Lia Chang Photos: Breathe Love Repeat – In Rehearsal with Suzen Murakoshi and Ching Valdes-Aran at Under St. Mark’s

Suzen Murakoshi’s Breathe Love Repeat: a near-life experience played at Under St. Marks, during the 2012 Frigid New York Festival in February 2012.

Suzen Murakoshi in rehearsal for Breathe Love Repeat at Under St. Mark’s in New York. Photo by Lia Chang

Helmed by longtime collaborator Obie award-winning actress Ching Valdes-Aran, Breathe Love Repeat: a near-life experience, written by and starring Ms. Murakoshi, is an intimate tribute to her beloved mother focusing on the last days before her mother succumbed to cancer.

Ching Valdes-Aran and Suzen Murakoshi in rehearsal for Breathe Love Repeat at Under St. Mark’s in New York. Photo by Lia Chang

The Hawaii native seamlessly transports us to the mountains of Japan as she snowboards during a trip with her mother in 2009; to her homebase of New York where she receives the news about the cancer; then to the islands of Hawaii, where she returns to take care of her mother.

Ching Valdes-Aran and Suzen Murakoshi in rehearsal for Breathe Love Repeat at Under St. Mark’s in New York. Photo by Lia Chang

Ms. Murakoshi transforms into a “Samurai Super Daughter” as she struggles with her mother’s love at the crossroads between East and West. While attempting to affirm life between this world and the next, she stands her ground with the nurses at the hospice who insist upon administering morphine for her mother’s pain (she refuses), and takes her mother home, granting her wishes to take her last breath there. The show ends with a slideshow of priceless images of her mother and her family during her lifetime.

Suzen Murakoshi in rehearsal for Breathe Love Repeat at Under St. Mark’s in New York. Photo by Lia Chang

Suzen Murakoshi is a veteran of Broadway, off-Broadway and regional theatres. Her favorite roles include “Juliet” in Romeo and Juliet at the Cleveland Playhouse and “Connie” in A Chorus Line on Broadway. Together with Obie award winner, Ching Valdes-Aran, Ms. Murakoshi has performed her own past work at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where she was short-listed for Best Actor for her role as “Helen” in Slippery When Wet (SWW). She has appeared in the films Bill Murray’s Quick Change, Oliver Stone’s Wall Street and Mario Van Peebles’ New Jack City.

Suzen Murakoshi and Ching Valdes-Aran in rehearsal for Breathe Love Repeat at Under St. Mark’s in New York. Photo by Lia Chang

Ms. Murakoshi received an MFA from the NYC New School of Drama in Playwriting and Acting. She also attended Oxford University, Balliol College, with the British American Drama Academy. Her work has been produced at the Penumbra Theatre in Minneapolis, MN to critical acclaim.

Suzen Murakoshi and Ching Valdes-Aran in rehearsal for Breathe Love Repeat at Under St. Mark’s in New York. Photo by Lia Chang

Other produced plays include Slippery When Wet at La MaMa Experimental Theatre, Sisters at Circle in the Square Downtown, NYC. Her short play, Dunno, Gotta Go was accepted and given a reading at the Edward Albee Theatre Conference in Valdez, Alaska, 2004.

Suzen Murakoshi and Ching Valdes-Aran in rehearsal for Breathe Love Repeat at Under St. Mark’s in New York. Photo by Lia Chang

Ms. Murakoshi has worked with the 52nd Street Project in New York City for many years as a writer, actor and director. While there, she co-wrote short plays with ‘Genius Award” fellow, Willie Reale as well as having been directed as an actor by Oscar winner Frances McDormand.

