Lia Chang: Cindy Cheung’s solo show SPEAK UP CONNIE, directed by BD Wong at Stage Left Studio has been extended, February 4-15, 2012

Cindy Cheung in SPEAK UP CONNIE. Photo by Lia Chang

This month, Cindy Cheung debuted her solo show SPEAK UP CONNIE, at Stage Left Studio, 214 W. 30th St., 6th Fl. in New York for 5 performances. In SPEAK UP CONNIE, the versatile Cheung writes, performs, and provides original music and lyrics in a comedy about getting a word in edgewise, under the direction of BD Wong.

Cheung’s last two performances on January 24th and 25th are sold-out, but due to popular demand, new show dates have been added – Saturday, February 4th, Sunday, February 5th, Tuesday, February 7th, Wednesday, February 8th, Sunday, February 12th, and Wednesday, February 15th at 7:30pm. Tickets are $20. ($2 ticketing surcharge will be added). Click here for tickets.

Cindy Cheung Photo by Lia Chang

Cindy Cheung’s theater credits include The Sugarhouse at the Edge of the Wilderness (Ma-Yi), Middletown (The Vineyard), The Seagull and Antigone, (NAATCO), Goodbye Cruel World (Roundtable), Sides: The Fear Is Real… (Ma-Yi/Miyagi), Masha No Home (E.S.T.), W;t (Florida Studio Theater), The First Picture Show (A.C.T.), A Christmas Carol (South Coast Rep), Sweeney Todd and Into The Woods (East West Players). Film and TV credits include: Children of Invention (Sundance 2009), Lady In The Water, Robot Stories, “Bored To Death,” “White Collar,” “Fringe,” “Law and Order,” “L&O:SVU,” “L&O: Criminal Intent,” “One Life To Live” and “Sex and the City”. She holds an MFA from A.C.T.

Actor BD Wong at the 32nd Annual MOCA Legacy Awards Gala at Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall St in New York on December 12, 2011. Photo by Lia Chang

BD Wong directed and produced the New York Musical Theatre Festival production of The YELLOW WOOD. A multi-award winning actor whose work includes theater, television, and film, Wong is the only actor ever to have received all five major New York Theater awards for his Broadway debut in David Henry Hwang’s M. Butterfly (Outer Critics’ Circle Award, Drama Desk Award, Theatre World Award, Clarence Derwent Award, Tony Award). Films include: The Freshman, Father of the Bride (1 & 2), Jurassic Park, And the Band Played On, Seven Years in Tibet, Executive Decision, Slappy and the Stinkers, Mulan (1 & 2), The Salton Sea, Stay. He can also be heard as the voice of Shang in the Disney animated films Mulan and Mulan II. He played Dr. George Huang, a forensic psychiatrist and expert on the criminal mind, on the top-rated series “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” for eleven seasons. Wong also gained notice as a cast regular on HBO’s critically acclaimed series Oz, playing the resilient prison priest Father Ray Mukada for six seasons. Other Broadway credits include: Pacific Overtures, Face Value, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. He is the author of the critically acclaimed memoir Following Foo (The Electronic Adventures of the Chestnut Man) (Harper Collins). Other Off-Broadway and regional theatre: Shanghai Moon, As Thousands Cheer, A Language of Their Own, and four productions of Herringbone. Wong is currently shooting the new NBC series AWAKE, which will air in March.

Stage Left Studio
214 W 30th St
6th Floor
(between 7th Ave & 8th Ave)
New York
February 4, 5, 7, 8, 12 and 15, 2012 @ 7:30pm

About Stage Left Studio
Martin Denton of nytheatre.com writes, “I just spent two nights in a row at StageLeft Studio, the cozy, welcoming space operated by Cheryl King that’s located on the sixth floor of a building not far from Penn Station. Two FANTASTIC nights, I should add: the work currently on view here is among the very best that the NYC theater has to offer. I can’t recommend them more highly.”
www.stageleftstudio.net

BD Wong directs Cindy Cheung in SPEAK UP CONNIE. Photo by Lia Chang

Cindy Cheung reviews her script with her director BD Wong. Photo by Lia Chang

Cindy Cheung and her SPEAK UP CONNIE director BD Wong Photo by Lia Chang

Subscribe to Backstage Pass with Lia Chang

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.

