Broadway Stars Pay Tribute to Alan Muraoka at National Asian American Theatre Co. Gala on September 10, 2012

Alan Muraoka Photo by Lia Chang

John Tartaglia, Stephanie D’Abruzzo and Carey Anderson (all from Broadway’s AVENUE Q) along with Gwen Hollander (LITTLE WOMEN), Christine Toy Johnson (FALSETTOLAND),Francis Jue (THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, PACIFIC OVERTURES), singer/songwriter Phoebe Kreutz, Raymond J. Lee (ANYTHING GOES), Adam Levinskas, Jose Llana (THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, RENT), Orville Mendoza (PETER AND THE STARCATCHER), Olivia Oguma (MAMMA MIA) and actress Lexi Windsor will all be on hand to perform and pay tribute to director and actor Alan Muraoka (“Sesame Street”, Broadway’s MISS SAIGON, THE KING AND I) at an evening to benefit National Asian American Theatre Company (NAATCO) on Monday, September 10 at 416 W. 42 St. in New York.

The event will be hosted by Ann Harada (AVENUE Q), with a special guest appearance by Terrence McNally. The evening will be directed by Thom Sesma, with musical direction by Michael Lavine.

The event begins at 6 p.m. with cocktails, followed by the performance at 7 and dessert at 8:30. Tickets range in price from $125-$250-$500-$1000 and can be purchased by going online at www.naatco.org.

As a director, Alan Muraoka received critical acclaim for his all-Asian American production of the William Finn musical FALSETTOLAND for the National Asian American Theatre Company (NAATCO), which enjoyed a sold-out run at the Vineyard Theatre in NYC. The production was revived in June 2007 for the First National Asian American Theatre Festival held in New York City. Alan’s other NAATCO credits include having staged benefit readings of INTO THE WOODS and LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION! He directed the Tony-nominated actor John Tartaglia (AVENUE Q) in his one-man show, “John Tartaglia AD-LIBerty,” which ran at Joe’s Pub at The Public Theatre, and won numerous cabaret awards. Other New York directing credits include KARAOKE STORIES (Imua Theater Company); “Christmas Eve With Christmas Eve 1-3” and “The Leading Men 1-4″ all benefit concerts for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, which starred many of Broadway’s current male talent; “Empty Handed,” a benefit concert starring the puppeteers of Broadway’s AVENUE Q; and cabarets for Tony-nominated actress Stephanie D’Abruzzo and Ann Harada. On television, Alan has directed for “Sesame Street” and for the “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” on NBC.

As an actor, Alan is most recognizable for his role in the Emmy Award winning series, “Sesame Street,” where he plays “Alan,” the proprietor of Hooper’s Store. He has appeared in six Broadway shows; the recent revival of PACIFIC OVERTURES, MAIL, SHOGUN: THE MUSICAL, MY FAVORITE YEAR, THE KING AND I (with Lou Diamond Phillips and Donna Murphy), and most notably MISS SAIGON, where he played the lead role of the Engineer.

NAATCO (National Asian American Theatre Company) puts into service its total commitment to Asian American theatre artists to more accurately represent onstage the multi- and intercultural dynamics of our society. NAATCO’s mission is to assert the presence and significance of Asian American theatre in the United States, demonstrating its vital contributions to the fabric of American culture, by presenting the following repertory: European and American classics as written with all Asian American casts; adaptations of these classics by Asian American Playwrights; and new plays – preferably world premieres – written by non-Asian Americans, not for or about Asian Americans, but realized by an all Asian American cast. NAATCO’s work has been acknowledged by an OBIE Award (for their productions of William Finn’s FALSETTOLAND and Brecht’s HE WHO SAYS YES/HE WHO SAYS NO), the Village Voice (for THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA), Off-Off-Broadway Review (for SCHOOL FOR WIVES) and the Rosetta LeNoire Award from Actors’ Equity Association in recognition of its contributions toward increasing diversity and non-traditional casting in American theatre.

Other Articles by Lia Chang
Photos: 4 Wedding Planners’ Illeana Douglas, Kimberly-Rose Wolter and Michael Kang at Screen Actors Guild Foundation Conversations Series in NY
André De Shields Returns to The Laurie Beechman Theatre with I Put A Spell on You, October 5 and 12
MTC’s An Enemy of The People Starring Boyd Gaines and Richard Thomas Begin Previews at Samuel J. Friedman Theatre
Tony Award – winning Playwright Terrence McNally to be Honored at Westport Country Playhouse Annual Gala, September 24, 2012
Signature Theatre’s World Premiere of Sam Shepard’s Heartless Starring Lois Smith, Gary Cole, Jenny Bacon, Betty Gilpin, and Julianne Nicholson Extends through September 30, 2012
Photos: Tonya Pinkins, André De Shields, S. Epatha Merkerson, Billy Porter and George C. Wolfe at 54 Below
Sean Dugan Set for West Coast Premiere of George C. Wolfe’s Tony Award-Winning Production of The Normal Heart at A.C.T., September 13 – October 7, 2012
Illeana Douglas, Kimberly-Rose Wolter and Michael Kang Set for 4 Wedding Planners Screening in Screen Actors Guild Foundation Conversations Series in NY on August 21, 2012
Multimedia: Screen Actors Guild Foundation’s Conversations with Derek Ting, Linus Roache and Michael Park of $upercapitalist
10 minutes with Sullivan & Son’s Jodi Long, Award Winning Actor and Filmmaker
Lily Mariye’s Model Minority, Jayshree Janu Kharpade’s Fire in Our Hearts, Eliaichi Kimaro’s A Lot Like You, Vincent Sandoval’s Señorita, and Liang Cheng’s My Spiritual Medicine among AAIFF’12 Award Winners
David Henry Hwang to Receive the 2012 Steinberg Distinguished Playwright Award at the 5th Annual Steinberg Playwright “Mimi” Awards on October 29, 2012
Faith Prince and Jason Graae: The Prince & the Showboy in Concert at 54 Below, August 21-25, 2012
Photos: All-Access Pass to Disney’s Aladdin at The Muny with Thom Sesma, Francis Jue, Robin De Jesus, John Tartaglia, Jason Graae, Curtis Holbrook, Eddie Korbich, Samantha Massell and Ken Page
Photos: Yellow Fever Playwright Rick Shiomi Explores New Territory with An All-Female Cast
Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