Ching Valdes-Aran. Photo by Lia Chang

Ching Valdes-Aran is an actor, director, playwright and painter. Broadway: The Wild Party (Virginia Theatre), Shakespeare On Broadway (Lady Macbeth, Lady Capulet, Duke Senior; Belasco Theatre). Major roles: The House Of Bernarda Alba (NAATCO); Mother Courage (Ma-Yi Theatre); Medea (Pan Asian Rep.); Empress Of China (Cincinnati Playhouse); Philoktetes (Shatterhand Co., Berliner Fiestpiele); Clytemnestra (Iphigenia At Aulis, Yale Rep.); Olan (The Good Earth, Bristol Riverside); Imelda Marcos (Dogeaters, Public Theatre/La Jolla Playhouse). Other theaters: Macbeth/Julius Caesar (Delacorte Theater); Homebody/Kabul (NYTW); Jocasta (Oedipus, Wilma Theatre) La Mama E.T.C., HERE Arts Center, The Foundry, DiverseCity, Immigrant Theater, Womens’Project, Arena Stage, A.C.T., Edinburgh Festival, London International Festival, Amore Theater (Greece). Film/TV credits: Across The Universe; Sex &The City ; “Filthy Gorgeous,” “Law & Order CI,” “Rescue Me,” etc. Directing credits: La Mama E.T.C., Penumbra Theatre, Immigrant Theatre, Ma-Yi Theater, Terre de Scene (France); member of Lincoln Center Director’s Lab. She was a resident director at La Mama E.T.C. from 1989-1996. Ms. Valdes-Aran was honored with a 2004 Fox Fellowship from the William & Eva Fox Foundation and the 2004 Charles Bowden Award from New Dramatist. Other Awards include: The Spenser Cherashore Award, Asian Cultural Council Artist Fellow, MA-YI’s Artistic Achievement Award, MAP Rockefeller Grant, U.S. Congressional Award and a Lucille Lortel nomination for best actress (Dogeaters, directed by Michael Grief, The Public Theatre). Her other passion is painting. Some of her work was shown in a group show at the ORENSANTZ FOUNDATION in June 2004.

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For more information, visit www.breatheloverepeat.com.
Related Articles
Suzen Murakoshi is a “Samurai Super Daughter” in her solo show BREATHE LOVE REPEAT
Suzen Murakoshi’s Breathe Love Repeat: a near-life experience, directed by Ching Valdes-Aran, at 2012 Frigid New York Festival at Under St. Marks
Suzen Murakoshi’s Breathe Love Repeat: a near-life experience, at 2012 Frigid New York Festival at Under St. Marks
Suzen Murakoshi’s Breathe Love Repeat: a Near Life Experience, at 30th Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival, 8/11-8/20/11
Snowboarder Suzen Murakoshi to Debut Tale of Unconditional Love at Calgary Fringe Festival, 7/29-8/5/11
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: © 2000-2011 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 lia@backstagepasswithliachang.com.

Lia Chang: Suzen Murakoshi is a “Samurai Super Daughter” in her solo show BREATHE LOVE REPEAT

Lia Chang, Karen Tsen Lee, Suzen Murakoshi and Libby Bush at Yaffa on St. Marks Place in New York after a performance of Breathe Love Repeat. Photo by Jessica Minczeski

Last Friday, I headed to the East Village to see Suzen Murakoshi in her solo show Breathe Love Repeat: a near-life experience at Under St. Marks, which is part of the eclectic lineup of the 2012 Frigid New York Festival. For Ms. Murakoshi, the audience was a familiar and friendly one, including Baayork Lee (from her A Chorus Line days) and Larry Lee, executive director of the New York Asian Women’s Center; Libby Bush of Landslide Management; actresses Karen Lee and Geneva Carr (Hand to God); and “Playmaking” author Daniel Sklar.

Helmed by longtime collaborator Obie award-winning actress Ching Valdes-Aran, Breathe Love Repeat: a near-life experience, written by and starring Ms. Murakoshi, is an intimate tribute to her beloved mother focusing on the last days before her mother succumbed to cancer. The Hawaii native seamlessly transports us to the mountains of Japan as she snowboards during a trip with her mother in 2009; to her homebase of New York where she receives the news about the cancer; then to the islands of Hawaii, where she returns to take care of her mother. Ms. Murakoshi transforms into a “Samurai Super Daughter” as she struggles with her mother’s love at the crossroads between East and West. While attempting to affirm life between this world and the next,she stands her ground with the nurses at the hospice who insist upon administering morphine for her mother’s pain (she refuses), and takes her mother home, granting her wishes to take her last breath there. The show ends with a slideshow of priceless images of her mother and her family during her lifetime.

