2019 Tony Award winner and Emmy Award winning Hadestown star André De Shields will perform on the Appel Stage (10 Columbus Circle) in a new original show, Old Dawg; New Tricks on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at 8:30 pm as part of Lincoln Center’s acclaimed American Songbook series, now in it’s 21st year. Click here for tickets.
The series celebrates the expansive scope and intricacy of the popular music canon from January 22 – February 29, 2020, and will include lauded singer-songwriters, groundbreaking composers, storytellers speaking truth to power, experimental vocalists, and multitalented performers whose artistic breadth reflects the far-reaching perspectives and experiences of the essential American Songbook.
André De Shields. Photo by Lia Chang
“The top of one mountain is the bottom of the next, so keep climbing,” advised André De Shields upon accepting the 2019 Tony Award for his portrayal as Hermes in Anaïs Mitchell’s Hadestown. And keep climbing he does. At the age of 73, De Shields was the triple crown winner of the 2019 award season (also securing an Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk Award along with his Tony).
André De Shields. Photo by Lia Chang
The Actors’ Equity Foundation followed suit with the Richard Seff Award, which honors veteran stage actors’ best supporting performances of the year. Mr. De Shields recently received the 2019 Project1Voice Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2019 SAGE Joyce Warshow Lifetime Achievement Award, The York Theatre Company’s 2019 Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre, and was inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame. He r received the Key to the City of Baltimore from Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young in August. Prior to his Tony Award win, Mr. De Shields was best known for his show-stopping performances in four legendary Broadway productions: The Wiz, Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Emmy Award), Play On! (Tony Nomination), and The Full Monty (Tony Nomination). In a career spanning fifty years, he has distinguished himself as an unparalleled actor, director, and educator, receiving in 2018 the 8th Annual Off Broadway Alliance Legend Award, and the 33rd Annual Bob Harrington Life Achievement Bistro Award. Among his other accolades are the 2009 National Black Theatre Festival’s Living Legend Award and the 2007 Village Voice Obie Award for Sustained Excellence of Performance. www.andredeshields.com
Tony Award Winner André De Shields. Photo by Lia Chang
With profound wit, elegance, and charm, this silky veteran of the stage proves why his star is still on the rise.
Click here for tickets and more information on the series.
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.
The holiday season is in full swing at The National Philharmonic with “Holiday Singin’ Pops” on Friday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. at The Music Center at Strathmore. Guest conductor and local Washington talent Luke Frazier will lead The National Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorale, as well as Broadway stars and international talents Ali Ewoldt (Phantom of the Opera); Hilary Morrow (Birdland Jazz Club); Kevin Rose, international vocalist; and Addalie Burns, an eight-year-old tap dancer, in an evening of holiday hits.
Frazier is the founder of the American Pops Orchestra (APO), comprised of excellent players in the Washington, DC, area, and serving the Washington community with community concerts that are free for veterans and their families, at-risk children, underserved families, and more. Popular songs that will be performed during the concert include Rudolph, I’ll Be Home for Christmas, The Christmas Song, O Holy Night, Mele Kelikimaka, Grown Up Christmas Wish, and a holiday singalong finale. This festive performance features a new take on traditional holiday songs. Families can see Santa, meet representatives from Veterans Moving Forward and their service dogs, hear young carolers and bring new, unwrapped toys or books for the Philharmonics Toys for Tots drive. Ticket prices are $29-$69, and young people 7-17 are free. There is a new 25% discount for military and veterans. Strathmore is located at 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit nationalphilharmonic.org or call 301.581.5100.
Frazier, who founded APO in 2015, is a conductor, pianist, and a visionary for presenting popular music with an energetic and unique twist. Washingtonian Magazine named him one of their “Top 40 Under 40,” and most recently named him one of five of Washington’s “Men on the Move” by Modern Luxury. The late Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and musical theatre legend Marvin Hamlisch called Frazier “so talented, and sensitive to every nuance.” Frazier has conducted at internationally acclaimed venues including Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, the White House, Kravis Center, and the Kennedy Center. He recently joined the board of the New York Festival of Song and is an Artistic Advisor for the Capitol Conversation and Performing Arts Series in Washington. Frazier has worked with famous performers, including Harry Connick Jr., Patti LaBelle, Renée Fleming, Vanessa Williams, Wynton Marsalis, and Liza Minnelli.
Ewoldt recently completed more than two years as Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. Her other credits include Cosette in Les Miserables (Broadway); The King and I (Broadway); Maria in West Side Story; Luisa in The Fantasticks (off-Broadway); and Philia in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Concert and symphony works include Feinstein’s/54 Below, Alice Tully Hall, the Town Hall, Canyon Ranch, New York Pops at Carnegie Hall, American Pops Orchestra, Houston Symphony, and Boston Pops. Ewoldt’s television and film credits include The Michael J. Fox Show, Yield, and the short film Mia.
Morrow is an acclaimed musical theatre performer and soloist. She regularly sings at famed jazz club, Birdland, in New York City, including a recently sold-out performance in the new Birdland Theatre. Morrow has performed alongside such luminaries as Renee Fleming, Tommy Tune, Laura Osnes, Liz Callaway, Jeremy Jordan, Lindsey Mendez, and many more. She is the only singer to have appeared in every season with the American Pops Orchestra, with recent credits including the Old Lady in An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, Bianca in the tour of A Very Silly Vaudeville, and Detective Fix in Around the World in 80 Days. Recent credits include Love, Factually with The Second City at The John F. Kennedy Center; King Cymbeline/Queen in Imogen in Shakespeare’s Cymbeline Reimagined with the Pointless Theatre Company; and Mother in Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day at Adventure Theatre.