Other Articles by Lia Chang:
Cindy Cheung Debuts solo show SPEAK UP CONNIE, directed by BD Wong at Stage Left Studio, January 17-25, 2012
broadwayworld.com: Photo Flash: SPEAK UP CONNIE In Rehearsal
Ma-Yi Presents Carla Ching’s The Sugar House at The Edge of The Wilderness at The Connelly Theater, 11/8-12/4
Cindy Cheung in Will Eno’s Middleton at the Vineyard
Photo Call of BD Wong and the Cast of Heading East at the Asia Society
BD Wong to Star in Heading East at Asia Society, May 24-26Multimedia: BD Wong, Anastasia Barzee, Clarke Thorell, Cindy Cheung and Orville Mendoza at Rattlestick Playwrights Theaters’ Musical Mix ‘n’ Mingle
BD Wong, Anastasia Barzee, Cindy Cheung and Orville Mendoza in Rattlestick’s Musical Mix ‘n’ Mingle
Feb. 13: Chinglish Playwright David Henry Hwang Moderates “RepresentAsian: The Changing Face of New York Theater” at Pope Auditorium at Fordham University
Mu Daiko 15th Anniversary Concert and Minnesota Tour, February 9-19, 2012
Photos & Video: Celebrate Chinese New Year with David Henry Hwang’s Chinglish through January 29, 2012
DTC’s Production Photos of Giant featuring Aaron Lazar, Kate Baldwin,P.J. Griffith, Dee Hoty, Raul Aranas & Katie Thompson
Aaron Lazar, Kate Baldwin, P.J. Griffith, Raul Aranas Set for the Dallas Theater Center/Public Theater Co-Production of Giant at the Wyly Theatre, January 18 – February 19, 2012
Photos: Yellow Fever Playwright Rick Shiomi Explores New Territory with An All-Female Cast
DOGS LIE, Starring Samrat Chakrabarti, Frank Boyd and Ewa Da Cruz, Nabs ”Best Film (USA)” and ”Feature Film Audience Award” at 2011 ITN Distribution Film and New Media Festival
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
Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2011 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: Cindy Cheung Debuts solo show SPEAK UP CONNIE, directed by BD Wong at Stage Left Studio, January 17-25, 2012

Cindy Cheung in SPEAK UP CONNIE. Photo by Lia Chang

Cindy Cheung debuts her solo show SPEAK UP CONNIE, at Stage Left Studio, 214 W. 30th St., 6th Fl. in New York from January 17 – 25, 2012.

In SPEAK UP CONNIE, the versatile Cheung writes, performs, and provides original music and lyrics in a comedy about getting a word in edgewise, under the direction of BD Wong. Performances are Tuesday, January 17th, Wednesday, January 18th, Sunday, January 22, Tuesday, January 24, and Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $20. ($2 ticketing surcharge will be added). Click here for tickets.
* limited number of $9 tickets available through TDF

Cindy Cheung Photo by Lia Chang

Cindy Cheung’s theater credits include Middletown (The Vineyard), The Seagull, (NAATCO), Goodbye Cruel World (Roundtable), Sides: The Fear Is Real… (Ma-Yi/Miyagi),Antigone (NAATCO), Masha No Home (E.S.T.), W;t (Florida Studio Theater), The First Picture Show (A.C.T.), A Christmas Carol (South Coast Rep), Sweeney Todd and Into The Woods (East West Players). Film and TV credits include: Children of Invention (Sundance 2009), Lady In The Water, Robot Stories, “Bored To Death,” “White Collar,” “Fringe,” “Law and Order,” “L&O:SVU,” “L&O: Criminal Intent,” “One Life To Live” and “Sex and the City”. She holds an MFA from A.C.T.