The remaining performance schedule for Breathe Love Repeat at Under St. Marks (94 St. Marks Place) is Monday, February 27 at 7:30pm, Friday, March 2 at 10:30pm and Sunday, March 4 at 7pm. Tickets are $15 ($10 for students/seniors) and are available online at www.smarttix.com

Suzen Murakoshi

Suzen Murakoshi is a veteran of Broadway, off-Broadway and regional theatres. Her favorite roles include “Juliet” in Romeo and Juliet at the Cleveland Playhouse and “Connie” in A Chorus Line on Broadway. Together with Obie award winner, Ching Valdes-Aran, Ms. Murakoshi has performed her own past work at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where she was short-listed for Best Actor for her role as “Helen” in Slippery When Wet (SWW). She has appeared in the films Bill Murray’s Quick Change, Oliver Stone’s Wall Street and Mario Van Peebles’ New Jack City.

Suzen Murakoshi and longtime collaborator Ching Valdes-Aran on the set of Slippery When Wet at La MaMa E.T.C. in New York, in 1994. Photo by Lia Chang

Ms. Murakoshi received an MFA from the NYC New School of Drama in Playwriting and Acting. She also attended Oxford University, Balliol College, with the British American Drama Academy. Her work has been produced at the Penumbra Theatre in Minneapolis, MN to critical acclaim.

Other produced plays include Slippery When Wet at La MaMa Experimental Theatre, Sisters at Circle in the Square Downtown, NYC. Her short play, Dunno, Gotta Go was accepted and given a reading at the Edward Albee Theatre Conference in Valdez, Alaska, 2004.

Ms. Murakoshi has worked with the 52nd Street Project in New York City for many years as a writer, actor and director. While there, she co-wrote short plays with ‘Genius Award” fellow, Willie Reale as well as having been directed as an actor by Oscar winner Frances McDormand.

Suzen Murakoshi with her stage manager Jessica Minczeski. Photo by Lia Chang

In 2007, Ms. Murakoshi was awarded a Mayoral Proclamation from Michael Bloomberg and the City of New York for her work with the Kids Project where she is the Artistic Director. The Kids Project performs free shows for the NYC area with a target audience of 90,000 children and adults annually.

Breathe Love Repeat, a near-life experience, has performances at Under St. Marks (94 St. Marks Place) on Monday, February 27 at 7:30pm, Friday, March 2 at 10:30pm and Sunday, March 4 at 7pm. Tickets are $15 ($10 for students/seniors) and are available online at www.smarttix.com.

For more information, visit www.breatheloverepeat.com.

Related Articles
Suzen Murakoshi’s Breathe Love Repeat: a near-life experience, directed by Ching Valdes-Aran, at 2012 Frigid New York Festival at Under St. Marks
Suzen Murakoshi’s Breathe Love Repeat: a near-life experience, at 2012 Frigid New York Festival at Under St. Marks
Suzen Murakoshi’s Breathe Love Repeat: a Near Life Experience, at 30th Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival, 8/11-8/20/11
Snowboarder Suzen Murakoshi to Debut Tale of Unconditional Love at Calgary Fringe Festival, 7/29-8/5/11

Other Articles by Lia Chang
Photos: A night out at Signature Theatre Company’s revival of Edward Albee’s The Lady From Dubuque
Photos: Working Theater’s Production of Rob Ackerman’s CALL ME WALDO at Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex through March 11, 2012
Photos: Larry Bryggman, Denise Burse, Peter Jay Fernandez, Tim Hopper, Arliss Howard, Kobi Libii, Mary McCann, Neil Pepe, David Pittu, Steve Rosen, Sheila Tapia, Debra Winger at Atlantic Theatre’s Opening Night of Gabe McKinley’s CQ/CX
Linsanity: Sport Illustrated Cover Guy New York Knicks Starting Point Guard Jeremy Lin
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Multimedia: Promises, Promises’ Stars Kristin Chenoweth and Sean Hayes at Lord & Taylor Fifth Ave
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Multimedia: Exclusive photos and video of Disney’s The Lion King Las Vegas -In the Makeup Chair with Thom Sesma
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.