Washington-based vocalist Rose most recently toured in 2018 with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines in more than 20 countries with his show Feelin’ Good. In 2017, Rose performed in the United States tour of Dido and Aeneas with the Mark Morris Dance Group, and was also invited to bring his cabaret series If Not Now, When? to the historic Metropolitan Room. He has performed throughout New York City in venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Town Hall, Laurie Beechman Theatre, Dimenna Center for Classical Music, Merkin Concert Hall, and 92nd St. Y. Favorite regional credits include the pre-Broadway production of Frank Wildhorn’s Bonnie and Clyde, The Life of Galileo, Joseph and the Amazing…, Forever Plaid, and Songs for a New World. Rose can be seen headlining the DC Transit Band, a successful entertainment band that plays all over the Washington area.
Young Burns studies dance at Hawkins School of Performing Arts in Folsom, Calif. She has danced for four years, and started tap at just five years old. Burns is a fan of American icon Shirley Temple, and her dream is to tap dance on Broadway. Someday, Burns would like to open her own dance studio with an animal shelter in the lobby.
Philharmonic Music Director and Conductor Piotr Gajewski is one of a select group of American conductors equally at home in nearly all musical genres. He is the music director and conductor of The National Philharmonic at the Music Center at Strathmore as well as a sought-after guest conductor. He was a student and disciple of the late Leonard Bernstein, and is described by The Washington Post as an “immensely talented and insightful conductor, whose standards, taste and sensitivity are impeccable.” With one foot in the United States and the other in Europe as former Principal Guest Conductor of the Silesian Philharmonic (Katowice, Poland) and frequent guest at other orchestras, the jet-set maestro’s seemingly limitless repertoire, most conducted without a score, amazes critics and audiences alike.
The National Philharmonic under Gajewski is known for performances that are “powerful,” “impeccable” and “thrilling” (The Washington Post). In July 2003, the National Chamber Orchestra and Masterworks Chorus merged to create The National Philharmonic, an ensemble with more than 50 years of combined history, bringing high-caliber musical performances to the Washington area. The National Philharmonic took up residence at the state-of-the-art Music Center at Strathmore upon its opening in February 2005. Now, more than 250 performances later, and with far-reaching educational programming, The National Philharmonic is the largest and most active professional orchestra based in Montgomery County. It is also the only classical music organization in the Washington-Metro area that offers free tickets for children ages 7-17. The National Philharmonic recognizes this young audience as the classical music lovers of the future, and hopes to encourage future generations of concertgoers through this free-ticket program.
A February 24, 2019, review in The Washington Post by Patrick Rucker notes The National Philharmonic’s “distinctive personality,” adding, “The vibe in the audience is that everybody onstage is happy, and maybe a little proud to be there, and the music sounds that way.” In fact, National Philharmonic’s “distinctive personality” is part and parcel of the world-class acoustics of the Music Center at Strathmore. The concert hall, orchestra and chorale together create this world-class sound. The National Philharmonic’s Strathmore Concert Hall home is an integral component of its artistic success. In fact, it is because of this success that the Philharmonic was recently recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts.
As the Music Center at Strathmore’s orchestra-in-residence, The National Philharmonic showcases world-renowned guest artists in time-honored symphonic masterpieces conducted by Maestro Gajewski, and monumental choral masterworks under National Philharmonic Chorale Artistic Director Stan Engebretson.
National Philharmonic recently announced its “Thank You for Serving Program” for all active duty military, reservists and veterans and their families. Military personnel may buy tickets for any National Philharmonic performance for themselves and their family and receive 25% off using promo code THX25. Tickets must be picked up at the box office with Military ID. Other restrictions apply.
“This discount combined with “Kids 7-17 Free” underscores National Philharmonic’s appreciation and commitment to bringing music to those who serve our country,” said Jim Kelly, National Philharmonic’s President. “Over the years, we have partnered with Walter Reed Hospital and Veterans Moving Forward. This new initiative is a natural extension of our Armed Forces philanthropy,” Kelly concluded.
To purchase tickets for the performances and for information about the Philharmonic’s upcoming season, please visit nationalphilharmonic.org or call the Strathmore Ticket Office at 301.581.5100.
Conrad Ricamora and the cast of SOFT POWER. Photo by Joan Marcus
Ghostlist Records is recording the new musical Soft Power, the New York premiere production from The Public Theater (Artistic Director, Oskar Eustis; Executive Director, Patrick Willingham), for an original cast album on November 24 at The DiMenna Center for Classical Music in New York, to be released Spring 2020. Soft Power features play and lyrics by Tony Award winner David Henry Hwang and music and additional lyrics by Tony Award winner Jeanine Tesori, with choreography by Tony nominee Sam Pinkleton. A co-commission and co-production with Center Theatre Group, Tony nominee Leigh Silverman directed this groundbreaking new musical-within-a-play. The album will be produced by Matt Stine.