Actor BD Wong at the 32nd Annual MOCA Legacy Awards Gala at Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall St in New York on December 12, 2011. Photo by Lia Chang

BD Wong is a multi-award winning actor and director whose work includes theater, television, and film. He is the only actor ever to have received all five major New York Theater awards for his Broadway debut in David Henry Hwang’s M. Butterfly (Outer Critics’ Circle Award, Drama Desk Award, Theatre World Award, Clarence Derwent Award, Tony Award). Films include: The Freshman, Father of the Bride (1 & 2), Jurassic Park, And the Band Played On, Seven Years in Tibet, Executive Decision, Slappy and the Stinkers, Mulan (1 & 2), The Salton Sea, Stay. He can also be heard as the voice of Shang in the Disney animated films Mulan and Mulan II. He played Dr. George Huang, a forensic psychiatrist and expert on the criminal mind, on the top-rated series “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” for eleven seasons. Wong also gained notice as a cast regular on HBO’s critically acclaimed series Oz, playing the resilient prison priest Father Ray for six seasons. Other Broadway credits include: Pacific Overtures, Face Value, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. He is the author of the critically acclaimed memoir Following Foo (The Electronic Adventures of the Chestnut Man) (Harper Collins). Other Off-Broadway and regional theatre: Shanghai Moon, As Thousands Cheer, A Language of Their Own, and four productions of Herringbone. Wong’s community work has also been recognized by the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA), AALDEF, Asian AIDS Project, GLAAD, and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Wong currently appears on the NBC drama “Awake”.

Stage Left Studio
214 W 30th St
6th Floor
(between 7th Ave & 8th Ave)
New York
January 17-18, 22, 24-25 @ 7:30pm

BD Wong directs Cindy Cheung in SPEAK UP CONNIE. Photo by Lia Chang

Cindy Cheung reviews her script with her director BD Wong. Photo by Lia Chang

Cindy Cheung and her SPEAK UP CONNIE director BD Wong Photo by Lia Chang

Subscribe to Backstage Pass with Lia Chang

Lia Chang Photo by Brianne Michelle Photography

Lia Chang is an actor, performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multimedia journalist.

Other Articles by Lia Chang:
broadwayworld.com: Photo Flash: SPEAK UP CONNIE In Rehearsal
Ma-Yi Presents Carla Ching’s The Sugar House at The Edge of The Wilderness at The Connelly Theater, 11/8-12/4
Cindy Cheung in Will Eno’s Middleton at the Vineyard
Photo Call of BD Wong and the Cast of Heading East at the Asia Society
BD Wong to Star in Heading East at Asia Society, May 24-26Multimedia: BD Wong, Anastasia Barzee, Clarke Thorell, Cindy Cheung and Orville Mendoza at Rattlestick Playwrights Theaters’ Musical Mix ‘n’ Mingle
BD Wong, Anastasia Barzee, Cindy Cheung and Orville Mendoza in Rattlestick’s Musical Mix ‘n’ Mingle
Mu Daiko 15th Anniversary Concert and Minnesota Tour, February 9-19, 2012
Aaron Lazar, Kate Baldwin, P.J. Griffith, Raul Aranas Set for the Dallas Theater Center/Public Theater Co-Production of Giant at the Wyly Theatre, January 18 – February 19, 2012
Photos: Maya Lin, BD Wong, David Henry Hwang, Yeohlee, Oscar L. Tang and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg at MOCA Legacy Awards Gala
Photos: Yellow Fever Playwright Rick Shiomi Explores New Territory with An All-Female Cast
DOGS LIE, Starring Samrat Chakrabarti, Frank Boyd and Ewa Da Cruz, Nabs ”Best Film (USA)” and ”Feature Film Audience Award” at 2011 ITN Distribution Film and New Media Festival
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
Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2011 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: Ed Lin, Tina Chen, Ron Nakahara and Cindy Cheung Star in The Potential Wives of Norman Mao which screens during the 2011 AAIFF at Clearview Chelsea on August 12 & 13

Ed Lin and Cindy Cheung at the OCA Gala dinner at the Grand Hyatt in New York on August 6, 2011. Photo by Lia Chang

I caught up with the oh-too-adorable couple actress Cindy Cheung and her husband novelist Ed Lin, at the OCA gala benefit dinner honoring BD Wong, Dr. Bobby Fong and Tammy Duckworth in New York on August 6, 2011. Lin, who is an OCA-NY board member, mentioned that he is starring in the quirky and comic fairytale The Potential Wives of Norman Mao, which screens during the 2011 Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) at Clearview Chelsea Cinemas, 260 West 23rd Street in New York on August 12 and 13.

