Year: 2014
Directed by: Hieu Tran
Written by: Hieu Train
Stars: Yamil Jaiman, Ethan Le Phong, Kevin Tan
Vị đạo diễn này nói: "Thông qua bộ phim Squared, tôi muốn chỉ ra rằng không phải mọi gã Á Châu đều giống như định kiến mà xã hội đã thiết lập."
When hopeless romantic Tate, played by Yamil Jaiman, prepares to get hot and heavy with a man he meets off a phone app, things take a turn for the worse when they both discover they’re both tops. What starts off as a potential bedroom tango ultimately ends up in a battle of wits and strength to prove who’s pitching and who’s receiving…
Khi anh chàng Tate lãng mạn, do Yamil Jaiman đóng, vốn đang tuyệt vọng tìm kiếm bạn tình, chuẩn bị dấn sâu vào mối quan hệ nóng bỏng với một gã trai mà anh ta gặp được thông qua một ứng dụng trên điện thoại, thì mọi việc trở nên tồi tệ khi cả hai khám phá ra rằng cả hai đều là "top". Điều mà khi mới bắt đầu có vẻ như sẽ là một cuộc hợp bích nóng bỏng trên giường, thì cuối cùng lại trở thành một cuộc đấu trí và đấu sức để quyết định xem ai sẽ là người tung và ai sẽ là người hứng...
Inspired by the director Hieu Tran’s own person experiences, ‘Squared’ focuses on the sometimes awkward mating ritual performed by many gay men who let effeminate personality traits predetermine a guys orientation.
“With Squared, I want to show that not all Asians fit into the stereotypes that society has constructed,” the director says.
Được truyền cảm hứng từ chính kinh nghiệm riêng của đạo diễn Hiếu Trần, phim ngắn Squared tập trung vào việc khai thác những kiểu cách cặp bồ đôi khi kỳ quặc của nhiều anh chàng gay vốn luôn đánh giá xu hướng tính dục của một gã trai thông qua những nét nữ tính cá nhân.
Vị đạo diễn này nói: "Thông qua bộ phim Squared, tôi muốn chỉ ra rằng không phải mọi gã Á Châu đều giống như định kiến mà xã hội đã thiết lập."
Yamil Jaiman
Ethan Le Phong
Yamil Jaiman, Ethan Le Phong, Kevin Tan
Gay Asian-American Filmmaker Hieu Tran
Hieu Tran
On a routine work-related google images search, I ran across an intriguing pic of two very handsome, well-built, topless young men in a confrontational pose (the one below). (No, I wasn’t looking for porn.) One was Asian the other Anglo (my preferred word for white). Upon clicking on the image, it turned out that it was a still photo from the trailer of a short film called, Squared (2013), about what happens when an Asian guy and an Anglo guy get together for a one-night stand. (Hint: the Anglo guy gets schooled.) I shortly discovered that I could purchase the short film by clicking the link for the film’s web page in the description section of the trailer for $1.99 (or more if you want to donate to the film’s production). So, I watched the less-than fifteen-minute movie and by the end I was quite impressed. It was well-written, well-acted, beautifully shot, and very well-directed. Most of all, it concerned a subject with which I could very much identify – racial stereotyping.
I then did a little research on the writer-director, Hieu Tran, and from his Facebook page I found out that he is a young man who two years ago graduated from UC San Diego with a BA in Visual Arts Media and a BA in Human Development. Exploring his YouTube page, I uncovered two more short films, Scripts (2011) and Traffic (2013), both gay-related, along with a collection of various skits, music video covers, and live music recordings. His latest one-minute 8-second video is a very cute and touching tribute to “Dads,” aptly called, Thanks, Dads (2014) where an eleven-year-old boy thanks his two adoptive fathers, in an all-Asian cast.
His film Squared personally struck a chord with me in another way because I used to live in San Diego and was delighted to see that a small part of it may have been filmed in the city’s gay district of Hillcrest. The high quality of the film is evidenced by its official selection to appear in the Filmout San Diego 16th Annual LGBT Film Festival 2014, Outfest Fusion LGBT People of Color Film Festival 2014, Viet Film Fest 2014, Boston LGBT Fest 2014, and the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival 2014, and many more. (A full listing below.)
If the work Hieu Tran has produced so far is any indication, this young writer, editor, director has a bright and prosperous future ahead of him indeed. On his Facebook page under “Personal Interests,” he writes, “I like to defy mainstream, heteronormative media.”
We are fortunate that he has agreed to be interviewed by peppii.
peppii: Hieu, thanks for agreeing to be interviewed by peppii. Let me ask you, how long have you been interested in films and filmmaking? When you enrolled at UCSD did you know that’s what you’d be majoring in?
