Sharon Washington and Larry Powell.

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Remembering Garland Lee Thompson, Sr. (1938-2014); Memorial Set for February 14, 2015
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“Swimming Awkward Moment,” works by Arlan Huang on view at Trestle Gallery, February 20 – March 27
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Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia starred as Carole Barbara in Lorey Hayes’ Power Play at the 2013 National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, N.C., with Pauletta Pearson Washington, Roscoe Orman, and made her jazz vocalist debut in Rome Neal’s Banana Puddin’ Jazz “LADY” at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York. She is profiled in Jade Magazine.
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


Vineyard Theatre Presents World Premiere of Michael Mayer Helmed BROOKLYNITE Featuring Ann Harada, Nick Choksi, Matt Doyle, Nicolette Robinson, Andrew Call and More, January 30 – March 22

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features-large_brooklynite-keyartVineyard Theatre is presenting the world premiere of the musical BROOKLYNITE, helmed by Tony Award-winning director Michael Mayer (HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, SPRING AWAKENING), January 30 – March 22, 2015. Opening night is set for Wednesday February 25th. The Vineyard Theatre is located at 108 East 15th Street (between Union Square East and Irving Place) in New York. Click here to purchase tickets.

Ann Harada

Ann Harada

Mr. Mayer will direct a company that features Andrew Call (FOUND, ROCK OF AGES), Gerard Canonico (SPRING AWAKENING), Max Chernin (BRIGHT STAR), Nick Choksi (INDIAN INK, NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812), Nick Cordero (BULLETS OVER BROADWAY), Matt Doyle (WAR HORSE, THE BOOK OF MORMON), Carla Duren (110 IN THE SHADE), Ann Harada (AVENUE Q at The Vineyard and on Broadway, CINDERELLA), John-Michael Lyles (ANGELINA BALLERINA), Grace McLean (BEDBUGS, NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812), Tom Alan Robbins (THE LION KING, SUNSET BOULEVARD), Nicolette Robinson (“The Affair” – Showtime, “Hart of Dixie” – CW Network), and Remy Zaken (SPRING AWAKENING, THE ANTHEM).

With book by Peter Lerman and Michael Mayer and music and lyrics by Peter Lerman (winner of the Jonathan Larson Award), BROOKLYNITE features choreography by Steven Hoggett (THE LAST SHIP, THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME, ONCE).

Nicolette Robinson and Matt Doyle. Photo courtesy of Brooklynite/Vineyard Theatre

Nicolette Robinson and Matt Doyle. Photo courtesy of Brooklynite/Vineyard Theatre

In BROOKLYNITE, Trey Swieskowski (Matt Doyle) is an idealistic hardware store clerk who dreams of becoming a superhero. Astrolass (Nicolette Robinson), Brooklyn’s most celebrated superhero, is determined to throw in the cape and live like a normal Brooklynite. When they meet they hatch a plan that will change their lives forever. But can they save Brooklyn when it suddenly teeters on the brink of disaster?

BROOKLYNITE is inspired by the real Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company located in Park Slope and based on characters created by Michael Chabon and Ayelet Waldman.
Vineyard Theatre is a non-profit theatre company dedicated to new work, bold programming, and the support of artists. One of America’s preeminent centers for the creation of new plays and musicals, Vineyard Theatre has consistently premiered provocative, groundbreaking works by both new and established writers. From our Tony Award-winning AVENUE Q, Obie Award-winning [title of show], Kander and Ebb’s THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS (12 Tony nominations), and Nicky Silver’s THE LYONS—which all went on to Broadway runs—to our Pulitzer Prize-winning plays HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE by Paula Vogel andTHREE TALL WOMEN by Edward Albee, to such notable projects as Tarell Alvin McCraney’s WIG OUT!, Nicky Silver’s PTERODACTYLS, Becky Mode’s FULLY COMMITTED, Craig Lucas’ THE DYING GAUL, Polly Pen’s GOBLIN MARKET, Christopher Shinn’s WHERE DO WE LIVE, Cornelius Eady’sBRUTAL IMAGINATION, Gina Gionfriddo’s AFTER ASHLEY, the Laura Nyro musical ELI’S COMIN’, Anne Washburn’s THE INTERNATIONALIST, Julia Cho’s THE PIANO TEACHER, Ben Katchor and Mark Mulcahy’s THE SLUG BEARERS OF KAYROL ISLAND, Jenny Schwartz’s GOD’S EAR, and more recent acclaimed productions of The Civilians’ THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY, Colman Domingo’s A BOY AND HIS SOUL, Adam Rapp’s THE METAL CHILDREN, Will Eno’s MIDDLETOWN, and Hunter Bell, Susan Blackwell and Jeff Bowen’s NOW.HERE.THIS., we strive to produce new work that challenges both our audiences and artists. Works premiered at The Vineyard have garnered two Pulitzer Prizes, three Tony Awards, and numerous OBIE, Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, Outer Critics, and New York Drama Critics Circle Awards. It is our goal to bring a spirit of adventure and risk to the art of making theatre, and we’re proud to be the recipient of special OBIE, Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel Awards for Sustained Excellence.

Other articles about Ann Harada:
Ann Harada Ends Run on Broadway in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s ‘Cinderella’ on December 14; Set for World Premiere of ‘Brooklynite’ at The Vineyard in January 2015
Photos: Harriet Harris, John Tartaglia, Christine Toy Johnson, Alan Muraoka, James Saito and More celebrate Ann Harada’s Debut at Lincoln Center in the American Songbook Series
Feb. 22: Lincoln Center Presents Cinderella’s Ann Harada in the American Songbook Series in the Allen Room at Frederick P. Rose Hall
Ann Harada Plays Cinderella’s Stepsister Charlotte in Broadway Premiere of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella at the Broadway Theatre
Christine Toy Johnson, Thom Sesma, Ali Ewoldt, Jose Llana, Ann Harada, Telly Leung and More Set for The Asian American Composers and Lyricists Project at The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre on May 19, 2013
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
Photos and Video: Daniel Dae Kim, Ann Harada, Greg Watanabe and More at Jeanne Sakata’s Hold These Truths starring Joel de la Fuente
Shinsai: Theaters for Japan Photos: (8pm) with Oskar Eustis, Patti LuPone, Lisa Emery, Ann Harada, Paolo Montalban, Thom Sesma, Sab Shimono, Henry Stram, Richard Thomas, John Weidman and more

Other Articles by Lia Chang:
2015 Sundance Film Festival Lineup
Jan. 25: 11th Annual Asian American Pacific Filmmakers Experience in Park City at Club 301 – The Funn Networks Space
Asian American Film Lab Receives Manhattan Chamber of Commerce Community Benefit Grant
Stephen Adly Guirgis’ BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY Extends through March 22
Vineyard Theatre Presents World Premiere of Michael Mayer Helmed BROOKLYNITE Featuring Ann Harada, Nick Choksi, Matt Doyle, Nicolette Robinson, Andrew Call and More, January 30 – March 22
Tony Award-Winner Lillias White Stars with Scott Wakefield in The York Theatre Company’s World Premiere of TEXAS IN PARIS, January 27 – March 1
Star Trek’s George Takei to Headline 5th Annual Korematsu Day at City Arts and Lectures-Nourse Theatre in San Francisco on Jan. 30
Feb. 3: BD Wong and Russell Wong Guest Star on ‘NCIS: NEW ORLEANS’, Episode 1.13 – The Walking Dead
FEB. 4: “Fresh Off the Boat” Live Community Viewing Party at THE CIRCLE NYC with Hudson Yang
Two-Time Tony Award Nominee André De Shields, Bowman Wright, E. Faye Butler, KenYatta Rogers, Jessica Frances Dukes and Michael Anthony Williams Set for Arena Stage’s King Hedley II, February 6- March 8, 2015
Remembering Garland Lee Thompson, Sr. (1938-2014); Memorial Set for February 14, 2015
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“Swimming Awkward Moment,” works by Arlan Huang on view at Trestle Gallery, February 20 – March 27
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Baryshnikov Arts Center Presents New York Premiere of Carmen De Lavallade’s Solo Show AS I REMEMBER IT in February 2015
Photos: Playwright Ayad Akhtar, Josh Radnor and Aasif Mandvi Talk DISGRACED at The Drama Book Shop
Rajiv Joseph Wins Laurents/Hatcher Foundation Award for New Play The Guards at the Taj; Set for World Premiere at Atlantic Theater Company in May
Photos: Joe Mantegna and Danny Ramm Talk about ‘Criminal Minds’ Season 10 Episode Honoring Veterans and the late Meshach Taylor
Photos: Tony Award Winning Playwright David Henry Hwang, NEFA, Graham Sheffield CBE and Susan Stockton Receive 2015 ISPA Awards
Photos: Late Night at HERE LIES LOVE with Jaygee Macapugay, David Byrne, Jose Llana, Conrad Ricamora, Melody Butiu and More
Photos: Andrew Rannells and Zuzanna Szadkowski Visit Richard Thomas, Anna Chlumsky, Julie Halston and Annaleigh Ashford at YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Remembering Garland Lee Thompson, Sr. (1938-2014); Memorial Set for February 14, 2015
Photos: Fashion Designer Josie Natori at New Boutique in Nolita; Honored by Asian Cultural Council
Unsuk Chin’s Opera Alice in Wonderland, Featuring Libretto Co-Written with David Henry Hwang, Set for UK Premiere at the Barbican Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s Novels on March 8, 2015
Ken Watanabe, Kelli O’Hara, Ruthie Ann Miles, Conrad Ricamora, Jon Viktor Corpuz, Paul Nakauchi and More Set for Lincoln Center Theater’s The King and I 
Tam Mutu, Kelli Barrett, Tom Hewitt, Paul Nolan, Lora Lee Gayer, Melody Butiu, Julian Cihi and More Set for Broadway Bound Dr. Zhivago
Photos: Tommy Tune, Bob Avian, Lee Roy Reams, Christine Toy Johnson, Orville Mendoza, Lori Tan Chinn, Raul Aranas, Virginia Wing and More Celebrate 2014 Paul Robeson Citation Award Recipient Baayork Lee Crafting a Career

Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia starred as Carole Barbara in Lorey Hayes’ Power Play at the 2013 National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, N.C., with Pauletta Pearson Washington, Roscoe Orman, and made her jazz vocalist debut in Rome Neal’s Banana Puddin’ Jazz “LADY” at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York. She is profiled in Jade Magazine.
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


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

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Chita! Photo by Joseph Sinnott/THIRTEEN Productions LLC

Chita!
Photo by Joseph Sinnott/THIRTEEN Productions LLC

Broadway shows, other scheduled events and most of New York City shut down last night in preparation for the blizzard predicted to be one of the City’s worst winter storms ever. This did not deter Broadway icon Chita Rivera, her musicians or the producers at THIRTEEN who had previously scheduled a concert taping for January 26. THIRTEEN is producing Great Performances: Chita Rivera, a special retrospective to celebrate Ms. Rivera’s extraordinary career then and now for broadcast as part of PBS’ Fall Arts Festival 2015.

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

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

This spring, Ms. Rivera returns to Broadway in THE VISIT, the final musical written by John Kander, Fred Ebb and Terrence McNally. Co-starring Roger Rees, the production will be directed by John Doyle and choreographed by Graciele Daniele. Previews begin March 26 and opens April 23 at the Lyceum Theatre.
vis
Visit Great Performances Online at www.pbs.org/gperf for additional information about this and other programs.

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

About WNET

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

www.chitarivera.com

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

Other articles by Lia Chang:
Jennifer Phang’s ADVANTAGEOUS Featuring Jacqueline Kim, James Urbaniak, Freya Adams, Ken Jeong, Jennifer Ehle, Samantha Kim, Jeanne Sakata, Jennifer Ikeda and Matthew Kim, Screens at 2015 Sundance Film Festival, January 26-31 

Hemlock Grove’s Joel de la Fuente Stars in Jeanne Sakata’s Hold These Truths at ACT, Helmed by Lisa Rothe, July 31-Aug. 3

2015 Sundance Film Festival Lineup

Jan. 25: 11th Annual Asian American Pacific Filmmakers Experience in Park City at Club 301 – The Funn Networks Space

Asian American Film Lab Receives Manhattan Chamber of Commerce Community Benefit Grant

Stephen Adly Guirgis’ BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY Extends through March 22

Vineyard Theatre Presents World Premiere of Michael Mayer Helmed BROOKLYNITE Featuring Ann Harada, Nick Choksi, Matt Doyle, Nicolette Robinson, Andrew Call and More, January 30 – March 22

Star Trek’s George Takei to Headline 5th Annual Korematsu Day at City Arts and Lectures-Nourse Theatre in San Francisco on Jan. 30

Feb. 3: BD Wong and Russell Wong Guest Star on ‘NCIS: NEW ORLEANS’, Episode 1.13 – The Walking Dead

FEB. 4: “Fresh Off the Boat” Live Community Viewing Party at THE CIRCLE NYC with Hudson Yang

Two-Time Tony Award Nominee André De Shields, Bowman Wright, E. Faye Butler, KenYatta Rogers, Jessica Frances Dukes and Michael Anthony Williams Set for Arena Stage’s King Hedley II, February 6- March 8, 2015

Remembering Garland Lee Thompson, Sr. (1938-2014); Memorial Set for February 14, 2015

Duwende Performs at Rockwood Music Hall on February 16; Photos of Concert with m-pact at The Bitter End

“Swimming Awkward Moment,” works by Arlan Huang on view at Trestle Gallery, February 20 – March 27

Novelist Jessica Hagedorn, Neal Katyal of Hogan Lovells, and John W. Kuo of Varian Medical Systems, to receive AALDEF 2015 Justice in Action Awards on February 23

Baryshnikov Arts Center Presents New York Premiere of Carmen De Lavallade’s Solo Show AS I REMEMBER IT in February 2015

Photos: Playwright Ayad Akhtar, Josh Radnor and Aasif Mandvi Talk DISGRACED at The Drama Book Shop

Rajiv Joseph Wins Laurents/Hatcher Foundation Award for New Play The Guards at the Taj; Set for World Premiere at Atlantic Theater Company in May

Photos: Joe Mantegna and Danny Ramm Talk about ‘Criminal Minds’ Season 10 Episode Honoring Veterans and the late Meshach Taylor

Photos: Tony Award Winning Playwright David Henry Hwang, NEFA, Graham Sheffield CBE and Susan Stockton Receive 2015 ISPA Awards

Photos: Late Night at HERE LIES LOVE with Jaygee Macapugay, David Byrne, Jose Llana, Conrad Ricamora, Melody Butiu and More

Photos: Andrew Rannells and Zuzanna Szadkowski Visit Richard Thomas, Anna Chlumsky, Julie Halston and Annaleigh Ashford at YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU

Photos: David Byrne, Jaygee Macapugay, Jose Llana and Conrad Ricamora Bring the ‘Here Lies Love’ Disco to the Apple Store Soho

Photos: Fashion Designer Josie Natori at New Boutique in Nolita; Honored by Asian Cultural Council

Unsuk Chin’s Opera Alice in Wonderland, Featuring Libretto Co-Written with David Henry Hwang, Set for UK Premiere at the Barbican Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s Novels on March 8, 2015

Ken Watanabe, Kelli O’Hara, Ruthie Ann Miles, Conrad Ricamora, Jon Viktor Corpuz, Paul Nakauchi and More Set for Lincoln Center Theater’s The King and I 

Tam Mutu, Kelli Barrett, Tom Hewitt, Paul Nolan, Lora Lee Gayer, Melody Butiu, Julian Cihi and More Set for Broadway Bound Dr. Zhivago

Photos: Tommy Tune, Bob Avian, Lee Roy Reams, Christine Toy Johnson, Orville Mendoza, Lori Tan Chinn, Raul Aranas, Virginia Wing and More Celebrate 2014 Paul Robeson Citation Award Recipient Baayork Lee Crafting a Career

Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia starred as Carole Barbara in Lorey Hayes’ Power Play at the 2013 National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, N.C., with Pauletta Pearson Washington, Roscoe Orman, and made her jazz vocalist debut in Rome Neal’s Banana Puddin’ Jazz “LADY” at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York. She is profiled in Jade Magazine.

