Broadway fans: Get ready for Olivier winner Nicole Scherzinger

By WALTER ANG
April 17, 2024 | USA.Inquirer.net 

NEW YORK — Filipino American performer Nicole Scherzinger won the 2024 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress for her work in the West End revival of "Sunset Boulevard."

Fil-Am theatergoers will not have to wait too long for a chance to see her on stage. The show is set to transfer to Broadway at the St. James Theatre this fall.

"Thank you to Andrew Lloyd Webber, my dear friend and mentor, for writing this masterpiece," Scherzinger said in her acceptance speech. "Thank you so much for writing music and lyrics that I can sink my teeth and my soul into."

"As a little girl from Hawaii and then growing up in Kentucky, coming from really humble beginnings, I always wanted to be a singer and do musicals."

The show is set to begin previews by end of September and with an official opening on October 20.

Recognition

This marks Scherzinger's second Olivier nomination. She was previously nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical in 2015 for the musical "Cats." She played Grizabella, who sings the musical's most famous song, "Memory."

Theater luminary Lea Salonga was the first Filipino to win an Olivier Award. She won in 1990 for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Musical for "Miss Saigon."

Salonga will also be back on US stages next year. Her successful London show with Bernadette Peters, Stephen Sondheim`s "Old Friends," is slated for Los Angeles' Ahmanson Theatre and Broadway's Manhattan Theatre Club.

After turning down an invitation from Will.i.am to join the Black Eyed Peas, Scherzinger rose to prominence as a singer member of the Pussycat Dolls in the 2000s.

She's since won "Dancing with the Stars," served as a judge on talent shows, including "The X Factor" and "The Masked Singer."

She has played Grace in "Annie Live!" and was the voice of Sina in Disney's "Moana" and starred in ABC's remake of "Dirty Dancing."

In good company

At one point in her acceptance speech, Sherzinger said, "I dreamed of so many roles that I wanted to do. And honestly, this role, Norma Desmond, was not one of those roles," to laughter from the audience.

"God works in mysterious ways because honestly it's one of the ballsiest and bravest things I've ever done. And I have the incomparable director Jamie Lloyd to thank for that."

Based on the black comedy film noir movie of the same title, the musical is about Norma Desmond, a faded star of the silent screen era, living in the past in her decaying mansion. When a young screenwriter crosses her path, she sees an opportunity to make a return to the big screen, with romance and tragedy to follow.

Scherzinger initially declined the role. But the director Jamie Lloyd had only her in mind for his take on the musical. In an interview, he said that he felt the singer "had a real connection to Norma's story" and that "Nicole, who has experienced great things and.in many ways has been dismissed as an artist and has never really been given the opportunity to show the world what she's really capable of doing."

Scherzinger is now known as one of the few high-caliber actors who have inhabited the role, which include Patti LuPone (who originated the role), Glenn Close and Rita Moreno.

More shows

"Sunset Boulevard" swept this year's ceremony with seven wins, including best director, best actor, outstanding musical contribution, sound design, lighting design and musical revival. ("Hamilton" holds the same record of seven wins.)

There are other Olivier-winning shows that Fil-Am theater fans can look forward to.

"Stranger Things: The First Shadow" won the Noel Coward Award for Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play and Best Set Design. This is a prequel to the Netflix show, slated for Broadway next year.

There is also "The Picture of Dorian Gray" starring Sarah Snook of the wildly popular "Succession," which is buzzed to also potentially making a Broadway transfer.

Walter Ang is the author of Barangay to Broadway: Filipino American Theater. Available at Amazon, Bookshop and other online booksellers.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/148207/fil-am-theater-fans-get-ready-for-olivier-winner-nicole-scherzinger

Filipino American theater group Circa Pintig announces 33rd season

By WALTER ANG
April 16, 2024 | USA.Inquirer.net 

CHICAGO — Filipino American theater group Circa Pintig held a gala to celebrate its 33rd anniversary and to announce its lineup this season, titled "Kapwa, Next Generation."

(From left) Filipino American theater group Circa Pintig artistic associate Giovanni Ortega,
executive director Ginger Leopoldo, Executive Director and artistic director RJ Silva
announced this year's line-up at their 33rd season gala.  

"We will have a mix of original works, community collaborations, monthly gatherings and staged readings," said the group's Executive Director Ginger Leopoldo.

The gala, which was held at the Rizal Center, featured some excerpts from this year's upcoming productions.

Starting off the season this spring is the world premiere of "Panther in the Sky" by Lani T. Montreal, a poignant and powerful piece delves into the narratives of four mothers and their sons who deal with poverty, violence and racism in Chicago. This will be a co-production with Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble.

Montreal's other plays include "Nanay," about a young Filipina coming to terms with her mother's secret identity as a manananggal, "Looking for Darna" and "Sister-Out-Law," among others.

Larry Itliong

Next up is the Midwest premiere of "Sama Sama: Solidarity in the Fields" by director and playwright Giovanni Ortega. The play centers around students who want to learn more about the experiences and plight of Filipino American and Mexican American farmworkers and labor organizers during the Delano Grape Strike of 1965. Fil-Am Larry Itliong is a central character in the play.

Ortega's other plays include "Criers for Hire," about women hired to cry at funerals, and "Allos: the Story of Carlos Bulosan."

This touring show was originally commissioned by East West Players Theatre in Los Angeles and will be presented in libraries, schools and community organizations.

Popular demand

Conrad A. Panganiban "Daryo's All American Diner," which was staged by the group last year, will be mounted again due to popular demand.

The play is about the resilience of a Filipino family who struggles to keep a business open at the height of the pandemic. The play sets the tone for how a traumatic act of violence can lead to an act of grace as family and friends come together during a time of crisis.

Panganiban's other plays include "Welga," a play about Fil-Am labor leader Larry Itliong, and "Esperanza Means Hope," which deals with domestic violence, and "The Perfect American," about how entrepreneur Beverly Marie Spencer wants to teach new immigrants how to become "perfect" Americans.

Theater Festival

The group also has activities that involve teaching artists who will interact with community members by asking for their personal stories in workshops and then transform the stories into theater and storytelling events.

Then come autumn, there are plans for Circa Pintig to host a Filipino American Theater Festival.

This year's projects has funding from the Neighborhood Access Program of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.

For more information, visit circapintig.org. Walter Ang is the author of Barangay to Broadway: Filipino American Theater. Available at Amazon, Bookshop and other online booksellers.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/148119/fil-am-theater-group-circa-pintig-announces-33rd-season

Filipino American stars with Steve Carrell in Broadway’s ‘Uncle Vanya’

By WALTER ANG
April 12, 2024 | USA.Inquirer.net

NEW YORK — Filipino American actor Mia Katigbak will join celebrity actor Steve Carrell in his Broadway debut as he plays the title character in Anton Chekhov's classic "Uncle Vanya."

Katigbak is an Obie Award winner for her performance in "Awake and Sing" staged by the National Asian American Theatre Company (NAATCO), of which she is the cofounder and artistic director. (Her company is celebrating its 35th anniversary next year.)

She has extensive theater credits in New York and some of her television credits include "How to Get Away With Murder" (ABC), "The Sinner" (USA), "Chicago PD" (NBC), "The Mysteries of Laura" (NBC) and "The Family" (ABC).

Fil-Am actor Spencer Donovan Jones is also part of the cast playing the part of the neighbor.

Star studded cast

Carrell is known for his role as Michael Scott on the television mockumentary series "The Office." He was nominated for an Oscar for his work on the film "Foxcatcher."

In the play, Sonia and her uncle Vanya have devoted their lives to managing the family farm in isolation, but when her ailing father and his charismatic wife move in, their lives are upended. In the heat of the summer, the wrong people fall in love, desires and resentments erupt, and the family is forced to reckon with the ghosts of their unlived lives.

Katigbak will be playing Marina, the household nurse.

The starry cast of "Uncle Vanya" includes Alison Pill ("Star Trek: Picard") as Sonia.

Alfred Molina (Dr. Octopus in "Spider-Man: No Way Home") will play the ailing father and Anika Noni Rose (voice of Tiana in Disney's "Princess and the Frog" and Hulu's "Little Fires Everywhere") will play the wife.