Tina Chen, Ed Lin and Ron Nakahara in The Potential Wives of Norman Mao Photo by Lia Chang

The Potential Wives of Norman Mao, written and directed by Derek Nguyen, is a quirky and heartwarming short film narrated by the legendary George Takei (“Star Trek”) and stars Ed Lin (A Waiter Tomorrow and renowned writer), Tina Chen (Three Days of the Condor, Face), Ron Nakahara (“Hawaii Five-O”), Cindy Cheung (Lady in the Water, Children of Invention), Michelle Ang (“Xena”,The Tribe), Soomi Kim (“Law & Order”), and Wai Ching Ho (The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Flight of the Conchords).

In The Potential Wives of Norman Mao, Lin plays the title character, an overweight, and socially-awkward man-child from Hong Kong, who at the age of 33 is still a virgin and unwed. Desperate to get him married, his parents take him on an international junket across the globe to find him a worthy Chinese wife. The Maos arrive to a New York City hotel, which is their final stop on their trip and their last hope to find Norman a bride. Having hired a professional matchmaking service, the Maos meet with three matches for Norman. Will one of these women be a potential wife for Norman or is he destined to lead a terribly lonely life?

Derek Nguyen | 9min | USA | English
Clearview Chelsea | 6:45PM | August 12, 2011 (sold out)
August 13, 2:00PM: still available for advanced & box office purchase, purchase tickets here.
Part of A DAY LESS ORDINARY shorts program.
The Potential Wives of Norman Mao Website

Other Articles by Lia Chang
Photos of AEA’s Asian Heritage Celebration, featuring the Leviathan Lab Asian American Women Writers Workshop
Cindy Cheung in Will Eno’s Middleton at the Vineyard through 11/21
Photo Call: BD Wong and the Cast of Heading East at the Asia Society
Mu Performing Arts 2011-2012 20th Anniversary Season: Four Destinies, Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them, Into the Woods, & Mu Daiko 15th Anniversary Concert
Dr. Bobby Fong, BD Wong & Tammy Duckworth to Receive Awards at National OCA Convention in NY on 8/6
Photos: On the town with Rick Shiomi, Co-Editor of “Asian American Plays for a New Generation”, in D.C. & NY
2011 Asian American International Film Festival Kicks Off w/ John Sayles’ AMIGO on 8/10; AAIFF’11 Lineup, 8/10-14
Click here for Film Articles Archive.
David Henry Hwang to Receive 2012 William Inge Distinguished Achievement in the American Theatre Award
Rick Shiomi Checks out Performing Arts Playwrights Series in the Asian American Pacific Islander Collection of Library of Congress; Attends “Asian American Plays for a New Generation” Book Signing in NY on 7/29
Broadwayworld.com Photo Flash: Library of Congress’ IN REHEARSAL Exhibit
Lia Chang Theater Portfolio at Library of Congress Features Photos of Thom Sesma’s Makeup Transformation as Scar in Disney’s The Lion King Las Vegas, Robert Lee and Leon Ko’s Heading East Starring BD Wong, David Henry Hwang’s Chinglish, and Samrat Chakrabarti and Sanjiv Jhaveri’s Bakwas Bumbug! on View Through August 2
David Henry Hwang’s Chinglish is Broadway Bound this Fall; Goodman Theatre Photo Feature
broadwayworld.com: Chinglish in Rehearsal
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, performance and fine art botanical photographer, and an award-winning multimedia journalist.

As a photographer and videographer, Lia collaborates with artists, organizations and companies in establishing their documentary photo archive and social media presence. 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. Lia currently plays Nurse Lia on “One Life to Live”. She has appeared in Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman and “New York Undercover”.

Selections of Lia’s archive of Asian Pacific Americans in the arts, fashion, journalism, politics and space are now in the newly created LIA CHANG THEATER PORTFOLIO in the ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN PERFORMING ARTS COLLECTION housed in the Library of Congress Asian Division’s Asian American Pacific Islander Collection.

Lia’s portraits and performance photos have appeared in Vanity Fair, Gourmet, German Elle, Women’s Wear Daily, The Paris Review, TV Guide, Daily Variety, Interior Design, American Theatre, Broadwayworld.com, Life & Style, OUT, New York Magazine, InStyle, Timeout.com, Villagevoice.com, Playbill.com, Theatermania.com, thelmagazine.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.

All text, graphics, articles & photographs: © 2000-2011 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.