Brian Stokes Mitchell | Backstage Pass with Lia Chang

Lia Chang Photos: BD Wong, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Brandon Victor Dixon, Tom Viola at “Passing It On: An Evening of Mentorship to Benefit Rosie’s Theater Kids”

On Tuesday, March 27, 2012, Tony award-winning actor BD Wong hosted “Passing It On: An Evening of Mentorship to Benefit Rosie’s Theater Kids,” at the Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater in New York.

BD Wong Photo by Lia Chang

BD Wong and Rosie's Theater Kids. Photo by Lia Chang

Currently appearing on NBC’s critically acclaimed drama “Awake,” Wong collaborated with Wayne Barker (Broadway composer of PETER AND THE STARCATCHERS) to write a mini-musical based upon King Matt the First, Janusz Korczak’s beloved Polish children’s story. He co-wrote, directed, choreographed and performed with 11 handpicked kids from the “Rosie’s Theater Kids” program.

Joe Benincasa, executive director of The Actors Fund, BD Wong, honoree Tom Viola, executive director Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids, and Brian Stokes Mitchell. Photo by Lia Chang

Joe Benincasa, executive director of The Actors Fund of America, BD Wong, honoree Tom Viola, executive director Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids, and Brian Stokes Mitchell. Photo by Lia Chang

BD Wong and Rosie's Theater Kids in King Matt the First. Photo by Lia Chang

Rosie's Theater Kids in King Matt the First. Photo by Lia Chang

Rosie's Theater Kids and BD Wong in King Matt the First. Photo by Lia Chang

Rosie's Theater Kids in King Matt the First. Photo by Lia Chang

BD Wong and Rosie's Theater Kids in King Matt the First. Photo by Lia Chang

Brian Stokes Mitchell, fresh off a plane from Dallas where he appeared in “Do You Hear the People Sing” a Broadway-style concert featuring the music of Les Misérables and Miss Saigon at the American Airlines Center, was introduced by Joe Benincasa, executive director of The Actors Fund of America, to present RTKids’ honoree Tom Viola, Executive Director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids with his award.

Brian Stokes Mitchell. Photo by Lia Chang

Brian Stokes Mitchell, Rosie's Theater Kids and honoree Tom Viola. Photo by Lia Chang

Rosie's Theater Kids' honoree Tom Viola, executive director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. Photo by Lia Chang

Tom Viola. Photo by Lia Chang

Rosie’s Theater Kids who were mentored by Audra McDonald, Dana Moore and John Tartaglia performed, while Derick K. Grant, Brandon Victor Dixon and Zakiya Young performed with the budding performing artists.

Tom Viola, Lori Klinger and BD Wong. Photo by Lia Chang

In 2003, thanks to the generosity and vision of Founder Rosie O’Donnell, Artistic and Executive Director Lori Klinger created RTKids, dedicated to providing quality instruction in music, drama and dance at no cost to New York City public school students, inspired by O’Donnell’s life-long concern for children, love of theater, and dream of teaching. Eighty-six percent of students who participate in Rosie’s Theater Kids are from low-income families. Rosie’s Theater Kids annually involves more than 5,000 teachers, students, and their family members at 17 schools. There are currently programs in Harlem, Midtown West, Chelsea, Lower East Side, East Village, and Chinatown.

Derick K. Grant. Photo by Lia Chang

Derick K. Grant and Rosie's Theater Kids. Photo by Lia Chang

Derick K. Grant. Photo by Lia Chang

Derick K. Grant and Rosie’s Theater Kids. Photo by Lia Chang

Derick K. Grant and Rosie's Theater Kids. Photo by Lia Chang

Rosie's Theater Kids and Zakiya Young. Photo by Lia Chang

Zakiya Young. Photo by Lia Chang

Brandon Victor Dixon. Photo by Lia Chang

Brandon Victor Dixon and Rosie's Theater Kids. Photo by Lia Chang

Rosie's Theater Kids.Photo by Lia Chang

Rosie'sTheater Kids. Photo by Lia Chang

Rosie's Theater Kids.Photo by Lia Chang

BD Wong and Rosie's Theater Kids. Photo by Lia Chang

Brandon Victor Dixon, Lisa Danser and Zakiya Young. Photo by Lia Chang

Joe Benincasa and Tom Viola. Photo by Lia Chang

BD Wong and Brian Stokes Mitchell. Photo by Lia Chang

Roberta Wong, Richert Schnorr, BD Wong and Timothy Johnson. Photo by Lia Chang

Valerie Norton, Brandon Victor Dixon, Thecla Morganstern and Lisa Danser. Photo by Lia Chang