They will be joined by William Jackson Harper ("The Good Place") and Jayne Houdyshell (Hulu's "Only Murders in the Building" and Greta Gerwig's "Little Women").

This production is using a new translation of the play by Heidi Schreck, who is known for her one-person play, "What the Constitution Means to Me," which is available to watch on Amazon.

Mia Katigbak 

In New York, Katigbak has acted with Ma-Yi Theater (originally founded as a Filipino American theater company and has since evolved into an Asian American theater company), New York Theatre Workshop, New Georges, Transport Group, among others.

Regionally, she has worked with Yale Repertory, Long Wharf, TheaterWorks (Hartford, CT), TheatreSquared (Fayetteville, AR) and Humana Festival at the Actors Theatre of Louisville, among others.

Her many recognitions include a Drama Desk Special Award, an Otto René Castillo Award for Political Theatre,  New York Independent Theater Award for Artistic Achievement and a Lilly Award for Trailblazing.

She was also a founding director of the Consortium of Asian American Theaters and Artists, serving as president of its first board.

"Uncle Vanya" is running at the Vivian Beaumont Theater at the Lincoln Center. It is currently in previews. It will have its opening night on April 24, 2024.

Walter Ang is the author of Barangay to Broadway: Filipino American Theater. Available at Amazon, Bookshop and other online booksellers.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/147937/fil-am-stars-with-steve-carrell-in-broadways-uncle-vanya 

A play nurtured by nature aims to help audiences heal

By WALTER ANG
April 10, 2024 | USA.Inquirer.net

SAN DIEGO - If you only heard soundbites from Filipino American Thelma Virata de Castro as she talks about her latest project, you might wonder what kind of esoteric discussion is going on.

"Be a lizard." "Soil is alive." "Seedlings are magic." If you found out she is a playwright, then it might make more sense since she works with words and ideas.

These phrases grew from her desire to discover more about the gardening organizations in southeast San Diego and National City.

"I became involved as a volunteer and collaborator," she says.

"Through Project New Village, I've become a hyper-local farmer by donating my homegrown tangelos and sapotes for sale on their mobile produce truck."

"Paradise Gardeners provides gardening programs and maintains a free seed library at the Skyline Hills library. I volunteer at a native garden that they've established on a former landfill."

From her experiences and interactions with these groups, including community garden and education center Olivewood Gardens, De Castro says she "learned how the many aspects of nature are connected with our communities."

Healing

Now she wants to share the same insights, specifically the therapeutic benefits of nature, with more San Diegans through her new play "Where We Lay Our Sorrows Down."

In the one-act play, De Castro shows how a garden helps the protagonist Carmela, who has suffered personal losses in her family, find healing. Fil-Am actor Jaena-Mae Caguiat plays Carmela.

"As poet Ross Gay noted, joy and grief are intertwined. I worked with writers in underserved communities to explore how nature heals and sustains."

She says the play will use soundscapes and puppets to evoke the spirit of a garden where Carmela immerses herself in its [healing] magic.

The puppets and soundscape are designed by students from A Reason to Survive, a youth development organization that offers arts programs to "lift young people in San Diego's South County region to become confident, compassionate and courageous community builders through the transformative power of creativity."

Performances

Free performances will be held in Southeast San Diego, National City, and Paradise Hills, communities ranked in the lowest quartile of the California Healthy Places Index.

The first performance will be at the Valencia Park/Malcolm X Library, Sunday, April 14 at 3 p.m.

The next will be at A Reason to Survive, Friday, April 19 at 7 p.m.

The final performance will be at the Skyline Hills Library, Saturday, April 27 at 2 p.m.

Well-being

De Castro's collaboration with the gardening organizations and the resulting play is part of her "Cultivating Joy" social justice and community engagement campaign, a series of activities where she aims to empower writers and audiences as they explore their relationship with nature.

Through "Cultivating Joy," De Castro also offers free writing workshops and readings. "Cultivating Joy" is supported by Far South/Border North, a regional collaborative that supports artists and cultural practitioners working in service of the health and well-being of communities.

"Where We Lay Our Sorrows Down" is presented by Asian Story Theater, where De Castro's previous collaborations include "The Fire in Me" and "Halo-Halo."

Other Filipino Americans involved in the play include co-director Claudette Santiago and disabled and transgender actor Elias Enguancho.

For details, visit thelmaviratadecastro.com. Walter Ang is the author of Barangay to Broadway: Filipino American Theater. Available at Amazon, Bookshop and other online booksellers.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/147811/a-play-nurtured-by-nature-aims-to-help-audiences-heal

New food offerings and other events this Filipino Food Month

By WALTER ANG
April 9, 2024 | USA.Inquirer.net

SAN FRANCISCO — Here is a serving of good news for Filipino Americans who crave the tastes and flavors of Philippine dishes but may not be too skilled in the kitchen or may not have access to Filipino restaurants or just want the convenience of something quick and easy to prepare at home.

Filipino American frozen foods manufacturer Ramar Foods has just introduced its Magnolia Spicy Pork Siopao.

"This fiery rendition of siopao promises a tantalizing blend of authentic flavors. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail and using only the finest ingredients, Magnolia Spicy Pork Siopao is a culinary masterpiece designed to delight even the most discerning palates," said PJ Quesada, vice president of Ramar Foods.

"Each bite offers a harmonious fusion of succulent pork filling infused with a bold medley of spices, all enveloped in a soft, pillowy dough. This is a true testament to Ramar Foods' commitment to quality and taste while keeping its integrity to Asian flavors."

Each resealable bag comes with four siopao. The siopao can be microwaved, steamed or prepared in an oven. It is available at select Asian retailers.

Snack or meal

The launch coincides with Filipino Food Month, a celebration showcasing the rich and diverse culinary heritage of the Philippines.

This annual event is organized by the Filipino Food Movement, of which Quesada is the founder and chairperson emeritus.

Quesada expressed excitement about the new product. "We are thrilled to introduce Magnolia Spicy Pork Siopao. At Ramar Foods, we blend tradition with innovation. With this latest offering, we are reimagining a Filipino classic to cater to the evolving preferences of our customers," she said.

"Whether enjoyed as a convenient snack or a satisfying meal, this new addition to the Magnolia lineup is poised to become a household favorite."

The Ramar Foods Magnolia line includes a broad selection of food favorites catering to the Filipino American community's palate in ice cream, dim sum snacks and a variety of meat products.

Magnolia Spicy Pork Siopao joins Magnolia's other siopao flavors, chicken asado and pork asado. Magnolia also has frozen siomai and cocktail-size lumpia.

Magnolia's other frozen pork products include sisig, barbecue and a slew of longanisa flavors: Vigan, sweet, hot, sweet garlic, cured, sweet hamonado, etc.

Filipino Food Month events

This year's Filipino Food Month has kickoff events in San Francisco, New York and Las Vegas to inform the public of the month's different activities and programs that are meant to engage, educate and delight food enthusiasts.

Fil-Am chefs will be part of Kulinarya Live, a series of online cooking workshops and demonstrations. Scheduled chefs include Melissa Miranda of Musang in Seattle, Augee Francisco of Kabisera West in New York and Cat Carlucci of Istorya popup in Las Vegas.

Diners in select cities in Northern California, Las Vegas, Nevada and the East Coast can dine at participating restaurants for a chance to win a roundtrip ticket to the Philippines and other prizes.

In New York, a merienda event at Platform by the James Beard Foundation (located in Market 57 food hall) will feature chefs LJ Almendras, Leah Cohen, Diana Manalang, Woldy Reyes and Dale Talde. It will be hosted by restaurateur and cookbook author Nicole Ponseca.

The month will end with a culminating dinner, titled Dinner at Bahay Buko. This will be a collaboration of chefs, restaurateurs and the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Nevada.

"Let's come together to savor the flavors, embrace the culture, and celebrate the diversity of our Filipino cuisine during this exciting month-long event," said Quesada.

