Ann Harada in rehearsal, J J Johnson on viola in background in The Allen Room in New York on February 22, 2014. Photo by Lia Chang
Last Saturday, Broadway vet Ann Harada was simply spectacular in the Allen Room at Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York, where she performed as part of Lincoln Center’s American Songbook Concert Series.
Ann Harada with special guest Kevin Pariseau in rehearsal. Photo by Lia Chang
Helmed by frequent collaborator Alan Muraoka, with musical direction by Gary Adler, Harada was joined by long time pal Kevin Pariseau, with whom she sang a series of Judy Garland duets.
Scott Neumann (drums), Kevin Pariseau, Brian Koonin (guitar), MaryAnn McSweeney (bass), Ann Harada, JJ Johnson (viola), Gary Adler (musical director), backstage in the star dressing room. Photo by Lia Chang
Her musicians included Gary Adler (Keys), Brian Koonin (Guitar), Scott Neumann (Drums), Mary Ann McSweeney (Bass) and JJ Johnson (Viola).
Director Alan Muraoka gives Ann Harada notes in dress rehearsal. Photo by Lia Chang
Alan Muraoka and Ann Harada backstage in the star dressing room. Photo by Lia Chang
Harada is currently giving “a hoot of a performance” (NY 1 News) in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella as the evil stepsister Charlotte, but fans may remember her better as Christmas Eve, the heavily accented Japanese therapist in the hit show, Avenue Q, which she performed on Broadway and in London. Other Broadway credits include 9 TO 5, Madame Thenardier in LES MISERABLES (revival), SEUSSICAL and M. BUTTERFLY. She has appeared in the films ADMISSION, HOPE SPRINGS, FEEL, THE ART OF GETTING BY and HAPPINESS; and recent television credits include “30 ROCK,” “THE BIG C,” “LIPSTICK JUNGLE,” “RESCUE ME,” “THE ELECTRIC COMPANY,” and a recurring role as Linda the stage manager on “SMASH”.
Ann Harada and Harriet Harris. Photo by Lia Chang
Harriet Harris, with whom Harada appeared in Cinderella on Broadway, Christine Toy Johnson and James Saito were among the many guests who packed the Green Room after the show to wish her well. There was even a mini Avenue Q/”Sesame Street” reunion with John Tartaglia and Phoebe Kreutz in the house.
Avenue Q/Sesame Street reunion with John Tartaglia, Gary Adler, Ann Harada, Alan Muraoka and Phoebe Kreutz. Photo by Lia Chang
Ann Harada in concert. Photo by Lia Chang
Setlist:
GEE, BUT IT’S GOOD TO BE HERE – music by Harold Karr, lyrics by Matt Dubey
THE GENTLEMAN IS A DOPE – music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
HEAVEN IS A PLACE ON EARTH – music and lyrics by Rick Nowels and Ellen Shipley
GARLAND DUETS MEDLEY:
Be a Clown – music and lyrics by Cole Porter
When the Midnight Choo-Choo Leaves for Alabam – music and lyrics by Irving Berlin
You Wonderful You – music by Harry Warren, lyrics by Jack Brooks and Saul Chaplin
I Wish I Were in Love Again – music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Lorenz Hart
For Me and My Gal – Music by George W. Meyer, lyrics by Edgar Leslie and E. Ray Goetz
SONG OF THE FULL REFRIGERATOR – music by Will Aronson, lyrics by William Finn
IF I WERE A BELL – music and lyrics by Frank Loesser
MIND OF A TURKEY – music by Gary Adler, lyrics by Phoebe Kreutz
A LAST CONFESSION –music by Steve Marzullo, lyrics by W. B. Yeats
OK, THAT’S TEN/ THEY JUST KEEP MOVING THE LINE –music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman
THERE’S A FINE, FINE LINE – music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx
FINE – music and lyrics by Adam Gwon NOW – music by Brad Ross, lyrics by Joe Keenan
LOVE IS THE WAY THAT WE LIVE – music by Neil Radisch, lyrics by James Milton and David Goldstein Encore:
I HAPPEN TO LIKE NEW YORK—music and lyrics by Cole Porter
Ann Harada on stage with Gary Adler, JJ Johnson and MaryAnn McSweeney. Photo by Lia Chang
Scott Neumann, Ann Harada and Brian Koonin. Photo by Lia Chang
Alan Muraoka, Ann Harada and Jon Nakagawa, Director, Contemporary Programming at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Photo by Lia Chang
Other articles about Ann Harada:
Feb. 22: Lincoln Center Presents Cinderella’s Ann Harada in the American Songbook Series in the Allen Room at Frederick P. Rose Hall
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
Ann Harada Plays Cinderella’s Stepsister Charlotte in Broadway Premiere of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella at the Broadway Theatre
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
Daryl “Chill” Mitchell and Ann Harada to Star in Staged Reading of Internal Bleeding by Christine Toy Johnson on 4/5
Ann Harada stars in “Christmas Eve with Christmas Eve” on 12/14 to benefit Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS
Harada, Leung, Llana, Johnson, Takara Sing Once On This Island on May 16 at Theatre at Saint Peter’s
Alan Muraoka, Gary Adler, Lia Chang, Christine Toy Johnson, Ann Harada and James Saito.
Ann Harada with special guest Kevin Pariseau in rehearsal. Photo by Lia Chang
Other articles by Lia Chang:
Mar. 1: Rome Neal’s Banana Puddin’ Jazz Presents “LADY” Featuring Lia Chang, Monica Garrido, Carolyn Holmes, Noel Simon’ Wippler, Linda Hudson, Adi Meyerson and Kathleen Doran
Mar. 21 – May 4: Arena Stage Presents World Premiere of Lawrence Wright’s Camp David Starring Tony Award winner Ron Rifkin and Emmy Award winner Richard Thomas
Signature’s Production Photos of David Henry Hwang’s Kung Fu; Opens February 24, 2014
Bryan Cranston Makes Broadway Debut in Robert Schenkkan’s All the Way at The Neil Simon Theatre, Opens March 6, 2014
Celebrating the Year of the Horse with David Henry Hwang’s Kung Fu at Signature Theatre; Previews begin February 4, 2014
Photos: David Henry Hwang, Annie Baker and Rajiv Joseph honored at Sixth Annual Steinberg Playwright “Mimi” Awards
Q & A with Meet Me in St. Louis: A Live Radio Play’s Garth Kravits
Photos: André De Shields, Michael Shannon, Rajiv Joseph, Christine Sherrill, Doug Peck, Alexis J. Rogers, Karen Ziemba and More Celebrate 2013 Jeff Equity Awards
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: Backstage with Michi Barall and the cast of Regina Taylor’s stop.reset. at Signature Theatre
Febone1960.net Review: Power Play Powerful & Suspenseful
Photos: The 58th Annual Drama Desk Awards and After Party
Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.
Lia Chang. Photo by Charles Richard Barboza
Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist. Lia will make her jazz vocalist debut on March 1, 2014, in Rome Neal’s Banana Puddin’ Jazz “LADY” at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York. 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