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: © 2000-2011 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 lia@backstagepasswithliachang.com.

Feb. 22-Mar 4.: Suzen Murakoshi’s Breathe Love Repeat: a near-life experience, directed by Ching Valdes-Aran, at 2012 Frigid New York Festival at Under St. Marks

Performances for Suzen Murakoshi’s (A Chorus Line and The King & I) Breathe Love Repeat: a near-life experience, under the direction of longtime collaborator Obie Award-winning Ching Valdes-Aran, kick off on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at Under St. Marks as a part of the 2012 Frigid New York Festival. The performance schedule for Breathe Love Repeat at Under St. Marks (94 St. Marks Place) is Wednesday, February 22 at 10:30pm, Friday, February 24 at 7:30pm, Monday, February 27 at 7:30pm, Friday, March 2 at 10:30pm and Sunday, March 4 at 7pm. Tickets are $15 ($10 for students/seniors) and are available online at www.smarttix.com

In Breathe Love Repeat: a near-life experience, a “Samurai Super Daughter” struggles with her mother’s love at the crossroads between East and West, struggling to affirm life between this world and the next. Produced by Mustique Projects, Breathe Love Repeat, a near-life experience, written by and starring award-winning playwright and actress Suzen Murakoshi, tells the story of the last days in the life of a mother and daughter. This uplifting and life-affirming show takes audiences from the mountains of Japan to the islands of Hawaii as Murakoshi brings the clarity of life into focus by bringing us closer to the end.

Suzen Murakoshi

Suzen Murakoshi is a veteran of Broadway, off-Broadway and regional theatres. Her favorite roles include “Juliet” in Romeo and Juliet at the Cleveland Playhouse and “Connie” in A Chorus Line on Broadway. Together with Obie award winner, Ching Valdes-Aran, Ms. Murakoshi has performed her own past work at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where she was short-listed for Best Actor for her role as “Helen” in Slippery When Wet (SWW). She has appeared in the films Bill Murray’s Quick Change, Oliver Stone’s Wall Street and Mario Van Peebles’ New Jack City.

Ms. Murakoshi received an MFA from the NYC New School of Drama in Playwriting and Acting. She also attended Oxford University, Balliol College, with the British American Drama Academy. Her work has been produced at the Penumbra Theatre in Minneapolis, MN to critical acclaim.

Suzen Murakoshi and longtime collaborator Ching Valdes-Aran on the set of Slippery When Wet at La MaMa E.T.C. in New York, in 1994. Photo by Lia Chang

Other produced plays include Slippery When Wet at La MaMa Experimental Theatre, Sisters at Circle in the Square Downtown, NYC. Her short play, Dunno, Gotta Go was accepted and given a reading at the Edward Albee Theatre Conference in Valdez, Alaska, 2004.

Ms. Murakoshi has worked with the 52nd Street Project in New York City for many years as a writer, actor and director. While there, she co-wrote short plays with ‘Genius Award” fellow, Willie Reale as well as having been directed as an actor by Oscar winner Frances McDormand.

In 2007, Ms. Murakoshi was awarded a Mayoral Proclamation from Michael Bloomburg and the City of New York for her work with the Kids Project where she is the Artistic Director. The Kids Project performs free shows for the NYC area with a target audience of 90,000 children and adults annually.

Breathe Love Repeat, a near-life experience will have five performances at Under St. Marks (94 St. Marks Place) on Wednesday, February 22 at 10:30pm, Friday, February 24 at 7:30pm, Monday, February 27 at 7:30pm, Friday, March 2 at 10:30pm and Sunday, March 4 at 7pm. Tickets are $15 ($10 for students/seniors) and are available online at www.smarttix.com.

For more information, visit www.breatheloverepeat.com.