Lia Chang Photos: All-Access Pass to Disney’s Aladdin at The Muny with Thom Sesma, Francis Jue, Robin De Jesus, John Tartaglia, Jason Graae, Curtis Holbrook, Eddie Korbich, Samantha Massell and Ken Page

Lia Chang with the camels of Disney's Aladdin at The Muny in St. Louis. Photo by Larry D. Pry

Last Saturday, I was in the mood for a little Arabian adventure, so I caught a two hour flight via United from New York to St. Louis, to see the new stage musical of Disney’s Aladdin, currently playing through July 13th at The Muny, the nation’s oldest outdoor musical amphitheatre.

It was 108 degrees when I arrived at the Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. A short ride on the air conditioned Metrolink to the Forest Park Station, with a transfer to the #3 Trolley, conveniently delivered me to the front door of The Muny in less than half an hour. Celebrating its 94th season this year, The Muny, located in Forest Park, St. Louis, Missouri, seats 11,000, of which 1,500 free seats in the last nine rows are available on a first come, first served basis for each performance.

The Muny has 11,000 seats. Photo by Lia Chang

More than 10,000 people came out to see Aladdin, the only children’s show of The Muny’s seven show season. Attending a musical theater production at The Muny is unlike any I have experienced before. There were flashes of lightening and rumbles of thunder as I settled into my box seat in section K next to a woman who had been coming here for 50 years, and was accompanied by her granddaughter. As the orchestra began to play the national anthem, the entire audience rose to face the flag and sing.

The national anthem is sung before each performance at The Muny. Photo by Lia Chang

Samantha Massell, Francis Jue, Thom Sesma and Robin de Jesus. Photo by Lia Chang

The two-hour and 15-minute stage adaptation incorporates the Academy Award-winning songs from the 1992 film, penned by composer Alan Menken (Sister Act, Leap of Faith, Newsies) and lyricists Howard Ashman (Little Shop of Horrors, The Little Mermaid) and Tim Rice (Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar), with a new book by Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer), who has also penned new lyrics along with Menken. The Disney film was written by Ron Clements, John Musker, Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio, and directed & produced by Ron Clements & Jon Musker.

Thom Sesma is wired for sound. Photo by Lia Chang

Mike Isaacson, The Muny’s new executive producer, and Aladdin helmer Gary Griffin handpicked a stellar group of Broadway vets in fine voice and at the top of their game, who after only 11 days of rehearsal under the musical direction of Greg Anthony, came together to create divine theater magic. This included the delightful pairing of Robin de Jesus as Aladdin and the enchanting Samantha Massell as Jasmine. John Tartaglia as the Genie is a high octane force of nature who arrives on a motorcycle, shifting the show into high gear with his singing, dancing and impeccable comedic timing. As Jafar, Thom Sesma is a villain of Shakespearean proportions with his comic sidekick Iago the parrot, portrayed by Curtis Holbrook. Ken Page is a warm and regal presence as the Sultan.

Eddie Korbich, Jason Graae and Francis Jue rehearsing in the dressing room preshow. Photo by Lia Chang

When the show opened with the brilliant comic trio of actors, Jason Graae, Francis Jue and Eddie Korbich as street musicians, who ride onstage astride camels and serve as the narrators for the duration of the show, I knew I was in for a wild ride.

John Tartaglia as the Genie, Robin de Jesus as Aladdin, Samantha Massell as Jasmine and Thom Sesma as Jafar. Photo by Lia Chang

Exploding onstage with an almost irreverent spontaneity, Aladdin, is a brilliantly colored crowd pleaser with big song and dance numbers choreographed by Alex Sanchez. Exquisitely detailed costumes by Mara Blumenfeld, sets by Michael Anania and lights by Seth Jackson and sound by Jason Krueger effectively evoke the mythical Arabian city of Agrabah. While the source material of Aladdin is drawn from the original film, there are different characters, songs that were cut prior to the original film release have been restored, and different plot twists, with a nod to the Bob Hope and Bing Crosby “Road” movies.

Francis Jue, Jason Graae and Eddie Korbich open Disney’s Aladdin on camels at The Muny in St. Louis. Photo by Lia Chang

The ensemble cast features Daniel Bevins, RJ Brown, Ian Coulter-Bufford, Alex DeLeo, Julie Furrer, Michael Hartung, Cameron Hobbs, Jessica Holzem, Jordan Fife Hunt, Isabelle McCalla, Sarah Meahl, Maggie Mial, Erin N. Moore, Adam Rogers, Curtis Schroeger, Tommy Scrivens, Kendal Sparks, Travis Ward-Osborne. The adorable Muny Youth Ensemble includes Dylan Arnold, Bryce Bayer, Brooke Behan, Ellie Bennett, Jordan Bollwerk, Allison Broadhurst, Elijah Brown, Andrew Chapman, Madi Cupp-Enyard, Tim Eidman, Abby Gerstner, Angela Gerstner, August Hanlon, Conner Hanlon, Fergus Inder, Sydney Jones, Lydia Jost, Taylor Lehman, Anna Manoogian, Alisha Naylor, Trey Perlut, Lauren Roither, Klarissa Sheffield, Holland Michelle States, Erica Staub, LeeAnna Studt, Essence Tyler, Brynley Wall.