Soft Power began previews on September 24 in The Public’s Newman Theater, had its official press opening on October 15, and was extended twice through November 17.
“The extraordinary beauty of Jeanine Tesori’s score and David Henry Hwang’s lyrics for Soft Power will now be preserved forever,” said Oskar Eustis. “Soft Power is a beautiful, heartbreaking, and history-making show: this recording will not only save this amazing cast and orchestra, but it will be a thrilling map for what promises to be an exciting future for the show.”
The complete cast of Soft Power includes Billy Bustamante (Xu Xíng Standby), Jon Hoche (Chief Justice/Hālǐ Àohālā/Ensemble), Kendyl Ito (Jīng/Prof. Lǐ Bìyù/Ensemble), Francis Jue (DHH), Austin Ku (Bobby Bob/Jū Míng), Raymond J. Lee (Randy Ray/Yáo Tuō/Veep/Ensemble), Alyse Alan Louis (Zoe/Hillary), Jaygee Macapugay (Betsy/Lóng Lín Kūn/Ensemble), Daniel May (Ensemble), Paul HeeSang Miller (Ensemble), Kristen Faith Oei (Ensemble), Geena Quintos (Airport Greeter/Ensemble), Conrad Ricamora (Xu Xíng), Trevor Salter (Ensemble), Kyra Smith (Ensemble), Emily Stillings (Swing), Emily Trumble (Zoe/Hillary Standby), and John Yi (Swing).
Sam Pinkleton, Jeanine Tesori, Francis Jue, Leigh Silverman, David Henry Hwang, Conrad Ricamora, Alyse Alan Louis. Photo by Lia Chang
Tony Award winners David Henry Hwang and Jeanine Tesori brought their groundbreaking new musical-within-a-play to The Public for its New York premiere. One of the most exciting theatrical collaborations in recent memory, Soft Power is an exploration of America’s current place in the world, told through an East-West musical from China’s point of view, in which a theater producer from Shanghai forges a powerful bond with Hillary Clinton. Soft Power is a fever dream of modern American politics amidst global conversations, asking us all-why do we love democracy? And should we?
Soft Power features orchestrations by Danny Troob; music direction and supervision by Chris Fenwick; dance arrangements by John Clancy; scenic design by Clint Ramos; costume design by Anita Yavich; lighting design by Mark Barton; sound design by Kai Harada; sound effects design by Bart Fasbender; video design by Bryce Cutler; hair, wig, and makeup design by Tom Watson; special effects by Lillis Meeh; music contracting by Antoine Silverman; and additional orchestrations by Larry Hochman and John Clancy.
Patrick Page, Eva Noblezada, Reeve Carney, Amber Gray and André De Shields. Photo by Lia Chang
The 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards will take place in Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, at the STAPLES Center with Alicea Keys as host and will be broadcast live on CBS at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Streamed live on GRAMMY.com, the GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony will be held at the Microsoft Theater at 12:30 p.m. PT.
MUSICAL THEATER
58. Best Musical Theater Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new recordings. Award to the principle vocalist(s) and the album producer(s) of 51% or more playing time of the album. The lyricist(s) and composer(s) of a new score are eligible for an Award if they have written and/or composed a new score which comprises 51% or more playing time of the album.
AIN’T TOO PROUD: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS
Saint Aubyn, Derrick Baskin, James Harkness, Jawan M. Jackson, Jeremy Pope & Ephraim Sykes, principal soloists; Scott M. Riesett, producer (Original Broadway Cast)
HADESTOWN
Reeve Carney, André De Shields, Amber Gray, Eva Noblezada & Patrick Page, principal soloists; Mara Isaacs, David Lai, Anaïs Mitchell & Todd Sickafoose, producers (Anaïs Mitchell, composer & lyricist) (Original Broadway Cast)
MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL
Danny Burstein, Tam Mutu, Sahr Ngaujah, Karen Olivo & Aaron Tveit, principal soloists; Justin Levine, Baz Luhrmann, Matt Stine & Alex Timbers, producers (Original Broadway Cast)
THE MUSIC OF HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD – IN FOUR CONTEMPORARY SUITES
Imogen Heap, producer; Imogen Heap, composer (Imogen Heap)
OKLAHOMA!
Damon Daunno, Rebecca Naomi Jones, Ali Stroker, Mary Testa & Patrick Vaill, principal soloists; Daniel Kluger & Dean Sharenow, producers (Richard Rodgers, composer; Oscar Hammerstein II, lyricist) (2019 Broadway Cast)
MOCA and $6.99 Per Pound Podcast presented their first live recording featuring Asian American Hip Hop pioneer, Scott “Chops” Jung at 215 Centre Street, New York, NY 10013 in September at the Museum of Chinese in America.
Jaeki Cho, Scott “Chops” Jung and Joann Park. Photo by Lia ChangJaeki Cho, Scott “Chops” Jung and Joann Park. Photo by Lia Chang
Hosts Jaeki Cho and Joann Park sat down with Chops to discuss how his group, Mountain Brothers, became the first ever Asian American Hip Hop group signed to a major label in the 1990s and how Hip Hop has evolved over the years. They also highlighted his work with artists (Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Raekwon, Talib Kweli), brands (Nike, Coca Cola, X Games), and TV shows/Films (“Warrior,” “Wu Assassins,” “Empire,” “Grey’s Anatomy”).