Related Articles
Suzen Murakoshi’s Breathe Love Repeat: a near-life experience, at 2012 Frigid New York Festival at Under St. Marks
Suzen Murakoshi’s Breathe Love Repeat: a Near Life Experience, at 30th Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival, 8/11-8/20/11
Snowboarder Suzen Murakoshi to Debut Tale of Unconditional Love at Calgary Fringe Festival, 7/29-8/5/11

Other Articles by Lia Chang
Photos: Working Theater’s Production of Rob Ackerman’s CALL ME WALDO at Abingdon Theatre Arts Complex through March 11, 2012
Photos: Larry Bryggman, Denise Burse, Peter Jay Fernandez, Tim Hopper, Arliss Howard, Kobi Libii, Mary McCann, Neil Pepe, David Pittu, Steve Rosen, Sheila Tapia, Debra Winger at Atlantic Theatre’s Opening Night of Gabe McKinley’s CQ/CX
Linsanity: Sport Illustrated Cover Guy New York Knicks Starting Point Guard Jeremy Lin
Athol Fugard’s Blood Knot, starring Colman Domingo & Scott Shepherd in The Alice Griffith Jewel Box at The Pershing Square Signature Center through March 11, 2012
broadwayworld.com: Photo Flash: SPEAK UP CONNIE In Rehearsal
Photos: Yellow Fever Playwright Rick Shiomi Explores New Territory with An All-Female Cast
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Photos: “How To Succeed” stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rose Hemingway and John Larroquette at Lord & Taylor for Windows Unveiling
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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.

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: © 2000-2011 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 lia@backstagepasswithliachang.com.

Feb. 22-Mar 4.: Suzen Murakoshi’s Breathe Love Repeat: a near-life experience, at 2012 Frigid New York Festival at Under St. Marks

Breathe Love Repeat: a near-life experience will be presented in February and March at Under St. Marks as a part of the 2012 Frigid New York Festival. In Breathe Love Repeat: a near-life experience, a “Samurai Super Daughter” struggles with her mother’s love at the crossroads between East and West, struggling to affirm life between this world and the next.

Produced by Mustique Projects, the production is written by and will star Broadway’s Suzen Murakoshi (A Chorus Line and The King & I) and will feature direction from Obie-Award Winner Ching Valdes-Aran (who performed in The Wild Party on Broadway).

With warmth and humor, “Breathe Love Repeat, a near-life experience” tells the story of the last days in the life of a mother and daughter. This uplifting and life-affirming show takes audiences from the mountains of Japan to the islands of Hawaii as Murakoshi brings the clarity of life into focus by bringing us closer to the end.

Suzen Murakoshi

Suzen Murakoshi is a veteran of Broadway, off-Broadway and regional theatres. Her favorite roles include “Juliet” in Romeo and Juliet at the Cleveland Playhouse and “Connie” in A Chorus Line on Broadway. Together with Obie award winner, Ching Valdes-Aran, Ms. Murakoshi has performed her own past work at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where she was short-listed for Best Actor for her role as “Helen” in Slippery When Wet (SWW). She has appeared in the films Bill Murray’s Quick Change, Oliver Stone’s Wall Street and Mario Van Peebles’ New Jack City.

Ms. Murakoshi received an MFA from the NYC New School of Drama in Playwriting and Acting. She also attended Oxford University, Balliol College, with the British American Drama Academy. Her work has been produced at the Penumbra Theatre in Minneapolis, MN to critical acclaim.

Other produced plays include Slippery When Wet at La MaMa Experimental Theatre, Sisters at Circle in the Square Downtown, NYC. Her short play, Dunno, Gotta Go was accepted and given a reading at the Edward Albee Theatre Conference in Valdez, Alaska, 2004.

Ms. Murakoshi has worked with the 52nd Street Project in New York City for many years as a writer, actor and director. While there, she co-wrote short plays with ‘Genius Award” fellow, Willie Reale as well as having been directed as an actor by Oscar winner Frances McDormand.

