Happy (almost) Spring!
Lots of projects in the works! This year promises to be very busy!
As we are heading into the final stretch of the First National/North American tour of "Come From Away", I'm also gearing up for the continuation of some of my own projects that will be happening over the second half of 2023.
My solo play with music, "A Little More Blue" recently completed a workshop with some generous grant support from the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance and just received a new grant from the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone to bring a performance to NYC later this year, prior to a production in another part of the country that I am excited to be able to announce in the coming months. : )
We are currently in post-production for a short movie musical I wrote screenplay & lyrics for with composer Michael Mott, directed by Bruce Johnson (who also is directing "A Little More Blue"). This film, "Riding Out the Storm", just received a grant award to bring a public screening to NYC in October. Stay tuned!
The musical I wrote with Jason Ma, "Broken Ground", also continues its development. And I can't share any details yet, but I'm also super excited to be collaborating with another new team on an adaptation of a very exciting novel.
An organization that I co-founded 11 years ago, the Asian American Performers Action Coalition (AAPAC) was given a Tony Award Honor for Excellence in the Theatre this year! I am thrilled that our work, advocating for AAPI representation on NYC stages, is being recognized in this way and attending the Tonys this year as an honoree was an experience I'll never forget! You can read more about it here.
The tour schedule for the First National/North American company of COME FROM AWAY (which will be winding up in May, 2023) and info on tickets are here. (Some people have asked me about dates they're seeing advertised for the show after May. This will be a non-union production being produced by different people, with a different set and different cast.)
It's been quite a challenge to navigate the still ongoing pandemic while out here, and I had a chance to talk to the New York Times about it back in January of last year. Unfortunately, a year later, we are still dealing with the ramifications of the virus and our company remains vigilant.
I also had the privilege and joy of appearing in the concert version of the show in front of the Lincoln Memorial on September 10, 2021, right before the tour relaunched after the shut down. Here's a beautiful piece about it from the Washington Post.
I continue to be deeply honored to be serving as Treasurer of the Dramatists Guild, along with Amanda Green (our first female President), Branden Jacobs-Jenkins as VP and Kristoffer Diaz as Secretary. To read more, here's the press release.
Also, as Chair of the Dramatists Guild's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access committee, I worked with our Business Affairs Staff, Council members, & committee to create the first Inclusion Rider of its kind, for writers to use while advocating for full inclusion in productions of our works. You can read more about it (as well as see the rider) here.
And Season 4 of the podcast that I host for the Guild, "The Dramatists Guild presents Talkback" has launched! You can listen to it on the Broadway Podcast Network, Apple, and Spotify.
I've been doing tons of interviews, panels and discussions surrounding these tumultuous times and ongoing efforts to #StopAAPIHate. Here is one that I did alongside Leslie Ishii, with Gordon Cox for Variety
On a lighter note, it was a joy to join the effervescent Michael Kushner on his podcast Dear Multi-hyphenate, where we talked all thing multi-hyphenate! Keep an eye out for his upcoming book, in which I'm also featured.
New York Theatre Barn hosted my collaborator Jason Ma & I in their New Works Series to talk about our new musical BROKEN GROUND, commissioned by Village Theatre. You can watch the episode here.
I'm also super proud to share this song that I wrote with Kim Sherman & Scott Killian in Fall of 2020 in support of the Biden Harris campaign. Spoken word section is by Notorious Pink. Sung and played by members of the Broadway community.
Peace and Love to All.
