Ma-Yi Theater Company’s world premiere of Felix Starro, a new musical by Jessica Hagedorn and Fabian Obispo, opened at Theatre Row (410 West 42nd St.) on September 1. Scroll down for photos of the opening night party at The Brazen Tavern.
Composer Fabian Obispo, Playwright Jessica Hagedorn. Photo by Lia Chang
Based on a powerful short story by acclaimed Filipino American writer Lysley Tenorio, who was in the house for opening night, Felix Starro marks the first-time-ever a musical created by Filipino Americans is being presented Off-Broadway.
Composer Fabian Obispo, Playwright Jessica Hagedorn, Author Lysley Tenorio, who wrote the short story the musical is based on. Photo by Lia Chang
Directed by Ma-Yi’s Producing Artistic Director Ralph B. Peña (The Chinese Lady, Among The Dead) and choreographed by Brandon Bieber (FX’s “Fosse/Verdon”), Felix Starro also marks the long overdue return to New York stages of novelist and playwright Hagedorn whose critically-acclaimed Dogeaters (The Public Theater, 2001) was called “imaginative and fluidly impressionistic” (New York Times). Felix Starro began previews on August 23 and performances will continue through September 15.
Alan Ariano, Choreographer Brandon Bieber, Ching Valdes-Aran. Photo by Lia Chang
The cast for Felix Starro includes Alan Ariano (King and I, Miss Saigon) as Felix Starro, Caitlin Cisco (Hundred We Are) as Crystal, Francisca Muñoz as Mrs. Delgado, Ryan James Ortega as Bobby/Ramon, Diane Phelan (School of Rock) as Charma, Nacho Tambunting (NBC’s “Rise”) as Junior, and Obie and Lortel award-winner Ching Valdes-Aran as Flora.
Diane Phelan, Ching Valdes-Aran, Alan Ariano, Nacho Tambunting, Francisca Muñoz, Ryan James Ortega, Caitlin Cisco. Photo by Lia Chang
In Felix Starro, protagonist Felix is a famous faith healer in the Philippines, whose clients once included celebrities and big politicians. After falling on hard times, Felix decides to go to San Francisco for one last healing mission with ailing Filipinos in the Bay Area. Junior, Felix Starro‘s nineteen-year-old, orphan grandson, goes along as his assistant. Unbeknownst to Felix, Junior has plans of his own.
Nacho Tambunting, Francisca Muñoz, Ching Valdes-Aran, Caitlin Cisco, Diane Phelan, Ryan James Ortega, Alan Ariano. Photo by Lia Chang
Felix Starro explores issues of faith, family, love, loss, betrayal, and what it means to be an undocumented immigrant in America.
Lysley Tenorio, Ching Valdes-Aran. Photo by Lia Chang
The creative team also includes Obie award-winner Marsha Ginsberg (scenic design), Becky Bodurtha (costume design), Oliver Wason (lighting design), Julian Evans (sound design), Paulo K Tiról (orchestrations), Ian Miller (musical director), Cristina Sison (production stage manager), and Jorge Z. Ortoll (executive producer)
Director Ralph B. Pena, Musical Director Ian Miller, Alan Ariano, Ching Valdes-Aran, Orchestrator Paulo K. Tirol. Photo by Lia Chang
Tickets, priced at $52-$102, can be purchased by visiting ma-yitheatre.org or by calling Telecharge at 212-239-6200.
