New book chronicles Fil-Am theater history in US

From legendary singer Lea Salonga, to EGOT composer Robert Lopez, and Clint Ramos, a new book will chronicle the achievements of Filipinos and Filipino-Americans in the US theater scene.

"Barangay to Broadway" by Walter Ang will detail the history of Fil-Am theater groups and artists across the US from the 1900s to the 2010s" and profile Tony Award winners of Filipino descent.

"Fun fact: Fil-Ams have been performing on Broadway since the late 1940s, Barbara Luna was in 'South Pacific,' Neile Adams was in 'Kismet' and Patrick Adiarte was in 'The King and I," Ang said in a statement.

Among the artists Ang profiled in the book are touring Fil-Am actors Jose Llana and Joan Almedilla (The King and I), Isa Briones (Hamilton), N'Jameh Camara (The Color Purple), Lissa deGuzman and Jay Paranada in (Disney's Aladdin), and Emily Bautista, Christine Bunuan, and Red Concepcion (Miss Saigon).

Fil-Am theater groups such as Ating Tao, Sining Bayan, Petal, Ma-Yi Theater, CIRCA-Pintig, and Bindlestiff Studio, with other emerging groups and leaders of 2000s and 2010s were also highlighted.

"Hopefully the book will be useful to Filipinos and Filipino Americans, whether they be casual theatergoers, passionate theater fans, new or seasoned theater makers seeking information about the paths carved by their fellow artists," Ang said.

He believes the book will be a useful resource for parents and educators looking to help "younger generations become more aware of the rich heritage and artistic work that has been and continues to be created by our fellow Pinoys."

Ang is a contributor and journalist who was previously a juror of the Philstage Gawad Buhay and fellow at the University of Santo Tomas Varsitarian-J. Elizalde Navarro National Arts and Humanities Criticism Writing Workshop.

Barangay to Broadway: Filipino American Theater History has hardcover, paperback and ebook editions and is available at Amazon.com. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News