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


Production Photos: Stephen Adly Guirgis’ BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY at Second Stage Theatre

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Second Stage Theatre has announced the two-week extension of the Atlantic Theater Company’s sold out production of Stephen Adly Guirgis’ acclaimed play, Between Riverside and Crazy, through March 22, 2015.

Production Photos: ©2015, Carol Rosegg

Stephen McKinley Henderson, Victor Almanzar, Ron Cephas Jones. ©2015, Carol Rosegg

Stephen McKinley Henderson, Victor Almanzar, Ron Cephas Jones. ©2015, Carol Rosegg

Helmed by Austin Pendleton, the cast lead by Stephen McKinley Henderson, who received rave reviews as Walter “Pops” Washington, Victor Almanzar as Oswaldo, Elizabeth Canavan as Detective O’Connor, Rosal Colón Lulu, Liza Colón-Zayas as Church Lady, Ron Cephas Jones as Junior, and Michael Rispoli as Lieutenant Caro has been knocking it out of the ball park since their first preview on January 16th at Second Stage Theatre’s Tony Kiser Theatre (305 West 43rd Street). Opening night is February 11, 2015.

Stephen McKinley Henderson and Rosal Colón. ©2015, Carol Rosegg

Stephen McKinley Henderson and Rosal Colón. ©2015, Carol Rosegg

City Hall is demanding more than his signature, the Landlord wants him out, the liquor store is closed – and the Church won’t leave him alone. For ex-cop and recent widower Walter “Pops” Washington and his recently paroled son Junior, the struggle to hold on to one of the last great rent stabilized apartments on Riverside Drive collides with old wounds, sketchy new houseguests, and a final ultimatum in this dark comedy. For Pops and Junior, it seems the Old Days are dead and gone – after a lifetime living Between Riverside and Crazy.

Stephen McKinley Henderson and Ron Cephas Jones. ©2015, Carol Rosegg

Stephen McKinley Henderson and Ron Cephas Jones. ©2015, Carol Rosegg

Recently featured on New York Times Theater Critic Ben Brantley’s Best Theater of 2014 List:

Between Riverside and Crazy: The triumphant return of Stephen Adly Guirgis, who startled Broadway in 2011 by snatching a Tony nomination for best play for a work with an unprintable title. This gleefully agnostic account of the things we do for real estate (at least when you’re poor and in unlikely possession of prime Manhattan property) blithely crossed the lines between good and bad, comedy and tragedy, faith and skepticism without missing a step. Austin Pendleton directed a wonderful cast led by Stephen McKinley Henderson.”
Click here to see the complete list.

Between Riverside and Crazy features scenic design by Walt Spangler; costume design byAlexis Forte; lighting design by Keith Parham; and sound design and original music by Ryan Rumery.
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Tickets are $75 (orchestra), $60 (Balcony), $67.50 (Senior), $125 premium*, $55 (subscription). Save 35% on $75 tickets with code BRACMP on performances, January 16- February 10, 2015. Rush tickets are available one hour prior to curtain to full time high school or college students. $30 Under 30 tickets available in advance for patrons ages 30 and under. One valid ID required for each ticket purchased, based on availability.  For tickets: call the box office at 212-246-4422 or 2ST.com. *A limited number of Premium Seats are available. Please call the box office at 212-246-4422 to reserve.

Liza Colón-Zayas. ©2015, Carol Rosegg

Liza Colón-Zayas. ©2015, Carol Rosegg

2014 Steinberg Distinguished Playwright recipient Stephen Adly Guirgis at the 2014 Steinberg Playwright Awards hosted by the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust on November 17, 2014 in New York City. Photo by Lia Chang

2014 Steinberg Distinguished Playwright recipient Stephen Adly Guirgis at the 2014 Steinberg Playwright Awards hosted by the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust on November 17, 2014 in New York City. Photo by Lia Chang

STEPHEN ADLY GUIRGIS (Playwright) is a member and former co-artistic director of LAByrinth Theater Company. His plays have been produced on five continents and throughout the United States. They include Our Lady of 121st Street (Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, Outer Critics Circle Best Play Nominations), Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train (Edinburgh Festival Fringe First Award, Barrymore Award, Olivier Nomination for London’s Best New Play), In Arabia, We’d All Be Kings (2007 LA Drama Critics Best Play, Best Writing Award), The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (10 best Time Magazine & Entertainment Weekly), and The Little Flower of East Orange (with Ellen Burstyn & Michael Shannon). All five plays were directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman and were originally produced by LAByrinth. His most recent play, The Motherf***er with the Hat (6 Tony nominations, including Best Play), was directed by Anna D. Shapiro and marked his third consecutive world premiere co-production with The Public Theater and LAByrinth. In London, his plays have premiered at The Donmar Warehouse, The Almeida (dir: Rupert Goold), The Hampstead (Robert Delamere), and at The Arts Theater in the West End. Other plays include Den of Thieves (Labyrinth, HERE, HAI, Black Dahlia) and Dominica The Fat Ugly Ho (dir: Adam Rapp) for the 2006 E.S.T. Marathon. He is currently collaborating with Academy Award nominated director Baz Luhrmann on a Netflix Series about the birth of hip-hop in the 1970s. He has received the Yale Wyndham-Campbell Prize, a PEN/Laura Pels Award, a Whiting Award,  a TCG fellowship and the prestigious 2014 Steinberg Distinguished Playwright Award. He is also a New Dramatists Alumnae and a member of MCC’s Playwright’s Coalition, The Ojai Playwrights Festival, New River Dramatists, and Labyrinth Theater Company. As an actor, he has appeared in theater, film and television, including roles in Kenneth Lonergan’s film Margaret, Todd Solondz’s Palindromes, Brett C Leonard’s Jailbait opposite Michael Pitt and Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Birdman opposite Michael Keaton. A former violence prevention specialist and H.I.V. educator, he lives in New York City.

Austin Pendleton

Austin Pendleton

AUSTIN PENDLETON (Director) returns to Second Stage Theatre where he staged the critically acclaimed production of Spoils of War.  He has been most recently represented as a director by his productions in New York, of Gidion’s Knot (by Johnna Adams) at 59E59; Seagull69 (adapted from The Sea Gull) at Mississippi Mud; IvanovThree Sisters, and Uncle Vanya (all at CSC); and Look Homeward, Angel for Mother of Invention, among many other productions.  Other credits include: in Chicago, works at Steppenwolf (where he is a member of the Ensemble) most recently by Tribes; in London at the National Theatre by Detroit by Lisa D’Amour; and in Little Rock by A Loss of Roses by William Inge, at Arkansas Rep. He is also an actor (Broadway, off- and off-off-Broadway, regional theatre, and many movies and TV appearances), playwright (his plays include Orson’s ShadowUncle Bob, and Booth), and (at HB Studio in New York) teacher of acting.

Stephen McKinley Henderson and Elizabeth Canavan. ©2015, Carol Rosegg.

Stephen McKinley Henderson and Elizabeth Canavan. ©2015, Carol Rosegg.

Ron Cephas Jones and Rosal Colón. ©2015, Carol Rosegg

Ron Cephas Jones and Rosal Colón. ©2015, Carol Rosegg

Stephen McKinley Henderson, Elizabeth Canavan, Michael Rispoli, Rosal Colón and Ron Cephas Jones. ©2015, Carol Rosegg

Stephen McKinley Henderson, Elizabeth Canavan, Michael Rispoli, Rosal Colón and Ron Cephas Jones. ©2015, Carol Rosegg

Ron Cephas Jones, Liza Colón-Zayas, Elizabeth Canavan, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Rosal Colón,  Michael Rispoli and Victor Almanzar in the Second Stage Theatre green room on January 21, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Ron Cephas Jones, Liza Colón-Zayas, Elizabeth Canavan, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Rosal Colón, Michael Rispoli and Victor Almanzar in the Second Stage Theatre green room on January 21, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

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Stephen Adly Guirgis’ BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY Extends through March 22
Second Stage Theatre Presents Stephen Adly Guirgis’ BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY Starring Stephen McKinley Henderson, Victor Almanzar, Elizabeth Canavan, Rosal Colón, Liza Colón-Zayas, Michael Rispoli and Ron Cephas Jones; Opens February 11
Stephen McKinley Henderson, Victor Almanzar, Elizabeth Canavan, Rosal Colón, Liza Colón-Zayas, Michael Rispoli and Ron Cephas Jones Set for Stephen Adly Guirgis’ BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY at Second Stage Theatre; Opens February 11
Ben Brantley’s Best Theater of 2014: Stephen Adly Guirgis’ BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY Set for Second Stage Theatre’s Tony Kiser Theatre Beginning January 16, 2015
Stephen Adly Guirgis’ BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY at Second Stage Theatre’s Tony Kiser Theatre Beginning January 16, 2015
Photos: Ellen Burstyn, Baz Luhrmann, John Leguizamo, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Stephen McKinley Henderson, John Patrick Shanley, David Henry Hwang, Liza Colón-Zayas, Kenneth Lonergan and More Celebrate Stephen Adly Guirgis at The Mimi Awards
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Other Articles by Lia Chang:
Rehearsal Photos: Jennifer Lim, Francis Jue, Telly Leung, Jo Mei, James Saito and Sue Jin Song in MTC Run of World Premiere of The World of Extreme Happiness by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, February 3 – March 29
New York City Blizzard Does Not Deter Broadway Icon Chita Rivera From Performing in Concert Taping for THIRTEEN’s Great Performances Series
Vineyard Theatre Presents World Premiere of Michael Mayer Helmed BROOKLYNITE Featuring Ann Harada, Nick Choksi, Matt Doyle, Nicolette Robinson, Andrew Call and More, January 30 – March 22
Tony Award-Winner Lillias White Stars with Scott Wakefield in The York Theatre Company’s World Premiere of TEXAS IN PARIS, January 27 – March 1
Star Trek’s George Takei to Headline 5th Annual Korematsu Day at City Arts and Lectures-Nourse Theatre in San Francisco on Jan. 30
Feb. 3: BD Wong and Russell Wong Guest Star on ‘NCIS: NEW ORLEANS’, Episode 1.13 – The Walking Dead
FEB. 4: “Fresh Off the Boat” Live Community Viewing Party at THE CIRCLE NYC with Hudson Yang
2015 Sundance Film Festival Lineup
Two-Time Tony Award Nominee André De Shields, Bowman Wright, E. Faye Butler, KenYatta Rogers, Jessica Frances Dukes and Michael Anthony Williams Set for Arena Stage’s King Hedley II, February 6- March 8, 2015
Remembering Garland Lee Thompson, Sr. (1938-2014); Memorial Set for February 14, 2015
Duwende Performs at Rockwood Music Hall on February 16; Photos of Concert with m-pact at The Bitter End
“Swimming Awkward Moment,” works by Arlan Huang on view at Trestle Gallery, February 20 – March 27
Novelist Jessica Hagedorn, Neal Katyal of Hogan Lovells, and John W. Kuo of Varian Medical Systems, to receive AALDEF 2015 Justice in Action Awards on February 23
Baryshnikov Arts Center Presents New York Premiere of Carmen De Lavallade’s Solo Show AS I REMEMBER IT in February 2015
Photos: Playwright Ayad Akhtar, Josh Radnor and Aasif Mandvi Talk DISGRACED at The Drama Book Shop
Rajiv Joseph Wins Laurents/Hatcher Foundation Award for New Play Guards at the Taj; Set for World Premiere at Atlantic Theater Company in May
Photos: Joe Mantegna and Danny Ramm Talk about ‘Criminal Minds’ Season 10 Episode Honoring Veterans and the late Meshach Taylor
Photos: Tony Award Winning Playwright David Henry Hwang, NEFA, Graham Sheffield CBE and Susan Stockton Receive 2015 ISPA Awards
Photos: Late Night at HERE LIES LOVE with Jaygee Macapugay, David Byrne, Jose Llana, Conrad Ricamora, Melody Butiu and More
Photos: Andrew Rannells and Zuzanna Szadkowski Visit Richard Thomas, Anna Chlumsky, Julie Halston and Annaleigh Ashford at YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU
THE WIZ Turns 40- Photos from Original Broadway Production and BC/EFA Gypsy of The Year Celebration Featuring André De Shields, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ken Page, Charl Brown, Carly Hughes, Christina Sajous, Alton Fitzgerald White, Lillias White and More
Unsuk Chin’s Opera Alice in Wonderland, Featuring Libretto Co-Written with David Henry Hwang, Set for UK Premiere at the Barbican Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s Novels on March 8, 2015
Ken Watanabe, Kelli O’Hara, Ruthie Ann Miles, Conrad Ricamora, Jon Viktor Corpuz, Paul Nakauchi and More Set for Lincoln Center Theater’s The King and I 
Tam Mutu, Kelli Barrett, Tom Hewitt, Paul Nolan, Lora Lee Gayer, Melody Butiu, Julian Cihi and More Set for Broadway Bound Dr. Zhivago
Photos: Tommy Tune, Bob Avian, Lee Roy Reams, Christine Toy Johnson, Orville Mendoza, Lori Tan Chinn, Raul Aranas, Virginia Wing and More Celebrate 2014 Paul Robeson Citation Award Recipient Baayork Lee Crafting a Career

Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia starred as Carole Barbara in Lorey Hayes’ Power Play at the 2013 National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, N.C., with Pauletta Pearson Washington, Roscoe Orman, and made her jazz vocalist debut in Rome Neal’s Banana Puddin’ Jazz “LADY” at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York. She is profiled in Jade Magazine.
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


Tony Award-Winner Lillias White Stars with Scott Wakefield in The York Theatre Company’s World Premiere of TEXAS IN PARIS, January 28 – March 1

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Lillias White sings “Home,” at the BC/EFA's Gypsy of the Year at The New Amsterdam Theatre in New York on December 9, 2014. Photo by Lia Chang

Lillias White sings “Home,” at the BC/EFA’s Gypsy of the Year at The New Amsterdam Theatre in New York on December 9, 2014. Photo by Lia Chang

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The York Theatre Company, in association with Everyday Songs, is presenting the world premiere of the new musical play, Texas in Paris, written by Alan Govenar with spirituals, cowboy songs and country hymns, starring Tony award-winner Lillias White (Fela!, The Life) with Scott Wakefield (Hands on a Hardbody).

