2014: Year in Review

As we now plan for our fifth season, Artists at Play will continue to present shows created by Asian American artists, stories of those underrepresented in Los Angeles theatre. Won't you make an online tax-deductible donation to join us in our mission? 

At the start of the new year, Artists at Play will host a January kick-off event and announce our next mainstage production. Along with the spring readings and summer fundraiser, our 2015 season will include a partnership with Center Theatre Group, plus some other events in the works. And as a new board member of the Consortium of Asian American Theaters and Artists, we will be working on a national level to improve diversity and inclusion in American theatre.

We hope you will help Artists at Play in 2015 with a tax-deductible donation, making you our partner in curating quality theatre in Los Angeles.

----------------------------------------

In 2014, Artists at Play was able to contribute to Los Angeles theatre with various readings and our fourth L.A. premiere production. Here’s a recap of the year…

In the spring, we shared with you two new plays as part of the Artists at Play Readings: She Kills Monsters: Adventurer's Edition by Qui Nguyen, a fun new version of an already published/produced work, along with the still-in-development Marabella by local playwright Boni B. Alvarez.

In the summer, we had a special benefit reading of The Parisian Woman by Beau Willimon (creator/executive producer of House of Cards). Hosted by Randy and Mari Tamura, the event featured Francois Chau, Amy Hill, Tamlyn Tomita and Trieu Tran. Attendees loved the diverse casting of a mainstream play, and those who saw the production at South Coast Repertory remarked how they preferred our cast!

In the fall, we produced the Los Angeles premiere of 99 Histories by the writer Julia Cho (not to be confused with founding member Julia Cho, who starred in the production). We were honored to present the "homecoming" for this play, which is set in Los Angeles and written 10 years ago.
 

This year, Artists at Play attended the Theatre Communications Group (TCG) national conference in San Diego as well as the 4th National Asian American Theater Festival & Conference in Philadelphia. Expanding on our local theatre presence, we are proud of our recent appointment to the board of the Consortium of Asian American Theaters and Artists and excited to help organize the next gathering of Asian American theatre professionals in 2016!

Artists at Play will continue to build upon the artistic quality and diversity of our past shows: Ching Chong Chinaman by Lauren Yee, Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them by A. Rey Pamatmat, Cowboy Versus Samurai by Michael Golamco, and our most recent production, 99 Histories. You can offer your support here or here.

Thank you for another great season, and here's to 2015!

99 HISTORIES: The One with Two Julia Cho's

Artists at Play co-founder Marie-Reine Velez interviews Julia Cho… not the writer, but the actor and fellow AAP producer. Read on for their conversation about the writer Julia Cho, her play 99 Histories (in which actor Julia Cho plays the role of “Eunice”), and what they think might happen if the two Julia Cho’s ever meet.

AAP co-founders Marie-Reine Velez and Julia Cho

Marie-Reine Velez: So, once more, you’re not the Julia Cho who wrote the play?

Julia Cho: NO, unfortunately. I wish I was that Julia Cho!

MRV: From the moment I met you, and especially since we started Artists at Play, I had a feeling that it was inevitable that you would be in a Julia Cho play and chaos would ensue, or we would create some kind of theatrical paradox. Did you also ever have this feeling?

Julia Cho and Julia Cho

JC: YES. I’ve always envisioned my meeting with the writer Julia Cho to be a colliding of universes, perhaps leading to a break in the space-time continuum – physically represented by Julia Cho and I doing the mirror exercise as everything around us collapses.

MRV: One of the main parts of our selection process is that the co-founders/producers all have to agree on AAP’s next production. What drew you to 99 Histories as a written play that helped you decide on a personal level for AAP?

JC: There are so many elements in 99 Histories that are eerily similar to my life. I couldn’t help but be moved as I read the play, reliving thoughts and moments that felt like my own. Perhaps it’s the Korean, growing up in L.A. experience I share with the writer. And of course, there is also that all-too-familiar conflict/friction between parent and child or the push-pull you have with someone when you love each other so deeply but also know exactly which buttons to push to set them off.