Hieu: Thanks for having me! I originally majored in General Biology for plans on becoming a science teacher or a pediatrician. But after my second quarter of chemistry, I realized science was not appealing to me and I wanted to do something else with my life. I signed up for “Intro to Media” as an elective class and I quickly got into it. I love having the ability to tell a story. I started out on YouTube in 2008 and now I am branching out to film festivals.
peppii: When did you come out? Were you already out in college? If so, did that make it easier to base your film projects on gay-related topics?
Hieu: I came out to my friends during my freshmen year of high school. I came from a small high school so I did not really get to explore my sexuality until college. I was open about myself in college and wrote scripts for class assignments based off my own experiences. My short films are like video journals. All my short films have Asian lead actors because I wanted to be able to relate to the characters.
peppii: Would you tell us a little about Scripts and how it came about?
Hieu: Scripts was a short about some dates I have been on. I had a lot of social scripts in my head during my early years of dating about how I should behave on a date, such as who pays for dinner, who initiates the conversation, etc. It is one of my very early first comedic gay shorts.
peppii: Would you tell us a little about Traffic and how it came about?
Hieu: Traffic was a short film about a guy trying to please everyone after getting a new car. The message is about people not always having to please everyone in their lives. I believe there will always be problems and things holding us back from our goals – the traffic in life – but it is always nice to have people who I can trust by my side.
peppii: Would you tell us a little about Squared and how it came about? How does the word “squared” fit into the story?
Hieu: Squared is a short about a one night stand getting competitive when two guys find out they are both tops. The title Squared came from “Top x Top = Top^2.” SQUARED was inspired by the racist experiences my friends and I have been through. Society often objectifies Asians, especially gay Asians, and portrays them as submissive, feminine, and passive. With SQUARED, I want to show that not all Asians fit into the stereotypes that society has constructed.
peppii: What inspired you to put together the very short, but touching tribute to fathers in Thanks, Dads?
Hieu: Around Father’s Day, I usually see advertisements showing dads in straight families. I wanted to recognize gay dads and I took it a step further by showing two Asian dads. There are many kinds of fathers in the world and I wanted to depict a commercial-like video that I never see on television.
peppii: What would you like to see yourself having accomplished at the pinnacle of your career?
Hieu: I would like to make a feature film at some point in my career. As for now, I am perfectly happy with making short films. I just turned 25 and I am still trying to figure out where I will be in the next ten years. As of now, I am not sure where I will be, but I want to continue to make films and learn more about video production.
peppii: What legacy would you like to leave in the film business or the LGBT community, or both?
Hieu: As a kid, I could never relate to the heteronormative, Caucasian-dominated television shows and movies. And if there were any Asian and gay roles, they typically were the nerds, martial artists, or the hyper-effeminate and passive. So in college, I decided to make my own short films to defy these stereotypes. Many of my shorts are on YouTube. Sometimes I get demeaning comments about my work but other times, I get really nice ones. I get true joy when a viewer sends me a message telling me how my videos have impacted them. This means my efforts are worth it.
peppii: Finally, what message would you like to send to other gay-Asian and/or LGBT people who are thinking about going into film-making?
There are three lessons I have learned as a filmmaker:
Shadow people in the film industry or apply to be a production assistant on set. You’ll learn so much more than from a book or online video.
Have the courage to say hi to other filmmakers. Getting a job and support is truly about who you know in the industry.
Don’t be afraid to tell your own story. Your story is worth telling.
peppii: Thank you, Hieu, for telling us about yourself and your career thus far. We appreciate your great talent and look forward to your future endeavors.
peppii readers: Please check out Hieu Tran’s work on the highlighted YouTube links in the introduction above. All except for Squared ($1.99 or more) are free to watch on youtube. For his YouTube profile with links to his work click here.
Full listing of film festivals for which Squared has been officially selected to appear:
1. FilmOut San Diego Film Festival, San Diego, CA (January 2014)
2. Outfest Fusion Film Festival,, Los Angeles, CA (March 2014)
3. CinemAsia Film Festival, Netherlands (April 2014)
4. Boston LGBT Film Festival, Boston, MA (April 2014)
5. Vietnamese Film Festival, Irvine, CA (April 2014)
6. Miami LGBT Film Festival, Miami, FL (May 2014)
7. Feast Film Festival, Australia (July 2014)
8. CMG Shorts Film Festival, Los Angeles, CA (September 2014)
9. Chicago Reeling LGBT Film Festival, Chicago, IL (September 2014)
10. Tampa LGBT Film Festival,Tampa,FL (October 2014)
11. San Diego Asian Film Festival, San Diego,CA (November 2014)
ETHAN LE PHONG
BWW Interviews: ETHAN LE PHONG Adds a Dash of Pepper to MAMMA MIA!
You wouldn't know it from his youthful looks, but actor Ethan LePhong has been a longtime global chameleon for quite some time. Plucked from the theater scene while still attending college, Phong began his continuous upward trajectory when he packed his suitcase and joined the German company of MISS SAIGON before whisking back stateside to join the show's national tour, then, eventually the Broadway company soon after. Later, he heard London calling, and he answered in the form of West End iterations of THE KING & I, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, and SOUTH PACIFIC.
