Kristina Wong Arrives In Tempe

There’s a buzz about Kristina Wong at ASU Gammage. We are all excited to meet this smart, funny and outspoken artist who is bringing her one-woman show, Wong Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest to ASU Gammage on Saturday, January 30.

Take a minute and check out Kristina’s Web site http://www.kristinawong.com/ for a great look inside the mind of Kristina! From her laugh-out-loud funny blog, her fictional characters such as Fannie Wong, former Miss Chinatown, 2nd Runner Up, the fact that she once drove a pink Mercedes Benz named Harold that ran on vegetable oil (license plate WONGSTA), guerilla performance tactics, to her latest work in development, Cat Lady, it’s all in there – and more.

Yes, Kristina is a genuinely funny person, but there is much more to this artist and activist’s work.

In Wong Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Kristina’s powerful performance addresses the incredibly high incidence of anxiety, depression and mental illness among Asian American women, bringing awareness about mental health issues in marginalized communities and the lack of public resources available for mental health. And don’t leave the performance too quickly, you don’t want to miss the post-show talkback with Kristina.

Gammage’s work with Kristina isn’t limited to the January 30 performance. Kristina will be an ASU Gammage Artist-in-Residence for the week of January 25-30. While she is here she will give a variety of lectures and interactive workshops to ASU theatre classes, interdisciplinary performance classes as well as two workshops with South Mountain Community College’s Theatre and Storytelling students; Subversive Art and Activism and Finding Your Language: Playing with Different Performance Tongues.


You can get a sneak peek of Wong Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest at the Free Open Rehearsal on Friday, January 29 at ASU Gammage from 12-1:00 p.m. Participants will get a behind-the-scenes look at Kristina prepping for the show and have an opportunity to ask questions about her work and creative process. Don’t forget to RSVP to cpinfo@asugammage.com. Should be a great week!


Hope to see you at the show!
Kristen Markus

Hello from Ellen Harvey Starring in MARY POPPINS

Having toured the U.S. with 5 different shows, I have to admit I find myself getting a little excited when I see Tempe/Gammage on an itinerary! No it’s not the color of the building, or the fact that it’s shaped like a birthday cake, or that the Mill Avenue shopping district is so close… It’s because the audiences, and the city itself, are so welcoming.

My first experience at The Gammage was on the national tour of “Mamma Mia” playing Tanya. Being in that very first cast to play Tempe was a blast, and the audiences didn’t disappoint with their enthusiasm and love for that show. We had a rockin’ good time!

Then I had a wonderful time coming back to just 2 years ago with Disney’s “High School Musical” playing Ms. Darbus, the nutty the drama teacher.
That was an incredible experience because it welcomed in a whole new generation of theatre-goers. Nothing like looking out into the audience and seeing a sea of 10 year old faces just completely enthralled and enjoying everything live theatre has to offer.

And now coming back with “Mary Poppins” I think audiences, young and old, will be astonished. Theatre is one of those extraordinary art forms that allows us to experience things in the moment, to be affected by energy, and to tap our feet when the music gets going J “Mary Poppins” is one of those shows that comes along once in a lifetime. Not only does it tell the story of a family facing struggle, but encourages the child in all of us to follow our dreams because “anything can happen if you let it.” The cast is incredible, the sets are gorgeous, the music is catchy….and oh wait, and I get to play the villain. (Bet you never knew there was a villain in this story). My character is from the original books and adds a wonderful dimension to the play. A perfect reason to see the show!

Over the years I have found that Tempe audiences are always ready for a good show. And we love that. I encourage audiences of all ages to embrace this show and go on the journey that only Disney and Cameron Macintosh can take you on. It is truly “magical.”

Why Become a Donor?

Why become a VIP donor? Your dollars MATTER! In addition to the BENEFITS, your support has lasting IMPACT!

