By Mabel Pais

The Pan Asian Repertory Theatre (Tisa Chang, Founding Artistic Producing Director) presents a special virtual event: “NuWorks 2021,” the annual experimental series of self-created work from innovative artists exploring an eclectic range of genres and techniques using poetry, text, dance and music. Featuring six new works by diverse artists Annie Ngar-Lai Cheung, Shebana Coelho, Tyler Dobies, M.J. Kang, Jo Shui and Shigeko Sara Suga.

NuWORKS 2021* is curated by playwrights Damon Chua (“The Emperor’s Nightingale”), Richard Chang (“Citizen Wong”), and Project Directors Ernest Abuba and Chongren Fan.

PROGRAM: NuWORKS 2021

All screenings available beginning Monday, June 21, 2021 at 5:00PM

Available on demand through Wednesday, June 30, 2021

“Once I was a Stone,” “una piedra,” “ek pathar”

Created and Performed by Shebana Coelho

A solo work about a stone lost at sea that finds its way home, only to face a new world that upends old notions of race, place and purpose. The play is a mixture of poetry, monologues, and dance drawn from flamenco, kutiyattam and bharatanatyam – in English with fragments of Hindi and Spanish. Running time: 45 minutes. To learn about Shebana Coelho, visit shebanacoelho.com

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“Shop In Peace”

Written and Directed by Jo Shui

Featuring Ariel Estrada, Emma Lipschutz, Trevor Swann and Jen Yip.

Dramaturg: Weldon Wong Powers

“Shop In Peace” is a compilation of scenes exposing the pervasive racism that Asian Americans face even while doing something as routine as shopping. Running time: 20 minutes

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“We Must See These Things”

Created and Performed by Tyler Dobies

Videographer: John Quincy Lee

“We Must See These Things” is a conglomerate of stories made from existing in a world that doesn’t see you (or sees you too much?) told through spoken word and verbatim performance. Running time: 34 minutes. To learn about Tyler Dobies, visit tylerdobies.com

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“Asians Dating”

Written and Directed by M.J. Kang

Featuring Eva Ding, Barron Leung and M.J. Kang.

Stage Manager: Katie Scibelli

Dramaturg: Hayley Silvers

“Asians Dating” is a light-hearted portrayal of two recently divorced professionals who are trying to navigate love, life and cats while being Asian. Running time: 21 minutes

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“DOTS”

Created and Performed by Annie Ngar-lai Cheung

Teetering dangerously between tragedy and comedy, Annie takes you into the high-achieving but insecure world of a lawyer turned actress.

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“Une Saison en Enfer”

Selected poetry from “A Season in Hell” by Arthur Rimbaud

Performed in English with dialogue in French and songs in Spanish

Adopted and Directed by Shigeko Sara Suga

Featuring Dinh James Doan, Zach Lusk, and Shigeko Sara Suga

A love affair gone wrong – Arthur Rimbaud’s agony after being shot by his lover Verlaine and to be ostracized by the whole literary society in France. To learn more about SS Suga, visit shigekosuga.com.

TICKETS

A one price pass ticket is available that will allow access to all six performances. Virtual performances begin Monday, June 21, 2021 at 5:00PM and will be available on demand through Wednesday, June 30, 2021. To make a reservation, visit panasiannuworks2021.eventbrite.com A link will be sent with confirmation of purchase. Additional information is available at panasianrep.org

NuWORKS 2021

NuWORKS 2021 is curated by playwrights Damon Chua (“The Emperor’s Nightingale”), Richard Chang (“Citizen Wong”), and Project Directors Ernest Abuba and Chongren Fan. To learn more about the artists and for more information, visit panasianrep.org

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PAN ASIAN REPERTORY THEATRE

 Pan Asian Repertory Theatre, celebrating its 44th Milestone Season, is the most veteran Asian American theatre company on the East Coast. To learn more, visit panasianrep.org,

info@panasianrep.org

Twitter & Instagram: @PanAsianRep

facebook.com/panasianrep

 

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT PRODUCTIONS

By Mabel Pais

SPRING 2021 WRAP UP

JUNE 28 @ 2 PM

REPEAT ZOOM PERFORMANCES ON JULY 10 & 11

FOOD FOR THOUGHT PRODUCTIONS (FFTP), now in its 21st year, continues celebrating the oft-neglected one-act play and theatre at its best with Award-winning actors, writers and directors, with two plays that revolve around…secrets.

Tennessee Williams’ “Something Unspoken” is a brilliantly humorous vignette of the social maneuvers of a wealthy Southern Spinster. Set in a hair salon, Susan Charlotte’s “The Hairdresser” tackles such significant issues as mortality, aging, and loss, with much deeper secrets revealed as the emotionally charged interchange progresses.

The shows will be directed by FFTP’s resident director Antony Marsellis, and there will be a Q&A following with the cast and led by FFTP Founder/Playwright Susan Charlotte. Special ‘Zoom’ guests include Louise Lasser – who performed in a production of “The Hairdresser” with Stephen Schnetzer; and one of the most recognizable voices on NY and national airwaves, as well as an outspoken advocate in alerting and educating women on the perils of ovarian cancer, Valerie Smaldone.

The June 28th, 2:00pm performance will be available live via Zoom as well as a limited in-theatre ‘audience’ who will be part of a documentary being filmed on FFTP.

For those who can’t make the performance on June 28, the program will be repeated on Saturday and Sunday July 10 & 11.

TICKETS

For more information on COVID health and safety precautions and tickets, contact FFTP at info@foodforthoughtproductions.com or call 646 366 9340.

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HISPANIC YOUTH PAY HOMAGE TO WHITNEY HOUSTON

By Mabel Pais

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) hosts the 35th Anniversary Hispanic Youth Showcase on Tuesday, June 29, at 7:00 p.m. Recommended for viewers ages eight years old and up.

This year’s showcase pays homage to Newark native, international superstar Whitney Houston. Get a glimpse of the best singers, actors, and dancers of tomorrow as children and young adults present show-stopping performances. This is a FREE Virtual event that can be seen LIVE on NJPAC’s Facebook Page at facebook.com/NJPAC

The guest emcees are Arlene Ng Acosta, an actress, singer, and six-time Hispanic Youth Showcase winner, and Rafael Toro, Public Relations Director at Goya Foods.

This annual multi-disciplinary performance shines a spotlight on young performers and offers the audience a chance to vote for your favorite artists! Those selected as winners will receive scholarships and other prizes.

To learn more, visit NJPAC.org

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EMERGE III: NJSO CONCERT FILM

By Mabel Pais

EMERGE III, the final concert film premiere has been rescheduled to June 30 from its original June 23 date.

EMERGE: An NJSO Concert Film Trilogy

A musical journey without boundaries.

EMERGE Part 3: An NJSO Concert Film

Wed, June 30, at 7:30 pm

The paths to grace are before us, if we embrace our liberty of spirit. Now is the time to renew our love for life, nature and one another.

Xian Zhang, conductor

Daniil Trifonov, piano

Anderson Romero, trumpet

New Jersey Symphony Orchestra

Yuri Alves, director

Igor Alves, producer

DreamPlay Films

Tim Martyn, audio producer

SHOSTAKOVICH Piano Concerto No. 1

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 4

This film features the NJSO and Daniil Trifonov on stage with riveting images inspired by and filmed in New Jersey. Presented in 4K Ultra HD.

The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO)

To learn more about the concert and NJSO, visit njsymphony.org

(Mabel Pais writes on Social Issues, The Arts and Entertainment, Spirituality, and Health & Wellness.)