Quantcast
Channel: Theater – Backstage Pass with Lia Chang
Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 890

Lia Chang: Up Close and Personal with HERE LIES LOVE Star Jose Llana; Set for Lincoln Center’s American Songbook Debut on March 12, 2015

$
0
0
Jose Llana. Photo by Bill Bustamante

Jose Llana. Photo by Bill Bustamante

Jose Llana as Ferdinand Marcos in Here Lies Love.

Jose Llana as Ferdinand Marcos in Here Lies Love.

Jose Llana sizzles as the former president of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos, in the Off-Broadway production of David Byrne and Fatboy Slim’s smash hit musical, Here Lies Love at The Public Theater’s LuEsther Hall (425 Lafayette Street, New York City).

In this dark political tale of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos with a disco spin, Llana’s clear, beautiful tenor haunts his performance, seducing the audience as Marcos once seduced the people of the Philippines.

Jaygee Macapugay, David Byrne, Jose Llana and Conrad Ricamora of Here Lies Love at the Apple Store Soho in New York on October 25, 2014. Photo by Lia Chang

Jaygee Macapugay, David Byrne, Jose Llana and Conrad Ricamora of Here Lies Love at the Apple Store Soho in New York on October 25, 2014. Photo by Lia Chang

Under the direction of Alex Timbers, Here Lies Love played a critically raved-about, sold-out run last year at the same space, which was extended by popular demand four times.

This commercial run, which also stars Jaygee Macapugay as Imelda Marcos, Conrad Ricamora as Ninoy Aquino, and Melody Butiu as Estrella, is produced by Joey Parnes Productions and EMURSIVE (Jonathan Hochwald, Arthur Karpati, and Randy Weiner, principals), and will play its final performance on January 4, 2015. 

On March 12, 2014, Llana will make his Lincoln Center “American Songbook” debut in the Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse, 165 West 65th Street, Rose Building, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10023. Showtime: 8:00 pm. Call CenterCharge at 212.721.6500 (10:00 am–9:00 pm) for ticket availability.

I’ve known Jose since 2002, when he was starring in Flower Drum Song, but as Ferdinand Marcos in Here Lies Love, he commands the stage, and is at his most charismatic. It’s no wonder that he received a 2014 Lucille Lortel Award Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical for the role.

In the midst of his crazy schedule with Here Lies Love, he found time for an interview via email, where he talks about his path to Here Lies Love, David Byrne, family, favorite projects, influences, making his American Songbook Debut, and Stephen Sondheim.

Joohee Choi (Tuptim) and Jose Llana (Lun Tha) in the 1996 Broadway revival of The King and I. Photo by Joan Marcus

Joohee Choi (Tuptim) and Jose Llana (Lun Tha) in the 1996 Broadway revival of The King and I. Photo by Joan Marcus

Jose Llana and Michael McElroy in Rent. Photo by Fiyero

Jose Llana and Michael McElroy in Rent. Photo by Fiyero

Making His Broadway Debut at 19
Llana was born in Manila and raised in suburban Virginia. At nineteen, Llana was in his freshman year as a classical voice major at the Manhattan School of Music, when he made his Broadway debut as Lun Tha, opposite Joohee Choi’s Tuptim in the 1996 revival of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I, starring Lou Diamond Phillips and Donna Murphy.

No Stranger to Nontraditional Casting
His next two roles on Broadway were Angel in Rent, directed by Michael Greif; which was followed by the acclaimed Motown musical Street Corner Symphony (1997), where he originated the role of Jessie-Lee.

Kate Suber, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Lea Delaria, Jose Llana, Robert Montalvo in On The Town (1997). Photo by Michal Daniel

Kate Suber, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Lea Delaria, Jose Llana, Robert Montalvo in On The Town (1997). Photo by Michal Daniel

In 1997, director George C. Wolfe cast him as the lead role of Gabey in the New York Shakespeare Festival’s production of On the Town at the Delacorte Theater, and the following year Llana performed in Adam Guettel’s Saturn Returns, directed by Tina Landau, at The Public Theater. In 1999, Llana played Guillaume in Cameron Mackintosh’s Martin Guerre at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis, and on a national tour to Detroit, Washington DC, Seattle, and Los Angeles.

