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Makin’ Rent, Makin’ It and More...

Kristin Oei Photo courtesy of disney theatrical

Kristen Oei in Aida

By Gerrye Wong

When the hit Elton John musical Aida opened at San Francisco’s Orpheum Theater this week, hometown girl Kristen Oei was loudly applauded by her many family members and friends from the Chinese community. The 22-old singer and dancer said she was thrilled to be back on home turf for the first time with a show, and gave AsianWeek this exclusive interview.

AsianWeek: Are you nervous to have your friends and family in this hometown audience?

Kristen Oei: Not at all, and I am especially thrilled to be performing at the Orpheum Theatre where I remember attending so many wonderful shows while I was growing up. My parents, Steven and Gladys Oei, grew up in San Francisco, and were active in Chinatown’s Cumberland Presbyterian Church. My grandmother, Irene Oei will be there with many aunts, uncles and cousins. I will be especially thrilled to see my cousin, television newscaster Cynthia Gouw, who has always inspired me since the time I saw her perform on stage to win the Miss Chinatown title when I was just a little girl.

AW: Did your family encourage your going into show business?

KO: I was an only child and my parents, I must admit, indulged me in what I wanted to do. Both of them are musical themselves, and gave me every advantage with lessons in gymnastics, baton, dancing and singing.

AW: Did that family encouragement help you decide to follow this career path?

KO: My parents and I talked about going to college, but since I had trained all my life in music, they agreed when I wanted to try this first. I have been dancing since I was seven with the Shelly Pack Dancers of Half Moon Bay. I joined the San Francisco Girls Chorus when I was six and performed with them for 10 years. Most thrilling time was going to China when I was 10. I also attended the Performing Arts School of Abraham Lincoln High School where I studied all segments of performing arts.

AW: You’re so young — what else prepared you for the professional stage so early?

KO: With the Pack dancers, I competed in a lot of dance trials and competitions. I’m proud to say that among them, I won the Dance Masters of America contest and became Miss Dance of 2000, winning over contestants representing all the states. We had all competed and won statewide competitions to strive for the national title, much like Miss America pageants. I also recently was chosen by the Donna Reed Foundation in their national scholarship program for college bound young people majoring in performing arts which was also quite an honor I may use someday in the future.

AW: How did you get into this prestigious road company of Aida?

KO: I was in New York and had just auditioned and signed up for the national tour of Rent when I went to see Aida there. I loved the show and went to audition for the national tour. They liked me and luckily, I was able to get out of my Rent commitment and join this tour instead.

AW: Tell us about your role.

KO: I’m in the ensemble where we play many roles. My main one is as a member of three belly dancers who perform in the first act. Also I am understudy to the leading role of Amneris which is thrilling yet scary — if I ever had to take over for this major role. Amneris, as you know, is the Princess of Egypt.

AW: Now that you’re appearing in San Francisco, what do your parents think?

KO: I think they are not only happy to see me, but proud of what I’ve been able to do this early in my career. Dad is a math teacher at Livermore High School, and my mom is a former teacher now working as an appraiser, so they are busy with their own careers, but I look forward to performing for the family during my stay here.

Aida will be playing at the Orpheum Theater in San Francisco until Sept. 1, then continues on its road tour with Kristen Oei as the youngest member of the company.