Years pass under London's grey skies when the rays of Southern California sunshine finally guided him back to the U.S., where he quickly made a name for himself as a local presence. Aside from his rather revealing role in the film version of NAKED BOYS SINGING, Phong has since appeared in the celebrated Hollywood Bowl productions of LES MISÉRABLES and RENT (the latter directed by Neil Patrick Harris), the World Premiere of the new musical MASK at the Pasadena Playhouse, and as the title role in East West Players' all-Asian cast of PIPPIN.
But, as you may expect from a traveler, you can't seem to keep the guy in one place for very long. For almost a year now, Phong has been spicing things up as Pepper in the 2nd National Tour of the global hit musical MAMMA MIA!. His character is the funny local bartender with a penchant for gravity defying split jumps and romancing visiting cougars.
He recently returned to the tour after a month-long leave of absence to nurse a work-induced injury—the perils of vigorous dancing, no doubt. But before the show makes its anticipated return to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Orange County for a week-long engagement from June 21-26, the actor paused for a brief chat with BroadwayWorld's Michael Lawrence Quintosto talk about his role in the hit ABBA-rific musical, his influences as a kid, and his wish to see more Asian-Americans on the Broadway stage.
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BWW: Hi, Ethan! So you recently just returned to your role as Pepper on the national tour of MAMMA MIA from a medical leave. What happened?
Ethan: Oh, I injured my back doing some of the stunts on the show. So I took a month off and thankfully I've recovered and am back in full force! I returned [to the tour] in San Jose, so [Orange County] will be my third week back.
And everything's okay?
Yeah, everything's great. I'm working out every day, eating right, and, you know, just maintaining the level that I need in order to perform in the show... which takes a lot.
I bet! So, prior to your medical leave, how has the tour been going so far?
It's been going great! It's nice to travel... I love traveling. So to visit different cities and to meet different people... you know, it's a joy! So, I've been having a great time. We started the tour in August [2010], so we are coming up to almost a full year now! It's still going strong and I'm looking forward to another year [of touring] hopefully, so we'll see!
Years pass under London's grey skies when the rays of Southern California sunshine finally guided him back to the U.S., where he quickly made a name for himself as a local presence. Aside from his rather revealing role in the film version of NAKED BOYS SINGING, Phong has since appeared in the celebrated Hollywood Bowl productions of LES MISÉRABLES and RENT (the latter directed by Neil Patrick Harris), the World Premiere of the new musical MASK at the Pasadena Playhouse, and as the title role in East West Players' all-Asian cast of PIPPIN.
But, as you may expect from a traveler, you can't seem to keep the guy in one place for very long. For almost a year now, Phong has been spicing things up as Pepper in the 2nd National Tour of the global hit musical MAMMA MIA!. His character is the funny local bartender with a penchant for gravity defying split jumps and romancing visiting cougars.
He recently returned to the tour after a month-long leave of absence to nurse a work-induced injury—the perils of vigorous dancing, no doubt. But before the show makes its anticipated return to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Orange County for a week-long engagement from June 21-26, the actor paused for a brief chat with BroadwayWorld's Michael Lawrence Quintosto talk about his role in the hit ABBA-rific musical, his influences as a kid, and his wish to see more Asian-Americans on the Broadway stage.
----
BWW: Hi, Ethan! So you recently just returned to your role as Pepper on the national tour of MAMMA MIA from a medical leave. What happened?
Ethan: Oh, I injured my back doing some of the stunts on the show. So I took a month off and thankfully I've recovered and am back in full force! I returned [to the tour] in San Jose, so [Orange County] will be my third week back.
And everything's okay?
Yeah, everything's great. I'm working out every day, eating right, and, you know, just maintaining the level that I need in order to perform in the show... which takes a lot.
I bet! So, prior to your medical leave, how has the tour been going so far?
It's been going great! It's nice to travel... I love traveling. So to visit different cities and to meet different people... you know, it's a joy! So, I've been having a great time. We started the tour in August [2010], so we are coming up to almost a full year now! It's still going strong and I'm looking forward to another year [of touring] hopefully, so we'll see!
Cool! Well, speaking of MAMMA MIA, let me just say that, as a fellow performer of Asian descent, I think it's so refreshing that the show institutes color-blind casting, and that it's possible to see someone like us take on a role in a show that's not about geishas or refugees. Okay, for those five or ten people who've never seen the show, tell us a little bit about your character Pepper.
Well, Pepper is a bartender on this Greek Island. He's a bit of a jokester and charmer. He likes to flirt with everyone on stage—and that's one of my choices... I just decided [Pepper] tends to flirt with everyone [Laughs]. During the wedding [in the story], he fancies himself to Tanya [played by Alison Ewing] who's a much older female counterpart. Throughout the course of the show, you see him flirt and try all attempts to get that woman.