Llana received a Joseph Jefferson Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal as Tin Man in Ballad of Little Jo, directed by Tina Landau (2000), in Chicago at The Steppenwolf; and a Barrymore Award nomination for Best Actor for the title role in Candide (2001) at The Prince Theater in Philadelphia.

Jose Llana as Guillaume and Erin Dilly as Bertrande in Martin Guerre. Photo by Michal Daniel Lea Salonga and Jose Llana in the opening night curtain call of David Henry Hwang's revisal of Flower Drum Song at the Virginia Theater in 2002. Photo by Lia Chang
In 2002, he returned to Broadway as the romantic lead, Wang Ta, opposite Lea Salonga in David Henry Hwang’s revisal of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Flower Drum Song, directed by Bobby Longbottom, at the Virginia Theatre.

(Front row): Celia Keenan-Bolger, Dan Fogler, Sarah Saltzberg; (back row): Jose Llana, Deborah S. Craig, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, the young spellers in ``The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,'' Circle in the Square. Photo by Joan Marcus

(Front row): Celia Keenan-Bolger, Dan Fogler, Sarah Saltzberg; (back row): Jose Llana, Deborah S. Craig, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, the young spellers in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” Circle in the Square. Photo by Joan Marcus

In 2005, Llana created the role of Chip Tolentino in William Finn’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, directed by James Lapine, first at the Second Stage Theater, then on Broadway, and finished off with a sold-out smash hit run in Los Angeles. The show was nominated for both Tony® and Drama Desk Awards for Best Musical and won both Tony® and Drama Desk Awards for Best Book. As part of the cast, Jose Llana was a recipient of the 2005 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Ensemble Performance.

Jose Llana, Janet Dacal and the cast of the 2009 world premiere of Wonderland. Photo by Michal Daniel

Jose Llana, Janet Dacal and the cast of the 2009 world premiere of Wonderland. Photo by Michal Daniel

Betsy Morgan and Jose Llana as Nancy & Bill Sykes in "Oliver" at Paper Mill Playhouse in 2013. Photo by Billy Bustamante

Betsy Morgan and Jose Llana as Nancy & Bill Sykes in “Oliver” at Paper Mill Playhouse in 2013. Photo by Billy Bustamante

In 2010, Llana starred as Adam in the Off-Broadway production of Falling For Evedirected by Larry Raben at The York Theatre. In 2011, Llana returned to Broadway as El Gato in Frank Wildhorn’s new musical Wonderlanddirected by Gregory Boyd at the Marquis Theater. Llana began his turn as President Ferdinand Marcos in David Byrne and Fat Boy Slim’s Here Lies Love at the Williamstown Theatre Festival prior to its World Premiere at The Public Theater in Spring 2013; and finished out the year as Bill Sykes in Oliver! at Paper Mill Playhouse.

Lia: What was your path to Here Lies Love?
Jose: I first heard of Here Lies Love in 2011 just after Wonderland closed on Broadway. I knew it was written by David Byrne and Fat Boy Slim and I was intrigued by how they would tell the Filipino story. Once I heard Alex Timbers, Oskar Eustis and The Public Theater were involved in a workshop, I knew I wanted in. I actively pursued the audition and was cast as Marcos for that first workshop in June 2011. That workshop focused on the first 8 songs or first 1/3 of the show, what we’ve called “Act 1″. We did it in the small black box theater of NYU and it was thrilling to put the songs to Annie-B Parson’s choreography and adding the lights and projection elements.

Melody Butiu, Jose Llana, Ruthie Ann Miles and Conrad Ricamora backstage at The Public on June 10, 2013. Photo by Lia Chang

Melody Butiu, Jose Llana, Ruthie Ann Miles and Conrad Ricamora backstage at The Public on June 10, 2013. Photo by Lia Chang

Lia: How has Here Lies Love and your portrayal evolved to now?
Jose: The biggest shift during the workshops, Mass MoCA and Public Theater productions has been the show’s focus around Imelda. The concept album was primarily a duet between Imelda and Estrella with Marcos and Aquino making mostly cameo appearances at best. As the workshops progressed it was clear that the story and audience both wanted more of the male characters around Imelda, and David and Alex went to work at beefing up both characters in terms of songs and stage time. For Conrad and me, it was great to feel like David and Alex wanted more of our characters in the show.