For more info on Filipino Food Month, follow @FilipinoFoodMovement on Facebook or Instagram.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/147777/new-food-offerings-and-other-events-this-filipino-food-month

Filipino American named artistic producer of inaugural AAPI playwright fest

By WALTER ANG
March 27, 2024 | USA.Inquirer.net

SAN FRANCISCO — Filipino American Jeffrey Lo has been named as the artistic producer of Contemporary Asian Theater Scene's inaugural Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Playwright Festival.

Jeffrey Lo (left) and Conrad Panganiban

The festival is slated for July 2024 and is co-produced with San Jose Stage Company.

The festival will feature staged readings of six short plays performed by local Bay Area artists. Multi-awarded Fil-Am playwright Conrad Panganiban is one of the featured playwrights and is currently working on his entry.

Panganiban's plays include "Daryo's All-American Diner," "Welga" and "Esperanza Means Hope." His work has been produced by Bindlestiff Studio, The Chikahan Company, CIRCA Pintig, MaArte Theatre Collective and the Sinag-tala Filipino Theatrical Performing Arts Association.

The festival is described as "a one-of-a-kind theater arts experience that fosters and showcases the talent of existing and emerging local Bay Area AAPI theater artists, from writers and actors to directors, stagehands and others."

"It is an exciting time to be an Asian American theater maker in the Bay Area," said Lo. "From the early roots of the Asian American Theatre Company to the works being done today, the Bay Area has always been a center for the development of new AAPI voices and stories.

"This festival helps us continue that history of lifting up the next generation of storytellers and highlight exciting and emerging artists in our community."

Based in the Bay Area, Lo's directing credits include "The Language Archive," "Little Shop of Horrors" and "The Santaland Diaries" at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley" and "Chinglish," "The Paper Dreams of Harry Chin" and "Hold These Truths" at San Francisco Playhouse.

He's also directed "Vietgone" and "The Great Leap" at Capital Stage, "A Doll's House, Part 2" and "Eurydice" at Palo Alto Players and "The Grapes of Wrath," "The Crucible" and "Yellow Face" at Los Altos Stage Company.

As a playwright, his plays have been produced at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, BindleStiff Studio, City Lights Theatre Company and Stanford University.

Lo is the associate producer of casting and literary manager at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley where audiences can see his work this April as he directs Mike Lew's "Tiger Style!"

This East-meets-West satire examines the cause and effects of strict "tiger parenting," as 30-something Ivy League graduate siblings Albert and Jennifer wallow in their adult dissatisfactions with life despite their childhood ultra-achievements.

When their lives fall apart, they blame their parents and run away from California to China on an "Asian Freedom Tour" where calamity ensues.

"Tiger Style!" will feature Emily Kuroda (known to television audiences as the uber-controling Mrs. Kim on "Gilmore Girls") and Francis Jue (CBS's "Madam Secretary" and "The Good Wife").

"Tiger Style!" runs April 6-28 at Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View.

Walter Ang is the author of Barangay to Broadway: Filipino American Theater, available at Amazon, Bookshop and other online booksellers.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/146995/fil-am-named-artistic-director-of-inaugural-aapi-playwright-fest

Step aside Hamilton, Filipino American labor leader is hero of new musical

By WALTER ANG
March 25, 2024 | USA.Inqurirer.net

SAN FRANCISCO — Step aside "Hamilton," "Evita," "Six" (featuring the six wives of King Henry VIII) and other musicals about figures from history. This time around, Filipino American labor leader and civil rights icon Larry Itliong is the man of the hour in the new musical, "Larry the Musical: An American Journey."

The musical is based on the children's picture book Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong by Dawn Mabalon and Gayle Romasanta.

The musical is running at the Brava Theater in the Mission District until April 14. It is directed and choreographed by Billy Bustamante, who was recently the assistant director of Broadway's "Here Lies Love," musician David Byrne's disco musical about Imelda Marcos.

Eymard Meneses Cabling and Joshua Carandang star as Itliong in two different stages of his life. Cabling has played Lun Tha in productions of "The King and I" and the engineer in "Miss Saigon." Carandang originated the role of Joxer in "Xena: Warrior Musical" and has played Andrew Jackson in "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson."

The musical takes audiences on the journey of Itliong's early days in the US to his posthumous recognition by the State of California in 2015 by enacting a "Larry Itliong Day."

Larry Itliong

The musical was drawn from a book written by Dawn Mabalon and Gayle Romasanta, with script by Romasanta and comedian Kevin Camia, music by Bryan Pangilinan and  Sean Kana, folk music consultation by Herna Cruz-Louie, and production and costume design by Ciriaco Sayoc.

Itliong immigrated to the US in 1929, became a union leader, and together with other Filipino organizers like Philip Vera Cruz, led the 1965 Grape Strike in Delano, California.

Itliong was instrumental in convincing the Mexican laborers, the most known of whom include the likes of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, not to replace and fill the vacated jobs of the striking Filipino workers but to join the strike instead. The strike lasted for five years and led to a breakthrough in labor rights in the US.

"We're finally telling a story that needs to be told of a man who is absolutely paramount to Filipinos past, present and future," music director Sean Kana said.

"There are so many special aspects that drew me to this piece," said director and choreographer Bustamante. "I knew [this was] a special team and I knew that they were onto something incredibly necessary and valuable in terms of the types of stories the world needs to hear in this moment."

Bustamante is also cofounder of Broadway Barkada, a support group for Filipino American actors and artists.

According to the production, "Filipino Americans are currently the largest Asian American group in 10 of the 13 western states and one of the most rapidly growing Asian American populations in the nation.

"There are few mentions and accurate representations of Fil-Am contributions to US history.

"The San Francisco Bay Area is the second most populous region for Filipinos in the United States, with Filipinos making up to 4.6 percent of San Francisco's population. It is only fitting the launch of this production takes place where Filipinos are a prominent part of California's history." 

Also included in the cast are Jocelyn Thompson-Jordan, Marah Sotelo, Bebe Browning and Daniel Lloyd Pias.

The musical's producers include Francis Novero; Rosario Pangilinan; Mona Lisa Yuchengco, community activist, publisher, filmmaker and founder of Positively Filipino; Allyson Tintiangco-Cubales, San Francisco State University professor of Ethnic Studies, Filipina/x/o American Literature and Art, and founder of Pin@y Educational Partnerships; and Kevin Nadal, John Jay College of Criminal Justice professor, author, psychologist, activist and president of the Filipino American National Historical Society.

Walter Ang is the author of Barangay to Broadway: Filipino American Theater, available at Amazon, Bookshop and other online booksellers.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/146771/step-aside-hamilton-fil-am-labor-leader-is-hero-of-new-musical

Filipino Americans take on lead roles in 'Hadestown,' 'Great Gatsby' on Broadway

By WALTER ANG
MARCH 6, 2024 | USA.Inquirer.net

NEW YORK — Filipino American actors Isa Briones and Eva Noblezada will bask in the spotlight on Broadway as they take on lead roles in the musicals "Hadestown" and "The Great Gatsby," respectively.

Isa Briones (left) with Jon Jon Briones.

Briones will take over the role of Eurydice in the Tony-winning (Best Musical, Best Original Score) retelling of the ancient Greek myth of Eurydice and Orpheus.

Briones is making her Broadway debut. She had been one of the youngest actors to join one of the many touring productions of "Hamilton," playing the roles of Peggy Schuyler and Maria Reynolds.

On television, she has starred in Paramount+'s "Star Trek: Picard" (where she played two sets of twins, totaling four characters) and Disney+/Hulu's "Goosebumps."

Jon Jon Briones was last seen on Broadway as The Engineer in the revival of Miss Saigon. He is a regular on Ryan Murphy-produced TV shows including "American Horror Story" and, recently, "Ratched" on Netflix.

He played Maurice in ABC's made-for-television special "Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration" opposite Fil-Am celebrity singer H.E.R. (Gabriella Wilson) as Belle.

The musical by singer-songwriter Anais Mitchell incorporates folk and jazz music and is playing at the Walter Kerr Theatre.

Great Gatsby

Eva Noblezada will play the role of Daisy Buchanan in "The Great Gatsby" opposite Jeremy Jordan ("Newsies" on Broadway and "Supergirl" on TV) in the titular role.