Does ethnicity somewhat factor into how you play your version of the character, or does it at all?
You know, I really don't think it does. I mean, I think it's great that I was cast as Pepper and that I am the only Asian in the show—I mean, besides our hairstylist on the show, who's Filipino—but I just wanted to take on the role and find certain traits he might have that I see in myself or I can bring to the role. I really don't think I use the "Asian Card" to find out who Pepper is. I think, he's just... he's a goofball! He would be regardless of any race, and I hope people can see that.
And the great thing is... I remember when I saw the show for the first time in London, the [character of] Sky was played by an Asian actor! I was like, "Oh, that's great!" I've seen black "Peppers" as well as white "Peppers"...so it's great that the show [uses] color-blind casting. It just gives everyone a chance to be on stage!
I totally agree! I think that's remarkable when a show is even able to look past race and do that!
I think it is very important that we are up there. In fact, we need to see more Asian actors in roles! When I first moved to New York City, I remember seeing Darren Lee in the revival of ON THE TOWN. It was really encouraging, and made me work very hard to continue to push boundaries and make people think outside the box. Why is it that we can only have that one "token ethnic" in a show—unless the show is about Asians like MISS SAIGON or THE KING AND I? We [Asian actors] are fighting for those one or two spots in the show and there really should be more opportunities to showcase all ethnicities!
I know what you mean. I think that's why I have held myself back from pursuing a career in musical theater, primarily because I didn't think there were that many roles available for someone like me, not to mention the fact that I have such an unusually high soprano voice for a dude! [Laughs]
Get thee to CHICAGO for Mary Sunshine then!
Well, Pepper is a bartender on this Greek Island. He's a bit of a jokester and charmer. He likes to flirt with everyone on stage—and that's one of my choices... I just decided [Pepper] tends to flirt with everyone [Laughs]. During the wedding [in the story], he fancies himself to Tanya [played by Alison Ewing] who's a much older female counterpart. Throughout the course of the show, you see him flirt and try all attempts to get that woman.
Does ethnicity somewhat factor into how you play your version of the character, or does it at all?
You know, I really don't think it does. I mean, I think it's great that I was cast as Pepper and that I am the only Asian in the show—I mean, besides our hairstylist on the show, who's Filipino—but I just wanted to take on the role and find certain traits he might have that I see in myself or I can bring to the role. I really don't think I use the "Asian Card" to find out who Pepper is. I think, he's just... he's a goofball! He would be regardless of any race, and I hope people can see that.
And the great thing is... I remember when I saw the show for the first time in London, the [character of] Sky was played by an Asian actor! I was like, "Oh, that's great!" I've seen black "Peppers" as well as white "Peppers"...so it's great that the show [uses] color-blind casting. It just gives everyone a chance to be on stage!
I totally agree! I think that's remarkable when a show is even able to look past race and do that!
I think it is very important that we are up there. In fact, we need to see more Asian actors in roles! When I first moved to New York City, I remember seeing Darren Lee in the revival of ON THE TOWN. It was really encouraging, and made me work very hard to continue to push boundaries and make people think outside the box. Why is it that we can only have that one "token ethnic" in a show—unless the show is about Asians like MISS SAIGON or THE KING AND I? We [Asian actors] are fighting for those one or two spots in the show and there really should be more opportunities to showcase all ethnicities!
I know what you mean. I think that's why I have held myself back from pursuing a career in musical theater, primarily because I didn't think there were that many roles available for someone like me, not to mention the fact that I have such an unusually high soprano voice for a dude! [Laughs]
Get thee to CHICAGO for Mary Sunshine then!
[Laughs] Maybe if I was taller! But, anyway, seeing guys like you, B.D. Wong andTelly Leung doing well in stage musicals always makes me smile! You guys are totally representing!
B.D. Wong! Yes! And Telly is such a good guy, he deserves greatness! He and I should write a show together. All in all, I've been very blessed. I've been the token Asian guy like Telly in some amazing high-profile shows.
Indeed! Now, you're no stranger to the local L.A. Theater scene, having done shows like East West Player's PIPPIN, both LES MISÉRABLES and RENT at the Hollywood Bowl, and you were also in Pasadena Playhouse's premiere musical adaptation of MASK and, most recently, at a staged reading of a new musical atSouth Coast Repertory. Tell me, how does working in theater in Southern California personally compare to touring or doing shows in New York or London?
You know, it's just like any other place. You head to your prime location and you start auditioning and you slowly build a better reputation that you're a hard worker. Hopefully, your talent will supersede everything, and people will slowly get to know of you through word-of-mouth. I've gotten to the point where I've lived in L.A. for about five years and it's nice that my name comes up in casting. I've worked hard enough and have presented myself positively, hoping my talent will speak for itself. It's nice to finally get people to say "Hey, call him in! We'd like to see him!" instead of me always trying to knock down the door and going to open casting calls to make sure I get cast.