Lia:What has it been like to work with David Byrne?
Jose: It’s been one of the coolest experiences of my career. I mean, how many people can say they’ve worked with a real rock star? But beyond that, David has been truly one of the kindest, most generous composers I’ve ever worked with. He’s completely without ego and makes everyone in the room so comfortable and collaborative. He even made the cast ginger tea when he heard we were vocally under and tired at Mass MoCA. He said it was what he drank on tour when he was vocally tired. You know, on his rock star tours. ;)

Jose Llana with his mom, Regina Newport in 1980 and in 2014. (Photo courtesy of Jose Llana) Jose Llana with his father, Florante Llana, at the Spelling Bee Opening Night Party for Broadway in 2005. (Photo courtesy of Jose Llana)
Lia: Your activist, Filipino parents once vehemently opposed the Marcos dictatorship and fled to America to escape it. How has playing Ferdinand Marcos and performing in Here Lies Love changed or impacted your life?
Jose: Playing Marcos has been nothing short of life-changing and life-affirming as a Filipino-American. I never realized how much I took for granted how my parents educated my sister and me about martial law in the Philippines. The truth is not all Filipino-American kids grow up with any knowledge of it, let alone any Americans do. I’m most proud that our show inspires people to go home and Google or Wikipedia the Philippines or martial law and that they learn a little something more about our history and culture than those damn shoes Imelda hoarded with stolen money.

Lia: How did your parents react after seeing Here Lies Love?
Jose: Pride and sadness. Pride that their son was telling a dark but very important part of Filipino history and sadness that the Filipino government hasn’t gone as far as it could’ve in the decades since martial law ended. Mistakes are being repeated and history forgotten.

Lia: What do you hope audiences will take away after seeing Here Lies Love?
Jose: That Filipinos are a fun, proud people who staged one of the most peaceful demonstrations in history to overthrow a selfish, powerful dictator and his delusional wife.

Lia: You made your Broadway debut at nineteen as a freshman at the Manhattan School of Music. What were your professional goals then, and how have they changed given all that you have done since?
Jose: I’d say my shallow goals at 19 were to be rich and famous. After 19 years of working and having the honor of working with some very cool people, my goals have shifted slightly more to the deeper side. Some jobs pay more and some shows circulate your name around faster, but if you’re proud of the work and feel like you are growing and learning from it, than you’re on the right path.

Jose, his mother, Regina, and his sister Patricia on the beach in 1981. (Photo courtesy of Jose Llana)

Jose, his mother, Regina, and his sister Patricia on the beach in 1981. (Photo courtesy of Jose Llana)

Lea Salonga, Jose Llana and Alvin Ing in rehearsal with David Henry Hwang's revisal of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Flower Drum Song at 890 Broadway Studios in New York on September 22, 2002. Photo by Lia Chang

Lea Salonga, Jose Llana and Alvin Ing in rehearsal with David Henry Hwang’s revisal of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Flower Drum Song at 890 Broadway Studios in New York on September 22, 2002. Photo by Lia Chang

Lia: Who are your role models?
Jose: My immediate role models have always been my parents and my older sister who all taught me the meaning of hard work and allowed me to live the life of an artist. Professionally, there are people I look up to and dictate my taste and opinions about theater. Audra McDonald and Adam Guettel were two artists that definitely shaped my first opinions about what new theater could be when I started working 19 years ago. As an Asian-American I look to people like B.D. Wong, Alvin Ing and the late Kevin Gray who paved the way for Asian-American men in theater.

Lia: What artists have inspired you?
Jose: My short list of artists today, who I also have the honor of calling friends, would be Alex Timbers, Kimberly Grigsby, Michael Friedman, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Gavin Creel, just to name a few. Anything they do, I want to be there to see it.

Lia: What roles or projects have been your favorites and why?
Jose: King & I started it all for me and broke me into the business, so I will always be thankful for that. Adam Guettel’s Saturn Returns at The Public Theater in 1998 was the my first taste of what new theater could sound like, it changed my life. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee was the funnest, silliest time I had at work. Here Lies Love connects me more with my Filipino heritage in a way I never knew I needed to until it happened.