The Tuesday, January 27 preview of Texas in Paris was delayed due to the blizzard, but performances will begin Wednesday, January 28 at 8:00 p.m. for a limited engagement through Sunday, March 1, 2015 at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter’s (entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue). Opening Night is Thursday, February 5, 2015.

Akin Babatundé (Blind Lemon Blues) directs this two character play based on true events. Texas in Paris is the musical journey of a man and a woman — one white, one black – invited to France to perform at the Maison des Cultures du Monde. They have never met, have no professional singing experience, and face the challenge of working together and co-existing in an unfamiliar world. Apprehensive of each other, they struggle with preconceptions but forge a surprising spiritual bond that transforms their on-stage performance and their lives. With music supervision by Amy Jones.

Performance Schedule
Tuesday 7pm | Wednesday – Friday 8pm
Saturday 2:30 pm & 8pm | Sunday 2:30 pm
Audience discussions follow each matinee.

Check out the discount ticket codes below.

$36 tickets with code TEXAS1*
All performances January 27 – February 4

$46 tickets with code TEXAS2*
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday performances
February 6 – March 1

$56 tickets with code TEXAS3*
Friday, Saturday, Sunday performances
February 6 – March 1

*Regular ticket price $67.50

TO PURCHASE TICKETS
Online: Visit www.yorktheatre.org and enter a discount offer code. Phone: Call 212.935.5820 and mention a discount offer code.
In Person: Present a printout of this offer at The York Theatre Box Office, Theatre at St. Peter’s 619 Lexington Avenue @ 54th Street.

For groups 10+ Contact Marcia Pendelton at 646-467-7393 or by email at marcia@walktallgirlproductions.com.

Lillias White, Elain Graham and Billy Porter after a performance of Porter's While I Yet Live at The Duke Theater on October 30, 2014. Photo by Lia Chang

Lillias White, Elain Graham and Billy Porter after a performance of Porter’s While I Yet Live at The Duke Theater on October 30, 2014. Photo by Lia Chang

Lillias White made her Broadway debut in 1981 with the company of Barnum. Later that year, she understudied the role of Effie in the original 1981 production of Dreamgirls, going on to play the role in the 1987 revival. She won the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critic Circle Awards for her role in Cy Coleman’s The Life. White has also appeared on Broadway in Cats, Carrie, Once on this Island, How to Succeed…, Chicago, and Fela!. Selected Off-Broadway credits include the Public Theater production of the William Finn musical Romance in Hard Times, for which she won the Obie Award, Dinah Was at the Gramercy Theatre as singer Dinah Washington, and Second Stage Theatre’s Crowns, for which she won the AUDELCO Award. White’s concert performances include Funny GirlHairDreamgirls, and South Pacific. She has appeared in concert at the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, and Lincoln Center and has toured internationally with her one-woman show, From Brooklyn to Broadway. White won an Emmy for her work on “Sesame Street” and can be heard in Anastasia and Disney’s Hercules. Last Fall, she appeared in Primary Stages’ World Premiere of While I Yet Live by the Tony-winning star of Kinky Boots and Angels in America, Billy Porter, at The Duke on 42nd. Directed by Tony Award nominee Sheryl Kaller, the cast also featured Elain Graham, Emmy Award winner S. Epatha Merkerson, Kevyn Morrow, Sharon Washington and Larry Powell.

Related Articles:
Tony Award-Winner Lillias White Stars with Scott Wakefield in The York Theatre Company’s World Premiere of TEXAS IN PARIS, January 27 – March 1
THE WIZ Turns 40- Photos from Original Broadway Production and BC/EFA Gypsy of The Year Celebration Featuring André De Shields, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ken Page, Charl Brown, Carly Hughes, Christina Sajous, Alton Fitzgerald White, Lillias White and More 
Photos: André De Shields, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ken Page, Charl Brown, Carly Hughes, Alton Fitzgerald White, Lillias White in 40th Anniversary of The WIZ Tribute at BC/EFA’s GYPSY OF THE YEAR; Competition Breaks Records With Over $5 Million as Hugh Jackman’s THE RIVER Brings in Top Donation

Other Articles by Lia Chang:
Rehearsal Photos: Jennifer Lim, Francis Jue, Telly Leung, Jo Mei, James Saito and Sue Jin Song in MTC Run of World Premiere of The World of Extreme Happiness by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, February 3 – March 29
New York City Blizzard Does Not Deter Broadway Icon Chita Rivera From Performing in Concert Taping for THIRTEEN’s Great Performances Series
Production Photos: Stephen Adly Guirgis’ BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY at Second Stage Theatre
Vineyard Theatre Presents World Premiere of Michael Mayer Helmed BROOKLYNITE Featuring Ann Harada, Nick Choksi, Matt Doyle, Nicolette Robinson, Andrew Call and More, January 30 – March 22
Feb. 3: BD Wong and Russell Wong Guest Star on ‘NCIS: NEW ORLEANS’, Episode 1.13 – The Walking Dead
FEB. 4: “Fresh Off the Boat” Live Community Viewing Party at THE CIRCLE NYC with Hudson Yang
2015 Sundance Film Festival Lineup
Jan. 25: 11th Annual Asian American Pacific Filmmakers Experience in Park City at Club 301 – The Funn Networks Space
Asian American Film Lab Receives Manhattan Chamber of Commerce Community Benefit Grant
Vineyard Theatre Presents World Premiere of Michael Mayer Helmed BROOKLYNITE Featuring Ann Harada, Nick Choksi, Matt Doyle, Nicolette Robinson, Andrew Call and More, January 30 – March 22
Star Trek’s George Takei to Headline 5th Annual Korematsu Day at City Arts and Lectures-Nourse Theatre in San Francisco on Jan. 30
Two-Time Tony Award Nominee André De Shields, Bowman Wright, E. Faye Butler, KenYatta Rogers, Jessica Frances Dukes and Michael Anthony Williams Set for Arena Stage’s King Hedley II, February 6- March 8, 2015
Remembering Garland Lee Thompson, Sr. (1938-2014); Memorial Set for February 14, 2015
Duwende Performs at Rockwood Music Hall on February 16; Photos of Concert with m-pact at The Bitter End
“Swimming Awkward Moment,” works by Arlan Huang on view at Trestle Gallery, February 20 – March 27
Novelist Jessica Hagedorn, Neal Katyal of Hogan Lovells, and John W. Kuo of Varian Medical Systems, to receive AALDEF 2015 Justice in Action Awards on February 23
Baryshnikov Arts Center Presents New York Premiere of Carmen De Lavallade’s Solo Show AS I REMEMBER IT in February 2015
Photos: Playwright Ayad Akhtar, Josh Radnor and Aasif Mandvi Talk DISGRACED at The Drama Book Shop
Rajiv Joseph Wins Laurents/Hatcher Foundation Award for New Play Guards at the Taj; Set for World Premiere at Atlantic Theater Company in May
Photos: Joe Mantegna and Danny Ramm Talk about ‘Criminal Minds’ Season 10 Episode Honoring Veterans and the late Meshach Taylor
Photos: Tony Award Winning Playwright David Henry Hwang, NEFA, Graham Sheffield CBE and Susan Stockton Receive 2015 ISPA Awards
Photos: Late Night at HERE LIES LOVE with Jaygee Macapugay, David Byrne, Jose Llana, Conrad Ricamora, Melody Butiu and More
Photos: Andrew Rannells and Zuzanna Szadkowski Visit Richard Thomas, Anna Chlumsky, Julie Halston and Annaleigh Ashford at YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Photos: Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, Micki Grant, Woodie King Jr., Voza Rivers, Talvin Wilks, Garland Thompson Jr., Charles Turner, Jamal Joseph, Debra Ann Byrd and More at harlem is…Theater
Baryshnikov Arts Center Presents New York Premiere of Carmen De Lavallade’s Solo Show AS I REMEMBER IT in February 2015
Unsuk Chin’s Opera Alice in Wonderland, Featuring Libretto Co-Written with David Henry Hwang, Set for UK Premiere at the Barbican Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s Novels on March 8, 2015
Ken Watanabe, Kelli O’Hara, Ruthie Ann Miles, Conrad Ricamora, Jon Viktor Corpuz, Paul Nakauchi and More Set for Lincoln Center Theater’s The King and I 
Tam Mutu, Kelli Barrett, Tom Hewitt, Paul Nolan, Lora Lee Gayer, Melody Butiu, Julian Cihi and More Set for Broadway Bound Dr. Zhivago
Photos: Tommy Tune, Bob Avian, Lee Roy Reams, Christine Toy Johnson, Orville Mendoza, Lori Tan Chinn, Raul Aranas, Virginia Wing and More Celebrate 2014 Paul Robeson Citation Award Recipient Baayork Lee Crafting a Career

Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia starred as Carole Barbara in Lorey Hayes’ Power Play at the 2013 National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, N.C., with Pauletta Pearson Washington, Roscoe Orman, and made her jazz vocalist debut in Rome Neal’s Banana Puddin’ Jazz “LADY” at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York. She is profiled in Jade Magazine.
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


Broadway Barkada’s 4th Annual “So This Is Love” Concert at The Cutting Room on February 8

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Celebrate Valentine’s Day early at Broadway Barkada’s 4th Annual “So This Is Love” concert, featuring songs that represent all stages of love, on Sunday, February 8, 2015, at The Cutting Room, 44 East 32nd Street (btwn Park and Madison) in New York.
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The featured vocalists include Emily Borromeo, Melody Butiu, Melissa Singson, Glen Llanes, Marc de la Cruz, Anthea Neri, Leanne Cabrera, Sacha Iskra, Allen Weaver, Enrico Rodriguez, Jim Diego, Debralee Daco, Loresa Lanceta, Anna Concepcion, Billy Bustamante, Brian Jose, Liz Casasola, JP Moraga, Chris Ignacio, Lora Nicolas, Cynthia Casasola, Eric Badique, Jen Aedo, Gillian Munsayac, Justine Moral, Diane Phelan, Joanne Coudriet, Carol Angeli, Joshua Delacruz, Jeigh Madjus, Rene Albulario, Steven Cuevas and Rona Figueroa.

Liz Casasola Billy Bustamante Melody Butiu Carol Angeli Debralee Daco Renee Albulario Diane Phelan Jeigh Madjus Enrico Rodriguez Brian Jose Marc de la Cruz Leanne Cabrera Sacha Iskra Loresa Lanceta Emily Borromeo Glen Llanes Gillian Munsayac Anthea Neri JP Moraga Joanne Coudriet Allen Weaver Justine Moral Eric Badiqué Joshua Dela Cruz Rona Figueroa

DOORS OPEN 6:30PM (Cocktail Hour)

SHOW starts 7:30PM

90 minute show

ONLINE PRE-SALE TICKETS:

$20 Table Seating ($20 minimum food/beverage)

AT THE DOOR TICKETS:

$35 Table Seating ($20 minimum food/beverage)

Click here to purchase tickets.

Broadway Barkada is a collective of Filipino artists with professional credits in the performing arts, using their talents to raise funds and awareness for various organizations at home in the US as well as in the Philippines.

Other Articles by Lia Chang:
Photos: Late Night at HERE LIES LOVE with Jaygee Macapugay, David Byrne, Jose Llana, Conrad Ricamora, Melody Butiu and More
Tony Award-Winner Lillias White Stars with Scott Wakefield in The York Theatre Company’s World Premiere of TEXAS IN PARIS, January 28 – March 1
Rehearsal Photos: Jennifer Lim, Francis Jue, Telly Leung, Jo Mei, James Saito and Sue Jin Song in MTC Run of World Premiere of The World of Extreme Happiness by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, February 3 – March 29
New York City Blizzard Does Not Deter Broadway Icon Chita Rivera From Performing in Concert Taping for THIRTEEN’s Great Performances Series
Production Photos: Stephen Adly Guirgis’ BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY at Second Stage Theatre
Vineyard Theatre Presents World Premiere of Michael Mayer Helmed BROOKLYNITE Featuring Ann Harada, Nick Choksi, Matt Doyle, Nicolette Robinson, Andrew Call and More, January 30 – March 22
Star Trek’s George Takei to Headline 5th Annual Korematsu Day at City Arts and Lectures-Nourse Theatre in San Francisco on Jan. 30
Two-Time Tony Award Nominee André De Shields, Bowman Wright, E. Faye Butler, KenYatta Rogers, Jessica Frances Dukes and Michael Anthony Williams Set for Arena Stage’s King Hedley II, February 6- March 8, 2015
Feb. 3: BD Wong and Russell Wong Guest Star on ‘NCIS: NEW ORLEANS’, Episode 1.13 – The Walking Dead
FEB. 4: “Fresh Off the Boat” Live Community Viewing Party at THE CIRCLE NYC with Hudson Yang
2015 Sundance Film Festival Lineup
Remembering Garland Lee Thompson, Sr. (1938-2014); Memorial Set for February 14, 2015
Duwende Performs at Rockwood Music Hall on February 16; Photos of Concert with m-pact at The Bitter End
“Swimming Awkward Moment,” works by Arlan Huang on view at Trestle Gallery, February 20 – March 27
Novelist Jessica Hagedorn, Neal Katyal of Hogan Lovells, and John W. Kuo of Varian Medical Systems, to receive AALDEF 2015 Justice in Action Awards on February 23
Baryshnikov Arts Center Presents New York Premiere of Carmen De Lavallade’s Solo Show AS I REMEMBER IT in February 2015
Photos: Playwright Ayad Akhtar, Josh Radnor and Aasif Mandvi Talk DISGRACED at The Drama Book Shop
Rajiv Joseph Wins Laurents/Hatcher Foundation Award for New Play Guards at the Taj; Set for World Premiere at Atlantic Theater Company in May
Photos: Joe Mantegna and Danny Ramm Talk about ‘Criminal Minds’ Season 10 Episode Honoring Veterans and the late Meshach Taylor
Photos: Tony Award Winning Playwright David Henry Hwang, NEFA, Graham Sheffield CBE and Susan Stockton Receive 2015 ISPA Awards
Photos: Andrew Rannells and Zuzanna Szadkowski Visit Richard Thomas, Anna Chlumsky, Julie Halston and Annaleigh Ashford at YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Photos: Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, Micki Grant, Woodie King Jr., Voza Rivers, Talvin Wilks, Garland Thompson Jr., Charles Turner, Jamal Joseph, Debra Ann Byrd and More at harlem is…Theater
Baryshnikov Arts Center Presents New York Premiere of Carmen De Lavallade’s Solo Show AS I REMEMBER IT in February 2015
Unsuk Chin’s Opera Alice in Wonderland, Featuring Libretto Co-Written with David Henry Hwang, Set for UK Premiere at the Barbican Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s Novels on March 8, 2015
Ken Watanabe, Kelli O’Hara, Ruthie Ann Miles, Conrad Ricamora, Jon Viktor Corpuz, Paul Nakauchi and More Set for Lincoln Center Theater’s The King and I 
Tam Mutu, Kelli Barrett, Tom Hewitt, Paul Nolan, Lora Lee Gayer, Melody Butiu, Julian Cihi and More Set for Broadway Bound Dr. Zhivago
Photos: Tommy Tune, Bob Avian, Lee Roy Reams, Christine Toy Johnson, Orville Mendoza, Lori Tan Chinn, Raul Aranas, Virginia Wing and More Celebrate 2014 Paul Robeson Citation Award Recipient Baayork Lee Crafting a Career

Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia starred as Carole Barbara in Lorey Hayes’ Power Play at the 2013 National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, N.C., with Pauletta Pearson Washington, Roscoe Orman, and made her jazz vocalist debut in Rome Neal’s Banana Puddin’ Jazz “LADY” at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York. She is profiled in Jade Magazine.
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


Feb. 5- Mar. 8: New Federal Theatre Kicks off 46th Season Dedicated to Amiri Baraka with Dutchman Revival; Launches Kickstarter Campaign for World Premiere of Most Dangerous Man In America (W. E. B. Du Bois)

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amiri barakaWoodie King Jr’s New Federal Theatre kicks off its 46th season with “The Amira Baraka Project” – featuring a revival of his early acclaimed play Dutchman from 1964 and the world premiere of his final play, Most Dangerous Man In America (W. E. B. Du Bois), written fifty years later. Woodie King Jr. will helm Dutchman, starring Ryan Jillian Kilpatrick and Michael Alcide, which will begin performances February 5th, with opening night set for February 20th at the Castillo Theater (543 West 42nd Street). This limited Off-Broadway engagement will continue through March 8th only. Both actors appeared in the acclaimed Atlanta Black Theater Festival production.

Most Dangerous Man In America (W. E. B. Du Bois) follows in May. Click here to donate to the kickstarter campaign for the production of Most Dangerous Man in America (WEB DuBois) by Amiri Baraka.

With scenic design by Chris Cumberbatch, costume design by Carolyn Adams and Ryan Jillian Kilpatrick, lighting design byAntoinette Tynes and sound & projection design by Bill Toles.

The title DUTCHMAN is an allusion to The Dutch East India Company, the most renowned slave ship company of the 17th century, whose flagship for the voyages between West Africa and America, tradition says, was named Flying Dutchman. The literary legend is The Flying Dutchman in which the central character is ever in pursuit of prey that can never be caught. This production will include the music of Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman. Experimental, allegorical and angry, Dutchman is set on a New York City subway train, where Lula, a young white woman, strikes up a conversation with Clay, a young middle-class black man. As the play unspools, she goads him, with liberal righteousness, into releasing the anger that, as a black man, he must surely be harboring.

Woodie King Jr. explains the impact Amiri Baraka had on him: “Amiri Baraka and I shared a 50 year friendship. Shortly after I arrived in New York City, he came to see the play I was directing at St. Mark’s Church-in-the-Bowery. We had in common a close friendship with Langston Hughes and we both loved shoes and hats. Baraka was already a nationally recognized poet and respected editor of literary journals (where he published unknown writers alongside such comrades as Ginsberg, Corso, Ferlinghetti, Rivers, Rexroth and Kerouac). The success of Dutchman (produced by Edward Albee) marked him as a major playwright, Baraka moved uptown to Harlem to set up the Black Arts Repertory Theater. In the ’60s, American cities were in turmoil; Baraka’s poetry and essays defined that unrest. Baraka’s image blazed on front pages of newspapers across America and his poetry and plays fired up African Americans everywhere. In 1968, I began producing his plays: Great Goodness of Life (a Coon Show), Slaveship, The Toilet, A Recent Killing, Sidnee Poet Heroical, and Boy and Tarzan Meet Again in a Clearing (and produced It’s Nation Time – for the Motown label, Black Forum Records). He participated in my documentary Black Theater in America and co-edited anthologies with me. Baraka’s life and literary achievement as playwright should give us inspiration and courage, especially to African-American artists. He had incredible vigor and forcefulness. If one followed Baraka’s evolution from the Village in the mid -’50s, through jazz joints and cafes, to Harlem, where he denounced all the whites he had associated with up to that time (including his wife Hettie Jones), and embraced Black Nationalism. He moved to Newark where he founded the nationalist organization, Committee for a Unified Newark, and then into the 1970s, after absorbing W.E.B. Du Bois he announced he was adopting a Marxist philosophy.”

Amiri Baraka was born Everett LeRoi Jones in 1934 in Newark, NJ. After leaving Howard University and the Air Force, he moved to the Lower East Side in 1957 and co-edited the avant-garde literary magazine Yugen and founded Totem Press, which first published works by Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, and others. He published his first volume of poetry, Preface to a Twenty-Volume Suicide Note, in 1961 His Blues People: Negro Music in White America (1963) is still regarded as the seminal work on Afro-American music and culture. His reputation as a playwright was established with the production of Dutchman at Cherry Lane Theatre in March 1964. The controversial play won an Obie Award for Best Play and subsequently was made into a film. The play was revived by Cherry Lane Theatre in 2007 and has been produced around the world. In 1965, Jones moved to Harlem where he founded the Black Arts Repertory Theatre/School. BARTS lasted only one year but had a lasting influence on the direction of Afro American Arts. BARTS sent five trucks (for art, poetry, music drama) a day into the Harlem community, where performances would be given in vacant lots, playgrounds, and housing projects. In 1966, when BARTS was dissolved, Baraka returned to Newark, his hometown, and set up with his wife, Amina Baraka (who was a founder of Newark’s “Loft” a local venue of contemporary) The Spirit House and The Spirit House Movers, that brought drama, music and poetry from across the country. During this period, the Barakas founded The Committee for Unified Newark (CFUN) and The Congress of Afrikan People. Both CFUN and The Congress of Afrikan People led the election of Kenneth A. Gibson as the first Black Mayor of a major northeastern city. In 1968, Baraka co-edited Black Fire: Anthology of Afro-American Writing. Amiri and Amina Baraka edited The Music: Meditations of Jazz & Blues (Morrow) and Confirmation: An Anthology of African-American Women, which won an American Book Award from the Before Columbus Foundation. The Autobiography of LeRoi Jones/Amiri Baraka was published in 1984. His subsequent publications include Y’s/Why’s/Wise (3rd World 1992), Funk Lore (Littoral 1993), Eulogies (Marsilio, 1994), Transbluesency (Marsilio 1996), and Somebody Blew Up America & Other Poems (Nehesi 2002). Amiri and Amina Baraka founded Kimako’s Blues People, a multimedia arts space, from a small theater in their Newark home. Amiri founded the jazz/poetry ensemble Blue Ark which has played at the Berlin Festival, and throughout the US. His jazz opera Money, with Swiss composer George Gruntz, was performed in part at George Wein’s New York Jazz Festival in the early ’90s. Primitive World, with music by David Murray, was performed at Sweet Basil, the Nuyorican Café and the Black Drama Festival in Winston Salem, NC. His Bumpy: A Bopera with music by Max Roach was performed in 1991 at Newark Symphony Hall and at San Diego Repertory. Amiri founded the New Arkestra, a big band working to produce a living archive of this music. In the fall of 2002, Baraka, who had been named New Jersey Poet Laureate by then Governor James McGreevey, coming under fire from the Anti-Defamation League, the New Jersey Assembly and others after a reading of his controversial poem “Somebody Blew Up America” about the 9/11 attacks. After reading the poem at the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation’s annual poetry festival in Stanhope, NJ, Baraka’s $10,000 stipend was rescinded and the Poet Laureate position eliminated in 2003 by Gov. McGreevey. In 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear Baraka’s case in which he asserted that his First Amendment rights were violated. Baraka bounced back from the melee and remained a figure in demand at international festivals, book fairs and on university campuses. Baraka was the Poet Laureate of the Newark Public Schools appointed by former Superintendent Marion Bolden. Amiri Baraka’s numerous literary honors included fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts, the PEN/Faulkner Award, the Rockefeller Foundation Award for Drama, the Langston Hughes Award from City College of New York, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Before Columbus Foundation. He was inducted into the American Academy of Arts & Letters in 1995. In 2002 he was named Poet Laureate of New Jersey and Newark Public Schools. His book of short stories, Tales of the Out and the Gone (Akashic Books) was published in late 2007. Home, his book of social essays, was re-released by Akashic Books in 2009. Digging: The Afro American Soul of American Classical Music (Univ. of California) was also released in 2009; the Before Columbus Foundation selected Digging as winner of their annual American Book Awards. His last book RAZOR: Revolutionary Art for Cultural Revolution was published in 2012. He died January 9th 2014.

Most Dangerous Man In America (W. E. B. Du Bois), Baraka’s final play, is a dramatic reflection of one of the most traumatic events in the terrible period of McCarthyism. W.E.B. DuBois, a co- founder of the NAACP and a scholar and political activist known and recognized throughout the world was indicted in 1951, by the US Federal Government as at the age of 82 as “an agent of a foreign power.” Throughout the play, the focus moves back and forth between the Harlem community and their opinions and the witnesses’ testimony and the courtroom battles. In this way we get a more balanced view of the interior narrative. Video stock footage of significant historical events and speeches will be part of the production design. Tickets will go on sale in April.

Woodie King Jr. is the Founder and Producing Director of New Federal Theatre. Woodie King Jr.’s New Federal Theatre has presented over 250 productions in its 42-year history. Mr. King has produced and directed on Broadway, Off-Broadway, in regional theatres, and in universities across the United States. He is the original producer of the ground breaking “choreopoem” For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf, (The play was then co-produced by NFT with Joseph Papp’s Public Theatre). He also produced What the Wine Sellers Buy, Reggae and The Taking of Miss Janie (Drama Critics Circle Award). His directional credits are extensive and include work in film as well as theater. Mr. King was recently inducted into The Theater Hall of Fame for outstanding contribution to the American Theater.

For tickets, visit www.castillo.org or call toll-free 866-811-4111. For more information, visit www.newfederaltheatre.com.

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Other Articles by Lia Chang:
Tony Award-Winner Lillias White Stars with Scott Wakefield in The York Theatre Company’s World Premiere of TEXAS IN PARIS, January 28 – March 1
Rehearsal Photos: Jennifer Lim, Francis Jue, Telly Leung, Jo Mei, James Saito and Sue Jin Song in MTC Run of World Premiere of The World of Extreme Happiness by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, February 3 – March 29
New York City Blizzard Does Not Deter Broadway Icon Chita Rivera From Performing in Concert Taping for THIRTEEN’s Great Performances Series
Production Photos: Stephen Adly Guirgis’ BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY at Second Stage Theatre
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Star Trek’s George Takei to Headline 5th Annual Korematsu Day at City Arts and Lectures-Nourse Theatre in San Francisco on Jan. 30
Two-Time Tony Award Nominee André De Shields, Bowman Wright, E. Faye Butler, KenYatta Rogers, Jessica Frances Dukes and Michael Anthony Williams Set for Arena Stage’s King Hedley II, February 6- March 8, 2015
Feb. 3: BD Wong and Russell Wong Guest Star on ‘NCIS: NEW ORLEANS’, Episode 1.13 – The Walking Dead
FEB. 4: “Fresh Off the Boat” Live Community Viewing Party at THE CIRCLE NYC with Hudson Yang
2015 Sundance Film Festival Lineup
Remembering Garland Lee Thompson, Sr. (1938-2014); Memorial Set for February 14, 2015
Duwende Performs at Rockwood Music Hall on February 16; Photos of Concert with m-pact at The Bitter End
“Swimming Awkward Moment,” works by Arlan Huang on view at Trestle Gallery, February 20 – March 27
Novelist Jessica Hagedorn, Neal Katyal of Hogan Lovells, and John W. Kuo of Varian Medical Systems, to receive AALDEF 2015 Justice in Action Awards on February 23
Baryshnikov Arts Center Presents New York Premiere of Carmen De Lavallade’s Solo Show AS I REMEMBER IT in February 2015
Photos: Playwright Ayad Akhtar, Josh Radnor and Aasif Mandvi Talk DISGRACED at The Drama Book Shop
Rajiv Joseph Wins Laurents/Hatcher Foundation Award for New Play Guards at the Taj; Set for World Premiere at Atlantic Theater Company in May
Photos: Joe Mantegna and Danny Ramm Talk about ‘Criminal Minds’ Season 10 Episode Honoring Veterans and the late Meshach Taylor
Photos: Tony Award Winning Playwright David Henry Hwang, NEFA, Graham Sheffield CBE and Susan Stockton Receive 2015 ISPA Awards
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Photos: Andrew Rannells and Zuzanna Szadkowski Visit Richard Thomas, Anna Chlumsky, Julie Halston and Annaleigh Ashford at YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Unsuk Chin’s Opera Alice in Wonderland, Featuring Libretto Co-Written with David Henry Hwang, Set for UK Premiere at the Barbican Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s Novels on March 8, 2015
Ken Watanabe, Kelli O’Hara, Ruthie Ann Miles, Conrad Ricamora, Jon Viktor Corpuz, Paul Nakauchi and More Set for Lincoln Center Theater’s The King and I 
Tam Mutu, Kelli Barrett, Tom Hewitt, Paul Nolan, Lora Lee Gayer, Melody Butiu, Julian Cihi and More Set for Broadway Bound Dr. Zhivago
Photos: Tommy Tune, Bob Avian, Lee Roy Reams, Christine Toy Johnson, Orville Mendoza, Lori Tan Chinn, Raul Aranas, Virginia Wing and More Celebrate 2014 Paul Robeson Citation Award Recipient Baayork Lee Crafting a Career

Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia starred as Carole Barbara in Lorey Hayes’ Power Play at the 2013 National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, N.C., with Pauletta Pearson Washington, Roscoe Orman, and made her jazz vocalist debut in Rome Neal’s Banana Puddin’ Jazz “LADY” at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York. She is profiled in Jade Magazine.
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



Lincoln Center Theater’s The King and I, Starring Ken Watanabe, Kelli O’Hara, Ruthie Ann Miles, Conrad Ricamora, Jon Viktor Corpuz, Paul Nakauchi and More Kick off Rehearsals; Previews Begin March 12

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The King and I

Ken Watanabe and Kelli O'Hara. Photo by Paul Kolnik.

