Broadway Barkada Celebrated Philippine Independence Day with “Broadway Stripped”, A Benefit Concert Featuring Ali Ewoldt, Billy Bustamante, Jaygee Macapugay, Aaron J. Albano, Steven Cuevas, Liz Casasola and Brian Jose at The Space LV
Broadway Barkada celebrated Philippine Independence Day with “Broadway Stripped”, an intimate show of Broadway songs and stories featuring Filipino American stars of Broadway – Ali Ewoldt (The Phantom of the Opera), Aaron J. Albano (Hamilton), Jaygee Macapugay (School of Rock), Billy Bustamante, Brian Jose (Miss Saigon), and Liz Casasola (Imelda) on June 11 at The Space LV in Las Vegas.
1st Row: Ron Cabildo, Sharon DelPilar Feldman, Billy Bustamante, Jourdan Ibe, Aaron J. Albano.2nd row: Liz Casasola, DonMike H. Mendoza, Charlene Carabeo, Jaygee Macapugay, Ali Ewoldt, Steven Cuevas, Mark Shunock, Cheryl Daro, Brian Jose, Waverly Jade, Jenelle Catherina. Photo by Alex Velasquez
Music Director Steve Cuevas was featured on the keys, with Tyler Williams on Bass, Alex Stopa on Drums, John Wedemeyer on Guitar and Mariko Muranaka on Cello.
DonMike H. Mendoza, Cheryl Daro and Mark Shunock. Photo by Lia Chang
For many of the performers, it was their first return to the stage and performing in front of a live audience in over 15 months due to the Pandemic. The joy was on full display. The concert was also live-streamed for those not at the live show at The Space LV.
Set List:
Shut Up and Raise Your Glass from Moulin Rouge!-Full Company
Mariko Muranaka, Steven Cuevas, Billy Bustamante, Ali Ewoldt, Tyler Williams, John Wedemeyer, Brian Jose, Alex Stopa, Jaygee Macapugay and Aaron J. Albano. Photo by Lia ChangBilly Bustamante and Ali Ewoldt. Photo by Lia ChangJaygee Macapugay and Aaron J. Albano. Photo by Lia Chang
Straight up/You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To-Brian Jose
Brian Jose. Photo by Lia ChangBrian Jose, John Wedemeyer, Tyler Williams and Alex Stopa. Photo by Lia Chang
Think of Me from Phantom of the Opera– Ali Ewoldt
John Wedemeyer, Ali Ewoldt, Tyler Williams. Photo by Lia ChangAli Ewoldt. Photo by Lia ChangSteven Cuevas, Mariko Muranaka, Tyler Williams and Ali Ewoldt. Photo by Lia ChangSteven Cuevas, Mariko Muranaka, Tyler Williams and Ali Ewoldt. Photo by Lia ChangAli Ewoldt. Photo by Lia ChangAli Ewoldt. Photo by Lia Chang
Found/Tonight – Billy Bustamante & Aaron Albano
At The Ballet from A Chorus Line– Liz Casasola, Jaygee Macapugay and Ali Ewoldt
Ali Ewoldt, Liz Casasola and Jaygee Macapugay. Photo by Lia Chang
Stories Like Air by Paulo K Tiról-Full Company
The full company performs Paulo K Tiról’s Stories Like Air. Photo by Lia Chang
Yaya Song by Paulo K Tiról – Jaygee Macapugay
Jaygee Macapugay. Photo by Lia ChangJaygee Macapugay. Photo by Lia ChangJaygee Macapugay. Photo by Lia ChangJaygee Macapugay. Photo by Lia Chang
God Draws Straight from Here Lies Love – Aaron Albano with Jaygee Macapugay and Billy Bustamante
Jaygee Macapugay, Tyler Williams, Aaron J. Albano, Billy Bustamante and Alex Stopa. Photo by Lia ChangJaygee Macapugay, Tyler Williams, Aaron J. Albano, Billy Bustamante and Alex Stopa. Photo by Lia ChangJaygee Macapugay, Tyler Williams, Aaron J. Albano, Billy Bustamante and Alex Stopa. Photo by Lia Chang
Getting Married Today from Company – Billy Bustamante, Ali Ewoldt, Brian Jose
Billy Bustamante, Tyler Williams, John Wedemeyer, Brian Jose and Alex Stopa. Photo by Lia ChangTyler Williams, Billy Bustamante, John Wedemeyer and Alex Stopa. Photo by Lia ChangBilly Bustamante. Photo by Lia ChangBilly Bustamante. Photo by Lia ChangMariko Muranaka, Ali Ewoldt, Steven Cuevas, Billy Bustamante, Tyler Williams, John Wedemeyer, Brian Jose and Alex Stopa. Photo by Lia Chang
Suddenly Seymour from Little Shop of Horrors – Jaygee Macapugay and Aaron J. Albano
John Wedemeyer, Jaygee Macapugay, Tyler Williams, Aaron J. Albano and Alex Stopa. Photo by Lia Chang
Disney MENdley-Billy Bustamante (Go The Distance), Aaron Albano (Santa Fe), Brian Jose (Out There)
Billy Bustamante, John Wedemeyer, Brian Jose, Tyler Williams, Aaron J. Albano and Alex Stopa. Photo by Lia Chang
Come Down From The Tree from Once on This Island – Liz Casasola
Liz Casasola. Photo by Lia Chang
Somewhere from West Side Story – Ali Ewoldt
Ali Ewoldt. Photo by Lia ChangAli Ewoldt, John Wedemeyer, Tyler Williams, Alex Stopa. Photo by Lia Chang
You’ll Be Back from Hamilton– Aaron Albano
Aaron J. Albano, John Wedemeyer, Tyler Williams and Alex Stopa. Photo by Lia ChangAaron J. Albano. Photo by Lia Chang
For Good from Wicked – Jaygee Macapugay and Liz Casasola
Jaygee Macapugay, John Wedemeyer, Liz Casasola and Alex Stopa. Photo by Lia Chang
Light – Full Company
Billy Bustamante, John Wedemeyer, Liz Casasola, Tyler Willams, Brian Jose and Alex Stopa. Photo by Lia ChangLiz Casasola, John Wedemeyer, Brian Jose, Tyler Williams, Jaygee Macapugay and Alex Stopa. Photo by Lia ChangLiz Casasola, Brian Jose, Jaygee Macapugay, Jaygee Macapugay and Aaron J. Albano. Photo by Lia Chang
Encore-Seasons of Love from RENT – Full Company, & Las Vegas Locals Waverly Jade, Jenelle Catherina, Cheryl Daro, DonMike H. Mendoza, Jourdan Ibe and Charlene Carabeo
Jenelle Catherina, Cheryl Daro, DonMike H. Mendoza, Jourdan Ibe, Charlene Carabeo and Liz Casasola. Photo by Lia Chang
Broadway Barkada was founded in 2009 by Liz Casasola, Brian Jose, and Billy Bustamante. What started as a small group of Filipino performers has turned into an organization comprised of nearly one hundred active members. Broadway Barkada aims to nurture and support Filipino artists who believe in the importance of cultural awareness. Through art and education we aim to bring the Filipino experience to a diverse audience and to give them a deeper understanding of our culture and our artists.