The conversation was followed by a listening party featuring exclusive music from Chops’ latest Chinese Hip Hop album D.REAMS C.OME T.RU with Founder of Iron Mic Freestyles in China, Dana “Showtyme” Burton, and a special live set from legendary beat juggler DJ Roli Rho.
Seph Duong, Avec Plasir, Michael Stewart, Scott “Chops” Jung, Joann Park and Jaeki Cho. Photo by Lia Chang
$6.99 Per Pound is a bi-weekly podcast featuring interviews with leaders and professionals from a wide variety of fields. Paying homage to Korean-owned hot food delis in New York City, the inquisitive duo Joann Park and Jaeki Cho treat listeners to a buffet of HOT takes on career, culture and community.
@699perpound
info@699perpound.com
Scott “Chops” Jung. Photo by Lia Chang
Scott “Chops” Jung is a music maker whose multi-instrument style helped his group Mountain Brothers become the first Asian American rap group signed to a major label. He’s since worked with many of rap’s biggest and most respected artists (Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Raekwon, Talib Kweli, E-40, Ice Cube, Snoop). His Strength in NUMBERS album featured over 30 talented Asian American rappers and singers. Chops’ music is heard in ads (Nike, Coca Cola, X Games), TV shows (“Arrow,” “Empire,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “House of Lies,” “Breaking Bad,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “Parks & Recreation,” “The Night Of,” “iZombie,” “Pitch,” “Lucifer”), and movies (Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, Brown Sugar,House of Wax, Hurricane Season, Face, Ping Pong Playa). He credits the sports documentary 9-Man for reigniting his love of writing music to picture; scoring credits include the feature documentaries Breathin’: The Eddy Zheng Story, Good Luck Soup, & And Then They Came for Us. He will be composing an original score for Patrick Chen and Henry Chang’s A Father’s Son. https://chopsmusic.tumblr.com/
@chopsmusic
Scott “Chops” Jung will emcee the Philadelphia Asian American Film & Filmmakers 6th annual Hip-Hop Showcase at the Asian Arts Initiative, 1219 Vine St, Philadelphia, PA on Friday, November 15 at 8pm, featuring up-and-coming musical talents in the community including MiyachiAisha Fukushimajason chu & Leo Xia, and will be joined by longtime collaborator DJ Roli Rho. Click here for tickets and more information.
DJ Roli Rho and Scott “Chops” Jung. Photo by Lia Chang
DJ Roli Rho is one of the founding members of the world renowned NYC turntablist crew 5th Platoon alongside other greats such as Daddy Dog, Neil Armstrong, Do Boy, Kuttin Kandi, Vin Roc, and I-Emerge. Roli quickly climbed the ranks of the battle scene and became one of the fiercest beat Jugglers of his time. It is this honed skill which brought him titles such as New York’s Zulu Champion (1995), the Rhythm Method Champion (1995), 105.9 (NYC) Champion (1995), the ITF East Coast Beat Juggling Champion (1998), a 2 time Vibe World Dominance Champion (98 & 99), and the DMC East Coast Champion (1999). He went on to teach the skills of the art form and shared his knowledge of the culture to students at Jam Master Jay of (RUN DMC) Scratch Dj Academy NYC. These days Roli can be found in his hometown of New York where he has been working on community projects such as Openfaders and Tableturns.
rolirho.com
mixcloud/djrolirho
@djrolirho
Lia Chang, Scott “Chops” Jung and Garth Kravits. Photo by Patrick Chen
Avec Plasir, Michael Stewart, Jaeki Cho and Joann Park. Photo by Lia Chang
Scott “Chops” Jung, Lia Chang, Henry Chang. Photo by Patrick Chen
Patrick Chen and El Jubilation Lee. Photo by Garth Kravits
Scott “Chops” Jung and Lia Chang. Photo by Garth Kravits
Jaeki Cho. Photo by Lia Chang
Patrick Chen, El Jubilation Lee, Lia Chang. Photo by Garth Kravits
El Jubilation Lee, Mei-yann Hwang and Scott “Chops” Jung. Photo by Lia Chang
Scott “Chops” Jung. Photo by Lia Chang
DJ Roli Rho. Photo by Lia Chang
DJ Roli Rho. Photo by Lia Chang
DJ Roli Rho. Photo by Lia Chang
Andy Miami, Jaeki Cho and Scott “Chops” Jung. Photo by Lia Chang
Scott “Chops” Jung and Ursula Liang. Photo by Lia Chang
Scott “Chops” Jung and Dan Evans Farkas Photo by Lia Chang
Mikey Fresh and Jo Park. Photo by Lia Chang
Seph Duong and Lia Chang. Photo by Garth Kravits
Scott “Chops” Jung and Julie Young. Photo by Lia Chang
Mei-yann Hwang and Scott “Chops” Jung. Photo by Lia Chang
Scott “Chops” Jung and El Jubilation Lee. Photo by Lia Chang
Scott “Chops” Jung and Garth Kravits. Photo by Lia Chang
Jaeki Cho, Judy Lei and Mikey Fresh. Photo by Lia Chang -144
Geoff Lee, Scott “Chops” Jung, Henry Chang and Vic Huey. Photo by Lia Chang
Hella Chluy and Scott “Chops” Jung. Photo by Lia Chang
Scott “Chops” Jung and Baiyu. Photo by Lia Chang
Joey Orlando and Geoff Lee. Photo by Lia Chang
Seph Duong, Scott “Chops” Jung and Patrick Chen. Photo by Lia Chang
Vic Huey and Scott “Chops” Jung. Photo by Lia Chang
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.