Brandon Victor Dixon. Photo by Lia Chang

http://www.rosiestheaterkids.org/
Other articles by Lia Chang:
Photos: BD Wong in Rehearsal for “Passing It On: An Evening of Mentorship to Benefit Rosie’s Theater Kids”
The SFIAAFF30 Kicks Off with World Premiere of White Frog Featuring Booboo Stewart, Harry Shum, Jr., Joan Chen, Kelly Hu and BD Wong, at the Castro Theater on March 8
Tony award-winning actor BD Wong stars in NBC’s Awake; video preview and interview
Photos: Alan Cumming, Sutton Foster, David Pittu, Jarlath Conroy and Gordana Rashovich at Charles Busch’s Judith of Bethulia
Mark Bennett Receives Lucille Lortel Nomination for Outstanding Sound Design for An Iliad
Photos: Highlights of Shinsai: Theaters for Japan (3pm) with Andre Bishop, Mary Beth Hurt, Jennifer Lim, Angela Lin, Philip Kan Gotanda, Thom Sesma, Sab Shimono, Richard Thomas, Jay O. Sanders, and more
Photos: Highlights of Shinsai: Theaters for Japan (8pm) with Oskar Eustis, Patti LuPone, Lisa Emery, Ann Harada, Paolo Montalban, Thom Sesma, Sab Shimono, Henry Stram, Richard Thomas, John Weidman and more
Photos: In Rehearsal with Director Bartlett Sher and the cast of Shinsai: Theaters for Japan
Thom Sesma, Patti LuPone, Cindy Cheung, Jennifer Lim, Sab Shimono, James Yaegashi and more set for Shinsai: Theaters for Japan Benefit on March 11 at the Great Hall at Cooper Union in New York
Multimedia: Exclusive photos and video of Disney’s The Lion King Las Vegas -In the Makeup Chair with Thom Sesma
David Henry Hwang to Receive 2012 William Inge Distinguished Achievement in the American Theatre Award
Chinglish Playwright David Henry Hwang Moderates “RepresentAsian: The Changing Face of New York Theater” at Pope Auditorium at Fordham University
Photos: Yellow Fever Playwright Rick Shiomi Explores New Territory with An All-Female Cast
Coming to America through The Angel Island Immigration Station
Orville Mendoza Joins the Broadway Cast of Peter and the Starcatcher, Previews Begin March 28 at the Brooks Atkinson
Photos: Laila Robins, Sean Dugan, C.J. Wilson, Peter Francis James, Bill Irwin and Tricia Paoluccio at Signature Theatre Company’s revival of Edward Albee’s The Lady From Dubuque
Photos: “How To Succeed” stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rose Hemingway and John Larroquette at Lord & Taylor for Windows Unveiling
Multimedia: Promises, Promises’ Stars Kristin Chenoweth and Sean Hayes at Lord & Taylor Fifth Ave
Broadwayworld.com Photo Flash: Library of Congress’ IN REHEARSAL Exhibit
Photos: David Duchovny, John Earl Jelks, Amanda Peet, Tracee Chimo at Opening Night Party of Neil LaBute’s Break of Noon
Celebrating my mom – AN ACTIVE VISION: BEVERLY UMEHARA…LABOR ACTIVIST…1945-1999
Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

BD Wong with his mom Roberta and Lia Chang. Photo by Richert Schnorr

Lia Chang is an actor, a performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multi-platform journalist.
All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2012 Lia Chang Multimedia. All rights reserved. All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Lia Chang. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content. For permission, please contact Lia at lia@backstagepasswithliachang.com.

