The American Theatre Wing and XM Satellite Radio proudly present an interview with Actor B.D. Wong, on their weekly theatrical interview show, "Downstage Center," on XM's On Broadway (XM Channel 28).
Wong will appear as the special guest on Friday, September 26 at 6 p.m. The show will repeat on Saturday, September 27 at noon, Sunday, September 28 at 7 p.m., and Wednesday, October 1 at midnight (all times eastern; transmission is simultaneous across the country). The program becomes available as streaming audio and podcast from
www.americantheatrewing.org and iTunes beginning Monday afternoon, September 29.
Tony-winner B.D. Wong talks about his ongoing fascination with the 11-character, one-actor musical Herringbone, from seeing the original production in 1981 through appearing in it for the third time, currently at New Jersey's McCarter Theatre Center. He also recalls his earliest appearances on stage in high school musicals in San Francisco; his brief matriculation in college and how he forged a career without standard academic credentials; the personal and professional impact of landing the role of Song Liling in David Henry Hwang's M. Butterfly -- including how that famous story of identity led him to drop his own first name in favor of his initials and the problems it created when he sought subsequent roles; the travails of being brought in to play a role based on himself in Hwang's troubled Face Value -- and how he felt about being portrayed in the more recent Yellowface; the joy of being part of the ensemble of You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown; and his youthful connection to Pacific Overtures, and how it came full circle when he appeared in the Broadway revival.
B.D. Wong currently stars in Herringbone at the McCarter Theatre. Other Broadway credits include: M. Butterfly (Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk, Theatre World,
Clarence Derwent, Tony Awards), Face Value, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Pacific Overtures (Broadway revival). Wong is author of the critically acclaimed memoir, Following Foo (The Electronic Adventures of the Chestnut Man), published by Harper Collins. He has also made numerous television appearances including Law & Order: SVU and his film appearances include The Freshman, Father of the Bride (1 and 2), Jurassic Park, And the Band Played On, Seven Years in Tibet, Mulan (1 and 2), Slappy and the Stinkers, The Salton Sea, and Stay. Wong is also a Board Member of the Actors' Fund of America.
Each new "Downstage Center" is regularly broadcast at 6 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays at noon, Sundays at 7 p.m. and Wednesdays at 12 a.m. (all times EST). Following the initial run on XM, each program is made available for free, on-demand, internationally as both streaming audio and podcast on ATW's Web site,
www.americantheatrewing.org.
About The American Theatre Wing
The American Theatre Wing is best known as the creator of the Antoinette Perry "Tony" Awards®, which it presents annually with The Broadway League. The Wing's other activities, dedicated to recognizing excellence and supporting education in theatre, include "Working in the Theatre," now in its 30th year of telecasts on CUNY TV in New York and on other national cable outlets; "Downstage Center," an hour-long weekly interview program on XM Satellite Radio; "Guides to Careers in the Theatre," a video series developed for schools and libraries; a grants and scholarship program to New York City schools and not-for-profit theatre companies, which has granted nearly $3 million since its inception; the Theatre Intern Group, a career development program for young professionals; and SpringboardNYC, a two-week college-to-career boot camp for young performers moving to NYC; and the
Jonathan Larson Grants, recognizing and supporting emerging writers of musical theatre. Visitors to www.americantheatrewing.org can view or download an archive of "Working in the Theatre" and the career guides and listen to "Downstage Center", all as free, on-demand streaming audio and podcast.
Theodore S. Chapin is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the American Theatre Wing and
Howard Sherman is Executive Director
Photo by Peter James Zielinski