2019 Tony Award winner and Emmy Award winning Hadestown star André De Shields will perform on the Appel Stage (10 Columbus Circle) in a new original show, Old Dawg; New Tricks on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at 8:30 pm as part of Lincoln Center’s acclaimed American Songbook series, now in it’s 21st year.
André De Shields. Photo by Lia Chang
The series celebrates the expansive scope and intricacy of the popular music canon from January 22 – February 29, 2020, and will include lauded singer-songwriters, groundbreaking composers, storytellers speaking truth to power, experimental vocalists, and multitalented performers whose artistic breadth reflects the far-reaching perspectives and experiences of the essential American Songbook.
André De Shields. Photo by Lia Chang
“The top of one mountain is the bottom of the next, so keep climbing,” advised André De Shields upon accepting the 2019 Tony Award for his portrayal as Hermes in Anaïs Mitchell’s Hadestown. And keep climbing he does. At the age of 73, De Shields was the triple crown winner of the 2019 award season (also securing an Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk Award along with his Tony).
André De Shields. Photo by Lia Chang
The Actors’ Equity Foundation followed suit with the Richard Seff Award, which honors veteran stage actors’ best supporting performances of the year. Mr. De Shields recently received the 2019 Project1Voice Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2019 SAGE Joyce Warshow Lifetime Achievement Award. On November 11, he will receive The York Theatre Company’s 2019 Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre and on November 18, he will be inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame. He recently received the Key to the City of Baltimore from Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young. Prior to his Tony Award win, Mr. De Shields was best known for his show-stopping performances in four legendary Broadway productions: The Wiz, Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Emmy Award), Play On! (Tony Nomination), and The Full Monty (Tony Nomination). In a career spanning fifty years, he has distinguished himself as an unparalleled actor, director, and educator, receiving in 2018 the 8th Annual Off Broadway Alliance Legend Award, and the 33rd Annual Bob Harrington Life Achievement Bistro Award. Among his other accolades are the 2009 National Black Theatre Festival’s Living Legend Award and the 2007 Village Voice Obie Award for Sustained Excellence of Performance. www.andredeshields.com
Tony Award Winner André De Shields. Photo by Lia Chang
With profound wit, elegance, and charm, this silky veteran of the stage proves why his star is still on the rise.
Click here for tickets and more information on the series.
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.
Elizabeth Ward Land returned to The Green Room 42 for her sold-out engagement of her show, STILL WITHIN THE SOUND OF MY VOICE: THE SONGS OF LINDA RONSTADT on Friday night, with Alan Muraoka (“Sesame Street”) at the helm.
Daniel Dunlow, Elizabeth Ward Land and Alan Muraoka. Photo by Lia Chang
Ms. Ward Land’s salute to the great Linda Ronstadt, one of this year’s Kennedy Center honorees, includes genres ranging from rock, country, folk, light opera, big band and mariachi. Ms. Ward Land played guitar, oboe and piano, while tracing her life to the songs from the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s vast catalogue.
Elizabeth Ward Land, Joel Waggoner, Catherine Porter. Photo by Lia Chang
She was accompanied by special guests Catherine Porter (NEXT TO NORMAL) and Joel Waggoner (BE MORE CHILL), with music supervision and arrangements by Andrew David Sotomayor (CURVY WIDOW) and vocal arrangements by Joel Waggoner.
Joel Waggoner. Photo by Lia Chang
Catherine Porter. Photo by Lia Chang
Set List
Heat Wave
Different Drum
When Will I Be Loved/That’ll Be The Day/It’s So Easy/Just One Look/Shoop Shoop (medley)
Heart Like a Wheel/Faithless Love
You’re No Good
Frenesi
Some to Lay Down Beside Me
Blue Bayou
Falling in Love Again
Feels Like Home
Pain of Love You/Somewhere Out There/All My Life/Pirates (Collaborators Medley)
Long Long Time
Still Within The Sound of My Voice
Desperado
Andrew David Sotomayor, Arei Sekiguchi, Kevin Kuhn, Elizabeth Ward Land and Noah Jackson. Photo by Lia Chang
The band featured Andrew David Sotomayor on the keys, Arei Sekiguchi on drums, Joel Waggoner on violin, Kevin Kuhn on guitar, Noah Jackson on cello and bass.