The cast of Disney’s Aladdin at The Muny. Photo by Lia Chang

The cast of Disney’s Aladdin at The Muny. Photo by Lia Chang

The cast of Disney’s Aladdin at The Muny. Photo by Lia Chang

Thom Sesma as Jafar and Curtis Holbrook as Iago in Disney’s Aladdin at The Muny in St. Louis. Photo by Lia Chang

Stagehands mop The Muny stage during intermission after the lightening storm and shower. Photo by Lia Chang

Adding to the magic of the performance, a lightening storm and a slight shower during intermission did not deter the audience who stayed to watch the second act. I had the best time and you will too. For more information or to make reservations, call (314) 361-1900, extension 308. Single tickets are available at The Muny Box Office in Forest Park, online or by phone. To purchase Season Tickets by phone, call (314) 361-1900, extension 550, or order online at www.muny.org. The Muny Box Office is now open from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday.

Robin de Jesus, Francis Jue, Eddie Korbich, Jason Graae and Thom Sesma. Photo by Lia Chang

Thom Sesma (photo by Lia Chang)

Thom Sesma (Jafar) just participated in the all-star Shinsai: Theaters For Japan benefit at Cooper Union’s Great Hall in NYC, in memory of the tragic events of March 2011 and in tribute to the heroic recovery efforts of the Japanese people. In May of this year, he was the keynote speaker at the Library of Congress’ Asian American Pacific Islander Collection honoring Asian-Americans in the performing arts.

In January 2012 he returned to New York from Las Vegas where he played Scar in Disney’s The Lion King for a two and a half year run at The Mandalay Bay Theatre. On Broadway he starred in the Twyla Tharp-Bob Dylan collaboration,The Times They Are A Changin’. Other credits on and off-Broadway and in national tours include leading roles in Miss Saigon, Titanic, Search & Destroy,Man of La Mancha (2003), and in Ivanov, Rashomon, Baba Goya, In a Pig’s Valise, As Thousands Cheer, A Hard Heart, Cymbeline, and Othello. Other credits include Durango, Dinner With Friends, The Molly Maguires, Romeo & Juliet, The Normal Heart, Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, Pacific Overtures, Twelfth Night, The Winter’s Tale and The King and I, at some of America’s leading theatres including Yale Rep, The McCarter, The Old Globe, Arena Stage, Baltimore Centre Stage, Berkeley Rep, and others. TV and film credits include guest starring roles on “Person of Interest,” “Third Watch,” “Law & Order,” “Whoopi,” “Trinity,” “Lay the Favorite,” “Over/Under,” among many others and daytime soaps. He trained for several years with the late Uta Hagen, with Sam Waterston, and voice with Joan Lader. His directing credits include Jennifer Camp’s Natural History, (Walnut Street Theatre), LIFE (x) 3 (Repertory Theatre of St. Louis), and Outcry (NAATCO), along with Hair, Lend Me a Tenor, The Drawer Boy, Once in a Lifetime, Waiting for Lefty and others in various regional and stock theatres across the country.

Francis Jue (Photo by Lia Chang)

Francis Jue (Kassim) returns to The Muny, where he has appeared in Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Little Mermaid, Damn Yankees, Miss Saigon, Peter Pan, The King & I,and Mame. On Broadway, Francis originated the role of Bun Foo in Thoroughly Modern Millie. Other Broadway credits: M. Butterfly and Pacific Overtures. Francis won Obie and Lucille Lortel Awards (plus Drama Desk and Drama League nominations) for Yellow Face. Other favorite NYC credits include Love’s Labour’s Lost, Coraline, Falsettoland, A Language of Their Own, No Foreigners Beyond This Point, Hamlet,and King Lear. Francis has won regional theatre awards for In the Next Room (or the vibrator play), Cabaret, Kiss of the Spiderwoman, Into the Woods, The Illusion, Pacific Overtures, Miss Saigon,and Red. TV: “The Good Wife,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “Law & Order.” Film Debut: Joyful Noise. Francis Jue, At Home on the Stage

Robin de Jesus (Photo by Lia Chang)

Robin De Jesus (Aladdin) is a two time Tony® Award Nominee for the Broadway Musicals In The Heights and La Cage Aux Folles. He was also seen in the Broadway musical Rent. Robin has worked at Papermill Playhouse, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, McCarter, The Public, NYTW, The Barrow Group and more. He has appeared on TV in “Law and Order: SVU” and “How to Make It In America.” He is best known for his role in the movie Camp. Other films include Gun Hill Road, Fat Girls, Pet the Goat and the upcoming films Elliot Loves, Bert, Arnie’s Guide to Adventure and Hairbrained, in which he stars alongside Brendan Fraser and Alex Wolff.