In 2007, Ms. Murakoshi was awarded a Mayoral Proclamation from Michael Bloomburg and the City of New York for her work with the Kids Project where she is the Artistic Director. The Kids Project performs free shows for the NYC area with a target audience of 90,000 children and adults annually.

Breathe Love Repeat, a near-life experience will have five performances at Under St. Marks (94 St. Marks Place) on Wednesday, February 22 at 10:30pm, Friday, February 24 at 7:30pm, Monday, February 27 at 7:30pm, Friday, March 2 at 10:30pm and Sunday, March 4 at 7pm. Tickets are $15 ($10 for students/seniors) and are available online at www.smarttix.com.

For more information, you can visit www.breatheloverepeat.com.

Other Articles by Lia Chang
Suzen Murakoshi’s Breathe Love Repeat: a Near Life Experience, at 30th Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival, 8/11-8/20/11
Snowboarder Suzen Murakoshi to Debut Tale of Unconditional Love at Calgary Fringe Festival, 7/29-8/5/11
Cindy Cheung’s solo show SPEAK UP CONNIE, directed by BD Wong at Stage Left Studio has been extended, February 5-15, 2012
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Athol Fugard’s Blood Knot, starring Colman Domingo & Scott Shepherd in The Alice Griffith Jewel Box at The Pershing Square Signature Center through March 11, 2012
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Feb. 13: Chinglish Playwright David Henry Hwang Moderates “RepresentAsian: The Changing Face of New York Theater” at Pope Auditorium at Fordham University
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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: © 2000-2011 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.

Lia Chang: Suzen Murakoshi’s Breathe Love Repeat: a Near Life Experience, at 30th Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival, 8/11-20, 2011

Snowboarder Suzen Murakoshi

Suzen Murakoshi kicks it up a notch with her solo show, Breathe Love Repeat: a Near Life Experience. Photo by Anya Garrett.

After a well received run at the Calgary Fringe Festival, New York based actor, playwright, and snowboarder Suzen Murakoshi continues to take Canada by storm with her solo show Breathe Love Repeat: a Near Life Experience, a true story written and performed by Ms. Murakoshi, and directed by Obie (Off-Broadway) award winner Ching Valdes-Aran, at the 30th Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival.

Performances for Breathe Love Repeat: a Near Life Experience, are from Thursday, August 11 – Saturday, August 20, 2011. Tickets are available at the Central Fringe Theatre Box Office in the TransAlta Arts Barns (10330 84 Avenue), online at https://tickets.fringetheatre.ca/DateSelection.aspx?item=1044 or (780) 409-1910. Tickets purchased by phone or online can be picked up at the Central Fringe Box Office Pick-Up Window (TransAlta Arts Barns).

A “Samurai Super Daughter” struggles with her mother at the crossroads between East and West to affirm life between this world and the next. With warmth and humour, Breathe Love Repeat: a Near Life Experience tells the story of the last days in the life of a mother and daughter. This uplifting and life affirming show travels from the mountains of Japan to the islands of Hawaii. Delightful in its simplicity, and memorable in its expression, Ms. Murakoshi brings the clarity of life into focus by bringing us closer to the end.

Suzen Murakoshi is a veteran of Broadway, off-Broadway and regional theatres. Her favorite roles include “Juliet” in Romeo and Juliet at the Cleveland Playhouse and “Connie” in A Chorus Line on Broadway. Together with Obie award winner, Ching Valdes-Aran, Ms. Murakoshi has performed her own past work at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where she was short-listed for Best Actor for her role as “Helen” in Slippery When Wet (SWW). She has appeared in the films Bill Murray’s Quick Change, Oliver Stone’s Wall Street and Mario Van Peebles’ New Jack City.

Ms. Murakoshi received an MFA from the NYC New School of Drama in Playwriting and Acting. She also attended Oxford University, Balliol College, with the British American Drama Academy. Her work has been produced at the Penumbra Theatre in Minneapolis, MN to critical acclaim.

Other produced plays include Slippery When Wet at La MaMa Experimental Theatre, Sisters at Circle in the Square Downtown, NYC. Her short play, Dunno, Gotta Go was accepted and given a reading at the Edward Albee Theatre Conference in Valdez, Alaska, 2004.