Kevin Kuhn, Elizabeth Ward Land. Photo by Lia ChangElizabeth Ward Land, Kevin Kuhn. Photo by Lia ChangElizabeth Ward Land. Photo by Lia ChangDirector Alan Muraoka. Photo by Lia ChangElizabeth Ward Land. Photo by Lia ChangJoel Waggoner, Elizabeth Ward Land and Catherine Porter. Photo by Lia ChangElizabeth Ward Land. Photo by Lia ChangCatherine Porter, Elizabeth Ward Land and Joel Waggoner. Photo by Lia ChangElizabeth Ward Land and Joel Waggoner. Photo by Lia ChangElizabeth Ward Land. Photo by Lia ChangJoel Waggoner, Elizabeth Ward Land and Catherine Porter. Photo by Lia ChangKevin Kuhn, Elizabeth Ward Land. Photo by Lia ChangJoel Waggoner, Elizabeth Ward Land and Catherine Porter. Photo by Lia ChangElizabeth Ward Land. Photo by Lia ChangJoel Waggoner, Elizabeth Ward Land and Catherine Porter. Photo by Lia ChangJoel Waggoner, Elizabeth Ward Land and Catherine Porter, Alan Muraoka. Photo by Lia ChangKen Land and Elizabeth Ward Land. Photo by Lia ChangElizabeth Ward Land and Michael Gaston. Photo by Lia ChangElizabeth Ward Land, Mark Deklin, Jamie Karen. Photo by Lia ChangElizabeth Ward Land, Richard Kline and Beverly Kline. Photo by Lia ChangErin Spears, Gabe Belyeu, Elizabeth Ward Land, John A. Saunders, James Benjamin Rodgers. Photo by Lia ChangElizabeth Ward Land and Robin Skye. Photo by Lia ChangCURVY WIDOW reunion: Arei Sekiguchi, Andrew David Sotomayor, Mathew Shepard, Alan Muraoka, Ken Land, Elizabeth Ward Land, Aisha de Haas, Nicole Powell. Photo by Lia ChangJ.P. Almon, Jenny Larges, Elizabeth Ward Land, Rebecca Eichenberger. Photo by Lia ChangElizabeth Ward Land and Donna Murphy. Photo by Lia ChangDonna Murphy, Alan Muraoka, Elizabeth Ward Land, Jeff McCarthy and Douglas Sills. Photo by Lia ChangElizabeth Ward Land and Donna Murphy. Photo by Lia ChangJason Ma, Hazel Anne Raymundo, Elizabeth Ward Land, Ann Harada, Alan Muraoka, Darren Lee and Lia Chang. Photo by Garth KravitsCatherine Porter, Anne L. Nathan, Elizabeth Ward Land, Adam Heller. Photo by Lia ChangThe Ward Family. Photo by Lia Chang
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.
THE GREEN ROOM 42 has announced that their sold-out residency for Reeve Carney, star of Broadway’s Hadestown, has been extended through December 2019. His upcoming concerts will take place October 6, October 20, November 17, and December 29, all Sundays at 9:30 PM. All shows will highlight original songs from Carney’s five-time Independent Music Award-winning album, Youth Is Wasted, but select performances will include special musical tributes to David Bowie (October 6), Billy Joel (October 20), and Elton John (November 17).
Reeve Carney. Photo by Lia Chang
Hadestown – Anaïs Mitchell’s new musical directed by Rachel Chavkin, currently in performance at the Walter Kerr Theatre – is now the winner of 8 Tony Awards, including “Best Musical.” Carney himself was nominated for the Outer Critics Circle Award for “Outstanding Actor in a Musical” and two Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards, including “Favorite Leading Actor in a Musical.” Carney’s performance in Hadestown has garnered stellar reviews. Rolling Stone hailed him as “angel-voiced,” The Hollywood Reporter called him a “dreamy delicacy,” Time Out New York praised his “otherworldly high-tenor,” and WFUV Radio raved about his “gorgeous, gentle voice.” According to New York Stage Review, his “keening tenor reaches to a startlingly clear, pure falsetto.”
Reeve Carney and the company of HADESTOWN. Photo by Lia Chang
Reeve Carney originated the role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the record-breaking Broadway musical, Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark. A lifelong musician, Reeve jumped at the opportunity to perform a score by U2’s Bono and The Edge-not to mention re-team with director Julie Taymor, who he’d worked with in her film, The Tempest. In 2013, however, Carney finally hung up his Spidey suit and headed to Dublin for Showtime’s buzzed-about John Logan/Sam Mendes series, “Penny Dreadful,” in which he played reckless hedonist Dorian Gray. Carney’s latest album, Youth is Wasted, was recorded primarily in his New York apartment. In an upcoming Jeff Buckley biopic, Carney will play the late singer, marrying his love of music and acting. Reeve becoming a performer was all but a foregone conclusion: almost everybody in his family works in the arts. His great-uncle was actor Art Carney. His jewelry designer mother has a degree from Cincinnati College- Conservatory of Music, his father wrote jingles.
Reeve Carney, Paris Carney and Zane Carney in concert at The Green Room 42 on August 25, 2019. Photo by Lia Chang
Reeve Carney will perform at The Green Room 42 (570 Tenth Avenue at 42nd Street, on the 4th Floor of Yotel) on October 6, October 20, November 17, and December 29, all Sundays at 9:30 PM. The cover charge ranges from $35-$75. There is no food and drink minimum. For tickets, please visit www.TheGreenRoom42.com.
THE GREEN ROOM 42 recently celebrated its two-year anniversary as the theater district’s premiere destination for live music, nightclub performances and special events. The space lets audiences experience shows featuring Broadway’s biggest names and emerging talent up close and personal like no other space in the world. During the shows, guests can enjoy Mediterranean-inspired dishes alongside signature cocktails, craft beer and curated wine lists with no food/drink minimum. Tickets can be purchased at www.TheGreenRoom42.com. The Green Room 42 is located at 570 Tenth Avenue inside YOTEL in New York City; @TheGreenRoom42
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.