Jose Llana with his sister Patricia Llana, his partner, Erik Rose at his niece, Veronica's baptism in 2010. (Photo courtesy of Jose Llana)

Jose Llana with his sister Patricia Llana, his partner, Erik Rose at his niece, Veronica’s baptism in 2010. (Photo courtesy of Jose Llana)

Jose Llana sings “A Perfect Hand” at the Here Lies Love Apple Store Soho Event in New York on October 25, 2014. Photo by Lia Chang

Jose Llana sings “A Perfect Hand” at the Here Lies Love Apple Store Soho Event in New York on October 25, 2014. Photo by Lia Chang

Lia: What are you most passionate about?
Jose: Doing good work. My family and partner. Amazing food.

Lia: Are there any directors, producers or writers that you would like to work with next?
Jose: Stephen Sondheim is still at the top of my list. I’ve come close a couple of times and actually spent a week with him last year for a new workshop version of Company. But I’d love to work on an original piece and part with him. Get in line, right?

Lia: In March, you are making your American Songbook debut. Any idea what the program will be?
Jose: The program will be a combination of songs from my career and songs that have inspired me. Kimberly Grigsby, my musical director, and I are shaping the concert now. I promise a fun night of good music and a few stories from my checkered Broadway past.

Lia: Any other projects that you might be working on?
Jose: There’s an independent film that may be happening in early 2015 and I’ve been involved in some workshops of new musicals that may see full productions in 2015 but none that I can talk about yet.

First Row: Kate Wallace, New York Post writer Michael Riedel, Carol Angeli Second Row: Diane Phelan, Tobia Wong, Rob Laqui, Debralee Daco, Melody Butiu, Jaygee Macapugay, Renée Abulario, Janelle Velasquez Third Row: Enrico Rodriguez, Craig Ryan Freeman, David Byrne, Jose LLana, Conrad Ricamora, Ryan Gohsman at the Here Lies Love Apple Store Soho Event in New York on October 25, 2014. Photo by Lia Chang

First Row: Kate Wallace, New York Post writer Michael Riedel, Carol Angeli
Second Row: Diane Phelan, Tobia Wong, Rob Laqui, Debralee Daco, Melody Butiu, Jaygee Macapugay, Renée Abulario, Janelle Velasquez
Third Row: Enrico Rodriguez, Craig Ryan Freeman, David Byrne, Jose LLana, Conrad Ricamora, Ryan Gohsman at the Here Lies Love Apple Store Soho Event in New York on October 25, 2014. Photo by Lia Chang

Here Lies Love features, in alphabetical order: Renee Albulario, Carol Angeli, Billy Bustamante, Melody Butiu, Natalie Cortez, Debralee Daco, Rob Laqui, Jose Llana, Jaygee Macapugay, Jeigh Madjus, Maria-Christina Oliveras, Diane Phelan, Conrad Ricamora, Enrico Rodriguez, Janelle Velasquez, and Tobias Wong.

The production received the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical; an Obie Award for Outstanding Music and Lyrics; Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Music, Lighting Design and Projection Design and Theatre World Awards for Ruthie Ann Miles (Imelda Marcos) and Conrad Ricamora (Aquino). Here Lies Love received a record 11 Lucille Lortel Awards nominations, and garnered 5 Lortel Awards, including Alex Timbers for Outstanding Director, Ruthie Ann Miles for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical, Clint Ramos for Outstanding Costume Design, Justin Townsend for Outstanding Lighting Design and M.L. Dogg and Cody Spencer for Outstanding Sound Design.

Within a pulsating dance club atmosphere, David Byrne and Fatboy Slim deconstruct the astonishing journey of Filipina First Lady Imelda Marcos retracing her meteoric rise to power and subsequent descent into infamy and disgrace at the end of the People Power Revolution. Here Lies Love is neither a period piece nor a biography, neither a play nor a traditional musical but an immersive theatrical event combining songs influenced by four decades of dance music, adrenaline-fueled choreography, and a remarkable 360-degree scenic and video environment to go beyond Imelda’s near-mythic obsession with shoes and explore the tragic consequences of the abuse of power. Here Lies Love is a 90-minute theatrical experience. Set within a dance club atmosphere, audiences will stand and move with the actors. Comfortable shoes and clothing are recommended. Dancing is encouraged.