MRV: I love that the main setting for this play is in Los Angeles. Having grown up in Koreatown and other parts of the area, what kind of connection/similarities do you see between the Korean American community in Los Angeles?

JC: Throughout the rehearsal process, our director Leslie Ishii and the cast often find ourselves questioning certain moments or character traits with 'Is this a Korean thing?’ or ‘Is this an Asian thing?’ or ‘Is this a parent-child (or family or American or HUMAN) thing?’ What is familiar to me is how my parents also didn’t share too much of their history unless asked. With immigrant parents, there is a sense of leaving that life behind in the country where they came from. Maybe it’s too painful to revisit; I can’t imagine uprooting my entire existence, leaving behind my friends and family, to start anew in a completely foreign land. And/or maybe that past life is considered of no consequence to the present and the future.

99 Histories rehearsal

MRV: 99 Histories is also a story about mental health, particularly how families address these issues internally. What has been your biggest takeaway from this process so far?

JC: It makes you wonder how many problems could have been alleviated sooner and more effectively had they been acknowledged and dealt with right then and there. When we feel isolated and alone, it feels almost easier to keep everything within. What I’ve learned more and more through working on this piece is how much we can learn and grow once we allow ourselves to share what scares us, what ails us. Because from even the smallest gesture of reaching out, wanting to connect, there is usually someone there who understands your pain or experience or at the very least cares enough to help you through it.

MRV: One of the things we haven’t really talked about in relation to this play is the impact of knowing – or in this case, not knowing – family history. How does 99 Histories build value in discovering events in our near and distant past?

JC: Mental health in this story is also connected to history. There is such a need from "Eunice" to discover more about her past, and in that process she also finds links to her own mental health. There is so much in this family that has been unspoken and untold. History is intrinsically part of who we are, whether it is hidden from or shared with us. Elders might think that they are protecting or shielding us, but there is no escaping the past. It will inevitably catch up to us because it is actually built into the genetic makeup of who we are. So we may as well explore and share and embrace it all.

MRV: Thank you for sharing all this with us! So, are you off-book yet?

JC: Not yet, but I'm getting there!

PURCHASE TICKETS FOR 99 HISTORIES HERE.

Meet the Cast of 99 HISTORIES

Artists at Play proudly presents our cast for the Los Angeles premiere of 99 Histories! Not the writer but the actor JULIA CHO plays "Eunice," a former cello prodigy who channeled pain into music until mental illness forced her to quit playing. Now pregnant, she has returned home to live with her mother. SHARON OMI plays "Sah-Jin," who immigrated from Korea years ago and loves her daughter but fails to understand her. JANICE PAK is "Girl" and JOLENE KIM is "Young Woman," different figures from the women's respective pasts. DAVID HUYNH is "Paul," a young doctor and potential mate for Eunice in the eyes of Sah-Jin. BRENDAN BRADLEY is both "Joe," Eunice's ex-boyfriend and father of her unborn child, and "Daniel Merritt," an American missionary from Sah-Jin's past back in Korea.

JULIA CHO (Eunice) is a founding member of Artists at Play and played "Desdemona Wong" in our inaugural production Ching Chong Chinaman and "Veronica" in last fall's production of Cowboy Versus Samurai. Film/TV credits include Larry Crowne, The Newsroom, 2 Broke Girls, NCIS, and Scandal.

SHARON OMI (Sah-Jin) has appeared in Blood Wedding (Odyssey Theatre), Uncle Vanya (American Conservatory Theatre) and Romeo and Juliet (Ahmanson Theatre), among others. She has also been seen in television shows like Shameless, Big Bang Theory and Southland.

JANICE PAK (Girl) is a recent graduate of CalArts with a B.FA. in Acting. At CalArts, she appeared in Trojan Women, All's Well That Ends Well, Uncle Vanya, Our Lady of 21st  Street and 4.48 Psychosis.

