Ma-Yi: 28 years later, a bumper crop of Asian American playwrights
Artist Lolita Valderrama Savage and husband international banker Frank Savage. Photos by Lambert Parong/ Kababayan Media
Dancer Elizabeth Roxas-Dobrish, one of three honorees, with husband matrimonial lawyer Robert Dobrish
It began in the basement of a Catholic church. Twenty-eight years later, the Filipino-founded Ma-Yi Theater Company is a flourishing and ethnically diverse organization that has earned esteem and acclaim for its steadfast promotion of Asian American theater.
“Twenty-eight years ago, we couldn’t find an Asian American writer,” said founder and Producing Artistic Director Ralph Pena during Ma-Yi’s 28th anniversary gala benefit. “Now, Ma-Yi has 40 playwrights.”
Among them are A. Rey Pamatmat whose play “Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them” was produced in Boston, Don Nguyen whose “Sound” was staged in Seattle, and Madhuri Shekar whose “Queen” was delightfully presented in Ashland, Oregon. They graduated from Ma-Yi’s Writers Lab, their creative output staged all across the country.
Ma-Yi hosted a benefit dinner on April 24 to celebrate its milestones and pay homage to three individuals who have guided and supported its efforts. Honored that night were Alvin Ailey dancer Elizabeth Roxas-Dobrish and philanthropic couple Lolita Valderrama Savage and her husband Frank Savage.
Elizabeth, 59, was bestowed the ‘Outstanding Achievement in the Arts’ honors for being the first Filipina at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. She was Principal Dancer from 1984 to 1997, and named one of 500 most influential Asian Americans by Avenue Magazine. She continues to dance and teach despite a well-publicized hip replacement surgery in late 2012.
Ma-Yi founder Ralph Pena: ‘From basement of a church to offering a round-trip ticket to Paris’
“It was my desire to reach out and touch the audience through my artistry,” said Roxas-Dobrish as she accepted the honor.
One of the women she gave thanks to was her grandmother who took her to every dance class in the Philippines “rain or shine.” After her ‘lola’ watched Elizabeth perform at the Metropolitan Opera Ballet in NYC, she said, “I’ve seen you perform, I’ve seen what you’re capable of, becoming a star, I know you will make it…Now I can go on.”
The next day, she passed away.
International banker Frank Savage and his artist wife Lolita were recognized for their ‘Outstanding Contribution to Arts and Education.’
“One great thing about America,” he said, “is opening its doors to many many talents that enrich our country.” His wife, an acclaimed impressionist who has exhibited internationally, is an immigrant from the Philippines. “This is something we have to sustain.”
For her part, Lolita talked about the artist life and the secret to her enduring marriage. She remembered how her mother, to dissuade her from pursuing Fine Arts in college, warned she would not be able to feed herself on arts alone. Until she found Frank, “a man who has given me food to eat for 37 years.” They have six children.
The couple commended Ma-Yi for being home to people in the arts.
Pena said Ma-Yi is currently in production to stage two musicals next year – “KPOP” by Jason Kim and “Lingerie” by Diana Oh, a commentary about the politics of a woman’s body.” Both Kim and Oh are Writers Lab alums.
Among the prominent guests of the gala were international socialite Minnie Osmena, CEO Loida Nicolas Lewis, and Imelda Marcos’ former secretary Vilma Bautista who was recently convicted of tax fraud.
Gender Proud founder Geena Rocero and actor Paolo Montalban emceed a lively program with musical numbers provided by Broadway Barkada, singer Kea Chan, and standup comic Joel Kim Booster. A live auction offered among several desirable items, a pair of gloves owned by Muhammad Ali and a round-trip ticket to Paris.
Broadway Barkada opened the program with Irving Berlin’s snappy ‘There’s No Business Like Show Business’