Tickets for Here Lies Love range from $99-$139. A limited number of $40 day-of-performance rush tickets will be available at The Public’s Taub Box Office (425 Lafayette Street, NYC) one hour before the start of each performance.  The Fall performance schedule is as follows: Mondays and Tuesdays at 7 pm, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8 pm, Fridays at 7 pm and 10:30 (the Late Night Disco!) and Saturdays at 5 pm and 9:30 pm. Tickets subject to availability, and the offer is good for two tickets per person, cash or credit cards. For more info and tickets to Here Lies Love, please visit http://www.herelieslove.com/.

The New York production will close on January 4, 2015. The show is also currently running at London’s National Theatre through January 8, 2015. A production will open in Sydney in May 2015 as the theatrical center piece of the Vivid Festival.

Jose Llana sings “A Perfect Hand” at the Here Lies Love Apple Store Soho Event in New York on October 25, 2014. Photo by Lia Chang

Jose Llana sings “A Perfect Hand” at the Here Lies Love Apple Store Soho Event in New York on October 25, 2014. Photo by Lia Chang

Llana has appeared on television in HBO’s “Sex and the City” and on film in Hitch, starring Will Smith. He is an advocate for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Broadway Impact for Marriage Equality, and several other charities.

Jose Llana in the Clinton Recording studio for the Flower Drum Song cast album in 2002. Photo by Lia Chang"

Jose Llana in the Clinton Recording studio for the Flower Drum Song cast album in 2002. Photo by Lia Chang”

In addition to the cast album recordings for The King and I, Flower Drum Song, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Wonderland, and Here Lies Love, Llana has been a guest artist on half a dozen benefit recordings for Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS. In 2003, Llana flew to the Philippines to fulfill his lifelong dream of performing in his homeland; his debut solo album, Jose (VIVA Philippines label), primarily in Tagalog (Filipino), peaked at number two on the Manila industry charts. The album is available in the U.S. at www.CDbaby.com.
www.josellana.com 

Lia Chang and Jose Llana at The Public Theater after a performance of Here Lies Love on August 22, 2014.

Lia Chang and Jose Llana at The Public Theater after a performance of Here Lies Love on August 22, 2014.

Related articles:
Apple Video Podcast: New York Post Writer Michael Riedel Interviews David Byrne, Jaygee Macapugay, Jose Llana and Conrad Ricamora of Here Lies Love
Six Questions for Melody Butiu, Currently Appearing as Estrella in David Byrne and Fat Boy Slim’s Here Lies Love at The Public
Photos: David Byrne, Jaygee Macapugay, Jose Llana and Conrad Ricamora Bring the ‘Here Lies Love’ Disco to the Apple Store Soho
Meet David Byrne, Here Lies Love Creator and Cast members Jaygee Macapugay, Jose Llana, and Conrad Ricamora at the Apple Store Soho
Jaygee Macapugay stars as Imeda Marcos in Here Lies Love at The Public, Beginning October 20, 2014
Photos: André de Shields, Adam Chanler-Berat, Jose Llana, Kevin Mambo, Rebecca Naomi Jones, Kyle Beltran, Kim Brockington and More at The Fortress of Solitude
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
Lucille Lortel Awards for Here Lies Love, Fun Home, The Open House, Good Person of Szechwan
Jose Llana, Ruthie Ann Miles, Melody Butiu, Conrad Ricamora and More Open in David Byrne- Fatboy Slim’s Here Lies Love on May 1
Jose Llana, Ruthie Ann Miles, Melody Butiu, Conrad Ricamora and More Return for Here Lies Love; Previews Begin April 14, 2014
Nov. 25: David Byrne and the Cast of The Public Theater’s HERE LIES LOVE including Jose Llana, Ruthie Ann Miles, Conrad Ricamora, Melody Butiu and More to Host Benefit Concert for the Philippines at Terminal 5
Here Lies Love, Starring Jose Llana and Ruthie Ann Miles, Extends at The Public through July 28, 2013
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
Jose Llana, Ruthie Ann Miles, Maria-Christina Oliveras, Conrad Ricamora, Kelvin Moon Loh and More Set for World Premiere of David Byrne and Fatboy Slim’s Here Lies Love at The Public, April 2 – May 19, 2013
Broadway Stars Pay Tribute to Alan Muraoka at National Asian American Theatre Co. Gala on September 10, 2012
NYMF: Prison Dancer starring Jose Llana, Jeigh Madjus, Marc delaCruz, Catherine Ricafort, Moses Villarama, Cosmo Clemens, Enrico Rodriguez, Albert Guerzon, Andrew Eisenman and Nathan Ramos at Theatre at St. Clement’s, July 20-28, 2012
Tony Award Winner Lea Salonga Leads Stellar Cast in First All-Filipino Concert for Philippine Development Foundation, “PhilDev Celebrates Broadway: Suites by Sondheim” at Alice Tully Hall
Alan Ariano, Rona Figueroa, Jose Llana, & Orville Mendoza in Long Season Ayala Foundation USA Gala in SF on 9/25/10:
“A Helluva Town” DVD Release Celebration and Fundraising Concert for “ Transcending-The Wat Misaka Story” on March 28, 2010
Photos: Jose Llana, Stephanie Umoh & cast of Falling for Eve
Christine Toy Johnson’s PAPER SON at Queens Theatre in the Park Studio Theatre
Harada, Leung, Llana, Johnson, Takara Sing Once On This Island on May 16 at Theatre at Saint Peter’s
The Making of the Flower Drum Song Cast Album
Flower Drum Song, An American Story