Hadestown star and 2019 Tony Award Winner André De Shields attended the grand reopening of Apple’s newly revamped Fifth Avenue store in New York on September 20.
HADESTOWN star and 2019 Tony Award winner André De Shields at the grand reopening of Apple Fifth Avenue in New York on September 20, 2019. Photo by Lia Chang
Lines streamed around the block of the iconic cube for the launch day of the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max and Apple Watch Series 5.
Grand reopening of Apple Fifth Avenue in New York on September 20, 2019. Photo by Lia Chang
The first set of shoppers were treated to Memoji Karaoke with Mr. De Shields, who is currently starring as Hermes in Hadestown at the Walter Kerr Theatre, and is best known for his show-stopping performances in four legendary Broadway productions: Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Emmy Award), Play On! (Tony Nomination), The Full Monty (Tony Nomination), and as the Wiz in The Wiz.
André De Shields meets his André Memoji custom created by Music Experiences Lead for Today at Apple Ron Ubaldo at the Grand reopening of Apple Fifth Avenue in New York on September 20, 2019. Photo by Lia ChangHADESTOWN star and Tony Award winner André De Shields at the grand reopening of Apple Fifth Avenue in New York on September 20, 2019. Photo by Lia Chang
With a new iPhone 11 Pro in hand, Mr. De Shields sang his iconic number, “So You Wanted to Meet the Wizard,” with his André memoji, custom created by Music Experiences Lead for Today at Apple Ron Ubaldo for the Memoji Karaoke performance.
HADESTOWN star and 2019 Tony Award winner André De Shields performs Memoji Karaoke at Apple Fifth Avenue in New York on September 20, 2019. Photo by Lia ChangGrand reopening of Apple Fifth Avenue in New York on September 20, 2019. Photo by Lia ChangHADESTOWN star and 2019 Tony Award winner André De Shields performs Memoji Karaoke at Apple Fifth Avenue in New York on September 20, 2019. Photo courtesy of Apple
After the performance, Mr. De Shields visited with Apple’s CEO Tim Cook, Senior Vice President of Retail + People Deirdre O’Brien and Senior Director of Worldwide Buzz Marketing at Apple Brian Brown Bartholomew.
Apple’s CEO Tim Cook and HADESTOWN star and 2019 Tony Award winner André De Shields at the grand reopening of Apple Fifth Avenue in New York on September 20, 2019. Photo by Lia ChangApple’s Senior Vice President of Retail + People Deirdre O’Brien and HADESTOWN star and 2019 Tony Award winner André De Shields at the grand reopening of Apple Fifth Avenue in New York on September 20, 2019. Photo by Lia ChangSenior Director of Worldwide Buzz Marketing at Apple Brian Brown Bartholomew and André De Shields. Photo by Lia ChangSenior Director of Worldwide Buzz Marketing at Apple Brian Brown Bartholomew and HADESTOWN star and 2019 Tony Award winner André De Shields. Photo by Lia Chang
André De Shields is the triple-crown winner of the 2019 theater awards season, having won the Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk and Tony Awards as Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his unanimously critically acclaimed performance as Hermes, Messenger to the Gods, in Hadestown. The Actors’ Equity Foundation followed suit with the Richard Seff Award, which honors veteran stage actors’ best supporting performances of the year. In November, Mr. De Shields will be inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame and will receive The York Theatre Company’s 2019 Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre. In a career spanning fifty years, he has distinguished himself as an unparalleled actor, director, and educator, receiving in 2018 the 8th Annual Off Broadway Alliance Legend Award, and the 33rd Annual Bob Harrington Life Achievement Bistro Award. Among his other accolades are the 2009 National Black Theatre Festival’s Living Legend Award and the 2007 Village Voice Obie Award for Sustained Excellence of Performance. www.andredeshields.com
HADESTOWN star and 2019 Tony Award winner André De Shields at the grand reopening of Apple Fifth Avenue in New York on September 20, 2019. Photo by Lia Chang
Now nearly double the size of its original with a higher ceiling and more natural light, Apple Fifth Avenue is a brighter, more expansive space, and the perfect stage for customers to discover and try Apple’s newest products. A new Forum will be home to free, daily Today at Apple programming, which kicks off Saturday with a special series that captures the creative spirit of New York. The area dedicated to Geniuses has also doubled, allowing the team to dramatically increase service capacity. The Apple Fifth Avenue store is the only Apple retail location open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Click here for Today at Apple events running from September 21-29.
Grand reopening of Apple Fifth Avenue in New York on September 20, 2019. Photo by Lia Chang
The redesigned plaza is lined by 28 honey locust trees bordered with linear fountains providing a welcome and quiet setting to gather and sit. At the center stands the dramatic glass cube flanked by 18 mirror-glass Skylenses and 62 skylights that flood natural light into the expanded store below. Visitors enter by descending the new stainless steel spiral staircase, or by riding the dynamic circular elevator into the grand hall. The staircase is a remarkable design achievement with 43 cantilevered stair treads that support a floating cylinder of glass. Above is a back-lit, cloud-like ceiling made from curved fabric that combines artificial and natural light to match the real-time tones of sunlight throughout the day.