But to answer your original question, it's about the same. I've gone from New York to London... I started out very unknown, but I worked really hard to get my name out and work with great people! And I've kept up friendships with these great directors and casting people. Hopefully that will continue. L.A. is still my home base now, even while I'm away on tour. But, [judging] from my track record... you never know, next year, maybe I'll land in Australia for a couple of years! [Laughs] Who knows? But, yeah, right now, I definitely enjoy the vibe in Southern California, but I do miss New York. I hope that one day I will get to return to Broadway and also appear once in a while in London for a gig or two.
B.D. Wong! Yes! And Telly is such a good guy, he deserves greatness! He and I should write a show together. All in all, I've been very blessed. I've been the token Asian guy like Telly in some amazing high-profile shows.
Indeed! Now, you're no stranger to the local L.A. Theater scene, having done shows like East West Player's PIPPIN, both LES MISÉRABLES and RENT at the Hollywood Bowl, and you were also in Pasadena Playhouse's premiere musical adaptation of MASK and, most recently, at a staged reading of a new musical atSouth Coast Repertory. Tell me, how does working in theater in Southern California personally compare to touring or doing shows in New York or London?
You know, it's just like any other place. You head to your prime location and you start auditioning and you slowly build a better reputation that you're a hard worker. Hopefully, your talent will supersede everything, and people will slowly get to know of you through word-of-mouth. I've gotten to the point where I've lived in L.A. for about five years and it's nice that my name comes up in casting. I've worked hard enough and have presented myself positively, hoping my talent will speak for itself. It's nice to finally get people to say "Hey, call him in! We'd like to see him!" instead of me always trying to knock down the door and going to open casting calls to make sure I get cast.
But to answer your original question, it's about the same. I've gone from New York to London... I started out very unknown, but I worked really hard to get my name out and work with great people! And I've kept up friendships with these great directors and casting people. Hopefully that will continue. L.A. is still my home base now, even while I'm away on tour. But, [judging] from my track record... you never know, next year, maybe I'll land in Australia for a couple of years! [Laughs] Who knows? But, yeah, right now, I definitely enjoy the vibe in Southern California, but I do miss New York. I hope that one day I will get to return to Broadway and also appear once in a while in London for a gig or two.
Awesome! Okay, so a few years ago, a bunch of my friends gathered together for a movie night at a house and we screened the film version of NAKED BOYS SINGING, which, of course featured you—well, a lot of you. Can you tell me a little bit about that experience?
[Laughs] You know, it was a very refreshing experience in that it challenged me to really test my boundaries. I thought, when I found out about the casting, I went.. "You know what? Why not?" I'm still young... everything is still where it should be on my body! [Laughs] And, hopefully, I could be in a film and portray a positive Asian actor out there that's, you know, doing a show like this and break molds and break stereotypes. And also to just deliver a good performance.
I remember the day before when we had to finally undress... I remember that I was so nervous! I was turning red everywhere, my body started itching, and I thought, "Ohmigod, I signed up for this... I know I have to do it, but I don't think I can, and maybe I should quit right now!" But in order for me to really do it and challenge myself, I created a new persona! [Laughs] So, okay, I created this person, his name is Leland Way, and he can do anything he wants—no holds barred! And I think I had to do that... to fall into this other character. So the next day, I just pretended I was this other person and... undress! Nothing ever bothered him! It was a breeze for him! And then, of course, when they called "cut," I was, like, "Where's my robe?!" [Laughs]
Did you ever perform in the live stage version of the show?
No, I haven't. I've been invited a couple of times around the country to do it ever since after the movie [was released]. But, with my schedule, I was never able to do it.
I see. So, switching gears for a moment... let's talk a little bit about your background. Where were you born and where did you primarily grow up?
I was born in Vietnam, and I was raised in Chicago for my youth, and then I went to school down in Georgia.
[Laughs] You know, it was a very refreshing experience in that it challenged me to really test my boundaries. I thought, when I found out about the casting, I went.. "You know what? Why not?" I'm still young... everything is still where it should be on my body! [Laughs] And, hopefully, I could be in a film and portray a positive Asian actor out there that's, you know, doing a show like this and break molds and break stereotypes. And also to just deliver a good performance.
I remember the day before when we had to finally undress... I remember that I was so nervous! I was turning red everywhere, my body started itching, and I thought, "Ohmigod, I signed up for this... I know I have to do it, but I don't think I can, and maybe I should quit right now!" But in order for me to really do it and challenge myself, I created a new persona! [Laughs] So, okay, I created this person, his name is Leland Way, and he can do anything he wants—no holds barred! And I think I had to do that... to fall into this other character. So the next day, I just pretended I was this other person and... undress! Nothing ever bothered him! It was a breeze for him! And then, of course, when they called "cut," I was, like, "Where's my robe?!" [Laughs]
Did you ever perform in the live stage version of the show?
