Lia's Focus: Asianconnections' Arts and Entertainment Preview

Lia's Focus A Look in to the World of Arts and Entertainment 9/23/02

It's exciting to be part of the AsianConnections Team, where coast to coast we have an all access pass to some of the brightest stars on Broadway, in Hollywood, in Business, and in the Arts and Fashion world. We are proud to feature Asian Americans making their mark in the worlds of film, television, theatre, music, art and food. The past two weeks have been action packed.

While I am attending a dress rehearsal in New York with David Henry Hwang and the stars of his adaptation of the Flower Drum Song, and photographing the new Spring 2003 collections of designers Anna Sui, Yeohlee, Oscar de la Renta, Zang Toi, Jiwon Park, Haneza, Peter Som, and Vera Wang, other members of our AsianConnections Team are busy working on projects on various topics and places around the globe from San Francisco to Hollywood.

AsianConnections was on the red carpet in Hollywood for the premiere of The Tuxedo, chatting with stars Jackie Chan and Jennifer Love Hewitt, watching a cooking demonstration by the world's number one female contemporary jazz musician Keiko Matsui with Asian fusion Chef Michael Kang of Five Feet Restaurant to benefit A3M (Asians for Miracle Marrow Matches). AC Team also did an exclusive interview with legendary writer-director Hayao Miyazaki on the premiere of the American adaptation of his enchanting Japanese animation Spirited Away.

Here are more highlights from my New York calendar of in-depth features that we are producing exclusively for AsianConnections.

New York City -

I love New York. Living in Times Square is perfection for me. Cultural riches abound, I walk out of my apartment building on any given day and can draw inspiration from the great art, engaging theatre, and compelling photography exhibitions in my neighborhood.

As a child growing up in San Francisco, my Sunday afternoons were spent watching the film versions of Rodgers and Hammerstein's The King and I, The Sound of Music, Oklahoma, and Flower Drum Song. For me watching Flower Drum Song on TV as a kid was truly grand. It was cool to see people who looked just like me on the screen - an almost all Asian American cast looking fabulous - singing, dancing, and falling in love.

Years later, as I navigated my way through my acting career in New York, I made my stage debut as Liat in South Pacific with Robert Goulet and Barbara Eden in Toronto. I fell in love every night to Younger Than Springtime and danced to Happy Talk.

That is why, when I was invited to preview a dress rehearsal of David Henry Hwang's new adaptation of the Flower Drum Song, I was enchanted all over again, and happy to see so many Asian American faces on Broadway.

Author C.Y. Lee, who is now in is eighties and living in Southern California, wrote the novel, The Flower Drum Song in 1957. This best selling novel was then optioned by librettist and Gentleman Prefers Blondes screenwriter Joseph Fields, who collaborated with Rodgers and Hammerstein, the A-team of musical theater, to create the musical stage version of Flower Drum Song directed by the inimitable Gene Kelly which opened at the St. James theater on Broadway in December, 1958. The female stars of the show -- Pat Suzuki and Miyoshi Umeki -- became the first Asian Americans to be on the cover of Time and Newsweek and the show ran about 500 performances. In 1961, when the film adaptation was released, it became the first major Hollywood studio film about and starring Asian Americans. This would not happen again until 1993 when The Joy Luck Club, based on Amy Tan's best-selling novel was released.

In 1996, playwright David Henry Hwang took on the challenge of writing the book that Oscar Hammerstein would have written for Flower Drum Song, had he been Asian American. Hwang's new book while retaining characters and plot elements from the original Broadway show, returns to the themes of C.Y. Lee's original novel - cultural assimilation, the relationship between generations and the struggle to become authentically American without abandoning one's roots.

The world premiere of Hwang's new Flower Drum Song, directed and choreographed by Sideshow's Robert Longbottom, opened to critical acclaim at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles last October. In early September, three weeks before Flower's first Broadway preview on the 23rd at the Virginia Theatre, I find myself in an enviable position in the rehearsal studios at 890 Broadway in New York with the cast as they gear up to run through a few numbers from the show. Tony Awarding-winning actress Lea Salonga heads up Flower Drum Song's all Asian American cast. In the David Henry Hwang remake, Mei-Li (Lea Salonga) flees to America in the late-1950's when her father, a Chinese Opera master, falls under persecution from the Communist government. Arriving in San Francisco, she finds work in a run-down Chinese opera house where the patriarch, Master Wang (Randall Duk Kim), struggles to keep old traditions alive, while his American-born son, Ta (Jose Llana), dreams of converting the space into a Western-style nightclub.

With the help of a leggy showgirl, Linda Low (Sandra Allen), and her fast talking agent, Madame Liang (Jodi Long), Ta's wish comes true; they discover success, American-style, by turning the old theatre into a popular new nightspot, Club Chop Suey. In the whirlwind that follows, Mei-li finds herself falling in love, as characters grapple with the joys and the challenges of life in the new world, through a funny and moving story which explores what it means to be an American.