April 1, 2012
Categories: African American Artists, Asian American Artists, Asian American Pioneers, Dance, Entertainment, Jazz, Music, New York, Non profit, Performance Photography, Theater . Tags: Audra McDonald, Awake, “Passing It On: An Evening of Mentorship to Benefit Rosie’s Theater Kids” Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater, Backstage Pass with Lia Chang, BD Wong, Booboo, Brandon Victor Dixon, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids, David Henry Hwang, Derick K. Grant, John Tartaglia. Steven Jamail, Jr. Gregg Sulkin, Kathryn Layng, KING MATT THE FIRST, Lia Chang, Lisa Danser, Maravel Arts Center, New York, Polish children’s story, Rosie O’Donnell, Tom Viola, Wayne Barker, Zakiya Young . Author: Lia Chang . Comments: Leave a Comment

Lia Chang: BD Wong in All-Star Lineup at Symphony Space for Wall to Wall Broadway

BD Wong at AALDEF's 35th Anniversary Celebration at PIER SIXTY, Chelsea Piers, in New York City on Thursday, March 26, 2009. Photo by Lia Chang

BD Wong and Wayne Barker will be performing a selection from Noel Coward’s The Coconut Girl, in Symphony Space’s Wall-to-Wall Broadway, a twelve hour marathon of performances celebrating a century of musicals, on Saturday, May 16 at 9pm. From 8pm-11pm, Tony and Emmy Award winner Paul Gemignani will conduct a full orchestra playing Broadway musical classics featuring performances by Michael Cerveris, Alexander Gemignani, George S. Irving, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Raúl Esparza, Martha Plimpton, Loni Ackerman, Terrence Mann, Randy Graff, Kate Baldwin, Leenya Rideout, Gregg Edelman, Julie Wilson, Debbie Gravitte, Ivy Austin, Isaiah Sheffer, Melissa Errico, James Naughton, Lisa Flanagan, Kathryn Markey, Amy Vice, Jonathan Hadary, Jeffrey Schecter, Liz Callaway, D’Ambrose Boyd, Chip Zien, and Donna Murphy.

The marathon of performances begins at 11am. Admission is free and seating is on a first come, first serve basis. Symphony Space is located at 2537 Broadway @ 95th St in New York.

Performance Schedule:

11 am Performances by the casts of The Lion King, Mary Poppins, The Little Mermaid, Wicked, and Shrek

11:45 am Excerpts from Adelphi University’s production of Rent

12 pm Great songs that never made it to the Broadway stage, featuring performances by Kevin Burdette, Loni Ackerman, Leenya Rideout, Amy Vice, Marion Cowings, and more

2 pm Robert MacNeil and Frank Rich discuss the musicals that changed their lives, with performances by Jonathan Hadary, Kevin Burdette, Loni Ackerman, and Lisa Flanagan

2:30 pm Composers Jeanine Tesori, Jo DiPietro, and William Finn pay tribute to works that inspired them, accompanied by Theodore Chapin

3 pm Successful songs from shows that flopped, featuring performances by Mary Cleere Haran, Martin Vidnovic, D’Ambrose Boyd, Loni Ackerman, and Lisa Flanagan

3:50 pm Harold Prince in a one-on-one discussion with Rob Marx about the making of musicals

5 pm A pre-centennial salute to Frank Loesser, with performances by Emily Loesser, Jo Sullivan Loesser, Debbie Gravitte, and Gregg Edelman

5:30 pm Songs from new musicals in the works: Ever After and Dear Edwina by composer Zina Goldrich and lyricist Marcy Heisler; and The Kid by composer Andy Monroe and lyricist Jack Lethner

6pm Performances from the current and recent shows South Pacific, Girl Crazy, The Who’s Tommy, In the Heights, Avenue Q, and Next to Normal performed by Andrew Samonsky, Rebecca Luker, Michael Cerveris, Carrie Anderson, and others

6:25 pm A sampling of side-splitting songs from Broadway reviews, featuring performances by Loni Ackerman, Kevin Burdette, Mary Brienza, Kathryn Markey, D’Ambrose Boyd, Leenya Rideout, Ivy Austin, Sidney J. Burgoyne, and more

7pm Lyricist Sheldon Harnick in discussion with composer and lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda

8pm See first paragraph for lineup

Directions: Take the subway #1, 2,3,9 to the 96th St Station and walk one block south on Broadway

www.symphonyspace.org

Related Theater Articles:

David Henry Hwang, Kathryn Layng and BD Wong at the Asian American Writers Workshop Literary Awards

BD Wong is a Tour de Force in Herringbone

Impressionism Ends Broadway Run

André De Shields in Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory from Douglass to Deliverance

Andre De Shields and Reg E. Cathey Star in Cato at The Flea

Thom Sesma Stars as Scar in Disney’s The Lion King at Mandalay Bay

Thom Sesma, Peter Kim, Andrew Cristi Star in Durango