Noblezada previously played Eurydice in "Hadestown," Eponine in "Les Miserables," and Kim in "Miss Saigon" on both the West End and on Broadway.

Both Noblezada and Jordan are reprising their roles from the world premiere of the musical last year at New Jersey's Paper Mill Playhouse, which broke its all-time record for ticket sales in a single day and went on to sell out its entire run before its first performance.

Based on the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel of the same title and set in the Roaring 1920s, the musical follows millionaire Gatsby and his tragic pursuit Buchanan, whom he has loved since his youth.

Previews will begin March 29 at the Broadway Theatre, with opening night scheduled for April 25.

The Broadway Theatre was recently the home of "Here Lies Love," a disco musical about Imelda Marcos.

"The Great Gatsby" features jazz and pop influenced music and lyrics by Tony nominees Nathan Tysen and Jason Howland and book by Kait Kerrigan. Direction is by Marc Bruni ("Beautiful: The Carole King Musical") and choreography is by Dominique Kelley ("Mariah's Magical Christmas Special").

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https://usa.inquirer.net/145877/fil-ams-take-on-lead-roles-in-hadestown-great-gatsby-on-broadway

Fil-Am Red Concepcion joins Broadway's 'Chicago'

By WALTER ANG
January 17, 2023 | USA.Inquirer.net

NEW YORK — Filipino American Red Concepcion has joined the cast of "Chicago The Musical" on Broadway, playing the role of Amos Hart.

Filipino American Red Concepcion joins "Chicago The Musical" on Broadway as Amos Hart.

"Surreal," says Concepcion of his first performance with the Tony Award-winning, record-breaking hit musical that is currently considered the longest-running show on Broadway.

"I felt like I just couldn't believe that I was there. But the audience reacted so warmly and so enthusiastically to what we all were doing. It was just magical," he says after only having 10 days to learn and rehearse his role for the show.

The musical is set in Chicago during the roaring jazz-hot 1920s, with two vaudevillians locked up in jail - nightclub star Velma Kelly for killing her husband and sister after finding them in bed together and Chorus girl Roxie Hart for bumping off the lover with whom she's been cheating on her husband Amos.

Roxie realizes that in order to avoid the gallows, she needs to enlist slickster lawyer Billy Flynn to turn her incarceration into a media frenzy. Amos stays loyal to Roxie even though he gets caught in the fray.

Music is by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and book by Ebb and Bob Fosse. The musical is also known for its distinctive choreography by Fosse, its original director and choreographer.

Asian representation

Concepcion is the first Filipino to play the role of Hart on Broadway, according to Lora Nicolas Olaes, who was a co-producer of "Here Lies Love," a pop musical about Imelda Marcos which recently ran on Broadway, and creative producer of La Ti Do-NYC.

"I'm so immensely proud of him. His casting is a big win for Asian representation. On the Broadway stage, only about 6.3 percent of available roles go to Asian American Pacific Islander performers, based on a study conducted between 2018-2019," she said.

Concepcion adds, "Honestly, I haven't processed my feelings yet about debuting on Broadway and I don't think I'll be able to until the end of my run so ask me again then!"

Concepcion previously played The Engineer in the most recent touring production of "Miss Saigon" in the US. Prior to that, he had played the same role for the show's UK and Ireland tours.

Before moving to the US, Concepcion's credits in Manila included lead roles in "Equus" (as Alan Strang) and "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" (as Adam/Felicia).

He found out he got the Amos Hart role from his agent a few days before Christmas. "It was an amazing Christmas gift! I didn't tell anyone until maybe a week after, because it just felt so unbelievable! I kept thinking `There's no way this could be happening!'" he tells Inquirer.net USA.

"So I didn't tell anyone until I had convinced myself it was a sure thing. I did allow myself a good meal after receiving the call to celebrate."

Allowed to play

Concepcion had seen the 2002 film adaptation with Renée Zellweger (Roxie Hart), Catherine Zeta-Jones (Velma Kelly), Richard Gere (Billy Flynn) and John C. Reilly as Amos Hart.

"It's incredible. I also saw the Australian touring production when it toured Manila several years back," he says.

"The creative team was actually very encouraging of us to bring our own take on the character, which made for a fantastic rehearsal process because you're allowed to play!

"I think my Amos turned out to be a very earnestly sweet person. He's somehow able to convince himself that everything is going to turn out alright no matter how many times he's been proven wrong."

Visit chicagothemusical.com.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/143144/fil-am-red-concepcion-joins-broadways-chicago 

Filipino American and Pinoy authors for your holiday gift lists

By WALTER ANG
Nov. 29, 2023 | USA.Inquirer.net 

Several Filipino American authors published their books this year, as did a few Philippine-based writers who had their titles released in the US. Photo from Walter Ang

Book lovers, rejoice! A barangay's worth of Filipino American authors published their books this year, as did a few Philippine-based writers who had their titles released in the US.

Year-end celebrations such as Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa and other observances are coming soon. Here is a sampling of the titles that came out this year to help you with your gift list.

Mayumu: Filipino American Desserts Remixed
By Abi Balingit

Imaginative and remixed Filipino American dessert recipes, plus essays on the Fil-Am experience. Recipes include Adobo Chocolate Chip Cookie, Strawberry Shortcake Sapin-Sapin and Halo-Halo Baked Alaska.

You're That Bitch:
& Other Cute Lessons about Being Unapologetically Yourself
By Bretman Rock

A chaotically joyous collection of essays from one online influencer Bretman "The Baddest" Rock. An unfiltered look at what it means to be one of the first digital celebrities and that bitch, from dealing with cancel culture, drama and heartbreak to what it means to love yourself and your community.

Money Out Loud: All the Financial Stuff No One Taught Us
By Berna Anat

In this illustrated, deeply unserious guide to money, Anat, AKA the Financial Hype Woman, talks about all the financial stuff that always feels too confusing. Stuff like: How to actually budget, save and invest (but also make it fun), how our traumas shape our most toxic money habits, and how to create new patterns.

Chasing Pacquiao
By Rod Pulido

When teenager Bobby is unwillingly outed in a community that frowns on homosexuality, he is inspired by champion Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao to take up boxing and challenge his tormentor.

Why Should Guys Have All the Fun?
An Asian American Story of Love, Marriage, Motherhood, and Running a Billion Dollar Empire
By Loida Lewis and Blair S. Walker

The inspiring and uplifting true story of resolute immigration lawyer and activist Loida Lewis. A torrid love affair, overcoming gut-wrenching loss, commandeering a multibillion-dollar, multinational conglomerate dominated by men and leading it with aplomb.

Maribel's Year
By Michelle Sterling (Author), Sarah Gonzales (Illustrator)

This evocative picture book celebrates the special connection between Maribel and her father in the Philippines as she waits with her mother for him to join them in America.

Murder and Mamon
By Mia P. Manansala

Book 4 of Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mysteries. When murder mars the grand opening for Lila Macapagal's aunties' new laundromat, she will have to air out all the dirty laundry in Shady Palms to catch a killer.

Rick Riordan Presents: The Spirit Glass
By Roshani Chokshi

From the author of the best-selling Aru Shah series. Corazon yearns to finally start training as a babaylan so she can bring her parents back from the dead. She doesn't want to rely on a soul key that allows her to visit with their ghosts anymore. But it gets stolen.

Every Ounce of Courage: A Daughter's Reflections On Her Mother's Bravery
By Elizabeth Ann Besa-Quirino

Historical and culinary memoir detailing the life of Lourdes "Lulu" Reyes Besa, highlights of which include smuggling medicine into prison camps during World War II and being the first Filipino woman to receive two Medals of Freedom from the US government.

Multo
By Cindy Fazzi

Filipino-American bounty hunter Domingo's specialty is catching undocumented immigrants while he works on his book of advice for aspiring immigrants. His latest job is to find biracial Filipino woman Monica Reed,,the only fugitive who has ever escaped him.

Twelve Hours in Manhattan
By Maan Gabriel

Bianca Curtis and an insanely famous Korean actor spend 12 perfect hours together, only to be torn apart at the end of the night. But their story isn't even close to over yet.