Jodi Long, who plays Madame Liang, grew up backstage at the St. James theatre. Her father Larry Leung was in the original production of Flower Drum. Alvin Ing who appeared in the original touring company of the show with Juanita Hall, Jack Soo and Keye Luke, plays Chin. Allen Liu (Harvard), Hoon Lee (Chao) and Ma-Anne Dionisio (little girl) are also featured in the cast. Susan Ancheta, Raul Aranas, Rich Ceraulo, Eric Chan, Marcus Choi, Emily Hsu, Telly Leung, J. Elaine Marcos, Daniel May, Marc Oka, Lainie Sakakura, Yuka Takara, Robert Tatad, Kim Varhola and Ericka Yang round out the ensemble. Flower Drum Song blossoms on Broadway at the Virginia Theatre on Oct. 17th

OF CIVIL WRONGS AND RIGHTS: THE FRED KOREMATSU STORY

On Sept. 10th, just down the block from me at the Marriot Marquis Hotel, the 23rd annual Emmy Awards for broadcast journalism and documentaries were being handed out. Of Civil Wrongs and Rights: The Fred Korematsu Story, featured on the PBS P.O.V. magazine show, garnered two Emmys. Korematsu is one of the pioneers in my Notable Asian American Portrait series and in the documentary; he is revered as an "American Hero," although over 50 years ago his name was anathema. Eric Paul Fournier, the film's director received the first Emmy for directing and the second with Jean Kawahara for editing. In the film, director Fourier takes a look back at Korematsu's challenge of the wartime incarceration of Japanese American citizens, his long ordeal to achieve personal justice and portrays his courage during and after the war while exploring the larger social and constitutional significance of Korematsu's landmark Supreme Court case. The documentary recounts Korematsu's struggle through his personal testimony, interviews, and archival footage interspersed with dramatic reenactments.

UNDER THE VEIL

On Sept. 12th, I attended an exhibition of surreptitiously taken photographs called "Under the Veil: Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA)", which are part of Aftermath: Reflections on the Anniversary of September 11 on view at the International Center of Photography through December.

Presented by RAWA in association with WorldPictureNews, the disturbing images were taken illegally - at the risk of death-by Women's rights activists in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan and the pictures reminded me of just how fortunate I am to be an American citizen. In response to the stifling of women's voices and role in public life, the members of RAWA resorted to photographing the atrocities of the Taliban regime from under their burqas, using both still and video cameras.

The photographs, which date before September 11, 2001, illustrate the everyday plight of women under the Taliban, violence against the Afghan citizens, and the political activism of RAWA, and allow the viewer to witness the political events leading to the subsequent U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan.

Later that afternoon I headed out to my studio in Brooklyn to tape an episode of As the World Turns.

BROADWAY ON BROADWAY

On Sunday, Sept. 15th, I opened my window and was serenaded by Broadway's shining stars courtesy of Broadway on Broadway, the 11th annual free public outdoor concert sponsored by Toys R Us and the League of American Theatres and Producers, Inc.

The songfest, which officially kicked off the 2002-2003 theatre season was hosted by 'N Sync's Joey Fatone who is currently appearing in Rent on Broadway and Hairspray's Marissa Jaret Winokur.

After an overture of God Bless America and South Pacific, I headed over to Broadway and 44th street to watch Patrick Wilson open the show with Oh What a Beautiful Morning from Oklahoma! Sexy Taye Diggs appeared with the sultry cast of Chicago, Jamie-Lynn Sigler of The Sopranos' sang A Change in Me from Beauty and The Beast, Steven Weber kicked up his heels with his leggy chorines from The Producers, Cabaret's Molly Ringwald, and 42nd Street's Tom Wopat and Company showcased their signature tunes.

Vanessa Williams of Into the Woods, Kathleen Turner and Jason Biggs from The Graduate, Proof's Anne Heche, and Boys of Syracuse's Jackee Harry, Frankie and Johnny's Edie Falco and Stanley Tucci were just a handful of the film and television stars currently appearing on Broadway who introduced musical numbers from Aida, Les Miz, The Lion King, Boys of Syracuse, Mamma Mia!, Urinetown, Oklahoma!, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and The Phantom of the Opera. Carol Burnett introduced her new play Hollywood Arms that she co-wrote with her daughter, the late Carrie Hamilton.

Sneak previews included Lea Salonga and Sandra Allen of Flower Drum Song belting out a marvelous rendition of I Enjoy Being A Girl and Brian Stokes Mitchell performing The Impossible Dream from Man of La Mancha (www.livebroadway.com). A live concert of Broadway's finest -- I was in heaven.

From Sept.18th-23rd the fashion world converged on New York City for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week where over 90 top designers presented their latest fashion for Spring 2003 at Bryant Park.

Flirty, feminine, romantic lingerie inspired dresses in pretty pastels are in evidence on many runways. There are girly girls in corsets and camisoles of the vintage variety, and embellishments of lace, embroidery, ruffles, ribbons and bows. After seasons of the lowslung hipline being the focal point, sashes, wrap dresses and raised waistlines are the preferred silhouette.