Ms. Murakoshi has worked with the 52nd Street Project in New York City for many years as a writer, actor and director. While there, she co-wrote short plays with ‘Genius Award” fellow, Willie Reale as well as having been directed as an actor by Oscar winner Frances McDormand.

In 2007, Ms. Murakoshi was awarded a Mayoral Proclamation from Michael Bloomburg and the City of New York for her work with the Kids Project where she is the Artistic Director. The Kids Project performs free shows for the NYC area with a target audience of 90,000 children and adults annually.

Where:
30th Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival
Fringeopolis runs August 11 – 21, 2011, in venues throughout Old Strathcona and beyond. For more information about Fringeopolis visit www.fringetheatre.ca.

When:
Thursday, August 11 @ 8pm
Saturday, August 13 @ 12:15pm
Sunday, August 14 @ 11:45pm
Monday, August 15 @ 11:45pm
Tuesday, August 16 @ 4:30pm
Thursday, August 18 @ 10:15pm
Friday, August 19 @ 6pm
Saturday, August 20 @ 2:30pm

The Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival is the largest and longest-running Festival of its kind in North America. The Edmonton Fringe doesn’t jury or censor artists’ work in any way and selects performances using an unbiased lottery system. Participating artists receive 100 per cent of ticket revenue from their performances; the Fringe relies on donations from Festival patrons, public funders and business sponsors to operate.

Other Articles by Lia Chang
Snowboarder Suzen Murakoshi to Debut Tale of Unconditional Love at Calgary Fringe Festival, 7/29-8/5
Coming to America through The Angel Island Immigration Station
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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
broadwayworld.com: Chinglish in Rehearsal
Photos: Christmas in June w/ Samrat Chakrabarti and Sanjiv Jhaveri’s “Bakwas Bumbug” at The Wild Project in NY
My portrait of “Thom Sesma’s Makeup Transformation into Scar in The Lion King” on view in HHC’s New York City: IN FOCUS, Vol. 2
Multimedia: Exclusive photos and video of Disney’s The Lion King Las Vegas -In the Makeup Chair with Thom Sesma
Photo Call: BD Wong and the Cast of Heading East at the Asia Society
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.

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, Chang 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. Chang was featured as Joy in the Signature Theater Company’s revival of Sam Shepard’s 1965 Obie award winning play, Chicago directed by Joseph Chaikin at the Public Theater. Off Broadway credits include: Jeff Weiss’ Obie Award winning Hot Keys (Naked Angels), Raunchy Asian Women (Ohio Theatre), The Confirmation (The Vineyard), Behind Closed Doors (MCC), Power Play (Billie Holiday Theatre), Two Gentlemen of Verona, Underground Soap, and Famine Plays (Cucaracha Theatre). She has appeared in the films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon and Taxman. Chang currently plays Nurse Lia on “One Life to Live”.

Chang’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, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The Boston Globe, New York Times and Washington Post.

Selections of Chang’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. Photographs by Lia Chang are in the permanent collections of the Angel Island Immigration Station, Asian American Federation of New York (AAFNY), the Chinese Historical Society of America (CHSA) in San Francisco, Edna McConnell Clark Foundation, the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA), the New York City Health and Hospital Corporation Art Collection and the New York Historical Society.

A former syndicated arts and entertainment columnist for KYODO News, Chang 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. She is a National Tropical Botanical Garden Environmental Journalism Fellow, a Scripps Howard New Media Fellow at Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism, a Visual Journalism Fellow at the Poynter Institute for New Media and a Western Knight Fellow at USC’s Annenberg College of Communications for Specialized Journalism on Entertainment Journalism in the Digital Age. She is the recipient of the Asian American Journalists Association 2001 National Award for New Media and the Organization of Chinese Americans 2000 Chinese American Journalist Award. Avenue Magazine named her one of the “One Hundred Most Influential Asian Americans” in 1997. She is featured in Joann Faung Jean Lee’s book “Asian American actors: oral histories from stage, screen, and television”.