La Tercera
By Gina Apostol

A vision of Philippine history from the 19th century to present day in the fragmented story of the Delgados, a family surviving across generations of colonization, catastrophe, war and a supposed inheritance which may or may not exist.

Nervous: Essays on Heritage and Healing
By Jen Soriano

Soriano uses science, history, sociology and family stories to weave a vivid tapestry of what it takes to transform trauma, not just body by body, but through the body politic and ecosystems at large.

American Aswang:
Uncovering the truth about my Filipino American family's repatriation to the Philippines
By Manette Trogani Snow

Snow unearths her family's hidden histories, including being the only known survivors, despite being starved and tortured during World War II, of an orchestrated campaign to expel them from the United States under the Filipino Repatriation Act of 1935.

Here are some titles by authors from or based in the Philippines that are available for purchase online in the US.

A Tooth in My Popsicle: And Other Ebullient Essays on Becoming Filipino
By David Haldane

American journalist Haldane, who now lives in Mindanao with his Filipino wife Ivy, recounts the tragedies, triumphs and travails of how they slowly built their dream house overlooking the sea, bridged huge cultural gaps, and started a family during one of the world's longest and strictest pandemic lockdowns.

Queen of the Universe: A Novel: Love, Truth, Beauty
By Pia Wurtzbach

Actress and former Miss Universe titleholder Wurtzbach's debut novel features young, beautiful, talented Cleo as she makes her way through the cutthroat world of international beauty competitions. Set in Manila's glittering urban life, Cleo has to make the biggest decision of her life as she asks what her own integrity is worth.

The Hurricane Wars: A Novel
By Thea Guanzon

A fantasy romance pitting the fates of two bitter enemies with opposing magical abilities, Talasyn and her light magic and Prince Alaric with his shadow magic, swept together in a Southeast Asia-inspired world ravaged by storms.

Some People Need Killing: A Memoir of Murder in My Country
By Patricia Evangelista

Evangelista's meticulously reported and deeply human chronicle of the Philippines' drug war.

Jalal and the Lake
By Hanna Usman

In a small village, everyone celebrates the bounty and beauty of their vast lake except Jalal, whose only wish is to own the magical, puffy clouds in the sky. When strangers offer to grant his wish, Jalal finally learns what the lake means to his people.

Walter Ang is the author of Barangay to Broadway: Filipino American Theater History.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/140338/filipino-american-and-pinoy-authors-for-your-holiday-gift-lists

Dolly de Leon tells more Filipino stories for moviegoers

By WALTER ANG
Nov. 21, 2023 | USA.Inquirer.net  

Los Angeles — Multi-awarded Filipino actress Dolly de Leon shot to international recognition with her standout performance in last year's "Triangle of Sadness," directed by Ruben Ostlund, earning her a Golden Globe Best Supporting Actress nomination (the first Filipina to do so) and Oscar nomination buzz.

Dolly de Leon

Filipino-American audiences will get to see more of her in various US projects in the months to come as Hollywood embraces her talents. She will be joining the supporting cast of upcoming action-comedy film "Grand Death Lotto" starring John Cena, Awkwafina, and Simu Liu. She's also attached to the comedy film "Between the Temples," with Jason Schwartzman and Carol Kane.

De Leon will also be joining the second season of TV series "Nine Perfect Strangers," which stars Nicole Kidman. Meanwhile, she has been busy working on Philippine-produced films.

A star-studded premiere

De Leon co-stars with Asia's box office superstar Kathryn Bernardo in the dark comedy "A Very Good Girl" by ABS-CBN Films. De Leon plays glamorous business tycoon and socialite Molly Suzara, with whom Philomena Angeles (Bernardo) has a score to settle.

The Filipino-American community came out strong to show their support at the film's Hollywood premiere at the Silver Screen, Pacific Design Theater.

Bretman Rock, "Rupaul's Drag Race" alumnus Manila Luzon, and other Fil-Am celebrities from film, TV, and theater graced the star-studded event, which included executives from ABS-CBN films who flew in from Manila.

This movie is also showing in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, Nigeria, and in the Middle East.

Dolly de Leon at the Oscars

De Leon is also part of "The Missing (Iti Mapukpukaw)," the Philippines' entry to the 96th Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars.

De Leon bagged the Best Supporting Actress Award for her work in this 90-minute film when it had its world premiere at the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival in the Philippines. The film won the festival's Best Film Award.

De Leon plays Rosalinda, the supportive mother of Eric, who works as an animator and has been becoming close to someone he likes. When Rosalinda asks Eric to check in on a relative who might be missing, Eric begins to confront other facets of his life that are missing. There is also an alien involved.

About time these stories are told

De Leon said that she has received "a lot of really good feedback" from Filipino Americans about these two films.

For "A Very Good Girl," she has observed that moviegoers "did not expect that kind of genre from ABS-CBN Films. That's one of the reasons why I wanted to elicit discomfort [with my performance]." De Leon says she is happy to be part of a film that showcases the talents of the studio's writers.

As for "The Missing (Iti Mapukpukaw)," she said, "I've been getting feedback from the queer community."

"It's about time stories like this are told. It's okay to talk about it and "nothing to be ashamed of," she said of the movie's subject matter. "This movie is really a good vehicle for this kind of topic. It spoke volumes to a lot of people who have seen it."

De Leon is happy to help bring more Filipino stories and Filipino filmmaking to the forefront. "Our films are special. They are unique to our culture. They are uniquely Filipino."

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https://usa.inquirer.net/139903/dolly-de-leon-tells-more-filipino-stories-for-moviegoers

Filipino American’s ‘Hide and Hide’ play inspired by immigrant mom

By WALTER ANG
Oct. 16, 2023 | USA.Inquirer.net 

Los Angeles — Black Filipino-American playwright Roger Q. Mason's "Hide and Hide" will have a staged reading at this year's Live Arts Exchange (LAX) Festival on Oct. 20. 

Filipino-American playwright Roger Mason's (left) play "Hide and Hide"
will have a staged reading with Amielynn Abellera playing the lead

The play is set in the Golden Coast of California during the last days of disco. Constanza, a Filipina immigrant whose visa is about to expire, enters into a sham marriage with Billy, a queer rent boy who is on the run from Texas police.

Filipino Americans involved in the production include Amielynn Abellera performing as Constanza. Jay Carlon is movement dramaturge, and Gaven Trinidad is script dramaturge.

"Hide and Hide" is a tribute

Mason says "Hide and Hide" is a tribute to "my mother Ederlinda and the American dreams she held when she came to the United States from the Philippines in 1980."

"How did reality hold up to the promise the States exported to her and others like her abroad? And how does the pursuit of that dream change people as they grasp to attain it?"

"While her own personal story was a lot more tame that the one depicted in the play, she had heard tales of women who sought the marital alliance of men to gain green cards. That was the seed for the play."

Mason wrote the play over one year as a member of the Interstate 73 Writers Group. "I would bring the piece to our sessions in installments, almost like suspenseful chapters of a 1930s film noir. like a mysterious narrative that unfolded almost through stream-of-consciousness."

An electrifying play

The play is directed by Jessica Hanna ("Priscilla, Queen of the Desert") and will be presented at the LA Dance Project. The performance will run approximately 90 minutes, with no intermission.

The LAX Festival, Vol. 10, takes place until November. It features electrifying new work in contemporary dance, theater, music, and cross-genre performance at Los Angeles venues.

Each edition encourages artists, curators, and organizations to take part in performance presentations, thought-provoking dialogues, and creative encounters aimed at nurturing mutual exploration and long-lasting connections.

Awards

Mason self-describes as "black, Irish, Filipino, gender-queer, plus-sized and fabulous!" and uses they/them pronouns. Born in Santa Monica, California, Mason has a master's degree in writing for screen and stage from Northwestern University.

Other works include "The White Dress" and "The Pride of Lions." Mason's work has been staged in Los Angeles and New York.

Mason's many awards include the 2020 Chuck Rowland Pioneer Award, presented annually by Celebration Theatre to honor "LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer) playwrights whose groundbreaking work has entertained, inspired, and empowered the community."

Mason is also the winner of the 2023 Young-Howze Award for Mind-Blowing Stage Writing of the Year for the play "Lavender Men."

