Filipino Americans find joy in LA's 'Pass the Mic' theater fest

By WALTER ANG
Sept. 30, 2021 | USA.Inquirer.net

LOS ANGELES — Filipino American theater makers are a moving force in this year's Pass the Mic Festival as it focuses on Asian American and Pacific Islander voices.

Filipino American theater artists in
"Pass the Mic" theater festival includes (from left)
playwright Nicholas-Pilapil and directors Rodney To,
Nelson Eusebio III, Gaven Trinidad and Jennifer Chang.

Out of the five short plays that will be showcased, four are directed by Fil-Ams with one written by a Fil-Am with a Fil-Am cast.

Jennifer Chang directs "For Us All"; Nelson Eusebio III, "Hindi"; Gaven Trinidad, "Broken English." Iama Theater associate artistic director Rodney To directs "I've No Regrets" written by Nicholas Pilapil. Cast includes Alexander Fox, Lydia Gaston and Giselle Tongi. Other Fil-Ams included in the festival include Eileen Eusebio.

Leadership

Rodney To was named Iama Theater's associate artistic director last year. "It was an honor. On some level, all the work I've been doing in the arts as an actor, director, producer, etc., has led me to this position," he says.

"I know why I'm here. I am confident that my work-life experience more than qualifies me for the job, but more than that, I am excited to bring my perspective as a person of color to the administrative and producing arm of a company as dynamic and impactful as Iama.

"I look forward to pushing for even more diversity in all areas of their work, introducing them to marginalized artists and stories and also . serving as a leader in ensuring the work is reflected not just in the shows we produce, but also that it becomes embedded in the DNA of Iama."

Laboratory

Nicholas Pilapil was offered the director position of the theater company's Under 30 Playwrights Lab also last year. He went to work right away helping select the 2021-22 writing group. "The biggest responsibility is to be a mentor to these young writers," he says.

The lab was what provided the space and opportunity for Pilapil and To to begin an artistic collaboration. When Pilapil was in the writing lab's inaugural batch, his directing partner was To, who then brought in Fil-Am actor George Salazar to work on Pilapil's play.

"My plays before then typically explored a general Asian American experience. Rodney and George inspired me to make the main character in `The Bottoming Process' Filipino." They asked me, "Why isn't he Filipino?" So, I actually rewrote a lot of the character's trajectory to reflect a Filipino experience."

Pilapil recounts his time learning in the lab as one of his favorite experiences as a playwright. In addition to the support from the theater and from artistic director Stefanie Black, he says the opportunity to work fellow Fil-Am theater makers "inspired me to start exploring my relationship to my Filipino identity and figuring out how I can put that into my work as a playwright."

Relationships

Pilapil believes that while theater can "address issues that plague us, like Asian Hate" he wants to ensure that the focus in his works remain on "the people, not the issues."

In "I've No Regrets," while the main character is a hate crime survivor, it serves as jumping off point for other topics. "The story is about her relationship with her grandson. And him learning about what it means to be Filipino and how being Filipino shapes you as an American."

He relishes the opportunity to once again work with Fil-Am theater makers. "I love it! I've never worked on a play with all Fil-Ams in the room. I feel lucky. I feel grateful that Iama made it happen without compromise."

His Fil-Am collaborators' support allowed him to "focus and hone in on just the Filipino-ness of the work without having to think about how a white audience will interpret it or think about what can I change to make a white audience understand."

"The audience will either not understand or just recognize the intention and love behind the delivery of the language."

Joy

"When I'm with Filipinos, I always feel like the least Filipino person in the room. I don't understand or speak Tagalog, I'm not accustomed to many of the traditions. Even growing up, my family teased me for being `too white.'

"I was scared that the cast would see that my Tagalog was translated by Google. They didn't. But what I loved about working with this team is that the actors added all those little gestures and intricacies that are unspoken but are part of speaking Tagalog."

He adds, "I didn't have to explain myself, I didn't have to justify my experiences, I didn't have to make myself small. Being with this group really brought me so much joy."

Iama Theater's Pass the Mic Festival is on Oct. 9. Recorded version viewable until Oct. 24. Visit IamaTheatre.com.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/83812/fil-ams-find-joy-in-las-pass-the-mic-theater-fest

The Talented Mr. DelaCruz

By WALTER ANG
Sept. 29, 2021 | PositivelyFilipino.com 

How many actors are able to say that they've played the protagonist, the protagonist's nemesis, and the show's antagonist in a single play or musical? 

Marc delaCruz. Photo by Frank Louis

Marc delaCruz is the first Filipino American to play the titular character of the runaway hip-hop musical "Hamilton." He's also the first Fil-Am actor to play two other crucial roles in the show. 

Created by Lin Manuel Miranda (who also co-wrote songs for the Disney animated film "Moana" and is an actor in the Disney film "Mary Poppins Returns"), the multi-awarded show is about the life of Alexander Hamilton, a statesman, one of the Founding Fathers of the U.S., as well as the founder of the nation's financial system.