Other Articles by Lia Chang
Photos: Chinese American: Exclusion/Inclusion on View through April 19, 2015 at New York Historical Society
ABC’s “Fresh Off the Boat” starring Randall Park, Constance Wu, Hudson Yang, Forrest Wheeler, and Ian Chen, Premieres on February 4 & 10
Q & A with Danny Ramm, Co-writer of Joe Mantegna Helmed ‘Criminal Minds’ Season 10 Episode to Honor the late Meshach Taylor; Airs January 21, 2015
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
Baryshnikov Arts Center Presents New York Premiere of Carmen De Lavallade’s Solo Show AS I REMEMBER IT in February 2015
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
Emmy Winner Richard Thomas and Anna Chlumsky Set For Broadway’s YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU, Beginning January 6, 2015 
James Yaegashi, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Ernest Abuba, Tsering Dorjee, Takemi Kitamura, James Saito, Jon Norman Schneider in Sarah Ruhl’s The Oldest Boy in the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater at LCT 
Lia Chang Picks: Island Breeze CD by Jeff Peterson, Riley Lee & Kenny Endo 
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
Photos: Art Salon with Artist Yang Chihung and Dr. Agnes Hsu-Tang at New-York Historical Society
Coming to America through The Angel Island Immigration Station
Celebrating my Mom – AN ACTIVE VISION: BEVERLY UMEHARA…LABOR ACTIVIST…1945-1999
Multimedia: George Takei, Nancy Kwan, Lisa Lu and Tsai Chin attend Hollywood Chinese: The Arthur Dong Collection Exhibition Opening Night
Photos at Shanghai World Expo USA Pavilion Library of Congress, Hollywood Chinese: Arthur Dong Collection
Photos: BD Wong, Cindy Cheung, Brooke Ishibashi, Thom Sesma, Manna Nichols, Steven Eng, Ariel Estrada and Lori Tan Chinn at Leviathan Lab’s Ghost Stories
Q & A with Playwright Camille Darby, 2014-15 Dramatists Guild Playwrighting Fellow
Costume Institute’s Spring 2015 Exhibition at Metropolitan Museum to Focus on Chinese Imagery in Art, Film, and Fashion, May 7–August 16, 2015
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
Photos & Video: The Wiz’s André De Shields Sang “So You Wanted to Meet the Wizard” in The Black Stars of The Great White Way Broadway Reunion: Live The Dream at Carnegie Hall 
Photos: Artist Arlan Huang, One Brush Stroke at a Time
Crafting a Career
Museum of the Moving Image Presents A Tribute to Ruby Dee
Late Night Singing with Garth Kravits at 54 Below with The Skivvies, at Jim Caruso’s Cast Party at Birdland and Michael Raye’s Soul Gathering
Photos: Maxine Hong Kingston, Billie Tsien, Bill T. Jones, Linda Ronstadt, John Kander, Julia Alvarez, Jeffrey Katzenberg Receive 2013 National Medal of Arts from President Barack Obama 
Golden Globe Winner James Shigeta, Veteran of Film and TV, Dies at 85; Excerpts of 2007 A/P/A Institute Q & A with Sukhdev Sandhu
Photos: Artist Arlan Huang, One Brush Stroke at a Time
Ruby Dee, Actress and Activist, 1922 – 2014
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: © 2000-2014 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



Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 890