Ken Watanabe and Kelli O’Hara. Photo by Paul Kolnik.

Lincoln Center Theater’s The King and I kicked off rehearsals today with Bartlett Sher at the helm. Ken Watanabe makes his American stage debut as the King of Siam opposite Kelli O’Hara as Anna Leonowens, in Lincoln Center Theater’s new production of The King and I, with music by Richard Rodgers and a book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, based on the novel Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon. The cast also features Ruthie Ann Miles (as Lady Thiang), 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). The production will begin performances Thursday, March 12, 2015, and open on Thursday, April 16, 2015, at the Vivian Beaumont Theater (150 West 65 Street).

Ruthie Ann Miles, Conrad Ricamora, Ashley Park

Ruthie Ann Miles, Conrad Ricamora, Ashley Park

One of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s finest works, The King and I boasts a score which features such beloved classics as Getting To Know You, Hello Young Lovers, Shall We Dance, I Have Dreamed, and Something Wonderful. Set in 1860’s Bangkok, the musical tells the story of the unconventional and tempestuous relationship that develops between the King of Siam and Anna Leonowens, a British schoolteacher, whom the imperious King brings to Siam to tutor his many wives and children.

Featured in the ensemble of the 51-member cast are Aaron Albano, Adriana Braganza, Amaya Braganza, Billy Bustamante, LaMae Caparas, Hsin-Ping Chang, Andrew Cheng, Lynn Masako Cheng, Olivia Chun, Ali Ewoldt, Ethan Halford Holder, Cole Horibe, MaryAnn Hu, James Ignacio, Christie Kim, Kelvin Moon Loh, Sumie Maeda, Paul HeeSang Miller, Rommel Pierre O’Choa, Kristen Faith Oei, Autumn Ogawa, Yuki Ozeki, Stephanie Jae Park, Diane Phelan, Sam Poon, William Poon, Brian Rivera, Bennyroyce Royon, Lainie Sakakura, Ann Sanders, Ian Saraceni, Atsuhisa Shinomiya, Michiko Takemasa, Kei Tsuruharatani, Christopher Vo, Rocco Wu, and Timothy Yang.

Lincoln Center Theater’s production of The King and I will feature choreography by Christopher Gattelli based on the original choreography by Jerome Robbins.

The King and I will have sets by Michael Yeargan; costumes by Catherine Zuber; lights by Donald Holder; sound by Scott Lehrer; and casting by Telsey + Company/Abbie Brady-Dalton, CSA. The production will feature the musical’s original 1951 orchestrations by Robert Russell Bennett with dance and incidental music arranged by Trude Rittmann. Music director Ted Sperling will conduct a 29-piece orchestra.

Director Bartlett Sher. Photo by Lia Chang

Director Barlett Sher. Photo by Lia Chang

BARTLETT SHER, Resident Director of Lincoln Center Theater, won the Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics’ Circle Awards for his direction of LCT’s production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific. His other LCT productions include Golden Boy, Blood & Gifts, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Awake and Sing!, and The Light in the Piazza. His other Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include The Bridges of Madison County, Prayer for My Enemy, The Butterfly Collection, Cymbeline, Waste, Don Juan, and Pericles. He directed the operas Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Les Contes d’Hoffmann, Le Comte Ory, L’Elisir d’Amore (Metropolitan Opera); Romeo et Juliette (Salzburg Festival and La Scala); Mourning Becomes Electra (Seattle Opera and New York City Opera); and Two Boys (Met and ENO). He was the Artistic Director of Seattle’s Intiman Theatre and was also a Resident Director of Minneapolis’ Guthrie Theater.

KELLI O’HARA returns to Lincoln Center Theater where she was nominated for Tony Awards for her performances in The Light in the Piazza and Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific. Her Broadway credits include The Bridges of Madison County (Tony and Drama Desk nominations), Nice Work if You Can Get It (Tony and Drama Desk nominations), The Pajama Game (Tony nomination and Drama Desk nominations), The Sweet Smell of Success, Follies, Dracula, and Jekyll & Hyde. Off- Broadway: Far From Heaven, King Lear, Bells Are Ringing, My Life With Albertine. Film/TV: Sex and the City 2, Scorsese’s The Key to Reserva, Blood Brothers, Alexander Hamilton, and “Numb3rs”. Her recordings include Always and Wonders of the World on Ghostlight Records.

KEN WATANABE will make his American stage debut in The King and I. His Japanese theatre credits include Dialogue with Horowitz, Hamlet, Shitayamannen-cho monogatari, The Lion in Winter and The Royal Hunt of the Sun. For his work in film, Watanabe received Oscar, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild award nominations for The Last Samurai. His motion picture credits also include Inception, Letters from Iwo Jima, Memoirs of a Geisha, Batman Begins and Godzilla. Watanabe is currently preparing to shoot Gus Van Sant’s Sea of Trees and Martin Scorsese’s Silence.

The King and I will be performed Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8pm, with matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at 3pm. Beginning April 21, all Tuesday evening performances will begin at 7pm. Tickets, priced from $87 to $162, are now 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.

Lincoln Center Theater is grateful to the Stacey and Eric Mindich Fund for Musical Theater at LCT for their leading support of this production. American Express and The Jerome L. Greene Foundation are the major sponsors of The King and I. Generous support is also provided by The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, Florence and Robert Kaufman, The New York Community Trust-Mary P. Oenslager Foundation Fund, and Stephanie and Fred Shuman.

Related articles:
Video: Ken Watanabe, Kelli O’Hara, Ruthie Ann Miles, Conrad Ricamora, Jon Viktor Corpuz, Paul Nakauchi and More Set for Lincoln Center Theater’s The King and I
Ken Watanabe, Kelli O’Hara, Ruthie Ann Miles, Conrad Ricamora, Jon Viktor Corpuz, Paul Nakauchi and More Set for Lincoln Center Theater’s The King and I 
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Other Articles by Lia Chang:
Tony Award-Winner Lillias White Stars with Scott Wakefield in The York Theatre Company’s World Premiere of TEXAS IN PARIS, January 28 – March 1
Rehearsal Photos: Jennifer Lim, Francis Jue, Telly Leung, Jo Mei, James Saito and Sue Jin Song in MTC Run of World Premiere of The World of Extreme Happiness by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, February 3 – March 29
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Production Photos: Stephen Adly Guirgis’ BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY at Second Stage Theatre
Vineyard Theatre Presents World Premiere of Michael Mayer Helmed BROOKLYNITE Featuring Ann Harada, Nick Choksi, Matt Doyle, Nicolette Robinson, Andrew Call and More, January 30 – March 22
Star Trek’s George Takei to Headline 5th Annual Korematsu Day at City Arts and Lectures-Nourse Theatre in San Francisco on Jan. 30
Two-Time Tony Award Nominee André De Shields, Bowman Wright, E. Faye Butler, KenYatta Rogers, Jessica Frances Dukes and Michael Anthony Williams Set for Arena Stage’s King Hedley II, February 6- March 8, 2015
Feb. 3: BD Wong and Russell Wong Guest Star on ‘NCIS: NEW ORLEANS’, Episode 1.13 – The Walking Dead
FEB. 4: “Fresh Off the Boat” Live Community Viewing Party at THE CIRCLE NYC with Hudson Yang
2015 Sundance Film Festival Lineup
Remembering Garland Lee Thompson, Sr. (1938-2014); Memorial Set for February 14, 2015
Duwende Performs at Rockwood Music Hall on February 16; Photos of Concert with m-pact at The Bitter End
“Swimming Awkward Moment,” works by Arlan Huang on view at Trestle Gallery, February 20 – March 27
Novelist Jessica Hagedorn, Neal Katyal of Hogan Lovells, and John W. Kuo of Varian Medical Systems, to receive AALDEF 2015 Justice in Action Awards on February 23
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Photos: Playwright Ayad Akhtar, Josh Radnor and Aasif Mandvi Talk DISGRACED at The Drama Book Shop
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Photos: Joe Mantegna and Danny Ramm Talk about ‘Criminal Minds’ Season 10 Episode Honoring Veterans and the late Meshach Taylor
Photos: Tony Award Winning Playwright David Henry Hwang, NEFA, Graham Sheffield CBE and Susan Stockton Receive 2015 ISPA Awards
Photos: Late Night at HERE LIES LOVE with Jaygee Macapugay, David Byrne, Jose Llana, Conrad Ricamora, Melody Butiu and More
Photos: Andrew Rannells and Zuzanna Szadkowski Visit Richard Thomas, Anna Chlumsky, Julie Halston and Annaleigh Ashford at YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Unsuk Chin’s Opera Alice in Wonderland, Featuring Libretto Co-Written with David Henry Hwang, Set for UK Premiere at the Barbican Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s Novels on March 8, 2015
Tam Mutu, Kelli Barrett, Tom Hewitt, Paul Nolan, Lora Lee Gayer, Melody Butiu, Julian Cihi and More Set for Broadway Bound Dr. Zhivago
Photos: Tommy Tune, Bob Avian, Lee Roy Reams, Christine Toy Johnson, Orville Mendoza, Lori Tan Chinn, Raul Aranas, Virginia Wing and More Celebrate 2014 Paul Robeson Citation Award Recipient Baayork Lee Crafting a Career

Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia starred as Carole Barbara in Lorey Hayes’ Power Play at the 2013 National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, N.C., with Pauletta Pearson Washington, Roscoe Orman, and made her jazz vocalist debut in Rome Neal’s Banana Puddin’ Jazz “LADY” at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York. She is profiled in Jade Magazine.
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 Old Globe Presents World Premiere of Christopher Gattelli Helmed IN YOUR ARMS Featuring Vignettes written by David Henry Hwang, Rajiv Joseph, Douglas Carter Beane, Nilo Cruz, Christopher Durang, Carrie Fisher, Terrence McNally, Marsha Norman, Lynn Nottage, and Alfred Uhry, September 16 – October 25

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David Henry Hwang. Photo by Lia Chang

David Henry Hwang. Photo by Lia Chang

The Old Globe is kicking off 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 South Pacific) and original music by Tony Award winner Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime, Once on This Island; two-time Oscar nominee for Anastasia). Co-conceived by Gattelli and Jennifer ManocherianIn Your Arms features 10 dance vignettes written by an incredible and diverse lineup of theatre powerhouses, including Douglas Carter BeaneNilo CruzChristopher DurangCarrie FisherDavid Henry HwangRajiv JosephTerrence McNallyMarsha NormanLynn Nottage, and Alfred Uhry. Among them, the creators have amassed 14 Tony Awards, five Pulitzer Prizes, six Pulitzer finalist designations, and one Academy Award.

Playwright Rajiv Joseph on the set of his new play, "Describe the Night" at the Shubert Theatre in New York on November 21, 2014. Photo by Lia Chang Terrence McNally (Photo by Lia Chang) Lynn Nottage. Photo by Lia Chang
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 September 16 – 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 Thursday, September 24. Tickets will become available by subscription only this spring, with single tickets available to the general public later in the year.

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 20 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.

In Your Arms is one of the most romantic shows I’ve ever come across, and I am happy and proud to bring it to San Diego audiences,” said Artistic Director Barry Edelstein. “Its creators are a staggeringly brilliant group of top-rank theatrical talent, and the Globe is honored to host them. Stephen Flaherty’s lush and beguiling music comes together with wildly imaginative scenarios by an unprecedented gathering of significant writers to express the many moods and varieties of love. And wizardly director-choreographer Christopher Gattelli weaves this diverse material together with a special magic: the potent and exuberant language of dance. I’m thrilled to open our new season with such a fresh, original, and moving show.”

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.

The cast and full creative team for the World Premiere at The Old Globe will be announced at a later time.

Christopher Gattelli (Direction and Choreography) was awarded the 2012 Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Awards for his choreography in Newsies. As a choreographer, his Broadway credits include South Pacific (Tony, Outer Critics Circle nominations), Sunday in the Park with GeorgeWomen on the Verge of a Nervous BreakdownGodspellThe Ritz, Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me, 13, and High Fidelity. His Off Broadway credits include Dogfight (Lucille Lortel Award),Altar Boyz (Lortel Award, Joe A. Callaway Award, Drama Desk nomination), Bat Boy: The Musical (Lortel Award), tick, tick… BOOM!10 Million Miles, Adrift in Macao, and I Love You Because. His choreography has also been seen on the West End and in London in South PacificSunday in the Park with George, and tick, tick… BOOM! His national and international tour credits include Altar Boyz, Godspell, Grease, and the world premiere of Disney Theatrical’s Pooh’s Perfect Day, as well asSouth Pacific at the Sydney Opera House. His regional choreography credits include The Jungle Book (Goodman Theatre, Huntington Theatre Company), Little Miss Sunshine (La Jolla Playhouse), Me and My Girl and O Henry’s Lovers (Goodspeed Opera House), and Tom Jones (North Shore Music Theatre). His credits as a director-choreographer include the Off Broadway production of Silence! The Musical (Time magazine’s Top 10 of 2011), the world premiere of Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas and Radio Girl (Goodspeed Musicals), and Departure Lounge (The Public Theater’s New York Shakespeare Festival). He recently directed and choreographed In Your Arms, which he also co-created, at New York Stage and Film. Gattelli also recently choreographed Amazing Grace, which played the Bank of America Theatre in Chicago, and the first national tour of Disney’s Newsies, which is touring the U.S. He will soon be choreographing The King and I for Lincoln Center Theater, and he just completed choreographing the Coen brothers’ feature film Hail Caesar!