Support

"My mother has grown supportive of my artistry as my career has developed. One thing you have to understand about Mother Mason is that she is a CPA by trade. And by personal philosophy, she doesn't relish in abstractions. So, unless she sees something right in front of her, it isn't real yet."

Now that she's seen Mason's work produced and acknowledged, "she has more context in which to understand and appreciate my journey as an artist."

"My mother will be hearing [this play] for the first time. Because many of her sayings and life experiences will be depicted, I am sure she will be flattered, delighted and invigorated by the work. Whenever she hears something in my work that resembles a notion she's shared, she goes, `Oh! That's me, honey!'"

Visit performancepractice.la/portfolio/roger-q-mason.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/138336/fil-ams-hide-and-hide-play-inspired-by-immigrant-mom

Filipino American malong-inspired pieces at Paris Fashion Week

By WALTER ANG
Oct. 16, 2023 | USA.Inquirer.net 

San Francisco — Filipino-American fashion line Daily Malong featured its "Rooted and Current" collection on the runways of Paris Fashion Week 2023. 

Daily Malong, founded by designer Lydia Querian, presented at Paris Fashion Week 2023

The 13-piece collection was presented at Le Salon des Miroirs. "We are proud to have presented our vibrant new collection at Paris Fashion Week," said founder and designer Lydia Querian.

"We are committed to celebrating and promoting indigenous woven fabrics from the Philippines," she said.

According to Querian, presented in Paris was a mix of summer wear-tops and bottoms, skirts, and wide brimmed hats. A couple of autumn wear-with coats and trenches-also made it to the runway, said Querian.

Honoring the malong

"It was an overwhelming experience," said Querian of the opportunity to be part of Paris Fashion Week, one of the biggest fashion events in the world.

It was not Querian's first fashion week, though, as she had also presented her creations at New York Fashion Week 2021 and 2022.

She said Daily Malong was honored to feature "relatively unspoken parts of our culture in the global fashion world."

"The common theme of Filipino fashion is Filipiniana and there are a lot more beyond it inspired from different ethnolinguistic groups in the Philippines," she said. "Our culture is so diverse that it is beautiful to present many other cultures in the Philippines and change the monolithic narrative that we are all used to hearing."

Creativity, wearability

Having worked on this collection since late last year, Querian said she sought to emphasize on creativity, wearability, and pedigree.

"We want to bring contemporary relevance to the timeless beauty of Filipino Indigenous weaving from many different ethnolinguistic groups," she said. "Each piece in the collection, from intricate weaves to bold embroideries, tells a unique story, drawing deeply from oral tradition and innovation."

"This collection is a celebration of cultural heritage and a testament to the inspiring fusion of past and present," she added.

Extensive research and collaboration with indigenous and weaving communities in the Philippines were key to the collection.

Daily Malong, founded by designer Lydia Querian, presented at Paris Fashion Week 2023 | 

Querian said her inspiration for the collection were the "rivers and mountains from [my] research journey."

The line is "harmoniously informed by a blend of ancestral knowledge and modern fashion trends," she said.

According to Querian, among textiles featured in the collection were cotton inaul from Sultan Kudarat, t'nalak from Lake Cebu, inabel from Ilocos and La Union, and those from weavers in Kuantan, Kinarayan, Binakol, and Kusikos.

The textiles used, according to Querian, included:

• Yakan weaves from Basilan and Zamboanga
• Langkit weaves from Marawi
• Kalinga weaves from Lubuagan
• Embroidery pieces from Sungco, Bukidnon

"Daily Malong's mission is to bring the Indigenous cultural inspiration from the Philippines to the global stage," said Querian.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/137812/fil-am-malong-inspired-pieces-at-paris-fashion-week

Singer-actor Jaime Barcelon to serenade fans in LA solo concert

By WALTER ANG 
Aug. 30, 2023 | USA.Inquirer.net 

LOS ANGELES — Filipino American actor and vocalist Jaime Barcelon will serenade audiences at his solo concert on Sept. 28 titled "The Heart of the Matter." 

Jaime Barcelon

The show's theme will trace Barcelon's artistic journey "from his hometown of Metro Manila to Hollywood," where he has been based for almost a decade now.

It will be held at the Gardenia Restaurant and Lounge and musical direction will be by Gerald White.

His song selection ranges from contemporary pop hits to Broadway tunes and selections from the Great American Songbook.

"I will be singing a wide range of genres in the show," he says. "I'll be singing some classics that I was inspired by growing up in Manila by artists such as the Carpenters and standards like `Someone to Watch Over Me.'

"I'll also be singing songs made popular by singers such as the great Frank Sinatra, John Legend, Sara Bareilles and Linda Ronstadt and Broadway tunes."

Singing, acting  

"I got into singing purely because I enjoyed it very much as a kid and it did help me come out of my shell as I was painfully shy.  In my teens was when I started to get more involved with choir, school productions and taking lessons."

Barcelon sang professionally as a member of The Ryan Cayabyab Singers, a group founded and mentored by the renowned composer. He now sings with the pop gospel vocal group RAISE and the Metropolitan Master Chorale.

He eventually branched out into acting and has performed in both musical and concert galas for theater company East West Players. Other theater credits include Coeurage Theatre Co. and "Edith Can Shoot Things" at Playwrights' Arena.

Barcelon has acted in numerous network television shows spanning hit procedural dramas to sitcoms and films such as "American Auto," "Criminal Minds" and "9-1-1."

Collaboration

Barcelon first met Gerald White last year upon taking White's sight singing class. With over 25 years teaching experience, White is a prolific singer/songwriter, accomplished pianist and teacher based in Los Angeles.

"Then I started taking voice lessons with him to prepare for the American Traditions Vocal Competition. I was a quarterfinalist and got to travel to Savannah, Georgia to compete."

There, Barcelon competed with established Broadway talents, classical singers and rising jazz stars.

"I knew the competition would be fierce so I really wanted to prepare as best I could. I've been working with him ever since and I was thrilled when he said he would do my show because he's very busy!"

Meaningful

"I've been in the US for a little over 10 years now. I've found so many things meaningful! Getting a chance to act on TV is a rush of excitement and there's always a part of me that is in awe of simply being there.

"With TV I've learned the importance of focus and grounding myself. There's a lot going on a filming set so when the camera is finally on you, it's time to deliver.

"With theater, it's the community. Of course, there is also that live energy that is so palpable that makes it so special. The biggest lesson I've learned here is perseverance and finding ways to stay fulfilled because it's a very challenging industry."

"The Heart of the Matter" is on Sept. 28. Visit jaimebarcelon.com.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/135726/singer-actor-jaime-barcelon-to-serenade-fans-in-la-solo-concert

Reviews Are In: ‘Likes’ and ‘hearts’ for ‘Here Lies Love’

By WALTER ANG
July 24, 2023 | USA.Inquirer.net 

NEW YORK — Critics have hit the "like" and "heart" buttons for "Here Lies Love," the Broadway disco pop musical about the life of Imelda Marcos leading up to the People Power Revolution. 

Arielle Jacobs (center) in Broadway disco pop musical "Here Lies Love."
Photo by Billy Bustamante, Matthew Murphy, Evan Zimmerman

The musical has finally officially opened at the Broadway Theatre after several preview performances. Direction is by Alex Timbers (Tony Award for "Moulin Rouge!").

"Here Lies Love" involves Tony Award-winners Clint Ramos and Lea Salonga. Ramos designed the costumes and Lea Salonga is performing as Ninoy Aquino's mother for a limited number of weeks. In addition, Ramos is a lead producer and Salonga is part of the producing team.

The show touts the "first all-Filipino cast to perform on Broadway." TV star Conrad Ricamora (ABC's "How to Get Away with Murder," Hulu's "Fire Island") plays Ninoy Aquino with Arielle Jacobs as Imelda, Jose Llana as Ferdinand and Melody Butiu as Imelda's caretaker Estrella Cumpas. Jaygee Macapugay is the alternate for Imelda.

Splendid  

New York Times praised the "tireless and inspired all-Filipino cast" with Arielle Jacobs delivering the catchy songs well.