John Tartaglia (Photo by Lia Chang)

John Tartaglia (Genie) is known to millions of families around the world as “Johnny” from Disney’s Johnny and the Sprites, for which he was nominated for a Daytime Emmy award for Outstanding Performer in a Children’s Series. John made his Tony® Award nominated Broadway debut in Avenue Q, creating the roles of Princeton and Rod. John was also seen on Broadway as Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast and originated the role of Pinocchio in Shrek: the Musical. He joined PBS’s Sesame Street as a puppeteer at only 16 years old, where he performed for over 10 seasons and continues to guest star. Other television appearances include “Ugly Betty,” “The Today Show,” and several children’s series. Films include starring in the upcoming Hotel Arthritis. He will be hosting a new weekly Broadway show on Sirius XM Satellite Radio. John is a recipient of the Theatre World Award, Backstage Award, and a Broadway.com Award. He recently conceived, hosted and directed Jim Henson’s Musical World featuring the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall. Johns voice can also be heard on several commercial campaigns. John’s latest project, ImaginOcean, is currently on international tour. While off-Broadway at New World Stages, ImaginOcean was nominated for Unique Theatrical Experience by the Drama Desk Awards. It’s currently being developed with the Jim Henson Company for television utilizing their revolutionary Digital Puppetry Studios system. John is currently serving as resident director for Avenue Q, playing off-Broadway at New World Stages. He will be directing the upcoming Broadway musical, Because of Winn Dixie, written by Nell Benjamin with music by Duncan Shiek.

Jason Graae (Photo by Lia Chang)

Jason Graae (Omar) has starred on Broadway in A Grand Night For Singing, Falsettos, Stardust, Snoopy!, and Do Black Patent Leather Shows Really Reflect Up? Off- Broadway shows include Forever Plaid; Olympus on My Mind; All in the Timing; and Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh (Drama Desk Nomination-Best Actor in a Musical) and many more. Jason Made his Metropolitan Opera House debut as a featured vocalist in Twyla Tharp’s Everlast with the American Ballet Theatre. He has performed his one-man show all over the country, and has been included in Time Out NY’s Top 10 Cabaret Shows. On television, Jason’s appearances include “Six Feet Under,” “Rude Awakening,” “Friends,” “Frasier,” “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” “Living Single,” “Caroline in the City” and “Providence”. For 5 1/2 years, Jason was the voice of Lucky the Leprechaun for Lucky Charms Cereal.

Curtis Holbrook (Photo by Lia Chang)

Curtis Holbrook (Iago) received the 2012 Kevin Kline Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical for his performance as Cosmo Brown in the Muny’s production of Singin’ in the Rain. Other roles at The Muny include Ren McCormack in Footloose and Bill Calhoun in Kiss Me Kate. On Broadway, Curtis most recently recreated the role of Action in the Broadway revival of West Side Story. His other Broadway credits include: Xanadu (Sonny Malone), All Shook Up (Dean Hyde),The Addams Family, Taboo, The Boy From Oz, Follies, Fosse and Footloose. Off Broadway: Frog Kiss (NYMF-Outstanding Individual Performance Award), Saved (Playwrights Horizon), Radiant Baby (Public Theater). Regional: It Shoulda Been You (George Street Playhouse: David Hyde Pierce, Dir.) Film: Hairspray and Across the Universe. TV: “Smash,” “Nurse Jackie,” “Law and Order: SVU,” “All My Children,” “As The World Turns” and “Sesame Street.”

Eddie Korbich (Photo by Lia Chang)

Eddie Korbich (Babkak) returns to The Muny where he was last featured in the 2003 production of Show Boat. Broadway credits include The Little Mermaid, The Drowsy Chaperone (Drama Desk Nominee), After The Night, Wicked, Seussical, Carousel (Lincoln Center), Singin’ In The Rain and Sweeney Todd (Circle in the Square). Off-Broadway he appeared in Assassins, Godspell, The Gifts of the Magi, Flora The Red Menace, A Little Night Music, and Eating Raoul. Regional credits include The Gamester at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Dracula at North Shore Music Theatre, 3hree at the Ahmanson, George M! (George), Tintypes (Charlie), and Man of La Mancha (Sancho). National tours include Showboat (Frank) directed by Harold Prince. Television: guest-starring roles on “Law & Order,” “New York Undercover,” and “Out Of The Box.” Cartoon fans may recognize his voice as a regular on Nickelodeon’s “Doug and PB & J Otter.” He may also be seen in the feature films Jennifer 8 and Quiz Show. Eddie received the 2000 Obie Award for his performance in Taking A Chance On Love at the York Theatre. He is also the voice of TiVO.

Ken Page (Photo by Lia Chang)

Ken Page (Sultan) was last seen at The Muny as King Titan in the 2011 production of The Little Mermaid. His New York credits include: Broadway: Nicely-Nicely in Guys and Dolls (1976 All-Black Revival), Lion in The Wiz, Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Original Cast 1978, 1988 revival), Cats (Old Deuteronomy-Original Cast), It Ain’t Nothin’ But The Blues (Lead Player); Off-Broadway: Lincoln Center Theatre: Maurice in Happiness, etc. International: West End: Father in Children Of Eden (Original Cast), Rev. Montgomary in My One & Only, Cats(Film-Adelphi Theatre). Paris: Harlem Swing- Ain’t Misbehavin; Canada: Theatre Royal Manitoba: Chuck in Grumpy Old Men-Musical. FILM: Torch Song Trilogy (Murray), Dreamgirls (Max Washington),The Nightmare Before Christmas (V.O. Oogie Boogie) All Dogs Go To Heaven, (V.O King Gator) etc. Television: Several credits. Awards: New York-Theatre World Award (Guys & Dolls), Drama Desk Award–(Best Actor-Ain’t Misbehavin), Drama League Honoree, Kevin Kline Award (Jesus Christ Superstar-Herod), Joseph Jefferson Award Nominee (Wizard of Oz), Kevin Kline Award Nominee (Thenardier- Les Miserables, V.O Audrey II -Little Shop of Horrors). Other Directing: San Diego Rep (Storyville), Fantasticks (L.A. Ovation Award), To Sir With Love (Musical), Ain’t Misbehavin, Nightlife (Westbeth Theatre N.Y, etc.). From July 16 -22, Page can be seen as Marty in The Muny Premiere Of Dreamgirls with Tony® and Grammy® Award-winner Jennifer Holliday reprising her legendary Broadway performance of Effie White, and featuring Demetria McKinney as Deena, Jenelle Lynn Randall as Lorrell, Christopher Jackson as Curtis, Milton Craig Nealy as Jimmy, Karla Mosely as Michelle, and Tommar Wilson as C.C.