Jessica Hagedorn and Ching Valdes-Aran. Photo by Lia ChangCaitlin Cisco, Francisca Muñoz, Alan Ariano, Nacho Tambunting, Diane Phelan, Ryan James Ortega. Photo by Lia ChangNacho Tambunting, Ryan James Ortega, Caitlin Cisco. Photo by Lia ChangChing Valdes-Aran, Diane Phelan, Alan Ariano, Francisca Muñoz. Photo by Lia ChangMusical Director Ian Miller and Orchestrator Paulo K. Tirol. Photo by Lia ChangHan Ong, Esther Woo, Jessica Hagedorn, Ching Valdes-Aran and Paloma Woo. Photo by Lia ChangLia Chang and Jessica Hagedorn. Photo by Garth KravitsComposer Fabian Obispo, Playwright Jessica Hagedorn, Author Lysley Tenorio, who wrote the short story the musical is based on. Photo by Lia ChangTazewell Thompson, Jorge Z. Ortoll, Ralph B. Pena, Fabian Obispo. Photo by Lia ChangJessica Hagedorn with her daughters Esther and Paloma. Photo by Lia ChangGarth Kravits, Alan Ariano. Photo by Lia ChangDax Valdes, Nicole Ponseca, Jake Poulos. Photo by Lia ChangMirirai Sithole, Caitlin Cisco and Lauren N. Chou. Photo by Lia ChangBrian Kim, Caitlin Burke, Joan Almedilla, Alan Ariano, Diane Phelan. Photo by Lia ChangDaniel Le, Diane Phelan, Cheeyang Ng. Photo by Lia ChangShannon Tyo and Anastacia McCleskey. Photo by Lia ChangDax Valdes, Ching Valdes-Aran. Photo by Lia ChangAlan Ariano, Joan Almedilla. Photo by Lia ChangDax Valdes, Ralph Pena, Alfredo Narciso. Photo by Lia ChangJessica Hagedorn, Ian Miller, Caitlin Cisco, Ryan James Ortega. Photo by Lia ChangAssociate Producer Sarah Hanlon and Production Stage Manager Cristina Sison. Photo by Lia ChangMelanie Joseph, Ching Valdes-Aran and Morgan Jenness. Photo by Lia ChangMelanie Joseph, Fabian Obispo, Ching Valdes-Aran and Morgan Jenness. Photo by Lia ChangChing Valdes-Aran and Lia Chang. Photo by Garth KravitsChing Valdes-Aran, Jorge Ortoll, Francisca Muñoz. Photo by Lia ChangLia Chang, Mirirai Sithole, Diane Phelan and Brian Kim. Photo by Garth KravitsAlan Ariano and Francisca Muñoz. Photo by Lia ChangEli Zoller and Alan Ariano. Photo by Lia ChangAssistant Stage Manager Samantha McCann and Ching Valdes-Aran. Photo by Lia ChangHan Ong, Ching Valdes-Aran, Dax Valdes, Jake Poulos. Photo by Lia ChangFabian Obispo and Ching Valdes-Aran. Photo by Lia ChangDiane Phelan. Photo by Lia ChangAlan Ariano, Diane Phelan. Photo by Lia ChangMirirai Sithole, Diane Phelan and Lia Chang. Photo by Garth KravitsAlan Ariano and Lia Chang. Photo by Garth KravitsDiane Phelan, Alan Ariano and Francisca Muñoz. Photo by Garth KravitsAlan Ariano, Orchestrator Paulo K. Tirol and Diane Phelan. Photo by Lia ChangRichard Le, Diane Phelan, Cheeyang Ng, Brian Kim. Photo by Lia ChangNacho Tambunting and Jorge Z. Ortoll. Photo by Lia ChangJake Poulos, Suzette Porte and Dax Valdes. Photo by Lia ChangDax Valdes, Alan Ariano, Diane Phelan and Caitlin Burke. Photo by Lia ChangRogier de Boer and Diane Phelan. Photo by Lia ChangAnastacia McCleskey, Shannon two and Garth Kravits. Photo by Lia ChangGarth Kravits and Diane Phelan. Photo by Lia ChangRichard Le, Ralph B. Pena, Diane Phelan and Rogier de Boer. Photo by Lia ChangOrchestrator Paulo K. Tirol and Ching Valdes-Aran. Photo by Lia ChangChing Valdes-Aran and Alan Ariano. Photo by Lia ChangCaitlin Cisco, Ching Valdes-Aran, Ryan James Ortega and Diane Phelan. Photo by Lia ChangLia Chang and Shannon Tyo. Photo by Garth KravitsLia Chang, Ching Valdes-Aran and Diane Phelan. Photo by Garth KravitsBrian Kim, Lia Chang, Ching Valdes-Aran and Diane Phelan. Photo by Garth Kravits
Lia Chang. Photo by Garth Kravits. Photo by Lia Chang
Lia Chang is an actor, a multi-media content producer and co-founder of Bev’s Girl Films, making films that foster inclusion and diversity on both sides of the camera. Bev’s Girl Films’ debut short film, Hide and Seek was a top ten film in the Asian American Film Lab’s 2015 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Competition, and she received a Best Actress nomination. BGF collaborates with and produces multi-media content for artists, actors, designers, theatrical productions, composers, musicians and corporations. Lia has appeared in the filmsWolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman and Hide and Seek. She is profiled in Jade Magazine and Playbill.com.