Washington Post said the show is "kinetically crowd-pleasing," complimented the "splendid ensemble" and highlighted Jacobs' "loads of charisma."

Variety extolled the show as an "extreme sensory feat, unlike any attempted before on Broadway" and complimented Conrad Ricamora's "charm offensive" and Jose Llana's "simmer and swagger."

Vulture.com, the online counterpart of New York Magazine, commended how the show gives the audience "a great, unsettling time." It highlighted Melody Butiu as "especially poignant, with a powerful voice to match."

Time Out New York gave the show 4 out of 5 stars, noting that the "groundbreaking, floor-shaking" show's strategy "succeeds overall" and that its staging is "sensational" and "flashy" with an "energetic ensemble, perfectly costumed."

Costume, set, music

Across the board, critics lauded Clint Ramos' costume design. "Show-stopping" (Vulture), "expressive" (Washington Post), "move beautifully" (New York Times).

Critics also marveled at the show's set design by David Korins ("Hamilton," "Dear Evan Hansen," "Beetlejuice"). Seats from the theater's orchestra section have been removed to transform the venue into a dance club environment for audiences to stand and move with the actors. (Side seats, mezzanine and balcony seat are available.)

"Dazzling" (Washington Post), "astonishing architectural transformation" (New York Times), "revolutionized, radicalized, gleaming" (Time Out New York).

While the show's lyrics are based on actual speeches or statements by the real-life figures, its music is by Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award winner David Byrne (of Talking Heads renown) and Grammy Award winner Fatboy Slim. Fil-Am J. Oconer Navarro is the show's music director.

Critics described the tunes as having "seductive beats" (Variety) and "juicy get-on-your-feet hooks" (Vulture). They are "infernally catchy" (New York Times), "thumping . gets you into the groove" (Time Out New York).

TikTok influencers

TikTok theater influencers had been invited to watch previews of the show and have also posted their reactions.

Kate Reinking (@theatreislife) personally recommends reading the historical information materials in the lobby for audience members who are not familiar with Philippine history.

She also encourages joining in on the audience participation portions of the show. "If by the end, you [feel] `should I have been going along with that?' That is kind of that point," she explains. "It definitely does not sugarcoat [the history]. I think the show is really well done."

Ben Lebofsky (@its.raining.ben) says, "This show is designed to be an experience. It forces the audience to be complicit in the story, [which] plays into a lot of the themes of the show. They do a good job of blending the concept [of immersive staging] and the subject matter."

While he feels that the show could have gone deeper, "it never asks you to sympathize with Imelda. It's a super fun and unique theatrical experience and we just don't get these types of shows on Broadway very often."

Visit herelieslovebroadway.com.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/133745/reviews-are-in-likes-and-hearts-for-here-lies-love

Heroism, recipes and family in new culinary memoir

By WALTER ANG
July 19, 2023 | USA.Inquirer.net 

NEW YORK — In her previous cookbooks, Filipino America chef Elizabeth Besa-Quirino has given readers morsels of her mother's culinary influences. In her latest book Every Ounce of Courage: A Daughter's Reflections on Her Mother's Bravery, Quirino provides a full course on the woman who raised her.

Elizabeth Besa Quirino (front) with her mother Lourdes "Lulu" Reyes Besa.

In what she describes as a historical and culinary memoir, Quirino recounts "stories of heroism" about Lourdes "Lulu" Reyes Besa. From a childhood with tragedy to life as a young socialite in the heyday of 1930s Manila, Besa eventually is thrust into aid work during World War II.

"Lulu embarked unflinchingly on dangerous missions to bring aid and comfort that meant the difference between life and death to countless Filipino and American prisoners of war, at great peril to her own life," says Quirino.

After the war, Besa received two Medals of Freedom from President Harry Truman. "Becoming the first Filipino woman and civilian to be so honored for her valiant efforts."

Saved  

Two decades ago, Quirino received a phone call from a stranger. "He told me, `You don't know me, but your mother saved my life.'

"It was an American war veteran. He contacted me by phone to tell me he had been searching for my mother for over 50 years since the war ended. There was no internet and no social media during all those years, so he was never able to find my mother.

"As a young man living in the Midwest in the 1940s, he had enlisted with the American Army Air Forces and was assigned to the Philippines. Unfortunately, he was one of the thousands captured in 1942. As a prisoner, he got very sick with malaria and other illnesses."

Quirino details in the book how Besa's connections allowed her to enter the prison camps as she clandestinely brought in prohibited medicines.

"That phone call changed my life. I knew very little about my mother's life during World War II. She never talked about it. He urged me to start writing my mother's story."

Recipes

Quirino's previous titles include How to Cook Philippine Desserts, Cakes and Snacks: Filipino Cookbook Recipes of Asian in America and My Mother's Philippine Recipes : Filipino Cookbook Recipes from Asian in America.

Responding to the Instant Pot craze a few years ago, she released Instant Filipino Recipes: My Mother's Traditional Philippine Food In a Multi-Cooker Pot.

To write about her own mother's life, Quirino's years-long research included old letters and photographs. She also looked into news clippings, magazine articles and history books. "The books I read brought me back to different eras. The more I read, the more historical information I found about my family."

What she anchors her book on is her use of generational family recipes. "The chapters begin with me cooking a different dish from my mother's time. Each recipe brought me back in time to the stories she used to tell me about the war, about my grandparents and great grandparents.

"There are 24 recipes in the book. In the process of my historical and culinary research, I went back to the time my mother was born, to the era of my grandparents at the turn of the 20th century."

Some of the recipes Quirino features in the book include Mom's Shrimp Toast, ensaymadas, pancit molo soup, beef morcon, tibok-tibok and ginataang bilo-bilo. "Food plays a large part in my family."

"In my mother's story, I discovered a complex life full of joy, sorrow, selflessness and survival. I learned precious lessons about how the timeless bonds of family, the steadfast strength of faith and the power of an indomitable will can provide solace and sense in a world of uncertainty."

Visit TheQuirinoKitchen.com.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/133508/heroism-recipes-and-family-in-new-culinary-memoir

Bounty hunter chases Filipino immigrants in thriller novel 'Multo'

By WALTER ANG
July 14, 2023 | USA.Inquirer.net 

SAN FRANCISCO — Filipino American author Cindy Fazzi is releasing her new thriller Multo, featuring Fil-Am bounty hunter Domingo, who trails undocumented immigrants while writing an advice book for those aspiring to live in the US.

Cindy Fazzi

Domingo's latest job is to seek out biracial Filipino woman Monica Reed, the only fugitive who has ever escaped him and the only one he's ever released against orders. The hunt uncovers a dangerous truth that Reed is determined to publicize even though it puts her life in danger.

The book has been decades in the making with Fazzi's own experiences as an immigrant inspiring the book's milieu. "I first wrote the manuscript that became Multo back in 1995 when I was a green card holder waiting for my US citizenship," says Fazzi.

Interest and inspiration

She had arrived a few years prior to take up graduate studies in journalism at Ohio State University after working as a reporter in Manila and Taipei.

She was then accepted in an internship program with the Associated Press and was offered a full-time job at its conclusion. "I started working in the Columbus Bureau [in Ohio] one month after I received my master's degree. I became a naturalized US citizen in 2000."

"I became interested in fiction writing in graduate school. I actually had the time and motivation to read, write, and discuss books with friends. It was a luxury I never had while working as a reporter.

"The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan was one of the first books I read when I arrived in the US. She inspired me to write fiction, not only because her book is about Asian Americans but because it was so successful. She was proof that there's an audience for Asian American writing."

Attuned

While developing the manuscript, Fazzi had first created the Monica Reed character. "I was very attuned to immigration problems," she says. After reading a New York Times article about a bounty hunter who specialized in deporting undocumented immigrants, she was inspired to create the Domingo character.

"It took me two years to write the first version of the book, which was universally rejected by literary agents who considered it `uncommercial.'"

"I set it aside and wrote other novels. Multo sat in my computer for years." It refused to disappear. "I rewrote it in 2008 and then again in 2017."