JOLENE KIM (Young Woman) has appeared onscreen in television shows like Grey's Anatomy, 24, Pushing Daisies and onstage at many theatres across Los Angeles. Jolene is currently in Theatre @ Boston Court's Stupid Fucking Bird. 

DAVID HUYNH (Paul) won a Special Jury Prize at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival for Outstanding Newcomer Award and Best Emerging Actor for his performance in Juwan Chung's Baby. He has appeared on stage at Sacred Fools Theater Company, Kirk Douglas Theater, East West Players and Colony Theatre. 

BRENDAN BRADLEY (Joe, Daniel Merritt) has appeared in NCIS, Wizards of Waverly Place, The Legend of Neil, among others. Theatrically, he was seen off-Broadway in Goonies the Musical, Office Sonata and The Oresteia. Brendan was also in Boni B. Alvarez's Marabella, part of the 2014 Artist at Play Readings.

The cast of 99 Histories also includes Desiree Mee Jung (u/s Eunice), Diana Tanaka (u/s Sah-Jin), Kimiko Ann (u/s Girl), Jane Lui (u/s Young Woman), Junot Lee (u/s Paul) and Matthew Mancuso (u/s Joe, Daniel).

$10 early-bird special available now for 99 Histories! Purchase tickets here.

What Audiences Are Saying About COWBOY VERSUS SAMURAI

Cowboy Versus Samurai has officially premiered in Los Angeles with only two more weekends left! Below are reviews and audience responses, including video from opening night with the playwright, director, and cast. Get your tickets now and join us this Friday/Saturday at 8pm or Sunday at 2pm! http://bit.ly/AAPCvsS 

"... charming and unexpectedly moving comedy... bolstered by a deft cast (Feodor Chin, Julia Cho, Daniel Vincent Gordh, and West Liang) and thoughtful direction by Peter J. Kuo, whose sound design elements (credited to Felix Lau) add layers to the text and make it uniquely theatrical." (full blog post)

- Prince Gomovillas, Bamboo Nation

"Don't miss your chance to see Artists at Play's marvelous production of Michael Golamco's Cowboy Versus Samurai... the play is a clever and poignant re-telling of Cyrano de Bergerac with an Asian American twist." (full blog post)

- Angry Asian Man

"... many comic moments, some poignant moments and some seriously introspective scenes... A wonderfully crafted study of the universal need for acceptance, understanding and love." (full review)

- Jose Ruiz, ReviewPlays.com

"The play was REALLY funny, and really well done; the monologues blended well with the story and it really made you think about your own 'preferences,' and how you see yourself in the world." (full blog post)

- Starchaserxoxo, Tumblr

What people are saying on Twitter using the #AAPCvsS hashtag.

"Just saw @AAPlay's production of Cowboy Versus Samurai. LOVED IT. #AAPCvsS" (original tweet)

- @AngryAsianMan, Twitter

  
"COWBOY VERSUS SAMURAI : Heartfelt, Hilarous, Hella Entertaining. Kudos to Artists at Play."

- Trieu T., Facebook

"Awesome opening night for @AAPlay's COWBOY VS SAMURAI: Superb cast, lots of laughs and surprises! People, if you're in LA, check it out!" (original tweet) 

- @MichaelGolamco, Twitter

"I loved the show.  It was both funny and moving."

- Greg W., Facebook

"Congrats @aaplay! This is definitely a winner. #aaplaycvs" (original tweet)

- @jullylee, Twitter

"Love this play and you guys did a GREAT job with it!"

- Ken N., Facebook



Daniel Vincent Gordh and West Liang
in Cowboy Versus Samurai

"As an Asian American woman who married a Caucasian man, I can empathize w Veronica Lee. #AAPCvsS was great last night. @AAPlay" (original tweet) 

- @MarvelGee, Twitter

"A dream cast that seemed to perform together seamlessly."