No, I haven't. I've been invited a couple of times around the country to do it ever since after the movie [was released]. But, with my schedule, I was never able to do it.
I see. So, switching gears for a moment... let's talk a little bit about your background. Where were you born and where did you primarily grow up?
I was born in Vietnam, and I was raised in Chicago for my youth, and then I went to school down in Georgia.
Growing up, were you exposed to a lot of theater?
My first exposure was definitely in Chicago. I was, I think, in fifth or sixth grade... my teacher was very affirmative with the Arts. We went to a two-week course at the Disney Magnet School. We learned everything about television, film, theater, painting, and how to develop commercials. At the end of the two weeks, we put up a show! I remember that I got cast as Thomas Edison for The Story of Thomas Edison. So, there you go again! An Asian kid playing a white man! [Laughs] From there I went on to perform with the All-City Choir in Chicago. I had my first field trip to New York and got to sing in Carnegie Hall! Yeah, so that's when, I think, I started getting the bug.
So that started the ball rolling!
Yeah, after that, I auditioned a lot in high school. I was advised to take dance lessons... I think my first dance lesson was when I was 16 or 17. Soon after I auditioned for and worked amusement parks and community theater during the summer—just to always keep myself in a theater environment.
Who were some of your idols and influences growing up?
Lea Salonga , of course! When I first heard about MISS SAIGON, I was determined to find out everything about it. And hearing about her breaking barriers and... [Pauses] ...and especially since it's a musical about the Vietnamese people during the war. It certainly caught my attention. But, yeah, she's definitely an influence. Let's see... Lucille Ball! For comedy, I look up to her. All of my comic bits, I think, derive from watching I Love Lucy all these years. [Laughs]. Whenever someone asks me, "if you could have dinner with a person, either living or dead, who would it be?" And, instantly, her name pops up! [Pauses] Oh, uh, and Bruce Lee, of course! His constant struggles and tribulations have been a wonderment to me and, hopefully, one day I'll get to play him... if they ever do a show about him.
You mean a musical version of his life? Like, BRUCE LEE: THE MUSICAL?!
Right! [Laughs] Yeah, a musical version! But as far as other influences, I love Stephen Sondheim! His musical attributes are amazing. Bob Fosse is always someone I've studied closely for dance. A lot of the people that have influenced me are masters in their genre.
What about specific musicals? Any particular ones influenced your love of the business?
Oh, I think LES MIS, being that it was the first musical that I've seen live. I saw it at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta when I was a sophomore in high school for my birthday. I remember that day clearly. I sat in the gallery which is, like, very far. I remember feeling a sense of... like, I wish I could just leap out of my seat and just be on that stage and perform! It was nothing like I've ever seen or heard before. And I knew ever since then that I was going to do that show, come rain or come shine! And... I got to do it! It was something I could check off my bucket list!
My first exposure was definitely in Chicago. I was, I think, in fifth or sixth grade... my teacher was very affirmative with the Arts. We went to a two-week course at the Disney Magnet School. We learned everything about television, film, theater, painting, and how to develop commercials. At the end of the two weeks, we put up a show! I remember that I got cast as Thomas Edison for The Story of Thomas Edison. So, there you go again! An Asian kid playing a white man! [Laughs] From there I went on to perform with the All-City Choir in Chicago. I had my first field trip to New York and got to sing in Carnegie Hall! Yeah, so that's when, I think, I started getting the bug.
So that started the ball rolling!
Yeah, after that, I auditioned a lot in high school. I was advised to take dance lessons... I think my first dance lesson was when I was 16 or 17. Soon after I auditioned for and worked amusement parks and community theater during the summer—just to always keep myself in a theater environment.
Who were some of your idols and influences growing up?
Lea Salonga , of course! When I first heard about MISS SAIGON, I was determined to find out everything about it. And hearing about her breaking barriers and... [Pauses] ...and especially since it's a musical about the Vietnamese people during the war. It certainly caught my attention. But, yeah, she's definitely an influence. Let's see... Lucille Ball! For comedy, I look up to her. All of my comic bits, I think, derive from watching I Love Lucy all these years. [Laughs]. Whenever someone asks me, "if you could have dinner with a person, either living or dead, who would it be?" And, instantly, her name pops up! [Pauses] Oh, uh, and Bruce Lee, of course! His constant struggles and tribulations have been a wonderment to me and, hopefully, one day I'll get to play him... if they ever do a show about him.
You mean a musical version of his life? Like, BRUCE LEE: THE MUSICAL?!
Right! [Laughs] Yeah, a musical version! But as far as other influences, I love Stephen Sondheim! His musical attributes are amazing. Bob Fosse is always someone I've studied closely for dance. A lot of the people that have influenced me are masters in their genre.