Samantha Massell (Photo by Lia Chang)

Samantha Massell (Jasmine) is thrilled to return to The Muny where she most recently played Ursula in Bye Bye Birdie. On Broadway, Samantha was seen in Baz Luhrmann’s production of La Boheme and the 2003 Tony®Awards telecast. Other Muny credits include Kiss Me Kate, Show Boat, Singin’ in the Rain, Sound of Music, and Titanic. Samantha recently graduated from the University of Michigan’s musical theatre program and her favorite U of M credits include Natalie in Next to Normal, Meg in Little Women, and Sheila in Hair.

The remaining show line-up is:
Dreamgirls July 16 – 22
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor®Dreamcoat July 23 – 29
Pirates! (or, Gilbert & Sullivan Plunder’d) July 30 – August 5
The King and I August 6 – 12
For more information, call (314) 361-1900 or visitwww.muny.org.

Curtain call for Disney’s Aladdin at The Muny in St. Louis. Photo by Lia Chang

I was granted an all-access pass to photograph backstage at The Muny for my photography collection at the Library of Congress, the Lia Chang Asian Pacific American Theater Photography Portfolio. Check out the slideshow below.

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Special thanks to Larry Pry, and the cast and crew of The Muny’s Aladdin for a grand weekend at the theater.

Other Articles by Lia Chang
Thom Sesma, Francis Jue, Robin de Jesus and John Tartaglia set for MUNY’s Aladdin, July 5-13
Thom Sesma is the keynote speaker for the Library of Congress celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM) at the Mary Pickford Theater on May 17
Performing Arts Images from the Asian American Pacific Islander Collection on Display at the Library of Congress to Celebrate APA Heritage Month
Photos: Yellow Fever Playwright Rick Shiomi Explores New Territory with An All-Female Cast
Tony Award – winning Playwright Terrence McNally to be Honored at Westport Country Playhouse Annual Gala, September 24, 2012
Multimedia: Exclusive photos and video of Disney’s The Lion King Las Vegas -In the Makeup Chair with Thom Sesma
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”
Richard Thomas and Boyd Gaines to star in An Enemy of the People at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre during Manhattan Theatre Club’s 2012-2013 Season
Jarlath Conroy set for Shakespeare Theatre Company’s The Merry Wives of Windsor, June 12–July 15, 2012 at Sidney Harman Hall in Washington D.C.
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
David Henry Hwang Set as Signature Theatre’s Residency One Playwright for the 2012-2013 Season
C.J. Wilson navigates armor and swordplay in Signature Theatre Company’s World Premiere of Kenneth Lonergan’s Medieval Play
Photos: In Rehearsal with BD Wong at Dixon Place for Live Concert Recording of Herringbone
Photos: David Henry Hwang, Oskar Eustis, BD Wong, Brian d’Arcy James, Francis Jue, Jennifer Lim and Leigh Silverman at WNYC’s The Greene Space
Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

Francis Jue, Lia Chang and Thom Sesma backstage at Disney’s Aladdin at The Muny.

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 liachangpr@gmail.com

Thom Sesma, Francis Jue, Robin de Jesus and John Tartaglia set for MUNY’s Aladdin, July 5-13

The Muny has announced principal casting for the third show of its 94th season, Disney’s Aladdin (July 5-13), directed by Gary Griffin, and choreographed by Alex Sanchez.

Thom Sesma (Photo by Lia Chang)

Tony® Nominees Robin De Jesus and John Tartaglia star as Aladdin and the Genie, respectively. Joining them will be Jason Graae as Omar, Curtis Holbrook as Iago, Francis Jue as Kassim, Eddie Korbich as Babkak, Samantha Massell as Jasmine, Ken Page as the Sultan, and Thom Sesma as Jafar.

Based on the Disney film by the same name, Aladdin features a book by Chad Beguelin, music by Alan Menken, and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, with additional lyrics by Chad Beguelin. The Disney film was written by Ron Clements, John Musker, Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio, and directed & produced by Ron Clements& Jon Musker.

The Muny’s production features scenic design by Michael Anania, sound design by Jason Krueger, lighting design by Seth Jackson, and costume design by Mara Blumenfeld. Greg Anthony serves as the musical director, and the production stage manager is Nevin Hedley.

Thom Sesma (Jafar) just participated in the all-star Shinsai: Theaters For Japan benefit at Cooper Union’s Great Hall in NYC, in memory of the tragic events of March 2011 and in tribute to the heroic recovery efforts of the Japanese people. In May of this year, he was the keynote speaker at the Library of Congress’ Asian American Pacific Islander Collection honoring Asian-Americans in the performing arts.