- Rodney K., Facebook

"140 characters cannot properly convey how much I loved @AAPlay's production of Cowboy Vs Samurai. Hilarious and poignant. #AAPCvsS #SoGood" (original tweet)

- @bubblegirljulz, Twitter

"COWBOY VERSUS SAMURAI was excellent. Refreshing, funny, compelling, and relevant..."

- Charles K., Facebook

"#AAPCvsS was wonderful. The script is funny, and @thatjuliacho, @Danielvgordh, @FeoChin, & @west_liang were awesome. You should go see it!" (original tweet)

- @Ardentadmirer, Twitter

"RUN don't walk to @AAPlay prod @michaelgolamco's #CowboyvSamurai w/@thatjuliacho @Danielvgordh @FeoChin @west_liang" (original tweet)

- @TimothyTau, Twitter

"Loved #AACvsS !! Super well written and touching story!!! Thank you for the amazing night @AAPlay :)" (original tweet)

- @MAO0525, Twitter

"I really enjoyed tonight's preview. Congratulations and have a great opening!"

- Rona M., Facebook

 

Julia Cho and Feodor Chin in Cowboy Versus Samurai

COWBOY VERSUS SAMURAI: Production Photos

Check out these photos from Cowboy Versus Samurai. Performances run Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm. Get your tickets now!

The cast features Feodor Chin, Julia Cho, Daniel Vincent Gordh and West Liang with understudies Michael Barnum, Elaine Loh, Tyler Wolfe and Julian Yuen. 

Photos taken by Michael C. Palma, M Palma Photography.

West Liang as "Travis"

Julia Cho as "Veronica" and West Liang

West Liang and Feodor Chin as "Chester"

Julia Cho and Daniel Vincent Gordh as "Del"

Daniel Vincent Gordh and West Liang

West Liang

The Cowboy Versus Samurai team

Catch the Cowboy Versus Samurai understudy performance Oct. 6 at 8 p.m.

Tyler Wolfe (u/s "Del"), Elaine Loh (u/s "Veronica"), Julian Yuen (u/s "Travis"), Michael Barnum (u/s "Chester")

COWBOY VERSUS SAMURAI: Rehearsal Photos

Check out these sneak peek photos from rehearsal for Cowboy Versus Samurai. We've got jars of floating dead animals, precisely choreographed fight scenes, and all-American beer drinking, all right onstage! This Asian American re-telling of Cyrano De Bergerac is humorous, heartfelt and full of fun. 

The cast features Feodor Chin, Julia Cho, Daniel Vincent Gordh and West Liang. Photos taken by Michael C. Palma, M Palma Photography.
 

Low-priced previews begin this Thursday, September 26, so get your tickets now!

COWBOY VERSUS SAMURAI: Actor's Perspective

Artists at Play's Julia Cho is pulling double duty for the Los Angeles premiere of Cowboy Versus Samurai. Find out what drew her to this play not only as a producer, but as an actor.

Julia Cho and West Liang in rehearsal

Why were you interested in Cowboy Versus Samurai? 

Little known fact: My first attempt at directing was in college as part of this women's theatre fest. I proposed and was allowed to present, as interstitials throughout the program, select scenes between the two female characters from Achievers, a play by... Michael Golamco. A few years prior, I had seen a production and lo and behold, there were young, modern Asian American characters portrayed by Asian American performers onstage. Then I discovered Cowboy Versus Samurai and was struck by the same impression. Fast forward years later and here I am, one of the proud founding members of this theatre collective Artists at Play. CvsS had been on our group's radar since our inception and we are thrilled to be presenting the Los Angeles premiere this fall with yours truly tackling the role of Veronica Lee. 

What do you find interesting / intriguing / challenging about the character that you are playing? 