Debut thriller

In the intervening years, her articles have appeared in Electric Literature, Catapult, Forbes, and Writer's Digest. Her short stories have appeared in Tough, Snake Nation Review and Copperfield Review.

Fazzi worked on two other books. She wrote romance novel In His Corner under the pen name Vina Arno in 2015, published by Lyrical Press. Next came historical novel My MacArthur in 2018, published by Sand Hill Review Press.

When it comes to writing, Fazzi relies on a routine. "It's really important that I start my day early, at 5 a.m. And that I start it with about 10 or 15 minutes of meditation.

"As a former reporter, I can write anywhere, anytime, but it won't necessarily be optimal. I write best at home where I'm surrounded by familiar things.

"A UC Davis mug that my daughter gave me, for coffee while I'm writing. A `lucky' bamboo plant that's five years old. A little figurine of a laughing Buddha, which Filipinos consider lucky. A small bowl of quartz stones that I've received from friends and family over the years."

Fortune favors the persistent. "Multo was acquired by Agora Books last year, 27 years after it was conceived. It's my third published novel but my debut thriller," she says. Multo will be available starting September 2023.

For book signings and other author-related events, visit cindyfazzi.com.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/133206/bounty-hunter-chases-filipino-immigrants-in-thriller-novel-multo

‘To Ken with Love’ premiering at NewFilmmakers LA’s fest

By WALTER ANG 
June 7, 2023 | USA.Inquirer.net

LOS ANGELES — Filipino American Mike Talplacido's short film To Ken with Love is premiering on June 17 at New Filmmakers Los Angeles' monthly film festival.

Mike Talplacido (left) with Maria Isabel Lopez.

The film focuses on Ken Jones, a flamboyant talk show host who relishes being the "whitest gaysian ever." Ken's perfectly curated world of glitz and glamour is suddenly rocked by a work incident involving his network TV executive boss, along with the arrival of Marikit, a young Fil-Am intern. He also has to contend with the reappearance of his mother, who he has not seen in decades.

Ken's colorful persona belies internalized racism. He does not see himself as Asian and the one thing he really wants is to be accepted and validated by white people. Ken must deal with the toxic tokenism at work and carve a path towards embracing his roots and identity. Will Ken find a way toward finding out who he really is?

First-time filmmaker Talplacido says, "The film is a story about family, relationships and the journey towards finding one's true authentic self."

Collaborators

Talplacido has written the screenplay, directs and plays Jones. Fil-Ams in the cast include Pinky Albea, Jefferson Carvey, Marco Torres, and Ashley Rapunao.

Seasoned actress Maria Isabel Lopez, plays Jones' mother in the film. Lopez performs alongside her daughter Mara Lopez, who is essaying the role of Marikit.

The film also features costumes designed by Kenneth Barlis, who was a finalist on the 19th season of Project Runway.

Other Fil-Ams involved in the production include director of photography Luke Dejoras, music composer Jamie Pangan, editor Seth Dacio and co-Producer: Julian Bataclan.

Focus

For June, coinciding with Pride Month, the film series' programming focus is "LGBTQ+ Cinema." Talplacido says, "This film is my love letter to the gay Asian community. This story needs to be told now.

"There's still a lot of negative stigma towards the LGBTQ community. While there has been a strong momentum going on for diversity and inclusion, there is still so much more that we need to do to further create change and make a positive impact.

"I was inspired to tell this story because it is something that I have seen in my own community. I realize much of this phenomenon was really a result of internalized racism. As a Filipino American and an

Asian American, I have seen so many of us struggle with our own identities. Many of us have felt `not enough' and, as such, have chosen to stay away from our own identities and culture.

Unique beauty

"Worst, a few others I know have even `hated' themselves for being who they are. Myself included at some point in the past. It is important for actions to start from within ourselves. We must smash every bit of notion related to internalized racism. We must learn to love who we are and embrace our unique beauty," he says.

Maria Isabel Lopez echoes the need for a more accepting society. "At the end of the day, all we need is love. I love the story and the message behind the film," she says.

Talplacido hopes to enter the film in other upcoming film festivals in the US and internationally. For organizations interested in screening the film, email tokenwithlovefilm@gmail.com.

Visit newfilmmakersla.com.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/130880/to-ken-with-love-premiering-at-newfilmmakers-las-fest

‘Here Lies Love’ Imelda musical slammed by Broadway union

By WALTER ANG 
June 1, 2023 | USA.Inquirer.net 

NEW YORK — "Here Dies Love of Live Music," notes one comment on social media reacting to the latest hurdle faced by the Broadway-bound musical "Here Lies Love."

Television star Conrad Ricamora (ABC's "How to Get Away with Murder,"
Hulu's "Fire Island") plays Ninoy Aquino in "Here Lies Love,"

The musical has already been provoking strong sentiments due to its subject matter, the life story of Imelda Marcos. (Read about it here.)

Now it has angered the industry's musicians union because it will not be using a band or orchestra for its production.

The musical is staged in a dance club setting with its cast singing to recorded music. The producers say this staging device is, "part of the karaoke genre inherent to the musical."

"Here Lies Love" features all Filipino American actors leading the cast, with Arielle Jacobs as Imelda Marcos, Jose Llana as Ferdinand Marcos and Conrad Ricamora as Ninoy Aquino.

Local 802 of the American Federation of Musicians says its contract with the Broadway League, the trade organization representing Broadway producers, guarantees the use of a minimum number of musicians for musicals in certain theaters, specifically 19 for the Broadway Theatre.

The union's president Tino Gagliardi has said, "A show with no live music . is absolutely an existential threat to Broadway . by using just pre-recorded tracks, it not only cheapens the art, it's putting jobs and livelihoods at risk."

Explainer

A statement from the producers, which include Tony Award winning costume designer Clint Ramos and Pulitzer Prize winner Jose Antonio Vargas, said, "Since 'Here Lies Love' was first conceived 17 years ago, every production has been performed to pre-recorded track; this is part of the karaoke genre inherent to the musical and the production concept. The music for 'Here Lies Love' was inspired by the phenomena of 'track acts' which allowed club audiences to keep dancing, much like this production aims to do." 

Tony Award winner Lea Salonga and Grammy Award winner Fil-Am singer H.E.R. (Gabriella Wilson) are part of the producing team.

The show's producers have been negotiating with the union to have the show declared a "special situation" to allow for the pre-recorded tracks instead of live instrumentalists. In a statement, the producers said, "We will continue to work in good faith with the union to move through the steps of the contractual process."

Social media

In the show's social media accounts, it has posted a lengthier explanation of its staging conceit, that composer David Byrne intentionally employed performance styles that are conceptually aligned and because of the show's subject matter. Disco track acts and karaoke, which both use vocalists singing along to pre-recorded, synthetic tracks.

"Disco Track Acts, popular in the 1970s and '80s disco scenes, were disco singers who popped into dance clubs unannounced, handed the DJ a cassette tape of a song, and sang live to it on a temporary platform as the crowd danced.

"Karaoke, or sing-along, is deeply rooted in Filipino Culture-and the diasporic Asian culture at large. In the Philippines, karaoke is ubiquitous, crossing class, generational, and economic lines. Almost every Philippine home has a karaoke machine.

"While visiting the Philippines to conduct research, Byrne realized that not only was Karaoke inescapable, it was also prevalent in Imelda Marcos' political strategy.

"The slickness and artificiality of the music relates directly to the synthetic seduction of political figures. [the musical's] every moment is informed by the concept of dance club Track Acts and Karaoke."

The posts go on to say that "Here Lies Love" is "not a traditional Broadway musical" and denounces "artistic gate-keepers."

Reactions in the comments support and oppose the situation. One comment reads, "If it is not a traditional musical, it should not be in a traditional musical theater."

Another states, "As a Filipino musician and scholar, I already find the subject matter of this show deplorable, but to disregard live musicians? Musical theatre is about the liveness of performance."

One comment states, "The criticism is all from people who haven't seen the show. There is nothing for live musicians to play. Do you go to Fatboy Slim and DJs performing at dance clubs and lament they don't have live musicians?"

Visit Herelieslovebroadway.com.

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https://usa.inquirer.net/130396/here-lies-love-imelda-musical-slammed-by-broadway-union