DonMike Mendoza, Jourdan Ibe, Charlene Carabeo, Liz Casasola, Brian Jose and Jaygee Macapugay. Photo by Lia ChangAli Ewoldt, Billy Bustamante, Waverly Jade, Jenelle Catherina, Cheryl Daro, DonMike H. Mendoza, Jourdan Ibe and Charlene Carabeo. Photo by Lia ChangJenelle Catherina, Cheryl Daro, DonMike H. Mendoza, Jourdan Ibe, Charlene Carabeo, Liz Casasola, Brian Jose, Jaygee Macapugay and Aaron J. Albano. Photo by Lia Chang
In a Facebook post, Broadway Barkada co-founder Brian Jose writes, “A week ago, Broadway Barkada made our Las Vegas debut at @thespacelv with our show Broadway Stripped. It was months in the planning with our producers @seedaro, @donmikemendoza , @sharon.delpilar, & @summerislive_ . It was weeks in rehearsals in NYC under the direction of the irreplaceable @stevenmcuevas . It was to be the first public, in person performance for Barkada in over a year and a half, in front of a sold out audience.
It was EVERYTHING.
Little did I know how desperately I needed this after this past year… the simple act of gathering together as artists, and friends, to create and sing and laugh and stress out and EAT. It has healed my soul and has been a symbol of hope during these tumultuous times our industry and nation are going through.
There was a moment that I will never forget from this evening. It wan’t during the show. It was actually at a post reception following the performance. We were blessed to have some very special audience members in the house that evening: @goldmountainthemusical , @alanariano, Charlene Carabeo, @deedeemagnohallofficial , & @seahaul … members of the original Miss Saigon B’way production. They were on stage taking a picture together as the Barkada were watching our idols in awe and with gratitude. Behind us were our new Las Vegas theatre friends @waverly__tea , @jencattv , and @jourdan.ibe lovingly questioning what their lives were at that moment. The fact is we all were. There was so much love flowing in that room at that moment. We all felt seen. We all felt proud. We all are Filipino.
At a time when Asian hate crimes have risen and diversity in the theatre continues to be sorely lacking, it’s nights like these that remind me that we have a right to be here. We deserve a seat at the table. And if there is resistance, we just build our own damn table… and chairs!
This was a special one. Intermission is over. Get ready for what’s next!”
The MISS SAIGON Broadway Veterans with Broadway Barkada: 1st Row: Jaygee Macapugay, Deedee Magno Hall, Alan Ariano; 2nd Row: Brian Jose, Cliffton Hall, Ali Ewoldt, Steven Cuevas, Liz Casasola, Jason Ma and Charlene Carabeo. Photo by Alex Velasquez
MISS SAIGON Broadway veterans Alan Ariano and Jason Ma flew in from LA to see the concert. Ma shared, We thought we were going to Vegas to support friends, who were performing in a benefit, but instead we arrived at a convergence of generations past, present, and future joined to celebrate community and family. My favorite moments were watching my amazingly talented friends interacting with young, talented Filipino American performers much as I had interacted with those same friends many years ago. Being Asian rocks.”
Alan Ariano, Cheryl Daro, Mark Shunock and Jaygee Macapugay. Photo courtesy of Alan Ariano/FacebookBilly Bustamante, Brian Jose, Jaygee Macapugay, Steven Cuevas and Liz Casasola.
Jaygee Macapugay, Liz Casasola, DonMike H. Mendoza, Billy Bustamante and Brian Jose. Photo courtesy of DonMike H. Mendoza/Facebook
Liz Casasola, Jaygee Macapugay and Ali Ewoldt. Photo courtesy of Liz Casasola/Facebook
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 films Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman. She stars in and served as Executive Producer for the short independent films Hide and Seek, Balancing Act, Rom-Com Gone Wrong, Belongingness and When the World was Young (2021 DisOrient Film Audience Choice Award for Best Short Narrative). She is also the Executive Producer for The Cactus, The Language Lesson, The Writer and Cream and 2 Shugahs.
Backstage Pass with Lia Chang 