Hot off playing the lead role in Jonathan Larson’s “Tick, Tick… Boom!” at Cygnet Theatre in San Diego, Filipino American singer/songwriter and theater performer AJ Rafael brings together a star-studded evening of musical cabaret, featuring some of his Crazy Talented Asian friends.
Just in time for Nisei Week and the 140th anniversary of Little Tokyo, this concert event celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander representation and the Little Tokyo community that has played host and incubator to so many leading AAPI artists. “Crazy Talented Asians” will take place Saturday, Aug. 17, at 7 p.m. at East West Players’ David Henry Hwang Theater, 120 Judge John Aiso St. in Little Tokyo.
Featuring performances from Kimiko Glenn, Julia Harriman, Grlhood, and Cold Tofu Improv; an appearance from members of the 2024 Nisei Week Court; and many more special guests to be announced, with AJ Rafael on the keys and guitar. Hosted by Aaron Takahashi and Lauren Kinkade Wong.
Inspired by the 2018 smash hit film “Crazy Rich Asians,” CTA is a cabaret concert that has featured Broadway vets, EWP alumni, and a host of AAPI artists and performers who share in a night of song and music. CTA is the brainchild of Rafael, who has racked up more than a million subscribers on YouTube and has performed at EWP in productions such as 2018’s “Mamma Mia!”
Individual seating tickets: Premium ($75), the best views in the orchestra; regular ($40), the sides and rear of the orchestra and first two rows of the balcony; access ($20) to ensure the arts remain accessible for all, but limited in number.
See the CTA artists strut their stuff and wow the crowd from an exclusive, on-stage cabaret. Buy one seat or a table for four. Just 16 VIP tix will be sold, and each includes two complimentary drink coupons to redeem at the cash bar.
For reservations, go to: www.eastwestplayers.org/cta2024
Kimiko Glenn is best known for her work as Brook Soso on the critically acclaimed Netflix series “Orange Is the New Black,” which garnered her three Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series.
Glenn has most recently been seen on Peacock’s “Sacred Lies,” ABC’s long-running hit series “The Goldbergs,” Hulu’s “History of the World Part II,” Michelle Obama’s Netflix series “Waffles & Mochi,” and Doug Ellin’s “Ramble On” opposite Martin and Charlie Sheen and Kevin Connolly.
Glenn is also one of the hottest voices in animation. She voices the titular role on Nickelodeon’s “Baby Shark,” Disney’s “Kiff” in the title role, a supporting lead in the critically acclaimed feature “Over the Moon,” and countless other episodic series. She notably voiced the role of Peni Parker in the Academy Award-winning feature “Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse.” She returned as Peni for the sequel, “Spiderman: Across the Spider-Verse,” and will also be in the third movie.
In her Broadway debut, Glenn originated the role of Dawn in the adaptation of the 2007 feature film “Waitress,” which was nominated for a 2016 Tony Award for Best Musical as well as a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical, with music and lyrics by award-winning popstar Sara Bareilles.
Other theater credits include the first national tour of “Spring Awakening” as Thea and the title role in The Flaming Lips musical “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots,” which had its world premiere at the La Jolla Playhouse.
Julia Harriman performed as Eliza Hamilton in the first national tours of “Hamilton,” opening in Puerto Rico with Lin-Manuel Miranda, and was a vocalist on “Hamilton’s” Hamildrop, “First Burn.”
She was a co-writer and featured artist on the soundtrack for Netflix‘s “The Eddy” and voices the role of Ami in the new Netflix animated film “Ultraman: Rising.”
Harriman is a singer-songwriter with music out on all platforms, new music to come, and more exciting news to share at a later date.
Grlhood is a dynamic quartet of Gen Z Filipina talents based in Southern California. The group — made up of Kay Sibal, Leianna Weaver, Justine Rafael, and Audrey Crabano — quickly became close friends last year and, fueled by their collective creative energy, Grlhood emerged organically when they began sharing clips of them harmonizing on Instagram.
What started as impromptu jam sessions soon led to collaborations with AJ Rafael and filming their first music video, set to release later this year. With their shared passion and their natural chemistry, they continue to proudly rep the FilAm community by doing what they love most, singing together.