Thom Sesma in the Asian Division Reading Room of the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. on May, 17, 2012. Photo by Lia Chang

In January 2012 he returned to New York from Las Vegas where he played Scar in Disney’s The Lion King for a two and a half year run at The Mandalay Bay Theatre. On Broadway he starred in the Twyla Tharp-Bob Dylan collaboration,The Times They Are A Changin’. Other credits on and off-Broadway and in national tours include leading roles in Miss Saigon, Titanic, Search & Destroy,Man of La Mancha (2003), and in Ivanov, Rashomon, Baba Goya, In a Pig’s Valise, As Thousands Cheer, A Hard Heart, Cymbeline, and Othello. Other credits include Durango, Dinner With Friends, The Molly Maguires, Romeo & Juliet, The Normal Heart, Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, Pacific Overtures, Twelfth Night, The Winter’s Tale and The King and I, at some of America’s leading theatres including Yale Rep, The McCarter, The Old Globe, Arena Stage, Baltimore Centre Stage, Berkeley Rep, and others. TV and film credits include guest starring roles on “Person of Interest,” “Third Watch,” “Law & Order,” “Whoopi,” “Trinity,” “Lay the Favorite,” “Over/Under,” among many others and daytime soaps. He trained for several years with the late Uta Hagen, with Sam Waterston, and voice with Joan Lader. His directing credits include Jennifer Camp’s Natural History, (Walnut Street Theatre), LIFE (x) 3 (Repertory Theatre of St. Louis), and Outcry (NAATCO), along with Hair, Lend Me a Tenor, The Drawer Boy, Once in a Lifetime, Waiting for Lefty and others in various regional and stock theatres across the country.

Francis Jue © Lia Chang

Francis Jue (Kassim) returns to The Muny, where he has appeared in The Little Mermaid, Damn Yankees, Miss Saigon, Peter Pan, The King & I,and Mame. On Broadway, Francis originated the role of Bun Foo in Thoroughly Modern Millie. Other Broadway credits: M. Butterfly and Pacific Overtures. Francis won Obie and Lucille Lortel Awards (plus Drama Desk and Drama League nominations) for Yellow Face. Other favorite NYC credits include Love’s Labour’s Lost, Coraline, Falsettoland, A Language of Their Own, No Foreigners Beyond This Point, Hamlet,and King Lear. Francis has won regional theatre awards for In the Next Room (or the vibrator play), Cabaret, Kiss of the Spiderwoman, Into the Woods, The Illusion, Pacific Overtures, Miss Saigon,and Red. TV: “The Good Wife,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “Law & Order.” Film Debut: Joyful Noise. Francis Jue, At Home on the Stage

Robin De Jesus (Aladdin) is a two time Tony® Award Nominee for the Broadway Musicals In The Heights and La Cage Aux Folles. He was also seen in the Broadway musical Rent. Robin has worked at Papermill Playhouse, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, McCarter, The Public, NYTW, The Barrow Group and more. He has a appeared on TV in “Law and Order: SVU” and “How to Make It In America.” He is best known for his role in the movie Camp. Other films include Gun Hill Road, Fat Girls, Pet the Goat and the upcoming films Elliot Loves, Bert, Arnie’s Guide to Adventure and Hairbrained, in which he stars alongside Brendan Fraser and Alex Wolff.

John Tartaglia (Genie) is known to millions of families around the world as “Johnny” from Disney’s Johnny and the Sprites, for which he was nominated for a Daytime Emmy award for Outstanding Performer in a Children’s Series. John made his Tony® Award nominated Broadway debut in Avenue Q, creating the roles of Princeton and Rod. John was also seen on Broadway as Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast and originated the role of Pinocchio in Shrek: the Musical. He joined PBS’s Sesame Street as a puppeteer at only 16 years old, where he performed for over 10 seasons and continues to guest star. Other television appearances include “Ugly Betty,” “The Today Show,” and several children’s series. Films include starring in the upcoming Hotel Arthritis. He will be hosting a new weekly Broadway show on Sirius XM Satellite Radio. John is a recipient of the Theatre World Award, Backstage Award, and a Broadway.com Award. He recently conceived, hosted and directed Jim Henson’s Musical World featuring the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall. Johns voice can also be heard on several commercial campaigns. John’s latest project, ImaginOcean, is currently on international tour. While off-Broadway at New World Stages, ImaginOcean was nominated for Unique Theatrical Experience by the Drama Desk Awards. It’s currently being developed with the Jim Henson Company for television utilizing their revolutionary Digital Puppetry Studios system. John is currently serving as resident director for Avenue Q, playing off-Broadway at New World Stages. He will be directing the upcoming Broadway musical, Because of Winn Dixie, written by Nell Benjamin with music by Duncan Shiek.

Jason Graae (Omar) has starred on Broadway in A Grand Night For Singing, Falsettos, Stardust, Snoopy!, and Do Black Patent Leather Shows Really Reflect Up? Off- Broadway shows include Forever Plaid; Olympus on My Mind; All in the Timing; and Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh (Drama Desk Nomination-Best Actor in a Musical) and many more. Jason Made his Metropolitan Opera House debut as a featured vocalist in Twyla Tharp’s Everlast with the American Ballet Theatre. He has performed his one-man show all over the country, and has been included in Time Out NY’s Top 10 Cabaret Shows. On television, Jason’s appearances include “Six Feet Under,” “Rude Awakening,” “Friends,” “Frasier,” “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” “Living Single,” “Caroline in the City” and “Providence”. For 5 1/2 years, Jason was the voice of Lucky the Leprechaun for Lucky Charms Cereal.