Stephen Flaherty (Music) is the composer of RockyRagtime (Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Awards, two Grammy Awards nominations), Seussical (Grammy, Drama Desk nominations), and Once on This Island (Tony nomination, Olivier Award for Best Musical). His additional Broadway credits include original songs for Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Lifeand incidental music for Neil Simon’s Proposals. Flaherty has also written four musicals at Lincoln Center Theater: The Glorious Ones (OCC, Drama Desk nominations), Dessa Rose (OCC, Drama Desk nominations), A Man of No Importance (OCC Award for Best Musical, Drama Desk nomination), and My Favorite Year. His oher theatre credits include Lucky StiffLittle Dancer (The Kennedy Center),and Loving Repeating: A Musical of Gertrude Stein (Chicago’s Jefferson Award for Best New Musical)His work for film includes Anastasia (two Academy Award and two Golden Globe nominations), the documentary After the Storm, and the upcoming Lucky Stiff. This year celebrates Flaherty’s 30-year collaboration with lyricist-librettist Lynn Ahrens.

TICKETS to In Your Arms will initially be available only as part of a Season Package, which offers substantial savings with special subscriber benefits. Subscription and single ticket dates and prices will be announced at a later date.

LOCATION and PARKING INFORMATION: The Old Globe is located in San Diego’s Balboa Park at 1363 Old Globe Way. There are numerous free parking lots available throughout the park. Guests may also be dropped off in front of the Mingei International Museum. The Balboa Park valet is also available during performances ($12), located in front of the Japanese Friendship Garden. For additional parking information visit http://www.BalboaPark.org. For directions and up-to-date information, please visit http://www.TheOldGlobe.org/Directions.

PLEASE NOTE: To look up online or GPS directions to The Old Globe, please do not use the Delivery Address above. There is only a 10-minute zone at that physical address. For GPS users, please click here for the map coordinates, and here for written directions to The Old Globe and nearby parking in Balboa Park.

The Tony Award-winning Old Globe, celebrating its 80th Anniversary in 2015, is one of the country’s leading professional regional theatres and has stood as San Diego’s flagship arts institution. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Barry Edelstein and Managing Director Michael G. Murphy, The Old Globe produces a year-round season of 14 productions of classic, contemporary, and new works on its three Balboa Park stages: the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the 600-seat Old Globe Theatre and the 250-seat Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, both part of The Old Globe’s Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, and the 605-seat outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, home of its internationally renowned Shakespeare Festival. More than 250,000 people attend Globe productions annually and participate in the theatre’s education and community programs. Numerous world premieres such as 2014 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and MurderThe Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, A Catered Affair, and the annual holiday musical Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! have been developed at The Old Globe and have gone on to enjoy highly successful runs on Broadway and at regional theatres across the country.

David Henry Hwang Articles:
Photos: Tony Award Winning Playwright David Henry Hwang, NEFA, Graham Sheffield CBE and Susan Stockton Receive 2015 ISPA Awards
Tony Award Winning Playwright David Henry Hwang to Receive 2015 Distinguished Artist Award at New York 2015 ISPA Congress Awards Dinner on January 14, 2015
Dec. 1: Behind the Scenes with Disney on Broadway with David Henry Hwang, Chad Beguelin and Rick Elice at New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Aug. 17: David Henry Hwang, Adriane Lenox, Chuck Cooper, Kevin Carolan, Stephanie J. Block, Caissie Levy & More will Sleep on the Streets for Covenant House’s Sleep Out: Broadway Edition
David Henry Hwang and Lynn Nottage Appointed to the Playwriting Faculty of Columbia University School of the Arts Theatre Program
Tony Award Winning Playwright David Henry Hwang Receives $275,000 Doris Duke Artist Award
Signature’s Production of David Henry Hwang’s Kung Fu, starring Cole Horibe, Phoebe Strole and Francis Jue, extends through April 6, 2014 
Photos: Backstage and Opening Night of Signature’s World Premiere of David Henry Hwang’s Kung Fu 
Photos: David Henry Hwang, Annie Baker and Rajiv Joseph honored at Sixth Annual Steinberg Playwright “Mimi” Awards 
Click here for more articles on David Henry Hwang.

Other Articles by Lia Chang:
Rajiv Joseph Wins Laurents/Hatcher Foundation Award for New Play Guards at the Taj; Set for World Premiere at Atlantic Theater Company in May
Tony Award-Winner Lillias White Stars with Scott Wakefield in The York Theatre Company’s World Premiere of TEXAS IN PARIS, January 28 – March 1
Rehearsal Photos: Jennifer Lim, Francis Jue, Telly Leung, Jo Mei, James Saito and Sue Jin Song in MTC Run of World Premiere of The World of Extreme Happiness by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, February 3 – March 29
New York City Blizzard Does Not Deter Broadway Icon Chita Rivera From Performing in Concert Taping for THIRTEEN’s Great Performances Series
Production Photos: Stephen Adly Guirgis’ BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY at Second Stage Theatre
Vineyard Theatre Presents World Premiere of Michael Mayer Helmed BROOKLYNITE Featuring Ann Harada, Nick Choksi, Matt Doyle, Nicolette Robinson, Andrew Call and More, January 30 – March 22
Star Trek’s George Takei to Headline 5th Annual Korematsu Day at City Arts and Lectures-Nourse Theatre in San Francisco on Jan. 30
Two-Time Tony Award Nominee André De Shields, Bowman Wright, E. Faye Butler, KenYatta Rogers, Jessica Frances Dukes and Michael Anthony Williams Set for Arena Stage’s King Hedley II, February 6- March 8, 2015
Feb. 3: BD Wong and Russell Wong Guest Star on ‘NCIS: NEW ORLEANS’, Episode 1.13 – The Walking Dead
FEB. 4: “Fresh Off the Boat” Live Community Viewing Party at THE CIRCLE NYC with Hudson Yang
2015 Sundance Film Festival Lineup
Remembering Garland Lee Thompson, Sr. (1938-2014); Memorial Set for February 14, 2015
Duwende Performs at Rockwood Music Hall on February 16; Photos of Concert with m-pact at The Bitter End
“Swimming Awkward Moment,” works by Arlan Huang on view at Trestle Gallery, February 20 – March 27
Novelist Jessica Hagedorn, Neal Katyal of Hogan Lovells, and John W. Kuo of Varian Medical Systems, to receive AALDEF 2015 Justice in Action Awards on February 23
Baryshnikov Arts Center Presents New York Premiere of Carmen De Lavallade’s Solo Show AS I REMEMBER IT in February 2015
Photos: Playwright Ayad Akhtar, Josh Radnor and Aasif Mandvi Talk DISGRACED at The Drama Book Shop
Photos: Joe Mantegna and Danny Ramm Talk about ‘Criminal Minds’ Season 10 Episode Honoring Veterans and the late Meshach Taylor
Photos: Late Night at HERE LIES LOVE with Jaygee Macapugay, David Byrne, Jose Llana, Conrad Ricamora, Melody Butiu and More
Photos: Andrew Rannells and Zuzanna Szadkowski Visit Richard Thomas, Anna Chlumsky, Julie Halston and Annaleigh Ashford at YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Unsuk Chin’s Opera Alice in Wonderland, Featuring Libretto Co-Written with David Henry Hwang, Set for UK Premiere at the Barbican Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s Novels on March 8, 2015
Ken Watanabe, Kelli O’Hara, Ruthie Ann Miles, Conrad Ricamora, Jon Viktor Corpuz, Paul Nakauchi and More Set for Lincoln Center Theater’s The King and I 
Tam Mutu, Kelli Barrett, Tom Hewitt, Paul Nolan, Lora Lee Gayer, Melody Butiu, Julian Cihi and More Set for Broadway Bound Dr. Zhivago
Photos: Tommy Tune, Bob Avian, Lee Roy Reams, Christine Toy Johnson, Orville Mendoza, Lori Tan Chinn, Raul Aranas, Virginia Wing and More Celebrate 2014 Paul Robeson Citation Award Recipient Baayork Lee Crafting a Career

Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia starred as Carole Barbara in Lorey Hayes’ Power Play at the 2013 National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, N.C., with Pauletta Pearson Washington, Roscoe Orman, and made her jazz vocalist debut in Rome Neal’s Banana Puddin’ Jazz “LADY” at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York. She is profiled in Jade Magazine.
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


Lia Chang Photos: Lillias White, Scott Wakefield, Ebony Jo-Ann, Tina Fabrique, Marjorie Johnson, Akin Babatundé, Alan Govenar and More at TEXAS IN PARIS at The York Theatre Company

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Ebony Jo-Ann is flanked by TEXAS IN PARIS star Scott Wakefield, playwright Alan Govenar, director Akin Babatundé and star Lillias White at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's in New York on January 29, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Ebony Jo-Ann is flanked by TEXAS IN PARIS star Scott Wakefield, playwright Alan Govenar, director Akin Babatundé and star Lillias White at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter’s in New York on January 29, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Tony award-winner Lillias White (Fela!, The Life) stars as Osceola Mays, and Scott Wakefield (Hands on a Hardbody) as John Burrus in the world premiere of the new musical play, Texas in Paris, written by Alan Govenar featuring spirituals, cowboy songs and country hymns, at The York Theatre Company, presented  in association with Everyday Songs.

Lillias White as Osceola Mays and Scott Wakefield as John Burrus in Texas in Paris. Photo by Carol Rosegg

Lillias White as Osceola Mays and Scott Wakefield as John Burrus in Texas in Paris. Photo by Carol Rosegg

Texas in Paris began preview performances on January 28th and will continue through Sunday, March 1, 2015 at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter’s (entrance on East 54th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue). Opening Night is Thursday, February 5, 2015 at 7:00 pm.

The world of TEXAS IN PARIS, based on recordings made by playwright Alan Govenar of Osceola Mays and John Burrus. Photo by Lia Chang

The world of TEXAS IN PARIS, based on recordings made by playwright Alan Govenar of Osceola Mays and John Burrus. Photo by Lia Chang

Akin Babatundé (Blind Lemon Blues) directs Texas in Paris, an intimate two-hander musical journey based on true events. In 1989, John Burrus (Scott Wakefield), a white man, and Osceola Mays (Lillias White), a black woman, have been invited to France to perform at the Maison des Cultures du Monde. The pair have never met, have no professional singing experience, and face the challenge of working together and co-existing in an unfamiliar world. Apprehensive of each other, they struggle with preconceptions but forge a surprising spiritual bond that transforms their on-stage performance and their lives. Texas in Paris is a conversation about race between two people who never thought they would ever have a conversation. With music supervision by Amy Jones.

TEXAS IN PARIS director Akin Babatundé and playwright Alan Govenar at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's in New York on January 29, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

TEXAS IN PARIS director Akin Babatundé and playwright Alan Govenar at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter’s in New York on January 29, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang

Texas in Paris is a metaphor for the dilemma of race that is currently dividing our nation, focusing on two people from the heartland, who like most Americans want to avoid talking about racism as an issue. But once in Paris a dialogue emerges that could never have happened in their isolated worlds in the United States,” stated playwright Alan Govenar. He went on to add, “The music is a songbook of American life – everyday songs, lost and found, black and white, remembered and discovered as new.”

TEXAS IN PARIS star Lillias White, Ebony Jo-Ann, Tina Fabrique and Marjorie Johnson at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's in New York on January 29, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang TEXAS IN PARIS stars Scott Wakefield and Lillias White with audience members at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's in New York on January 29, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang TEXAS IN PARIS star Lillias White and director Akin Babatundé at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's in New York on January 29, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang Ebony Jo-Ann, TEXAS IN PARIS director Akin Babatundé and star Lillias White at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's in New York on January 29, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang Lia Chang, TEXAS IN PARIS star Lillias White and Ebony Jo-Ann at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's in New York on January 29, 2015. Photo by GK TEXAS IN PARIS star Lillias White and Ebony Jo-Ann at The York Theatre Company at Saint Peter's in New York on January 29, 2015. Photo by Lia Chang
Performance Schedule
Tuesday 7pm | Wednesday – Friday 8pm
Saturday 2:30 pm & 8pm | Sunday 2:30 pm
Audience discussions follow each matinee.

Check out the discount ticket codes below.

$36 tickets with code TEXAS1*
All performances January 27 – February 4

$46 tickets with code TEXAS2*
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday performances
February 6 – March 1

$56 tickets with code TEXAS3*
Friday, Saturday, Sunday performances
February 6 – March 1

*Regular priced ticket: $67.50

TO PURCHASE TICKETS
Online: Visit www.yorktheatre.org and enter a discount offer code. Phone: Call 212.935.5820 and mention a discount offer code.
In Person: Present a printout of this offer at The York Theatre Box Office, Theatre at St. Peter’s 619 Lexington Avenue @ 54th Street.

For groups 10+ Contact Marcia Pendelton at 646-467-7393 or by email at marcia@walktallgirlproductions.com.

Lillias White in Texas in Paris. Photo by Carol Rosegg

Lillias White in Texas in Paris. Photo by Carol Rosegg

Lillias White is the quadruple-crown winner of the 1997-98 Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, Friends of New York Award and the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance as Sonja in the Broadway musical Cy Coleman’s The Life. White’s latest accolade is an Outstanding Major Engagement Bistro Award for her exciting shows at 54 Below. Other Broadway credits include Funmilayo Anikulapo-Kuti in Fela! (Tony Award nomination), Jonesy in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Grizzabella in Cats, Asaka in Once on this Island, Joice Heth in Barnum (Broadway debut), Aretha Franklin in Rock-In-Roll-The First 5,000 Years, Effie Melody White in Dreamgirls (20th anniversary concert recording available on Nonesuch Records), Carrie and Chicago. Off Broadway, White was recently seen as Gertrude in Billy Porter’s While I Yet Live (Primary Stages); the Public Theater production of the William Finn musical Romance in Hard Times for which she won the Obie Award; Dinah Was at the Gramercy Theatre as singer Dinah Washington; Second Stage Theatre’s Crowns, for which she won the AUDELCO Award. On TV, White appeared on various PBS specials from “Great Performances with the Boston Pops” to “In Performance at The White House. White’s concert performances include Funny GirlHairDreamgirls, and South Pacific, which was broadcast on PBS Great Performances. She has appeared in concert at the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, and Lincoln Center and has toured internationally with her one-woman show, From Brooklyn to Broadway. White’s television appearances include four seasons as Lillian Edward on “Sesame Street” where she garnered an Emmy Award, “Law and Order,” “Law and Order: SVU,” “NYPD Blue,” “Person of Interest,” and “Gotham.” Her screen credits include Lead Muse in Disney’s animated Hercules and Anastasia, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Game 6, Pieces of April and Then She Found Me. Lillias White holds an honorary P.H.D. in Fine Arts from the City University of New York.

