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It’s Superman

Ka-Ling will begin training at A.C.T. in San Francisco. Courtesy of Ka-Ling Cheung.

By Gerrye Wong

Ka-Ling Cheung plays an evil acrobat hired to stop Superman in It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s Superman, 42nd Street Moon Theater Company’s newest show, running through June 24th. This Hong Kong-born, 23-year-old performer grew up in both Bangkok and Irvine, Calif., recently moved to San Francisco, after receiving her bachelor degree in Dramatic Arts from University of California, Irvine.

“Having been raised in Irvine, I find San Francisco’s big city flavor exciting and a wonderful place for me to be on my own. Joining 42nd Moon acrobatic troupe will be challenging this year, as I am commissioned to do three shows for them. In the fall, I will begin my MFA studies at the prestigious American Conservatory Theater,” Cheung said in a phone interview with AsianWeek.

Cheung came to the United States when she was twelve to live with her grandparents, and while growing up, helped in the family’s restaurant. Her family recalls that she always liked performing. Although they didn’t fully agree with her choice in the beginning, they became more supportive when they saw her in high school and college performances. She has held roles in Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell, Fiddler on the Roof and A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream. At the Western Stage in Salinas, Calif., she performed as Mei Li in Flower Drum Song and as Timoune in Once on This Island.

Cheung feels she is more trained as a singer than a dancer, but in the ensemble of the 14-member cast of It’s Superman, she does everything. Her second show after It’s Superman for 42nd Moon St. Theater will be Do Rei Mi. Although New York is her ultimate goal, she can be seen in the Bay Area for at least the next three years she is studying under A.C.T.

It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s Superman is a sly, sassy parody of the Man of Steel, poking fun at the American superhero whose unwavering morality, fidelity and loyalty make him a bit of a dull cracker. When it first emerged in 1966, The New York Times called it easily the best musical of the season.