What our donors are saying:

“We believe in supporting the Arts. Art is a perfect medium to help tell cultural stories in a manner that can change lives. As ASU Gammage VIP members, we are also privileged to participate in many special events (backstage tours, meeting of cast members, the VIP Lounge and interaction with other art lovers and Gammage’s knowledgeable staff). The concierge service provided to contributors makes the enjoyment of the season even greater, it has surpassed our expectations.”
-Dr. & Mrs. Charles Goldstein

“We have only lived in the Valley for a few years, coming to and supporting ASU Gammage made us feel like a part of the community. We now look forward to seeing our “theater” friends before the show in the VIP Lounge. We have found the productions excellent, sometimes better than New York!!”
-J McD

“I am an accountant by training, I have several non-profits as clients, I understand the importance of contributed income to Gammage. The theater cannot survive on ticket income alone, that is why investing in Gammage is so important and vital it the institution’s health and resiliency during these economic times. I am proud to support Gammage and the benefits i.e. seat location, ticket concierge services and reserved parking make the contribution even more fulfilling.”
-Abe Cohn CPA

“As a VIP, I love meeting the actors!!! I was active in high school drama but took the conservative route in college, getting a degree in business. I now have two girls 8 and 6 years old who are just learning about theater. Gammage always brings a show for the little ones- for that I am grateful. I grew up coming to Gammage and my kids will too!! This is a family tradition that is important to me.”
-Jane Einhorn

Experience what these VIP members love about being a part of ASU Gammage for yourself:

BENEFIT HIGHLIGHTS (these are highlights only, for a full list, visit asugammage.com)
$250 Opportunity to purchase tickets before the general public
$500 Access to the VIP Lounge and invitations to “behind the scenes” events
$1,250 Great seat location (2 tickets)* and VIP ticketing concierge services
$2,500 Reserved parking, great seat location (4 tickets)* and your photo in the
Gammage lobby
$5,000 Great seat location (6 tickets)* and photo opportunities with visiting artists

*Opportunity to purchase tickets in rows 3-15

China Cultural Exchange Project

I was very fortunate to be a part of the China Cultural Exchange Project and a guest of the Cultural Ministry of China. David Fraher, Executive Director of Arts Midwest, and Kat Duvic, Executive & Program Assistant, who have been presenting and touring Chinese artists for many years, organized this trip. Over a ten-day period in December, seven major university presenters, myself included, traveled to Shanghai, Chengdu and Beijing. During this time, we were able to see over 150 artists perform and engage in dialogue about cultural exchange.

Our trip would not have been as wonderful if it were not for the advance work done by Cathy Barbash, an American consultant who decided 20 years ago to go and work in China. Her contacts and understanding of the art and culture of China made her an invaluable leader.
The artists were as varied as Tibetan throat singers to Chinese rock and roll bands to some of the finest and most highly trained ballet and modern dance companies. And for those of you who follow our Gammage Broadway season, you know that we will have THE 39 STEPS in April. I had the opportunity to see the Chinese version of THE 39 STEPS presented by the Shanghai Dramatic Arts Center. It was equally as engaging and funny in Chinese as it was when I saw it on Broadway.

Mr. Wu, the Deputy Director of the Chinese Cultural Ministry, led our trip and we also met with the directors and deputy directors from Chengdu and Beijing. All were gracious and provided us with an insight into the traditions of China and the food, the sights and sounds of the cities we visited. It was quite amazing to be in a city of 20 million people and how everyone moved effortlessly about with grace and calm. It was even more astonishing to realize that these cites are twice the size of New York, which most Americans think of as a large, bustling city.

Highlights included a trip to the Expo in Beijing as everyone prepares for the world to return to China in 2010. The Chinese Pavilion is a large, red lacquer pagoda, which sits in the middle of all the nations’ astonishing pavilions. It was wonderful to hear traditional Chinese music performed in the Shanghai Oriental Arts Center and then to attend the Little Bar in Chengdu and hear the performance of Asura Band and rock out in Chengdu and then attend the Beijing Peking Opera Company and to watch maestros and third generation artists perform and to see the Uigur Union, three musicians perform traditional work and close out the evening with the Hanggai Band and the Huilang Band combining traditional and contemporary music. We saw a contemporary play RHINO IN LOVE by Meng Jinghui.

Our trip closed out with a formal luncheon by Ms. Li Hong, Deputy Director General for the Bureau of External Cultural Relations and a mad dash on the morning of my departure through the Forbidden City.

We will surely see some of these Chinese artists tour through the United States and look forward to welcoming them to ASU and Tempe, Arizona.

Prior to my trip to China, I had the opportunity to see some great plays on Broadway--Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig in A STEADY RAIN, Jude Law in HAMLET, Julia Stiles in OLEANNA, Sienna Miller in AFTER MISS JULIE and my personal favorite, SUPERIOR DONUTS, by Tracy Letts, who is the Tony Award winning playwright of AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, which opens on January 5 at ASU Gammage.