December 2000

  • Breaking News!
    Flower Drum Song, the anticipated revival of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic with a reworked book by David Henry Hwang, canceled its production at Los Angeles' Ahmanson Theatre due to lack of funding, according to the theatre's artistic director-producer Gordon Davidson.

    Davison cited the demands of producing an entirely new musical, as opposed to the touring productions the Ahmanson usually books, required far more money than the theatre had at hand.

    "It's always painful to lose a production," said Hwang, who had received permission for the 21st Century adaption from C. Y. Lee, author of the book that Rodgers and Hammerstein used for their 1958 show. "But I'm still optimistic about the future of the show."

    But what kind of future does this revamped Flower Drum Song have? Theatre insiders have pointed out that the Ahmanson's production of Flower Drum Song was, by their admission, unusual. That break in production style meant the theatre was counting on some heavy hitters to bankroll the show for an eventual Broadway debut. However, the Broadway establishment reportedly had jitters over the nature of the revised show production, perhaps feeling that, unlike Miss Saigon, an all Asian production like Flower Drum Song did not have commercial potential.

    When asked about this by the Revue, Hwang commented, "I'm at a point in my career where these sorts of challenges invigorate me, and I am confident that this project will continue to move forward. We just have to be a little scrappier, and it may take a little longer."
    More details to come as they are available.
  • New artistic director in Seattle?
    Rumors are swirling that the Northwest Asian American Theatre, the second oldest Asian American theatre on the continent, has selected a new artistic director. Confirmed details are not available at present, but the Revue will report them as they become available.

November 2000

  • Auditions for web-based sitcom
    Asian American Media Development (AAMD) is pleased to announce:
    AUDITIONS for the First Asian American TV Series to premiere on the World Wide Web!
  • Performing tidbit!
    SLANT men Wayland Quintero and Rick Ebihara direct and write songs for a one-woman show titled Cock Healer. Now playing at the 78th St. Theater Lab, 236 78th St.@Broadway above Stand Up New York Comedy Club through December 16 (not thanksgiving weekend). Fridays and Saturdays at 10:30 PM sharp. Running time is 65 minutes. Tickets- $15, box office- 212-873-9050 Lots of humor, music, storytelling satire, dance, and charisma in the style of the SLANT Performance Group! For more info go to www.cockhealer.com.
  • NYU to hold 20 year retrospective for David Henry Hwang
  • AT LAST, the new Asian American pop/r&b vocal group proudly announces the release of their new CD: Just Close Your Eyes. The price is only $6.00, plus tax and shipping. It is now available for purchase through
    www.innovazian.com.
  • SF's AATC to hold workshops and auditions...
    Asian American Theater Company announces Open Auditions for upcoming season...

October 2000

  • East West presents Theory of Everything
    East West Players (EWP), now celebrating 35 years of Asian Pacific American theatre, has teamed up for the first time with The Singapore Repertory Theatre...
  • Lodestone Theatre presents original one-acts
    Lodestone Theatre Ensemble presents the world premiere of American Monsters featuring three one-act plays...
  • Chicago's Pintig presents Nanay Isog and Her Children
    An adaptation of Brecht's Mother Courage, Nanay is the fall 2000 production of Pintig...
  • PFP presents Dim Sum! The Musical!
    It ain’t a musical...it ain’t even a good facsimile...
  • AATC offers Fall Training
  • Notes from the Southern California theatre scene:
    APA Artists Nominated for Theatre LA Ovation Awards

    The Theatre LA Ovation Awards (for the best in LA Theatre) nominations were announced with three Asian Pacific American artists nominated. They are:

    Best Lead Performance - Female
    Emily Kuroda
    Straight As A Line
    Playwright's Arena

    Best Featured Performance - Male
    Ogie Zulueta
    Cockroach Nation
    Moving Arts

    Best Sound Design
    Nathan Wang
    The Square
    Taper Too at The Actor's Gang

    Congratulations to all the nominees. A comprehensive list of nominees can be found at the Theatre LA Website. The Awards ceremony will take place at the Ahmanson Theatre, Monday, October 30.

September 2000

August 2000

  • From Imerg, Inc.
    (production company for Eric Michael Zee and Ming Na)
    The debut CD of pop/r&b group AT LAST will be available in September. It features five original songs for the low, low price of $6. Please go to www.innovazian.com for details and spread the word!

    Imerg, Inc.
    Innovazian Music, Inc.
    9903 Santa Monica Blvd.
    Suite 575
    Beverly Hills, CA 90212

    imerginc@aol.com

    www.innovazian.com
  • East West announces Fall 2000 Conservatory Classes
    10-week session, Sept. 11 to Nov. 13, 2000, Little Tokyo
  • Award for QBD, Ink!
    In the Matter of Willie Grayson a play about the Philippine American war written by Reme Grefalda (QBd Ink:Friends of the Performing Artist) has received the prestigious Palanca Award for Best Full Length Play in English for the year 2000.