As candid and uninhibited as she is, Veronica only lets you dig so far beneath the surface. As Del describes his first impression of her, she has this "big city get-the-hell-outta-my-way thing going on." And yet, this is the same woman who will engage total strangers in conversation, immediately draw you into sharing your secrets, and then go home to nurse her adopted tail-less cat. You see this person who seems like she has it all together, and yet certain choices, certain behaviors still hint at perhaps not all is as it seems. 

What do you hope audiences will take away from the play after watching it? 

With any great play or work of art, the hope is that after seeing Cowboy Versus Samurai, thoughts will be sparked, issues will be raised, and conversations will be initiated. Whenever you deal with race, emotions are bound to be stirred. And throw love into the mix, and you're just asking for trouble. But with any new relationship, you need to stumble upon and discover the not so pretty parts and hopefully learn, grow, and move on to something that could potentially be truly life-changing.


Get your tickets to Cowboy Versus Samurai, beginning September 26 and running through October 20. For tickets: http://bit.ly/AAPCVsS

The Cast of COWBOY VERSUS SAMURAI

After countless submissions and dozens of auditions, Artists at Play proudly presents the cast for the Los Angeles premiere of Cowboy Versus Samurai!

FEODOR CHIN is Chester, Travis’ Asian Brother-with-a-Capital-B who is desperate to escape his small town. Theatrically, Feodor has appeared in All My Sons (Matrix Theatre Company), Three Sisters (Chalk Repertory) and A Winter People (The Theatre @ Boston Court).

JULIA CHO is Veronica, the new girl in town who holds the affection of Travis ... but has a history of only dating white men. Julia is a founding member of Artists at Play and played Desdemona Wong in our inaugural production Ching Chong Chinaman.

DANIEL VINCENT GORDH is Del, Travis’ handsome but dim All-American cowboy friend. Daniel is best known for playing the role of "William Darcy" in the popular web series The Lizzie Bennet Diaries (which also featured Julia Cho as "Charlotte Lu"). 

WEST LIANG is Travis, a high school English teacher and the only Korean American in Breakneck, Wyoming. West is an accomplished writer and actor who was nominated for the LA Weekly Awards for his performance in Their Eyes Saw Rain, which he also wrote.

 
Also featuring: Michael Barnum (Chester u/s), Macleish Day (Del u/s), Elaine Loh(Veronica u/s) and Julian Yuen (Travis u/s).
 
Before we finalized this stellar cast of actors, we had an unexpected visit (and impromptu audition!) at the end of our casting weekend — check out this video and see who came to surprise us!

Artists at Play Readings: Meet the Casts

Actors Bring Readings to Life

Meet the two casts of the Artists at Play Readings, performing in less than two weeks! Get your tickets now.

Iggy Woo Cast

The cast of Alice Tuan's Iggy Woo: 
Lucas Alifano is an MFA graduate from the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco and recently appeared in the premiere of Right Together, Left Together at GTC Burbank. Justin Huen has appeared on Dexter and in the world premiere of Farragut North at the Geffen Playhouse. Brittany Lau is a current BFA Acting student the CalArts where she appeared in the world premiere of My Barbarian. 

Three Steps Back Cast

The cast of Peter J. Kuo's Three Steps Back: 
Daniel Blinkoff recently appeared in a production of Macbeth with The Antaeus Company. Kendra Chell recently appeared in Theatre Movement Bazaar's Track 3, part of South Coast Repertory's Studio SCR. Julia Cho is a co-founder of Artists at Play and appears as Charlotte Lu in the webseries The Lizzie Bennet Diaries. Tamlyn Tomita is a screen actress best known for her performances in The Joy Luck Club and Karate Kid II. Greg Watanabe recently finished a run of David Henry Hwang's Golden Child at Signature Theatre in New York. Crystal Woolard appeared on Mad Men and can be found on the cover of the show's Season 1 DVD.

An All-day Pass for $18 includes access to pre-show snacks, dinner, hosted bar. A $13 Dinner Pass includes access to dinner, hosted bar. Admission to readings are complimentary. (At the door prices will go up $5.)

Purchase your tickets now!