Curtis Holbrook (Iago) received the 2012 Kevin Kline Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical for his performance as Cosmo Brown in the Muny’s production of Singin’ in the Rain. Other roles at The Muny include Ren McCormack in Footloose and Bill Calhoun in Kiss Me Kate. On Broadway, Curtis most recently recreated the role of Action in the Broadway revival of West Side Story. His other Broadway credits include: Xanadu (Sonny Malone), All Shook Up (Dean Hyde),The Addams Family, Taboo, The Boy From Oz, Follies, Fosse and Footloose. Off Broadway: Frog Kiss (NYMF-Outstanding Individual Performance Award), Saved (Playwrights Horizon), Radiant Baby (Public Theater). Regional: It Shoulda Been You (George Street Playhouse: David Hyde Pierce, Dir.) Film: Hairspray and Across the Universe. TV: “Smash,” “Nurse Jackie,” “Law and Order: SVU,” “All My Children,” “As The World Turns” and “Sesame Street.”

Eddie Korbich (Babkak) returns to The Muny where he was last featured in the 2003 production of Show Boat. Broadway credits include The Little Mermaid,The Drowsy Chaperone (Drama Desk Nominee), After The Night, Wicked, Seussical, Carousel (Lincoln Center), Singin’ In The Rain and Sweeney Todd (Circle in the Square). Off-Broadway he appeared in Assassins, Godspell, The Gifts of the Magi, Flora The Red Menace, A Little Night Music, and Eating Raoul. Regional credits include The Gamester at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Dracula at North Shore Music Theatre, 3hree at the Ahmanson, George M! (George), Tintypes (Charlie), and Man of La Mancha (Sancho). National tours include Showboat (Frank) directed by Harold Prince. Television: guest-starring roles on “Law & Order,” “New York Undercover,” and “Out Of The Box.” Cartoon fans may recognize his voice as a regular on Nickelodeon’s “Doug and PB & J Otter.” He may also be seen in the feature films Jennifer 8 and Quiz Show. Eddie received the 2000 Obie Award for his performance in Taking A Chance On Love at the York Theatre. He is also the voice of TiVO.

Samantha Massell (Jasmine) is thrilled to return to The Muny where she most recently played Ursula in Bye Bye Birdie. On Broadway, Samantha was seen in Baz Luhrmann’s production of La Boheme and the 2003 Tony®Awards telecast. Other Muny credits include Kiss Me Kate, Show Boat, Singin’ in the Rain, Sound of Music, and Titanic. Samantha recently graduated from the University of Michigan’s musical theatre program and her favorite U of M credits include Natalie in Next to Normal, Meg in Little Women, and Sheila in Hair.

Ken Page (Sultan) was last seen at The Muny as King Titan in the 2011 production of The Little Mermaid. His New York credits include: Broadway: Nicely-Nicely in Guys and Dolls (1976 All-Black Revival), Lion in The Wiz, Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Original Cast 1978, 1988 revival), Cats (Old Deuteronomy-Original Cast), It Ain’t Nothin’ But The Blues (Lead Player); Off-Broadway: Lincoln Center Theatre: Maurice in Happiness, etc. International: West End: Father in Children Of Eden (Original Cast), Rev. Montgomary in My One & Only, Cats(Film-Adelphi Theatre). Paris: Harlem Swing- Ain’t Misbehavin; Canada: Theatre Royal Manitoba: Chuck in Grumpy Old Men-Musical. FILM: Torch Song Trilogy (Murray), Dreamgirls (Max Washington),The Nightmare Before Christmas (V.O. Oogie Boogie) All Dogs Go To Heaven, (V.O King Gator) etc. Television: Several credits. Awards: New York-Theatre World Award (Guys & Dolls), Drama Desk Award–(Best Actor-Ain’t Misbehavin), Drama League Honoree, Kevin Kline Award (Jesus Christ Superstar-Herod), Joseph Jefferson Award Nominee (Wizard of Oz), Kevin Kline Award Nominee (Thenardier- Les Miserables, V.O Audrey II -Little Shop of Horrors). Other Directing: San Diego Rep (Storyville), Fantasticks (L.A. Ovation Award), To Sir With Love (Musical), Ain’t Misbehavin, Nightlife (Westbeth Theatre N.Y, etc.).

To purchase Season Tickets by phone, call (314) 361-1900, extension 550, or order online atwww.muny.org. The Muny Box Office is now open from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday.
The 7-show line-up is:
Thoroughly Modern Millie June 18 – 24
Chicago June 25 – July 1
Disney’s Aladdin July 5 – 13 Dreamgirls July 16 – 22
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor®Dreamcoat July 23 – 29
Pirates! (or, Gilbert & Sullivan Plunder’d) July 30 – August 5
The King and I August 6 – 12

Season Ticket buyers will enjoy their reserved seats for Aladdin from July 5 – 11. Additional performances (July 12 and 13) are non-subscribed, and offer exceptional seating opportunities for groups. The Muny’s group sales office offers a 20% discount for groups of 20 or more, and is taking orders now. For more information or to make reservations, call (314) 361-1900, extension 308. Single tickets will be available beginning Saturday, June 2 at The Muny Box Office in Forest Park, online or by phone. For more information, call (314) 361-1900 or visitwww.muny.org.