Hemlines are scalloped, tea length, and layered. Cropped pants, bermuda shorts and hot pants are worn with high heels. Retro chic references include cigarette pants with sexy camisole tops, snug pencil skirts, body hugging sheaths, full skirted dresses and jumpsuits. Gold is the footwear color of choice and Oscar de la Renta references Morocco with his choice of saturated colors evocative of the spice markets that he uses for his classic silhouettes of neatly tailored trousers and shirts, silk shirtdresses and pretty, swingy skirts worn with linen tops.

Fashion Targets Breast Cancer (FTBC) spokeswoman is Supermodel Iman. FTBC, created in 1994 by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), is an initiative that supports activities aimed at combating breast cancer. Saks Fifth Avenue and FTBC teamed up for a special shopping weekend Sept. 18th-22nd in which two percent of revenues from the 61 Saks Fifth Avenue outlets will be donated to FTBC.

Photographing the collections during Fashion Week can be a pretty rough gig. There are days when I wait in line for hours before the show begins to get a decent spot. There can be anywhere from 150 to 200 photographers camera crews on a platform called the pit at the edge of the runway all vying for the same shot. In my seven years of covering the shows, we may be packed in like sardines, but I am thankful for my colleagues who graciously save me a spot or allow me to sit dead center stage between their legs!

Wednesday, Day 1: My first show of the day is in the new showroom on W. 35th Street of Malaysian designer Yeohlee. She sent her models out on the catwalk in utilitarian, multi-functional chic sportswear inspired by the American Arts and Crafts movement. Visiting with Yeohlee backstage, I ran into fellow One Life to Live cast member Linda Dano and Siberian model/jewelry designer Irina who attended the show with her parents. Back at the Bryant Park tents, where most of the collections are being shown, it is a mob scene at Oscar de La Renta's show with at least 700 fashion editors and Oscar devotees, plus 200 photographers in attendance to check out his opulent creations.

Catching up by cellphone with AC's managing editor Paul Lee and Suzanne Kai on the West coast while waiting for Oscar's show to begin, I heard the sizzle of stir-fry. Chef Michael Kang of California's Five Feet Restaurant and Keiko Matsui, Billboard's #1 female contemporary jazz musician and composer were hosting a cooking demonstration in support of Asians for Miracle Marrow Matches (A3M), an upcoming fundraiser on October 6. Asian Connections is a sponsor of this fundraiser.

After Oscar, Shu Uemura makeup artist Carlos introduced me to the new soft spring colors in the Bon Bon Fleur line and worked his makeup magic on me. Across the tents, I stopped in at the Redken booth for a hair consultation with Chris Baran, head of Global Artistic Design who flat ironed my hair to perfection and sent me on my way with a goody bag of products to experiment with.

All dolled up with nowhere to go, I thought, I headed home -- just two blocks from Bryant Park -- and was invited out by my newly married friends Elaine and WNBC-TV reporter Ti-Hua Chang to an art gallery opening and to Serafina where James Gandolfini, The Rock and the Wayans brothers helped celebrate the hotspot's one-year anniversary.

Thursday, Day 2: Backstage at the Jill Stuart show, I caught up with Yoko Ono and her son Sean Lennon who checked out Sean's girlfriend model Bijou Phillips on the catwalk.

Touching base that evening with Paul and Suzanne on the West Coast, I discovered they were at Mann's Chinese Theater in Hollywood chatting with Jackie Chan on the red carpet at the world premiere of The Tuxedo.

Friday, Day 3: Presented in the Celeste Bartos Forum, Vera Wang's elegant eveningwear collection consisted of chiffon and silk jersey dresses inspired by the delicate details of exquisite lingerie. Vogue editor Anna Wintour was seated next to Oprah Winfrey and her best gal pal Gayle King front row and center. Oprah and Gayle were gracious as they were bombarded with flashbulbs before the show began. Later in evening, Supermodel Naomi Campbell opened Anna Sui's playful show.

Saturday Night, Day 4: Malaysian designer Zang Toi chose Wallace Hall on the Upper East Side to showcase his Lady of the Manor with the Hunky Gardener collection, inspired by an English rose garden. The hall is strewn with rose petals and Zang set the stage with a trellis, a statue and a swing all befitting the stately manors his high society set of clients reside in.

The designer loves to spoil his ladies. The goodie bag includes a cosmetic kit from Bobbie Brown, a Zang Toi shirt, trading cards and a sandwich to tide me through the evening. Having secured my space early enough to photograph him rehearsing the models, I head backstage to visit with Kathie Young, a colleague from my modeling days who is part of Zang's production team. The mood is leisurely since the other shows of the day are so behind schedule, I am able to capture candid behind the scenes images. After the success of his show, La Maison du Chocolat truffles and champagne are in endless supply as Zang mingles with his appreciative audience.

On the West coast, two days after the red carpet premiere of The Tuxedo, Paul and Suzanne finished up their roundtable conversations with Jackie Chan and Jennifer Love Hewitt, where both stars had everyone laughing throughout their interviews -- Suzanne has interviewed Jackie on numerous occasions, but this interview was so absolutely hilarious, they decided to bring everyone in on the fun by running audio highlights of the actual conversation