What about specific musicals? Any particular ones influenced your love of the business?
Oh, I think LES MIS, being that it was the first musical that I've seen live. I saw it at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta when I was a sophomore in high school for my birthday. I remember that day clearly. I sat in the gallery which is, like, very far. I remember feeling a sense of... like, I wish I could just leap out of my seat and just be on that stage and perform! It was nothing like I've ever seen or heard before. And I knew ever since then that I was going to do that show, come rain or come shine! And... I got to do it! It was something I could check off my bucket list!
Awesome! Now, I'm sure you get asked this a lot, but... do you have any other roles in other shows on your wish list that you maybe want to play someday?
Oh, wow. A lot! "Raoul" in PHANTOM! And I definitely would like to tackle both "Marius" and "Enjolras" in LES MIS. There's "The Engineer" in MISS SAIGON... in a few years, of course [Laughs]. Um, also, the Emcee in CABARET would be a lot of fun! Oh, and if they could do an all-Asian cast of NEXT TO NORMAL, I would be happy! [Laughs]
That would be interesting! I mean, really, an all-Asian cast of anything! [Laughs]
Yeah! I remember when I did the musical PIPPIN in college... and then for me to finally playPippin with East West Players was a great experience for me.
Oh, wow. A lot! "Raoul" in PHANTOM! And I definitely would like to tackle both "Marius" and "Enjolras" in LES MIS. There's "The Engineer" in MISS SAIGON... in a few years, of course [Laughs]. Um, also, the Emcee in CABARET would be a lot of fun! Oh, and if they could do an all-Asian cast of NEXT TO NORMAL, I would be happy! [Laughs]
That would be interesting! I mean, really, an all-Asian cast of anything! [Laughs]
Yeah! I remember when I did the musical PIPPIN in college... and then for me to finally playPippin with East West Players was a great experience for me.
That's so cool! Okay, so we've come to my favorite part of doing an interview: THE LIGHTNING ROUND! I'll ask you some quick, short questions and all you have to do is just give me the first thing that pops into your head. Okay?
Cool deal! Okay! [Laughs]
In one word, describe for me what goes through your head right before you step on stage as Pepper.
Breathe.
What's your favorite musical of all time?
Les Misérables.
What song do you like belting in the shower or when you're all alone in the car?
[Laughs] "And I Am Telling You..." [Laughs]
Well, I have to admit, that's probably my choice as well [Laughs]. Okay, which Broadway actor/actress are you completely obsessed with at the moment and why?
Oh, Norbert Leo Butz in CATCH ME IF YOU CAN! He is such a flawless actor. I first saw him in THE LAST FIVE YEARS and I remembered, wow, I didn't feel like I was watching an actor on stage. He just embodied this person. He just has this relaxed feel about him. He draws you in. And, so, yeah, he's a Master Class to watch!
And he just won the Tony last Sunday!
Exactly! And, such a humbling speech that he gave, you know, with everything that's been going on in his life.
I know, right? A great, touching moment. Okay, next question... what scares you the most?
Not being nervous.
What is your one guilty pleasure?
Oooh... Krispy Kreme Doughnuts! [Laughs]
What do you like doing on your day off?
Oh, well, I try my best to sleep in... but I always wake up.
That must be hard since you guys have been doing the show in a new city almost every few days, right?
Yeah, sometimes we do three cities in one week, so it can get very exhausting.
What or Who irritates you the most?
Cell phones in theaters!!
What instantly puts a smile on your face?
My nephews!
Awww. If you could trade lives with someone for one day, who would it be and why?
Judi Dench! [Laughs] Yes, Dame Judi Dench. Why? She's captivating! Her career is amazing! She can fall in and out of Shakespeare then go right into playing M in a Bond movie. She has worked with amazing people and her history and profile are just unbelievable. Hmmm... and why not switch places with a girl and step into her shoes once in a while? [Laughs]
[Laughs] Hope that works out for you! Okay, if you weren't an actor, what other career do you picture yourself doing?
Oh. Wow. Um... a doctor or surgeon! I've always wanted to be a surgeon.
You can be a singing surgeon!
I can be in the musical version of Grey's Anatomy! Oh, wait, they did that already. [Laughs]
What is the one thing you learned about yourself being a member of the Broadway community?
To be able to share things and to be a part of an ensemble together is fantastic.
As you probably know, many of our readers on BroadwayWorld are young theater students hoping to someday do exactly what you're doing. What advice would you like to share with them about going into this line of work?
I think that if you breathe it... if you wake up in the morning thinking about it, and it's the last thing you think about at the end of each night—and you really have a passion for it—I say, go for it! Learn everything you can, be the best that you can be, and know that you're going to be good in the field. And be nice to everybody! I mean, really... be a team player, because when an ensemble works on stage, it's magic. That's the star of the show! So, yeah, work hard and if this is what you want to do, then go into it 100%! It's really rewarding to do it.
