Ma-Yi celebrates 25 years, honors 3 patrons of the arts
Awardee Bessie Badilla with David Merrick’s widow Etan, who is a member of the Ma-Yi board. Photos by Troi and Pierre Santos and Francois Medina
Ma-Yi Theatre’s 25th Anniversary Gala on March 24 turned out to be one kick-off-your-shoes kind of evening, a perfect way to unwind after an unusually busy day at work.
From the musical tribute to Broadway producer David Merrick to Bessie Badilla’s self-deprecating speech that appeared to circumvent the Old World formality of The Hudson Theatre, the gala turned the audience rolling over with Bessie’s slap-happy one-liners and spectacular dance sequences from the Dance Company.
The tribute to Merrick featured numbers from the controversial producer’s Broadway classics “42nd Street,” “Gypsy,” and “Hello, Dolly.” Actor-singer and dancer Lee Roy Reams entertained with a memorable selection of songs from “Hello Dolly” and “Stop the World I Want to Get Off.” Obie Award-winning actress Ching Valdez Aran sang “As Long as He Needs Me” from Oliver, a line or two fudged but she still possessed a theatrical presence and exceptional vocal command ideal for belting love songs. Ma-Yi Artistic Director Ralph Pena obliged with “Time Heals Everything” from the 1974 production of “Mack & Mabel.”
To be able to reach 25 and still produce show after show, that is a blessing, said Executive Director Jorge Ortoll. Ma-Yi, a theatre company founded by Filipino actors and playwrights in 1989, is now a sanctuary for Asian artists seeking refuge for their theatrical pursuits.
Bessie and two others were honored for their consistent support for the company that is known to nurture the emerging Asian voice in theater. A celebrated fashion model in the ‘70s and ‘80s, now a producer of indie films and Brazilian-Filipino (Brinoy) music, Bessie was honored with an Excellence in the Arts Award.
“Like Bessie, we want to keep reinforcing to ourselves and to our artists that sweat, challenge, imagination and tenacity bring us to new artistic levels,” said Jorge and Ralph in a joint statement in the gala program.
Bessie said she felt “out of this world” on receiving the award. “As a filmmaker, I share the award with writer/director Ralston Jover, writer Henry Burgos and documentarist Lyca Benitez Brown. As a musician, I share the award with my Brazilian producer, director, arranger Percussionist Ze Mauricio and the entire Brinoy Band. They are the true artists behind my work,” she said.
Another awardee was Ernest Escaler, who is now chairman of the Asian Cultural Council in the Philippines, a cultural exchange program promoting American and Asian artists. He received the Excellence in Advocacy for the Arts Award for his “support for the arts in various forms,” according to the citation.
Cao K.O, co-founder of the Asian American Federation of New York, is the third honoree, who received the Excellence in Community Service Award. Cao, who was a Vietnamese refugee, said he was mildly surprised by the award because he is not an artist, although he is one who supports the notion that “all the world is a stage.” He praised Ma-Yi for the work it has done for the theatre arts and aspiring Asian artists.
“Ma-Yi has reached a significant milestone,” he said.
The Dance Company showcases foot-tapping precision from ‘42nd Street’
Ching Valdez Aran
Ma-yi Executive Director Jorge Ortoll welcomes Consul General Mario de Leon Jr. and wife Eleanor
