On The Scene: A Busy Summer
July 31, 2009
By Gerrye Wong
When Dorothy Takahashi was growing up in Los Angeles, she always wanted to dance on stage. Her dreams came true when she teamed with Paul Wing, adopted the stage name of Dorothy Toy, and performed on Broadway and London under the new name of “The Chinese Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire.” Her story came to life when Cal State University of the East Bay (CSUEB) in Hayward presented “Almond Eyes,” book and lyrics by Jay Chee and music by JoAnn Yuen. Opening night was very nostalgic as the headliner herself, 92-year-old Dorothy Toy Fong made a special appearance to witness this first showing and greet over 400 of her fans, friends and family. The story told of the hardships and discrimination the dancing couple faced as well as their separation (when Paul was drafted during World War II and Dorothy had to hide out in the mid-west to escape being interned unfairly with other Japanese Americans). The poignant story was performed beautifully by a cast of students and friends from the Cal State Theatre Department with outstanding performances by Nicole Sarich and Alex Hsu playing the leads. Lyricist Jay Chee and Joanne Yuen were greeted with wild applause by the opening night crowd for their musical about the Chop Suey Circuit, as was the name often given to the night club performers during the 1930s-1950s. Let’s hope the show can be performed again before the story is lost forever, as Chee told the audience, in another venue and city. The gracious Dorothy was given a standing ovation by many fans, including the Alon Yu family, Dana and Lani Owyoung, Martha Mew, and the Grant Ave. Follies dancers who also performed following the show, Frank Jang, George and Jenny Ong, Gloria and Peter Hom. Almond Eyes was an entertaining education about San Francisco Chinatown’s history and the back stage world of those who faced prejudice and rejection while following their dreams of being Asian American entertainers. Kudos to CSUEB for putting on this production.
Speaking of theater, TheatreWorks of Palo Also launched its New Works Festival with a new world premiere performance of “Tinyard Hill,” a delightful new musical. Set in 1960s Georgia, it’s a great story of father -son conflict, a new romance, and the Vietnam war. By Tommy Newman and Mark Allen, the soarkling musical brings in Broadway veteran James Moye and actress Allison Briner who bring the music alive. It plays until August 16; www theatreworks.org. Second in the series will be David Henry Hwang’s “Yellow Face” starring Francis Jue reprising his Obie-Award winning role as the playwright’s father. It plays August 26-September 20 at the Mt. View Center for the Performing Arts.
Honorable Norman Mineta paid a visit to San Mateo to meet supporters of America’s Opportunity Fund, an organization he and former Washington Governor Gary Locke started a few years ago to encourage and support progressive candidates at the federal and statewide level. As Norm told the group, “I’ve always advocated that if we are to have a say in our local and national politics and government, we must rise and come to the table.” The mission of AOF is to encourage communities of color to fully participate in the electoral process and support candidates who are sympathetic and sensitive to the issues of people of color and ethnic minorities. Among other supporters seen at this America’s Opportunity Fund event were Alice Bulos, Rod Hsiao, Randy Okamura, Vida Benevides, Barry Chang, and Jefferson Union High School District trustee David Mineta, Norman’s son.
Birthdays are always great celebrations, and Chinese grand dames know how to celebrate with panache and grace. Popular Beatrice Wong, who has long been active in such non profit organizations as On Lok, Chinese Hospital Auxiliary, Miss Chinatown Pageant and OptiMs, invited her friends from all these organizations to her 80th celebration at Tommy Toy’s Haute Cuisine Chinoise Restaurant in San Francisco. Among her many friends celebrating her long life were Anna Quock, Irene Gee, Annette Leung, Rita and Irene Tong, Doris Grover and Cynthia Yee.
Elizabeth K.G. Wong gifted the guests at her 90th birthday to a pack of greeting cards with her own artwork design on the covers and a bottle of marionberry jam from her hometown of Portland, Oregon where the former East Bay native now resides. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were there to herald her wonderful life as their matriarch.
Congratulations to the Broadway by the Bay theater series which brought in “King And I” to San Mateo Performing Arts Center in a magnificent production, headed by Jared Lee as a very convincing King. I was happy to see Asians playing the roles of Asians in this production, sometimes not always seen in other casts. Congrats to performers Jacqueline DeMuro, Edmond Kwong, Meryll Locquiao, Joshua Lau, and adorable royal children, Isabelle Chen, Elizabeth Gee and Emily Chou. Denise Lum was a convincing Little Eva in the ballet of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” Seen in opening night audience were the Gerry Hings, George Chans, Edward Wongs, Rachel Chinn and Howard Setos.
California State University Board Trustee, Kenneth Fong was honored at the Asian Pacific American Leadership Institute 2009 Leadership Celebration Benefit Luncheon recently at the Cypress Hotel of Cupertino. APALI’s summer program gives students a perspective on community and government involvement as well encouraging involvement and leadership under the leadership of DeAnza College Professor Michael Chang.
Chi Am Circle women’s club of Santa Clara County brought over 100 members and families to tour the Angel Island Immigration Station on a bright sunny day to learn more about the thousands of immigrants who were detained unfairly during the years of 1910-1940. Visiting the barracks, which show exhibits of how and where the immigrants of many nationalities were held, was eye-opening to many of the young people visiting, and brought out many long forgotten memories of those who had heard about the experiences of their parents or grandparents. Enjoying the outing were the Jeff Lee family, Josie Kwong, Howard and Pat Lum with grandchildren Kyle and Nathan, Harold and Gwen Wong, Don and Rose Tang, Bunny Look, Quon and Jennie Louie. The National Park Service does a wonderful job of educating visitors on four tours daily, with shuttle service from the pier for those who have difficulty walking the 1 1/3 mile trek to the AIIS site. I recommend all Asian Americans to bring their families, young and old, to revisit a part of Asian American history, which up to now, has long been untold due to the reticence of their forefathers to share this painful history. For information: visit www.aiisf.org.
A tiny but mighty theater in San Francisco’s South of Market district is presenting Sondheim’s “Putting It Together” with a talented cast in this show that covers over 40 years. You might call it a revue that’s a little Ingmar Bergman, Edward Albee, and wa whole lot of Stephen Sondheim’s interesting lyrics. The Custom Made Theatre brings fine entertainment on a smaller scale to San Francisco, as directed by Brian Kaz and Leah Abrams. For info on the show which runs until August 8, www.CustomMade.org or (800) 838-3006.
Here’s something for your children’s birthday gift list - Meet President Obama, America’s 44th President is a wonderful children’s book by Angi Ma Wong. Wong made it an interactive book, giving a fact about Obama, and asking the reader a question about themselves. For instance, one page says “President Obama lived in Indonesia. What countries have you lived in? Obama’s mother is from Wichita, Kansas. Which city and state is your mother from?” Wong makes the reader think, react and answer questions about himself he may have never thought about, all in relation to the President. Good work, Angi. For more information visit Pacificheritagebooks.com or call (310) 541-8818
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