Scott Wakefield in Texas in Paris. Photo by Carol Rosegg

Scott Wakefield in Texas in Paris. Photo by Carol Rosegg

Scott Wakefield has appeared on Broadway in Hands On A Hardbody, Ring of Fire, and It Ain’t Nothin’ But The Blues. Off-Broadway appearances include The Joy Luck Club, The American Clock, Howling At The Moon, and Still Getting My Act Together (York). Numerous regional performances include: Fuddy Meers (Millet), A Flea in Her Ear (Camille), The Price (Victor), The Front Page (Kruger), The Glass Menagerie (Tom), Shipwrecked (Louis DeRougemont), Dancing At Lughnasa (Michael) and others at such prestigious venues as Cincinnati Playhouse, Milwaukee Repertory, Seattle Repertory, La Jolla Playhouse, and The Alliance Theatre. Mr Wakefield’s performances in The Will Rogers Follies and Best Little Whorehouse In Texas garnered him three “Best Actor” awards. Most recently, Mr. Wakefield performed in the new Broadway bound, Steve Martin musical, Bright Star, at The Old Globe Theater. Next up, Paint Your Wagon at The City Centre Theatre this March. An avid singer/songwriter, Scott has written and produced two CDs of original music: Older Than Dirt and Vegetarian Nightmare. www.ScottWakefield.com

Akin Babatundé is an accomplished actor, director, and writer whose theatrical career spans Off-Broadway, regional theatre, film and television. He has been a resident company member of prestigious theatrical institutions through the country: Trinity Rep (Providence, R.I.), Alley Theater (Houston, TX), La MaMa (NY) and the Dallas Theater Center. He is founder and artistic director of Vivid Theater Ensemble of Dallas and founder of Ebony Emeralds Classic Theater Company. Babatundé was the first African American to direct for the Dallas Shakespeare Festival in the celebrated diverse production of Taming of the Shrew in 1993. As a writer, his work has been commissioned by Florida Stage, La MaMa Theater, the Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs, Brown University, the Black Academy of Arts and Core Ensemble. His work Shakespeare – Midnight Echoes tours in Texas paying homage to black performing artists who performed Shakespeare from Slavery to the present. He has toured extensively with Core Ensemble in Of Ebony Embers-Vignettes of the Harlem Renaissance. His one-man show, Before the Second Set-A Visit with Satchmo has received critical acclaim at theater across the country. Babatundé co-wrote and starred in Blind Lemon Blues. TV appearances include “Law and Order” and “Wishbone,” the PBS literary show for children. Babatundé is a renowned arts educator, having undertaken five long-term artist residencies in underserved communities in Florida, creating new music theatre works alongside at-risk teens and community members. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Arts and Humanities from the University of Texas at Dallas and received the 2012 Distinguished Alumni Award.

Alan Govenar is a writer, folklorist, photographer and filmmaker. He is the director of Documentary Arts, a non-profit organization he founded in 1985 to present new perspectives on historical issues and diverse cultures. Govenar is a Guggenheim Fellow and the author of twenty-seven books, including “Everyday Music,” “Untold Glory: African Americans in Pursuit of Freedom,” “Opportunity and Achievement,” “Texas Blues: The Rise of Contemporary Sound,” “Lightin’ Hopkins: His Life and Blues,” “Stopin’ at the Savoy,” “Jasper, Texas: The Community Photographs of Alonzo Jordan,” and “Deep Ellum: The Other Side of Dallas.” His book “Osceola: Memories of a Sharecropper’s Daughter” won First Place in the New York Book Festival (Children’s Non-Fiction), a Boston Globe-Hornbook Honor, an Orbis Pictus Honor from the National Council of Teachers of English. Govenar’s film Stoney Knows How was shown at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, and was selected as an Outstanding Film of the Year by the London Film Festival. Govenar has also produced and directed numerous films in association with NOVA, PBS, and La Sept/ARTE. His documentaries, The Beat Hotel, Master Qi and the Monkey King, and You Don’t Need Feet To Dance are distributed by First Run Features. Govenar co-wrote the musical Blind Lemon Blues, which was presented in its world premiere at the Forum Meyrin in Geneva and the Maison des Cultures du Monde in Paris, and was staged at the York Theatre in 2007 and 2009. www.documentaryarts.org.

The York Theatre Company is the only theater in New York City – and one of very few in the world- dedicated to developing and fully producing new musicals and preserving neglected, notable shows from the past. For four decades, York’s intimate, imaginative style of producing both original and neglected classic musicals has resulted in critical acclaim and recognition from artists and audiences alike. Under the guidance of Producing Artistic Director James Morgan since 1997, the York has focused exclusively on new musicals in its MainStage Series-most of them world, American, or New York premieres-by some of the field’s most esteemed creators, and has also helped launch the careers of many new talented writers. Over 35 cast recording from The York Theatre Company productions are now available on CD, and commercial transfers of such York premieres as The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!), Souvenir, Jolson & Company, and its acclaimed revivals of Closer Than Ever (2013 Off Broadway Alliance Award for Best Revival), Sweeney Todd and Pacific Overtures have all showcased the importance of the York and its programs.

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia starred as Carole Barbara in Lorey Hayes’ Power Play at the 2013 National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, N.C., with Pauletta Pearson Washington, Roscoe Orman, and made her jazz vocalist debut in Rome Neal’s Banana Puddin’ Jazz “LADY” at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York. She is profiled in Jade Magazine.

Related Articles:
Tony Award-Winner Lillias White Stars with Scott Wakefield in The York Theatre Company’s World Premiere of TEXAS IN PARIS, January 27 – March 1
THE WIZ Turns 40- Photos from Original Broadway Production and BC/EFA Gypsy of The Year Celebration Featuring André De Shields, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ken Page, Charl Brown, Carly Hughes, Christina Sajous, Alton Fitzgerald White, Lillias White and More 
Photos: André De Shields, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ken Page, Charl Brown, Carly Hughes, Alton Fitzgerald White, Lillias White in 40th Anniversary of The WIZ Tribute at BC/EFA’s GYPSY OF THE YEAR; Competition Breaks Records With Over $5 Million as Hugh Jackman’s THE RIVER Brings in Top Donation

Other Articles by Lia Chang:
Celebrate the Life of Chez Josephine restaurateur Jean-Claude Baker at a Requiem Mass at Holy Cross Church on January 31
Rehearsal Photos: Jennifer Lim, Francis Jue, Telly Leung, Jo Mei, James Saito and Sue Jin Song in MTC Run of World Premiere of The World of Extreme Happiness by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, February 3 – March 29
New York City Blizzard Does Not Deter Broadway Icon Chita Rivera From Performing in Concert Taping for THIRTEEN’s Great Performances Series
Production Photos: Stephen Adly Guirgis’ BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY at Second Stage Theatre
Vineyard Theatre Presents World Premiere of Michael Mayer Helmed BROOKLYNITE Featuring Ann Harada, Nick Choksi, Matt Doyle, Nicolette Robinson, Andrew Call and More, January 30 – March 22
Feb. 3: BD Wong and Russell Wong Guest Star on ‘NCIS: NEW ORLEANS’, Episode 1.13 – The Walking Dead
FEB. 4: “Fresh Off the Boat” Live Community Viewing Party at THE CIRCLE NYC with Hudson Yang
Vineyard Theatre Presents World Premiere of Michael Mayer Helmed BROOKLYNITE Featuring Ann Harada, Nick Choksi, Matt Doyle, Nicolette Robinson, Andrew Call and More, January 30 – March 22
Two-Time Tony Award Nominee André De Shields, Bowman Wright, E. Faye Butler, KenYatta Rogers, Jessica Frances Dukes and Michael Anthony Williams Set for Arena Stage’s King Hedley II, February 6- March 8, 2015
Remembering Garland Lee Thompson, Sr. (1938-2014); Memorial Set for February 14, 2015
Duwende Performs at Rockwood Music Hall on February 16; Photos of Concert with m-pact at The Bitter End
“Swimming Awkward Moment,” works by Arlan Huang on view at Trestle Gallery, February 20 – March 27
Novelist Jessica Hagedorn, Neal Katyal of Hogan Lovells, and John W. Kuo of Varian Medical Systems, to receive AALDEF 2015 Justice in Action Awards on February 23
Baryshnikov Arts Center Presents New York Premiere of Carmen De Lavallade’s Solo Show AS I REMEMBER IT in February 2015
Photos: Playwright Ayad Akhtar, Josh Radnor and Aasif Mandvi Talk DISGRACED at The Drama Book Shop
Rajiv Joseph Wins Laurents/Hatcher Foundation Award for New Play Guards at the Taj; Set for World Premiere at Atlantic Theater Company in May
Photos: Joe Mantegna and Danny Ramm Talk about ‘Criminal Minds’ Season 10 Episode Honoring Veterans and the late Meshach Taylor
Photos: Tony Award Winning Playwright David Henry Hwang, NEFA, Graham Sheffield CBE and Susan Stockton Receive 2015 ISPA Awards
Photos: Late Night at HERE LIES LOVE with Jaygee Macapugay, David Byrne, Jose Llana, Conrad Ricamora, Melody Butiu and More
Photos: Andrew Rannells and Zuzanna Szadkowski Visit Richard Thomas, Anna Chlumsky, Julie Halston and Annaleigh Ashford at YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Photos: Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, Micki Grant, Woodie King Jr., Voza Rivers, Talvin Wilks, Garland Thompson Jr., Charles Turner, Jamal Joseph, Debra Ann Byrd and More at harlem is…Theater
Unsuk Chin’s Opera Alice in Wonderland, Featuring Libretto Co-Written with David Henry Hwang, Set for UK Premiere at the Barbican Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s Novels on March 8, 2015
Lincoln Center Theater’s The King and I, Starring Ken Watanabe, Kelli O’Hara, Ruthie Ann Miles, Conrad Ricamora, Jon Viktor Corpuz, Paul Nakauchi and More Kick off Rehearsals; Previews Begin March 12
Tam Mutu, Kelli Barrett, Tom Hewitt, Paul Nolan, Lora Lee Gayer, Melody Butiu, Julian Cihi and More Set for Broadway Bound Dr. Zhivago
Photos: Tommy Tune, Bob Avian, Lee Roy Reams, Christine Toy Johnson, Orville Mendoza, Lori Tan Chinn, Raul Aranas, Virginia Wing and More Celebrate 2014 Paul Robeson Citation Award Recipient Baayork Lee 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


Vineyard Theatre Delays First Preview of Michael Mayer Helmed BROOKLYNITE Featuring Ann Harada, Nick Choksi, Matt Doyle, Nicolette Robinson, Andrew Call, Nick Cordero and More

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The first preview of Vineyard Theatre’s World Premiere of BROOKLYNITE, originally set for tonight, January 30, 2015, has been postponed by one day, due to lost tech rehearsals that were interrupted by Winter Storm Juno earlier this week.

Ann Harada

Ann Harada

Helmed by Tony Award-winning director Michael Mayer (HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, SPRING AWAKENING), BROOKLYNITE will open on Wednesday, February 25th. This limited engagement continues through Sunday March 22nd.

Mr. Mayer will direct a company that features Andrew Call (FOUND, ROCK OF AGES), Gerard Canonico (SPRING AWAKENING), Max Chernin (BRIGHT STAR), Nick Choksi (INDIAN INK, NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812), Nick Cordero (BULLETS OVER BROADWAY), Matt Doyle (WAR HORSE, THE BOOK OF MORMON), Carla Duren (110 IN THE SHADE), Ann Harada (AVENUE Q at The Vineyard and on Broadway, CINDERELLA), John-Michael Lyles (ANGELINA BALLERINA), Grace McLean (BEDBUGS, NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812), Tom Alan Robbins (THE LION KING, SUNSET BOULEVARD), Nicolette Robinson (“The Affair” – Showtime, “Hart of Dixie” – CW Network), and Remy Zaken (SPRING AWAKENING, THE ANTHEM).

With book by Peter Lerman and Michael Mayer and music and lyrics by Peter Lerman (winner of the Jonathan Larson Award), BROOKLYNITE will be choreographed by Steven Hoggett (THE LAST SHIP, THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME, ONCE) and directed byMichael Mayer.

BROOKLYNITE features scenic design by Donyale Werle, costume design by Andrea Lauer, lighting design by Kevin Adams, and sound design by Kai Harada, with Kimberly Grigsby serving as musical director.

Nicolette Robinson and Matt Doyle. Photo courtesy of Brooklynite/Vineyard Theatre

Nicolette Robinson and Matt Doyle. Photo courtesy of Brooklynite/Vineyard Theatre

In BROOKLYNITE, Trey Swieskowski (Matt Doyle) is an idealistic hardware store clerk who dreams of becoming a superhero. Astrolass (Nicolette Robinson), Brooklyn’s most celebrated superhero, is determined to throw in the cape and live like a normal Brooklynite. When they meet they hatch a plan that will change their lives forever. But can they save Brooklyn when it suddenly teeters on the brink of disaster?

BROOKLYNITE is inspired by the real Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company located in Park Slope and based on characters created by Michael Chabon and Ayelet Waldman.

Vineyard Theatre is a non-profit theatre company dedicated to new work, bold programming, and the support of artists. One of America’s preeminent centers for the creation of new plays and musicals, Vineyard Theatre has consistently premiered provocative, groundbreaking works by both new and established writers. From our Tony Award-winning AVENUE Q, Obie Award-winning [title of show], Kander and Ebb’s THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS (12 Tony nominations), and Nicky Silver’s THE LYONS—which all went on to Broadway runs—to our Pulitzer Prize-winning plays HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE by Paula Vogel andTHREE TALL WOMEN by Edward Albee, to such notable projects as Tarell Alvin McCraney’s WIG OUT!, Nicky Silver’s PTERODACTYLS, Becky Mode’s FULLY COMMITTED, Craig Lucas’ THE DYING GAUL, Polly Pen’s GOBLIN MARKET, Christopher Shinn’s WHERE DO WE LIVE, Cornelius Eady’sBRUTAL IMAGINATION, Gina Gionfriddo’s AFTER ASHLEY, the Laura Nyro musical ELI’S COMIN’, Anne Washburn’s THE INTERNATIONALIST, Julia Cho’s THE PIANO TEACHER, Ben Katchor and Mark Mulcahy’s THE SLUG BEARERS OF KAYROL ISLAND, Jenny Schwartz’s GOD’S EAR, and more recent acclaimed productions of The Civilians’ THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY, Colman Domingo’s A BOY AND HIS SOUL, Adam Rapp’s THE METAL CHILDREN, Will Eno’s MIDDLETOWN, and Hunter Bell, Susan Blackwell and Jeff Bowen’s NOW.HERE.THIS., we strive to produce new work that challenges both our audiences and artists. Works premiered at The Vineyard have garnered two Pulitzer Prizes, three Tony Awards, and numerous OBIE, Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, Outer Critics, and New York Drama Critics Circle Awards. It is our goal to bring a spirit of adventure and risk to the art of making theatre, and we’re proud to be the recipient of special OBIE, Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel Awards for Sustained Excellence.

