Photo Flash: Alvin Ing Celebrates 84th Birthday with GOT A LOT OF LIVIN' TO DO to The Duplex

On Monday night 5/23, Alvin Ing performed at The Duplex Theatre in GOT A LOT OF LIVIN' TO DO - written, produced and directed by Lainie Sakakura, filled the house with tears and laughter as Mr. Ing shared his story throughout the night.

Mr. Ing celebrated his 84th birthday with special guests Jose Llana (The King and I, Flower Drum Song), Darren Lee (Allegiance, Pacific Overtures), Hazel Anne Raymundo (Pacific Overtures, Avenue Q) and Virginia Wing (Chu Chem). The evening will featured musical direction by Thomas Conroy, with Vince Fay on Bass.

Armando Bravi served as tech director, promo designer and videographer, with Yuka Takara handling social media.

Alvin Ing shared his funny, heartbreaking, and inspiring story of his extremely long journey to come out and his struggles (and triumphs) as an Asian American actor. Born in Hawaii, Mr. Ing matriculated at the U of Hawaii and Columbia University in New York with a Bachelor and a Master's in Music Education. He began his singing and acting career in summer stock (South Pacific, Song of Norway, Oklahoma!, Annie Get Your Gun), and landed his first principal role in stock as Lun Tha in The King and I. He has performed in five national tours, including The World of Suzie Wong, Two Gentlemen of Verona and City of Angels. Mr. Ing portrayed the Shogun's Mother in the original Broadway production of Pacific Overtures in 1976, and reprised the role 28 years later in the 2004 revival, and at East West Players. Mr. Ing toured with Flower Drum Song and has performed in more productions of FDS in the role of Wang Ta than any other actor. He starred as Chin in David Henry Hwang's 2002 revisal of the Flower Drum Song on Broadway and at the Mark Taper Forum. Mr. Ing's TV credits include "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.," "Third Watch," "Law and Order: Criminal Intent," "Highway to Heaven," "Dynasty," "Dallas," "Charlie's Angels," "Fantasy Island," "Falcon Crest" and "All-American Girl". He has appeared in numerous films including Final Countdown, Smilla's Sense of Snow, and the 2014 release of The Gambler opposite Mark Wahlberg as Mister Lee, a Korean casino owner. Mr. Ing released a CD, Swing with Ing in 2010, and competed on "The X Factor" in 2013. Mr. Ing resides in Los Angeles.

Photos by Lia Chang