Great advice! One last question... what has been your absolute favorite moment of the MAMMA MIA tour so far?
Um... when... [Pauses] What city was it? Perhaps it was in Duluth, one of the first stops on the tour. The stage crew—who've been watching us rehearse—dared me for my last show to squeeze in 14 jumps in the show! Pepper has to do these split jumps. On average, I can do about eight or ten. So they were, like, "We dare you to do 14... and if you do, we will give you a stage crew shirt," which only the stage crew union are allowed to have. So, I was, like, "okay, let me take on that challenge!" I think that was one of my best moments because I got respect from the stage crew! [Laughs]
So, I take it you made all 14 jumps!
Yeah, I pulled it off! Have I been able to repeat that? Uh, no, not yet. [Laughs]
I love that one of your shots from the show features you mid-air making that split jump!
Oh, yeah, that photoshoot day was amazing! I think I did over 50 jumps just to get that one shot! That's me... No lip-syncing, no Photoshop... all live, baby! [Laughs]
Cool deal! Okay! [Laughs]
In one word, describe for me what goes through your head right before you step on stage as Pepper.
Breathe.
What's your favorite musical of all time?
Les Misérables.
What song do you like belting in the shower or when you're all alone in the car?
[Laughs] "And I Am Telling You..." [Laughs]
Well, I have to admit, that's probably my choice as well [Laughs]. Okay, which Broadway actor/actress are you completely obsessed with at the moment and why?
Oh, Norbert Leo Butz in CATCH ME IF YOU CAN! He is such a flawless actor. I first saw him in THE LAST FIVE YEARS and I remembered, wow, I didn't feel like I was watching an actor on stage. He just embodied this person. He just has this relaxed feel about him. He draws you in. And, so, yeah, he's a Master Class to watch!
And he just won the Tony last Sunday!
Exactly! And, such a humbling speech that he gave, you know, with everything that's been going on in his life.
I know, right? A great, touching moment. Okay, next question... what scares you the most?
Not being nervous.
What is your one guilty pleasure?
Oooh... Krispy Kreme Doughnuts! [Laughs]
What do you like doing on your day off?
Oh, well, I try my best to sleep in... but I always wake up.
That must be hard since you guys have been doing the show in a new city almost every few days, right?
Yeah, sometimes we do three cities in one week, so it can get very exhausting.
What or Who irritates you the most?
Cell phones in theaters!!
What instantly puts a smile on your face?
My nephews!
Awww. If you could trade lives with someone for one day, who would it be and why?
Judi Dench! [Laughs] Yes, Dame Judi Dench. Why? She's captivating! Her career is amazing! She can fall in and out of Shakespeare then go right into playing M in a Bond movie. She has worked with amazing people and her history and profile are just unbelievable. Hmmm... and why not switch places with a girl and step into her shoes once in a while? [Laughs]
[Laughs] Hope that works out for you! Okay, if you weren't an actor, what other career do you picture yourself doing?
Oh. Wow. Um... a doctor or surgeon! I've always wanted to be a surgeon.
You can be a singing surgeon!
I can be in the musical version of Grey's Anatomy! Oh, wait, they did that already. [Laughs]
What is the one thing you learned about yourself being a member of the Broadway community?
To be able to share things and to be a part of an ensemble together is fantastic.
As you probably know, many of our readers on BroadwayWorld are young theater students hoping to someday do exactly what you're doing. What advice would you like to share with them about going into this line of work?
I think that if you breathe it... if you wake up in the morning thinking about it, and it's the last thing you think about at the end of each night—and you really have a passion for it—I say, go for it! Learn everything you can, be the best that you can be, and know that you're going to be good in the field. And be nice to everybody! I mean, really... be a team player, because when an ensemble works on stage, it's magic. That's the star of the show! So, yeah, work hard and if this is what you want to do, then go into it 100%! It's really rewarding to do it.
Great advice! One last question... what has been your absolute favorite moment of the MAMMA MIA tour so far?
Um... when... [Pauses] What city was it? Perhaps it was in Duluth, one of the first stops on the tour. The stage crew—who've been watching us rehearse—dared me for my last show to squeeze in 14 jumps in the show! Pepper has to do these split jumps. On average, I can do about eight or ten. So they were, like, "We dare you to do 14... and if you do, we will give you a stage crew shirt," which only the stage crew union are allowed to have. So, I was, like, "okay, let me take on that challenge!" I think that was one of my best moments because I got respect from the stage crew! [Laughs]
So, I take it you made all 14 jumps!
Yeah, I pulled it off! Have I been able to repeat that? Uh, no, not yet. [Laughs]
I love that one of your shots from the show features you mid-air making that split jump!
Oh, yeah, that photoshoot day was amazing! I think I did over 50 jumps just to get that one shot! That's me... No lip-syncing, no Photoshop... all live, baby! [Laughs]
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