For readers who are not familiar with either the theater industry or U.S. history, this synopsis will surely sound very dry and boring. But merely think of the opposite feeling, multiplied by the thousands, to imagine the phenomenal buzz that this hit musical has created. 

Breaking Molds

The musical broke the mold with its choice of musical genres, which had not been traditionally or usually heard in "mainstream" works, as well as its decision to consciously cast actors of color for its dramatis personae. The latter move may baffle readers who assume that the Broadway community or US theater industry as a whole is open to diversity; but it was and still is actually a very bold and rare occurrence. 

"Hamilton" grew into a behemoth. Before the COVID-19 pandemic restricted indoor, congregate activities, in addition to its Broadway production, "Hamilton" had two national touring productions and shows in Chicago, San Francisco, and Puerto Rico. Simultaneously. 

And while theaters remained closed, to tide theater lovers over in the meantime, a videorecorded version of the show was launched on the Disney Plus streaming service last year. 

Awestruck 

It's against this competitive landscape that theater actors vie to be selected to become part of the enterprise. Therefore, it's no small feat to play the main role of this show, let alone two other equally important players. 

DelaCruz backstage at "Hamilton."

DelaCruz also plays King George, the British monarch whom the revolutionaries rebel against, and he also essays Aaron Burr, Hamilton's ideological foil.  

Broadway, the popular theater district in New York, has opened again after more than a year's suspension due to the pandemic and DelaCruz is part of a sizeable industry that is returning to its profession. 

DelaCruz was first interviewed for this profile just a few days before Broadway was shut down last year. He had just debuted as Aaron Burr, writing in a Facebook post, "Yo, `Hamilton' never ceases to amaze and astonish. It is such a privilege to be a member of this company. I had my first go rounds as Aaron Burr and what I remember most is the love, smiles, hugs, laughter and support coming from everyone both onstage and off. 

"I can't adequately describe how lucky I feel to have a shot at helping tell this story from yet another angle alongside the most caring and uplifting family of theater folk. I'm awestruck and humbled." 

Stretched 

He recalled his journey with the show. At the time, he was part of the ensemble playing Man 5, which includes the roles of Philip Schuyler, James Reynolds and the doctor. "And I understudied Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, King George and John Laurens/Philip Hamilton (two characters played by one actor)." 

"It has been a nothing short of a dream. Experiencing the show from different angles has given me such appreciation for its genius in how it was written and put together. 

"I've been challenged and stretched in every possible way. It's been exhilarating. It's a gift to work on one show for an extended period of time, especially one as complex as this, because it gives you the opportunity to keep diving deeper into the material. I don't think I'll ever stop having new thoughts or revelations about the show." 

Understudies and standbys take over roles in case the originally assigned actor is unable to perform. 

As the musical reopens its curtains to audiences, DelaCruz will no longer be in the ensemble. Instead, he is now the standby for all these major characters, with two new roles to boot: Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson (also two characters played by one actor).  

You never know, if they ever make a one-person version of the musical in the future, DelaCruz would be a shoe-in to perform it. 

Complicated

DelaCruz, whose father is Filipino, was born in Hilo, Hawaii. He grew up in Seattle and trained in dance while he was taking up international studies at the University of Washington. He was in college when he was cast in his first professional production, "The Fantasticks," with the Northwest Asian American Theater Company. 

Marc delaCruz. Photo by Mari Uchida.

After some time acting for Seattle theater groups, he went on to be in productions such as the national tour of "Disney's High School Musical" and in the world premiere cast of "Allegiance" at San Diego's Old Globe Theatre alongside Lea Salonga before making his Broadway debut in the musical "If/Then," which starred Idina Menzel. 

The opportunity to play the three arguably most popular characters (the male ones anyway) in the musical is something DelaCruz does not take for granted. 

"It's so interesting and such an incredible challenge! These three characters see the world through completely different eyes and it has been a joy trying to get into their heads and understand why they do the things they do."

His approach is not to paint broad strokes in bringing them to life. "I try not to view any character as a villain, good guy or bad guy, but rather as individuals who come from very different backgrounds, determined to achieve their goals. 

"They are all flawed humans with limitations and that is what makes the show so dynamic, especially when placed within the historical context. Truthfully portraying these very different characters requires a lot of digging and putting my own assumptions aside about who they are in the interest of getting at their humanity."

In fact, the chance to embody Aaron Burr enabled him more ways to access Alexander Hamilton.  

"These two men had a very complicated relationship and diving into Burr's psyche gives me so much insight into Hamilton's point of view and how he is perceived by Burr. 

"The process of learning Burr has helped me further specify how and why Hamilton does what he does and says what he says. I haven't changed my performance completely but understanding Burr gives me so many new layers to play with when I play Ham."

Loved Ones 

With all the work that has to go into preparing for the show, DelaCruz falls back on his work family and his real family.

Prior to the pandemic, his family would travel all the way to New York to catch DelaCruz every time he debuted in a new role. 