    The Carlos Palanca Foundation's annual Literary Awards in the Philippines is an annual event capping a literary competition which is s in its 50th year.

    Reme Grefalda is the resident playwright of QBd Ink, a theatre company based in Washington, D.C. In the Matter of Willie Grayson is part of a trilogy of plays she has written on the Philippine revolution. 30 December 1896 and She Who Loved Andres Bonifacio complete the set.

    Willie Grayson is a footnoted name in Philippine American history who allegedly fired the first shot which began the Philippine AmericanWar and America's first foray into colonial power. The play premiered in May,1999 at the Howard University Theatre in Washington, D.C.
  • Pork Filled Players announce 2000-2001 season
    Seattle's most pretentions sketch group (who else would use the "M" [multi-cultural] word in their promo material) is PROUD to announce their 2000-2001 season (See? We toldja they were pretentious).

July 2000

  • NWAAT Extends Search for Artistic Director
  • Mark Taper present's Chay Yew's The Square
    The Mark Taper Forum's Asian Theatre Workshop is proud to present the world premiere of THE SQUARE written and coordinated by Chay Yew, using such top American playwrights as Ping Chong, Constance Congdon, Kia Corthron, Philip Kan Gotanda, Jessica Hagedorn, David Henry Hwang, Craig Lucas, Robert O'Hara, Han Ong, Jose Rivera, Diana Son, Alice Tuan, and Mac Wellman (and if you don't know who any of these people are, you're reading the wrong web site)...
  • Casting call!
    Davis Film and Television Company, an independent film and television production company, is auditioning five principal roles and extras for a movie in pre-production phase. Auditionees must be Asian-American males or Asian males with basic command of the English language, can play roles between ages 19-26. Auditionees will play roles of recent Asian immigrants therefore will need to portray someone who cannot speak English well or have heavy accents when speaking English. Actual auditioning and filming will take place in Atlanta, Georgia, time is TBD but tentatively set for early August. Filming for the four principal roles will be approximately 10 days or less depending on the character.
    Funding for film will go into production cost. However, Davis Film and Television Company will pay for audition related expenses including travel and accommodations. Upon hiring, production company will also pay for filming related travel expenses and accommodations in Atlanta, Georgia.
    Send headshots with resume to:

    Mr. Jerry Davis at gypsyvida@yahoo.com
    Only prospective candidates will be contacted
  • Another casting call!
    IgooTV.com, an internet streaming media content provider, is looking for Seattle area lead, support, recurring and bit roles in single and episodic projects to be produced in the coming year. This will be paid work.

    We are looking for male and female talent of all ages and ethnicities, from those with on-camera potential to seasoned performers.

    This is not an open call. You must call 206.419-8115 to schedule an audition time.

    WHERE: American Production Services,
    2247 Fifteenth Avenue, West
    Seattle, WA

    WHEN: Friday, July 14, 2000 from 12 noon to 10pm
    Saturday, July 15, 2000 from 9am to 7pm
    Monday, July 17, 2000, from 10am to 8pm

    Candidates should be prepared to present the following material during the 5 minute audition:
    Headshot with resume and contact information
    A brief dramatic monologue, AND A brief comedic monologue, OR
    A song (contemporary preferred) which best fits the actor&Mac226;s voice, with
    accompanyment on a cued cassette tape or CD.

    Again, this is not an open call. You must call 206.419-8115 to schedule an
    audition time.

    Please visit our splash site www.igootv.com for more information about the
    projects.
  • Job posting: LA
    Highways Performance Space is currently seeking an independent, self motivated, reliable, enthusiastic and diplomatic individual to House Manage during weekly performance events. Primary responsibilities include:

    Volunteer coordination, recruitment and management
    Box office management & reconciliation
    Ticket sales
    Press relations

    This high profile position is perfect for someone who wants learn about this exciting new medium. Highways Performance Space is Southern California's boldest center for new performance. Our mission is to present innovative performance and visual art, interaction among people of diverse cultural backgrounds and foster a critical dialogue among artists concerned with social issues and the communities they serve. Highways presents approximately 250 annual performance events (52 weeks a year). Therefore we are seeking someone who would be able to work weekend nights. The position pays between $140 -- $175 weekly depending on schedule. It also includes volunteer management and recruitment. We are looking to fill the position immediately.

    If you are interested in applying, please email resume to
    Highways@earthlink.net or send a resume to Highways - 1651 18th Street - Santa Monica - 90404. Fax - 310 453.4347
  • Summer singing workshop for youth
    Singing Workshop for Youth (ages 6-16)
    SUMMER Quarter Session (JULY 15-SEPT 8):
  • Character breakdowns for East West's new season...
  • Asian Stories In America (ASIA) Theatre Proudly Presents Ralph Peña's Flipzoids at The Clark Street Playhouse...
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Copyright 2001, Roger W. Tang

Questions? Email gwangung@u.washington.edu