Other articles about Ann Harada:
Vineyard Theatre Presents World Premiere of Michael Mayer Helmed BROOKLYNITE Featuring Ann Harada, Nick Choksi, Matt Doyle, Nicolette Robinson, Andrew Call and More, January 30 – March 22 
Ann Harada Ends Run on Broadway in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s ‘Cinderella’ on December 14; Set for World Premiere of ‘Brooklynite’ at The Vineyard in January 2015
Photos: Harriet Harris, John Tartaglia, Christine Toy Johnson, Alan Muraoka, James Saito and More celebrate Ann Harada’s Debut at Lincoln Center in the American Songbook Series
Feb. 22: Lincoln Center Presents Cinderella’s Ann Harada in the American Songbook Series in the Allen Room at Frederick P. Rose Hall
Ann Harada Plays Cinderella’s Stepsister Charlotte in Broadway Premiere of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella at the Broadway Theatre
Christine Toy Johnson, Thom Sesma, Ali Ewoldt, Jose Llana, Ann Harada, Telly Leung and More Set for The Asian American Composers and Lyricists Project at The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre on May 19, 2013
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
Photos and Video: Daniel Dae Kim, Ann Harada, Greg Watanabe and More at Jeanne Sakata’s Hold These Truths starring Joel de la Fuente
Shinsai: Theaters for Japan Photos: (8pm) with Oskar Eustis, Patti LuPone, Lisa Emery, Ann Harada, Paolo Montalban, Thom Sesma, Sab Shimono, Henry Stram, Richard Thomas, John Weidman and more

Other Articles by Lia Chang:Other Articles by Lia Chang:
Rehearsal Photos: Jennifer Lim, Francis Jue, Telly Leung, Jo Mei, James Saito and Sue Jin Song in MTC Run of World Premiere of The World of Extreme Happiness by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, February 3 – March 29
New York City Blizzard Does Not Deter Broadway Icon Chita Rivera From Performing in Concert Taping for THIRTEEN’s Great Performances Series
Production Photos: Stephen Adly Guirgis’ BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY at Second Stage Theatre
Vineyard Theatre Presents World Premiere of Michael Mayer Helmed BROOKLYNITE Featuring Ann Harada, Nick Choksi, Matt Doyle, Nicolette Robinson, Andrew Call and More, January 30 – March 22
Feb. 3: BD Wong and Russell Wong Guest Star on ‘NCIS: NEW ORLEANS’, Episode 1.13 – The Walking Dead
FEB. 4: “Fresh Off the Boat” Live Community Viewing Party at THE CIRCLE NYC with Hudson Yang
Two-Time Tony Award Nominee André De Shields, Bowman Wright, E. Faye Butler, KenYatta Rogers, Jessica Frances Dukes and Michael Anthony Williams Set for Arena Stage’s King Hedley II, February 6- March 8, 2015
Remembering Garland Lee Thompson, Sr. (1938-2014); Memorial Set for February 14, 2015
Duwende Performs at Rockwood Music Hall on February 16; Photos of Concert with m-pact at The Bitter End
“Swimming Awkward Moment,” works by Arlan Huang on view at Trestle Gallery, February 20 – March 27
Novelist Jessica Hagedorn, Neal Katyal of Hogan Lovells, and John W. Kuo of Varian Medical Systems, to receive AALDEF 2015 Justice in Action Awards on February 23
Baryshnikov Arts Center Presents New York Premiere of Carmen De Lavallade’s Solo Show AS I REMEMBER IT in February 2015
Photos: Playwright Ayad Akhtar, Josh Radnor and Aasif Mandvi Talk DISGRACED at The Drama Book Shop
Rajiv Joseph Wins Laurents/Hatcher Foundation Award for New Play Guards at the Taj; Set for World Premiere at Atlantic Theater Company in May
Photos: Joe Mantegna and Danny Ramm Talk about ‘Criminal Minds’ Season 10 Episode Honoring Veterans and the late Meshach Taylor
Photos: Tony Award Winning Playwright David Henry Hwang, NEFA, Graham Sheffield CBE and Susan Stockton Receive 2015 ISPA Awards
Photos: Late Night at HERE LIES LOVE with Jaygee Macapugay, David Byrne, Jose Llana, Conrad Ricamora, Melody Butiu and More
Photos: Andrew Rannells and Zuzanna Szadkowski Visit Richard Thomas, Anna Chlumsky, Julie Halston and Annaleigh Ashford at YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Photos: Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, Micki Grant, Woodie King Jr., Voza Rivers, Talvin Wilks, Garland Thompson Jr., Charles Turner, Jamal Joseph, Debra Ann Byrd and More at harlem is…Theater
Unsuk Chin’s Opera Alice in Wonderland, Featuring Libretto Co-Written with David Henry Hwang, Set for UK Premiere at the Barbican Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s Novels on March 8, 2015
Lincoln Center Theater’s The King and I, Starring Ken Watanabe, Kelli O’Hara, Ruthie Ann Miles, Conrad Ricamora, Jon Viktor Corpuz, Paul Nakauchi and More Kick off Rehearsals; Previews Begin March 12
Tam Mutu, Kelli Barrett, Tom Hewitt, Paul Nolan, Lora Lee Gayer, Melody Butiu, Julian Cihi and More Set for Broadway Bound Dr. Zhivago
Photos: Tommy Tune, Bob Avian, Lee Roy Reams, Christine Toy Johnson, Orville Mendoza, Lori Tan Chinn, Raul Aranas, Virginia Wing and More Celebrate 2014 Paul Robeson Citation Award Recipient Baayork Lee 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


Baryshnikov Arts Center Presents New York Premiere of Carmen De Lavallade’s Solo Show AS I REMEMBER IT, Feb. 19-21, 24, 25

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Carmen de Lavallade

Carmen de Lavallade

Carmen de Lavallade Photo by Lia Chang

Carmen de Lavallade Photo by Lia Chang

Baryshnikov Arts Center presents Carmen de Lavallade in New York premiere of As I Remember It, at the  Baryshnikov Arts Center, Jerome Robbins Theater, 450 West 37th Street in New York.

Performance dates:
Thursday, February 19 @ 8 pm
Friday, February 20 @ 8 pm
Saturday, February 21 @ 8 pm
Tuesday, February 24 @ 8 pm
Wednesday, February 25 @ 1 pm

This intimate portrait of dance icon and actress Carmen de Lavallade spans an unparalleled six-decade career working with luminaries Lena Horne, Harry Belafonte, Josephine Baker, Alvin Ailey, and many others. In the N.Y. Premiere of Ms. de Lavallade’s solo performance, poignant movement, film, and storytelling weave an unforgettable memoir about her venerable life on stage.

Tickets: $30 Orch / $25 Balc
BUY NOW

Running Time: 60 Minutes

As I remember It was developed in residence at BAC.

This presentation of As I Remember It was made possible by the New England Foundation for the Arts’ National Dance Project.

Generous support provided by Jeremy Smith.

Baryshnikov Arts Center

Carmen de Lavallade

Carmen de Lavallade

Carmen de Lavallade has had an unparalleled career in dance, theater, film and television beginning in her hometown of Los Angeles performing with the Lester Horton Dance Theater—the first multi-race dance troupe in the United States. She persuaded a neighborhood friend named Alvin Ailey to join her in studying with Horton. While in Los Angeles, Lena Horne introduced the then 17-year-old Ms. de Lavallade to filmmakers at 20th Century Fox, where she appeared in movies with Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte.

Geoffrey Holder with wife Carmen de Lavallade. photo by Carl Van Vechten, 1955

Geoffrey Holder with wife Carmen de Lavallade. photo by Carl Van Vechten, 1955

Geoffrey Holder with his wife Carmen de Lavallade.

Geoffrey Holder with his wife Carmen de Lavallade.

Ms. de Lavallade’s dance career includes ballets created for her by Lester Horton, Geoffrey Holder, Alvin Ailey, Glen Tetley, John Butler, and Agnes de Mille. She succeeded her cousin Janet Collins as the principal dancer with the Metropolitan Opera, becoming the second black dancer to perform on that stage, and was a guest artist with the American Ballet Theater. She has choreographed for the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Philadanco, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and productions of Porgy and Bess and Die Meistersinger at the Metropolitan Opera. Ms. de Lavallade also has had an extensive acting career as a member of the Yale Repertory Theatre and the American Repertory Theatre at Harvard, performing in numerous off-Broadway productions, and serving as an instructor at the Yale School of Drama where she taught many up and coming “super stars,” including Meryl Streep and Henry Winkler. Ms. de Lavallade and her husband, the late Geoffrey Holder, were the subjects of the film Carmen & Geoffrey (2005). In 1954, Ms. de Lavallade made her Broadway debut partnered with Alvin Ailey in Truman Capote’s House of Flowers. Her most recent theatrical work includes Step-Mother by Ruby Dee (2009), Post Black by Regina Taylor (2011), and the Broadway revival of A Streetcar Named Desire (2012). In 1999, she was named one of America’s 100 Irreplaceable Dance Treasures by Dance Heritage Coalition.

Other articles by Lia Chang:
THE WIZ Turns 40- Photos from Original Broadway Production and BC/EFA Gypsy of The Year Celebration Featuring André De Shields, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ken Page, Charl Brown, Carly Hughes, Christina Sajous, Alton Fitzgerald White, Lillias White and More
Geoffrey Holder, Artist, Actor, Dancer, Choreographer, Two-Time Tony Award-winning Director and Costume Designer for The Wiz, Dies at 84; Son Pens Intimate Account of Last Days
Photos: André De Shields, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ken Page, Charl Brown, Carly Hughes, Alton Fitzgerald White, Lillias White in 40th Anniversary of The WIZ Tribute at BC/EFA’s GYPSY OF THE YEAR; Competition Breaks Records With Over $5 Million as Hugh Jackman’s THE RIVER Brings in Top Donation
Photos: Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, Micki Grant, Woodie King Jr., Voza Rivers, Talvin Wilks, Garland Thompson Jr., Charles Turner, Jamal Joseph, Debra Ann Byrd and More at harlem is…Theater
Cheryl L. Davis’ Maid’s Door Sweeps AUDELCOs with 7 Wins; Complete List of 2014 AUDELCO Recipients
Multimedia: Ambassador Attalah Shabazz, Tomie Arai, Jamal Joseph, Janice Robinson, Soh Daiko, Taiyo Na and More Celebrate the Life of Yuri Kochiyama in New York
Photos: Lillias White, Scott Wakefield, Ebony Jo-Ann, Tina Fabrique, Marjorie Johnson, Akin Babatundé, Alan Govenar and More at TEXAS IN PARIS at The York Theatre Company
Rehearsal Photos: Jennifer Lim, Francis Jue, Telly Leung, Jo Mei, James Saito and Sue Jin Song in MTC Run of World Premiere of The World of Extreme Happiness by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, February 3 – March 29
New York City Blizzard Does Not Deter Broadway Icon Chita Rivera From Performing in Concert Taping for THIRTEEN’s Great Performances Series
Production Photos: Stephen Adly Guirgis’ BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY at Second Stage Theatre
FEB. 4: “Fresh Off the Boat” Live Community Viewing Party at THE CIRCLE NYC with Hudson Yang
Two-Time Tony Award Nominee André De Shields, Bowman Wright, E. Faye Butler, KenYatta Rogers, Jessica Frances Dukes and Michael Anthony Williams Set for Arena Stage’s King Hedley II, February 6- March 8, 2015
Remembering Garland Lee Thompson, Sr. (1938-2014); Memorial Set for February 14, 2015
Duwende Performs at Rockwood Music Hall on February 16; Photos of Concert with m-pact at The Bitter End
“Swimming Awkward Moment,” works by Arlan Huang on view at Trestle Gallery, February 20 – March 27
Novelist Jessica Hagedorn, Neal Katyal of Hogan Lovells, and John W. Kuo of Varian Medical Systems, to receive AALDEF 2015 Justice in Action Awards on February 23
Mar. 4: Tony Award-Winner Lillias White, Carol Fredette & More to be Honored at 30th Annual Bistro Awards at Gotham Comedy Club
Unsuk Chin’s Opera Alice in Wonderland, Featuring Libretto Co-Written with David Henry Hwang, Set for UK Premiere at the Barbican Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s Novels on March 8, 2015
Lincoln Center Theater’s The King and I, Starring Ken Watanabe, Kelli O’Hara, Ruthie Ann Miles, Conrad Ricamora, Jon Viktor Corpuz, Paul Nakauchi and More Kick off Rehearsals; Previews Begin March 12
Tam Mutu, Kelli Barrett, Tom Hewitt, Paul Nolan, Lora Lee Gayer, Melody Butiu, Julian Cihi and More Set for Broadway Bound Dr. Zhivago
Photos: Playwright Ayad Akhtar, Josh Radnor and Aasif Mandvi Talk DISGRACED at The Drama Book Shop
Rajiv Joseph Wins Laurents/Hatcher Foundation Award for New Play Guards at the Taj; Set for World Premiere at Atlantic Theater Company in May
Photos: Tony Award Winning Playwright David Henry Hwang, NEFA, Graham Sheffield CBE and Susan Stockton Receive 2015 ISPA Awards
Photos: Late Night at HERE LIES LOVE with Jaygee Macapugay, David Byrne, Jose Llana, Conrad Ricamora, Melody Butiu and More
Photos: Andrew Rannells and Zuzanna Szadkowski Visit Richard Thomas, Anna Chlumsky, Julie Halston and Annaleigh Ashford at YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU
Photos: Tommy Tune, Bob Avian, Lee Roy Reams, Christine Toy Johnson, Orville Mendoza, Lori Tan Chinn, Raul Aranas, Virginia Wing and More Celebrate 2014 Paul Robeson Citation Award Recipient Baayork Lee Crafting a Career

Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang Photo by GK

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia starred as Carole Barbara in Lorey Hayes’ Power Play at the 2013 National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem, N.C., with Pauletta Pearson Washington, Roscoe Orman, and made her jazz vocalist debut in Rome Neal’s Banana Puddin’ Jazz “LADY” at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York. She is profiled in Jade Magazine.

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


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