"Especially my parents who have to come all the way from Hawaii.  I'm grateful that my family is so supportive. They are very proud of me. Both my brother and sister have remarked that they saw me act in the show in ways they had never seen before and at times they can't believe it's me up there. It's very cool to be able to share this whole experience with my family."

"Marc delaCruz could act out all of `Hamilton' by himself one day"

Inspiration

Meanwhile "the family at the Rodgers Theatre operates with love and care. Whenever there is a debut of any kind, a new actor joins the company and performs for the first time or a company member goes on for a new role for the first time, the company gathers in the basement at places and extends their hands in support.  

"It's a beautiful way to uplift the company member and remind them that they are not alone and that, though a debut may be daunting and full of nervousness and anxiety, the entire company has their back. For me, it's a beautiful reminder that this show can never happen without the work and cooperation of every single person in the building."

But at the end of the day, it is the audience that make stage work meaningful for performers. 

"So many folks travel from all over the world to see the show, fans know every word, young people studying theater stick around to meet us because they aspire to do what we do, it blows me away every time. It is a constant reminder of not only how popular the show is but what an impact it continues to have on people. I'm so proud to be part of something that bring such joy to so many. 

"I am particularly touched by Asian American audience members who make a point to tell me how much it means to them to see me onstage. A few young Asian Americans have said that seeing me onstage in a show as big as `Hamilton' gives them hope that they can achieve their dreams too. I can't describe how humbling this is and how it fuels and inspires me every day. This is more than a job, it's a real opportunity to lift others up. I'm not sure I'll ever be part of something quite like this again."

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https://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/the-talented-mr-delacruz 

Filipino American Justin Huertas' comics-inspired musical, 'Lizard Boy,' to roll out in Silicon Valley

By WALTER ANG
Sept. 22, 2021 | USA.Inquirer.net

SAN FRANCISCO — Filipino American composer, librettist and actor Justin Huertas' indie folk-rock musical "Lizard Boy" will kick off TheatreWorks Silicon Valley's 51st season. 

Filipino American librettist, composer, musician and actor Justin Huertas (left)
plays the title character in "Lizard Boy."

Huertas found inspiration for "Lizard Boy" from his lifetime love of comic books. Huertas grew up feeling left out whenever he watched his favorite character Spider-Man and many other caped crusaders played by primarily white actors.

Growing up being unable to see a superhero who is Filipino American like himself, he was inspired to create "Lizard Boy," establishing the representation that had been lacking.

Over a million

First staged in 2015, the musical introduces audiences to Trevor, a sweet and insecure recluse in Seattle whose skin is covered in lizard scales, as he goes on a first date that turns into a mythological journey where he must deal with unlocking his powers, self-acceptance and saving the world.

"Lizard Boy" was commissioned by Seattle Repertory Theatre and was a hit at the Seattle awards season. It underwent further development in a staging in San Diego and staged readings in New York.

Huertas' other credits include the music, lyrics and book of "The Last World Octopus Wrestling Champion," a pop-rock musical about a Filipino American family whose matriarch is a wrestler of octopi, and the music and lyrics of a musical adaptation of "Howl's Moving Castle."

The musical's soundtrack on Spotify surpassed one million streams in March of 2020. "It was a wild moment for us. We hadn't been on stage for years, and we couldn't believe that people continued to find our little show," says Huertas.

"It means our fans have been telling their friends to listen to us, and then those friends tell their friends. The fact that people love us so much that they want to share our music is just magical to me."

Quadruple

The original cast, of which Huertas is a part, will reprise their roles at the TheatreWorks staging.

Librettist, composer, actor Justin Huertas.

Huertas plays the titular character and all three actors are quadruple threats as they act, sing, do movement and play musical instruments such as cello, guitar, piano, ukulele and kazoo.

"The cast has always been the same three people: me, Kiki deLohr Helland and Bill Williams. I look forward to when we can start folding more actors into more productions. I honestly can't wait for us to release this to high schools and colleges."

New superpowers

Huertas appreciates the opportunity to revisit the first musical he ever created. "I was 24 when I started writing it, and I'm 34 now. A lot of emotional and intellectual growth happens in that time.

"Not only 10 years of time but also going from your 20s to your 30s. Ten years ago, I was writing a story about coming of age, love, and identity, but the fact is we're constantly coming of age. Or at least I am!

"Thirty four-year-old Justin has such a new point of view on all of those things, and I'm really excited that I get to infuse this new 'Lizard Boy' with my emotional growth from over the years. It will be different for folks who've seen us before. Plus, there are new superpowers!"

"I'm so grateful to get to do this show again. Because I'm so busy working on other projects, I never get to travel. I love having the opportunity to travel with 'Lizard Boy.' My dream in life is to be able to share my stories around the world."

"Lizard Boy" runs Oct. 6-31 at Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View. Visit TheatreWorks.org.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/83171/fil-ams-comics-inspired-musical-lizard-boy-to-roll-out-in-silicon-valley