Other Articles by Lia Chang
Thom Sesma is the keynote speaker for the Library of Congress celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM) at the Mary Pickford Theater on May 17
Performing Arts Images from the Asian American Pacific Islander Collection on Display at the Library of Congress to Celebrate APA Heritage Month
Photos: Yellow Fever Playwright Rick Shiomi Explores New Territory with An All-Female Cast
Multimedia: Exclusive photos and video of Disney’s The Lion King Las Vegas -In the Makeup Chair with Thom Sesma
Samrat Chakrabarti in Ajay Naidu’s Ashes, Italo Spinelli’s Gangor and Shome Banerjee’s Hotel New York 2012 at Washington D.C. South Asian Film Festival (DCSAFF 2012)
Richard Thomas and Boyd Gaines to star in An Enemy of the People at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre during Manhattan Theatre Club’s 2012-2013 Season
Jarlath Conroy set for Shakespeare Theatre Company’s The Merry Wives of Windsor, June 12–July 15, 2012 at Sidney Harman Hall in Washington D.C.
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
David Henry Hwang Set as Signature Theatre’s Residency One Playwright for the 2012-2013 Season
Performing Arts Images from the Asian American Pacific Islander Collection on Display at the Library of Congress to Celebrate APA Heritage Month
C.J. Wilson navigates armor and swordplay in Signature Theatre Company’s World Premiere of Kenneth Lonergan’s Medieval Play
Photos: In Rehearsal with BD Wong at Dixon Place for Live Concert Recording of Herringbone
Photos: David Henry Hwang, Oskar Eustis, BD Wong, Brian d’Arcy James, Francis Jue, Jennifer Lim and Leigh Silverman at WNYC’s The Greene Space
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”
Photos: Yellow Fever Playwright Rick Shiomi Explores New Territory with An All-Female Cast
Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

Lia Chang. Photo by Brianne Michelle Photography

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 liachangpr@gmail.com

Lia Chang: Ann Harada stars in “Christmas Eve with Christmas Eve” on 12/14 to benefit Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS

On Monday, December 14th, Ann Harada will resurrect her character “Christmas Eve” from the Tony Award-winning musical Avenue Q for a one night only holiday cabaret entitled Christmas Eve With Christmas Eve. The evening will take place at The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space @ WNYC (44 Charlton Street at Varick) with all proceeds benefiting Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS.

Christmas Eve, the beloved, opinionated, heavily-accented therapist from Avenue Q, makes her holiday fantasies come true in this evening of song and comedy that both skewers and pays tribute to the great romantic duets and iconic moments of Broadway. No lyricist will be spared as she re-interprets the modern songbook with the help of some of Broadway’s most talented, hilarious and gorgeous leading men. Scheduled to help Harada “haul out the holly” are Paul Castree, Jeremy Davis, Raul Esparza, Andy Karl, Michael Mindlin, Christopher Sieber, John Tartaglia, Chip Zien and a “very special appearance” by Norm Lewis. Conceived and written by Gary Adler, Ann Harada and Alan Muraoka, the evening will be directed by Alan Muraoka with choreography by Michael Mindlin and musical direction of Gary Adler.

Ann Harada (Christmas Eve) originated the role of Christmas Eve in both the Broadway and London productions of the Tony Award-winning musical Avenue Q. Her other Broadway credits include 9 to 5, Les Miserables, Seussical The Musical and M. Butterfly. She was also featured in the Actors Fund productions of Chess and Hair. Recent TV work includes “Lipstick Jungle” (as Victory Ford’s mother), “Cashmere Mafia,” “Johnny and the Sprites,” and “The Electric Company.”

Alan Muraoka‘s New York Theatre credits include Falsettoland for the National Asian American Theatre Company (Vineyard Theatre), the world premiere of Karaoke Series for the IMUA Theater Company, four Leading Men benefit concerts for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Empty Handed, a benefit concert starring the puppeteers of Broadway’s Avenue Q, and cabarets for Tony-nominated actresses Stephanie D’Abruzzo and Ann Harada. He directed the Tony-nominated actor John Tartaglia (Avenue Q) in his one-man show, John Tartaglia AD-LIBerty, which ran at Joe’s Pub at the Public Theatre, and won numerous cabaret awards.

Date: Monday, December 14, 2009
Time: 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Location: The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space @ WNYC
44 Charlton Street at Varick
New York

$50 for General Reserved Seating
$75 for Preferred Reserved Seating ($75 ticket buyers will also receive a poster autographed by the cast).
ORDER TICKETS ONLINE
To order tickets by phone, please call 212.840.0770 x268

Lia Chang is an actor, performance and fine art botanical photographer and an award-winning multimedia journalist. Lia’s portraits and performance photos have appeared in Vanity Fair, Gourmet, German Elle, Women’s Wear Daily, The Paris Review, VIBE, TV Guide, Daily Variety, Interior Design, American Theatre, Life & Style, OUT, New York Magazine, InStyle, Timeout.com, Villagevoice.com, Playbill.com, Theatermania.com, The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, USA Today, The Boston Globe, New York Times and Washington Post. A former syndicated arts and entertainment columnist for KYODO News, Lia is the New York Bureau Chief for AsianConnections.com. She writes about culture, style and Asian American issues for a variety of publications and this Backstage Pass with Lia Chang blog. As a photographer and videographer, Lia is frequently tapped to collaborate with artists, organizations and companies in establishing their documentary photo archive. She has been documenting her colleagues and contemporaries in the arts, fashion and journalism since making her stage debut as Liat in the National Tour of South Pacific, with Robert Goulet and Barbara Eden.

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