HADESTOWN star and 2019 Tony Award winner André De Shields and Lia Chang at the Grand reopening of Apple Fifth Avenue in New York on September 20, 2019. Photo by Brian Brown Bartholomew
Steve Jobs opened the store in 2006 and personally welcomed the first customers to enter the cube. Since then, Apple Fifth Avenue has had over 57 million visitors, more annually than the Statue of Liberty or Empire State Building. The glass cube has been a beacon and an important focal point for product launches starting with the first iPhone in 2007.
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.
Front Row: Reeve Carney, Eva Noblezada, André De Shields, Patrick Page, Amber Gray. Back Row: Afra Hines, Timothy Hughes, Ahmad Simmons, Jewelle Blackman, Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer, Kay Trinidad, John Krause, Kimberly Marable. Photo by Lia Chang
Sing It Again Records has announced the release of The Original Broadway Cast Recording of Hadestown, winner of eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, will be available on CD starting Friday, November 1 and vinyl Black Friday, November 29.
The cast album was released digitally this summer, and topped Billboard’s Broadway Cast Recording chart, and debuted at #8 on the Top Album chart. To date, the album has been streamed over 30M times.
The CD edition features a 64-page booklet and a two-disc set, while the triple vinyl edition features a 16-page booklet. Both editions include complete song lyrics and never before seen photos of the Hadestown cast and creative team in the studio, and other exclusive content.
“This recording, like the show itself, has been a work of passion and patience, a labor of love on the part of so many artists,” Anaïs Mitchell said. “We’re thrilled to be able to share the music of Hadestown on Broadway in its entirety on CD and six beautiful sides of vinyl! Happy listening, everyone!”
The Hadestown Original Broadway Cast Recording is produced by David Lai, Todd Sickafoose, and Mitchell, co-produced by Mara Isaacs, and executive produced by Hunter Arnold, Dale Franzen, Tom Kirdahy, Craig Balsam, and Thomas M. Neff. The album is distributed by ADA Worldwide in partnership with Arts Music.
The acclaimed new musical is by celebrated singer-songwriter and Tony Award winner Anaïs Mitchell and developed with innovative director and Tony Award winner Rachel Chavkin.
Hadestown is already the highest-grossing musical in the history of the Walter Kerr Theatre on Broadway (219 West 48th Street, New York) and continues to sell out nightly with a cast led by Outer Critics Circle Award nominee Reeve Carney, Tony Award winner André De Shields, Tony Award nominee Amber Gray, two-time Tony Award nominee Eva Noblezada, and Tony Award nominee Patrick Page.
They are joined on the recording by Jewelle Blackman, Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer, and Kay Trinidad as the Fates. The Workers Chorus is played by Afra Hines, Timothy Hughes, John Krause, Kimberly Marable, and Ahmad Simmons. The full cast includes swings Malcolm Armwood, T. Oliver Reid, Jessie Shelton, and Khaila Wilcoxon.
Hadestown marks the first time in over a decade that a woman has been the solo author of a musical: writing the music, lyrics, and book, and is the fourth time in Broadway history a woman has accomplished this creative feat. The show originated as Mitchell’s indie theater project that toured Vermont which she then turned into an acclaimed album. With Chavkin, her artistic collaborator, Hadestown has been transformed into a genre-defying new musical that blends modern American folk music with New Orleans-inspired jazz to reimagine a sweeping ancient tale.
Following two intertwining love stories – that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone – Hadestown invites audiences on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back. Mitchell’s beguiling melodies and Chavkin’s poetic imagination pit industry against nature, doubt against faith, and fear against love. Performed by a vibrant ensemble of actors, dancers, and singers, Hadestown delivers a deeply resonant and defiantly hopeful theatrical experience.
The creative team for Broadway features Tony Award winner Rachel Hauck (set design); four-time Tony Award nominee Michael Krass (costume design); two-time Tony Award winner Bradley King (lighting design); Tony Award winners Nevin Steinberg and Jessica Paz (sound design); Chita Rivera Award® winner and three-time Bessie Award® winner David Neumann (choreography); Liam Robinson (music direction and vocal arrangements); Tony Award winners Michael Chorney and Todd Sickafoose (arrangements and orchestrations); Ken Cerniglia (dramaturgy); and Stewart/Whitley (casting). Hadestown is produced on Broadway by Mara Isaacs, Dale Franzen, Hunter Arnold, and Tom Kirdahy.
2019 Tony Award winner and Emmy Award winning Hadestown star André De Shields will perform on the Appel Stage (10 Columbus Circle) in a new original show, Old Dawg; New Tricks on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at 8:30 pm as part of Lincoln Center’s acclaimed American Songbook series, now in it’s 21st year. Click here for tickets.
Soft Power began previews on September 24 in The Public’s Newman Theater, had its official press opening on October 15, and was extended twice through November 17.
The conversation was followed by a listening party featuring exclusive music from Chops’ latest Chinese Hip Hop album D.REAMS C.OME T.RU with Founder of Iron Mic Freestyles in China, Dana “Showtyme” Burton, and a special live set from legendary beat juggler DJ Roli Rho.
