Ep 67 Kristen Faith Oei in CHICAGO; Luanne & Kristen Rosenfeld's DIVIDED Musical & Bo Law Kung Fu

Ep. 67 BACKSTAGE PASS with Lia Chang
Airs 3/10/24 at 6:30pm on FIOS 34, RCN 83, Spectrum 56/1996 and streams on MNN2
On February 9, Kristen Faith Oei made history taking center stage as the first Asian American to play Velma Kelly on Broadway opposite Ariana Madix as Roxie Hart. RepresentAsian is everything with other firsts in the Broadway company of Chicago - Lili Thomas as the first Asian American Matron “Mama” Morton and Red Concepción as the first Asian American Amos Hart.
Luanne & Kristen Rosenfeld talk Abingdon Theatre's DIVIDED and Bo Law Kung Fu at Asia Society
Abingdon Theatre Company presented a concert performance of Divided, a new musical composed by Kristen Rosenfeld with book and lyrics by Luanne Rosenfeld at Chelsea Table and Stage.
The performance was directed by Jim Cooney with musical direction by Robbie Cowan.
I sat down with the mother-daughter musical theatre writing team to talk about DIVIDED and centering their narratives on women.
Kristen also talked about her work as manager of the Bo Law Kung Fu Martial Arts School. On Saturday, February 3, Sifu Paul Koh, Kristen and students from Bo Law Kung Fu performed the Lion Dance and gave martial arts demonstrations at the Asia Society New York, as part of the programming of the delightful family friendly activities.
The cast included Kimberly Marable, Talia Suskauer, Carrie St. Louis, Rashidra Scott, Mikaela Bennett, Alyssa Wray, Robert Cuccioli, Jason Forbach, Bart Shatto, Curtis Wiley, and Wyatt McManus.
Divided is about the journey of two friends across decades, miles, and a country divided. Refusing to be defined by societal constraints, Eleanor and Hanna strive for personal freedom amidst a backdrop of hatred, lies, loss, and war. Taking place pre and post Civil War, the story of Divided spans from Mississippi to Boston, following Eleanor and Hanna, who are separated by society, but forever bonded through their bravery. On a journey that takes them both far from home, they wonder if they will ever be reunited again.
www.abingdontheatre.org
www.rosenfeldmusicals.com
www.blkf.nyc
Lia Chang is an actor, a multi-media content producer, activist, documentarian and an Award winning filmmaker and co-founder of Bev’s Girl Films making films that foster inclusion and diversity on both sides of the camera. Lia is also the host and Executive Producer of BACKSTAGE PASS WITH LIA CHANG, an Arts and Entertainment and Lifestyle Magazine Show that airs on Sundays at 6:30pm on FIOS 34, RCN 83, Spectrum 56/1996 and streams on MNN2. Lia was recently profiled on Asian American Life. BGF collaborates with and produces multi-media content for artists, actors, designers, theatrical productions, composers, musicians and corporations. www.liachang.com www.liachangphotography.com