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Chu Chem
''Chu Chem'' is a musical with a book by Ted Allen, lyrics by Jim Haines and Jack Wohl, and music by Mitch Leigh. Background Allen's inspiration was a trip to Kaifeng Fu (''prefecture''), China, the site of a major Jewish migration in the 10th century (see Kaifeng Jews). Around this subject matter he devised a play-within-a-play with an intricate plot involving a group of Occidental actors who join a troupe of Chinese performers to present the title character's story. Chu Chem is a scholar who, with his wife Rose and daughter Lotte, journeys to Kaifeng Fu to learn about his ancestors and find a husband for the young woman. Prince Eagle suggests she become one of his concubines, a proposal she finds distasteful. Eventually he abdicates his throne for the woman he loves, and Chu Chem discovers the Jews became so assimilated into their new homeland that no traces of them are to be found. Productions The production's designs attempted to imitate traditional Chinese theatre, ironi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mitch Leigh
Mitch Leigh (born Irwin Michnick; January 30, 1928March 16, 2014) was an American musical theatre composer and theatrical producer best known for the musical ''Man of La Mancha''. Biography Early years Leigh was born in Brooklyn, New York as Irwin Michnick. He graduated from Yale in 1951 with a Bachelor of Music, and in 1952 received his Master of Music under Paul Hindemith. He began his career as a jazz musician, and writing commercials for radio and television. On the 1955 LP recording of ''Jean Shepherd Into the Unknown with Jazz Music'' Leigh wrote the jazz interludes between radio broadcaster Jean Shepherd's improvisations. Broadway In 1965, Leigh collaborated with lyricist Joe Darion and writer Dale Wasserman to write a musical based on Wasserman's 1959 television play, ''I, Don Quixote''. The resulting show, the musical ''Man of La Mancha'' opened on Broadway in 1965 and in its original engagement ran for 2,328 performances, and has been revived multiple times. Leigh fo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Menasha Skulnik
Menasha Skulnik ( yi, מנשה סקולניק; May 15, 1890 – June 4, 1970) was an American actor, primarily known for his roles in Yiddish theater in New York City. Skulnik was also popular on radio, playing Uncle David on '' The Goldbergs'' for 19 years. He made many television and Broadway appearances as well, including successful runs in Clifford Odets's ''The Flowering Peach'' and Harold Rome's '' The Zulu and the Zayda''. Life and career Born in Warsaw, Poland, Skulnik reportedly ran away at the age of 10 to join a circus. In 1913 he emigrated to the United States, and sometime after his arrival joined a Yiddish stock company in Philadelphia, where his fellow actors included Molly Picon. His diminutive stature (5'4"), high nasal voice, mannerisms and appearance, made him a natural for comedy. Skulnik knew exactly what he was in comedy: "I play a schlemiel, a dope. Sometimes they call me the Yiddish Charlie Chaplin, and I don't like this. Chaplin's dope is a little bit of ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cheryl Crawford
Cheryl Crawford (September 24, 1902 – October 7, 1986) was an American theatre producer and director. Biography Born in Akron, Ohio, Crawford majored in drama at Smith College. Following graduation in 1925, she moved to New York City and enrolled at the Theatre Guild's school. By then she knew that she did not want to pursue an acting career, but saw no other way to gain access to the organization producing the highest quality theatre of its time. Finishing her training in 1927, she was hired by Theresa Helburn, the Guild's Executive Director, as a casting secretary. She then worked her way through various backstage jobs, including assistant stage manager, to assistant to the “Board of Managers,” an importantant administrative job. While working at the Guild, she met Harold Clurman and Lee Strasberg who had also been working there as play reader and actor, respectively. She was impressed with these two young men and joined their animated discussions about the need for ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Soy Sauce
Soy sauce (also called simply soy in American English and soya sauce in British English) is a liquid condiment of Chinese origin, traditionally made from a fermented paste of soybeans, roasted grain, brine, and '' Aspergillus oryzae'' or ''Aspergillus sojae'' molds. It is considered to contain a strong umami taste. Soy sauce in its current form was created about 2,200 years ago during the Western Han dynasty of ancient China, and it has spread throughout East and Southeast Asia where it is used in cooking and as a condiment. Use and storage Soy sauce can be added directly to food, and is used as a dip or salt flavor in cooking. It is often eaten with rice, noodles, and sushi or sashimi, or can also be mixed with ground wasabi for dipping. Bottles of soy sauce for salty seasoning of various foods are common on restaurant tables in many countries. Soy sauce can be stored at room temperature. History East Asia China Soy sauce (, ) is considered almost as old as soy p ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Blintz
A blintz ( he, חֲבִיתִית; yi, בלינצע) is a rolled filled pancake of Ashkenazi Jewish origin, similar to a '' crepe'' or Russian ''blini''. History Traditional blintzes are filled with sweetened cheese, sometimes with the addition of raisins. They are served on Shavuot. The word ''blintz'' in English comes from the Yiddish word or , coming from a Slavic word ''блинец lin-yets' meaning pancake. Like the knishes, blintzes represent foods that are now considered typically Jewish, and exemplify the changes in foods that Jews adopted from their Christian neighbors. References See also *Israeli cuisine *Jewish cuisine Jewish cuisine refers to the worldwide cooking traditions of the Jewish people. During its evolution over the course of many centuries, it has been shaped by Jewish dietary laws (''kashrut''), Jewish festivals and holidays, and traditions cen ... {{Food-stub Shavuot Jewish desserts Hanukkah foods Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine I ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jack Cole (choreographer)
Jack Cole (April 27, 1911 – February 17, 1974) was an American dancer, choreographer, and theatre director known as "the Father of Theatrical Jazz Dance". Early life Jack Cole made his professional dance debut with Denishawn at Lewisohn Stadium in New York City in August 1930. He began his training as a modern dancer only six weeks prior, studying with Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn. He was entranced by the Asian influences their dance school utilized in its choreography and costuming. He also performed briefly with Humphrey-Weidman, and was influenced by the pioneering modernists Doris Humphrey and Charles Weidman."Jack Cole biography" filmreference.com, retrieved April 6, 2010 Eager to make a living as a dancer during the Depression, he soon left the |
Choreographer
Choreography is the art or practice of designing sequences of movements of physical bodies (or their depictions) in which motion or form or both are specified. ''Choreography'' may also refer to the design itself. A choreographer is one who creates choreographies by practising the art of choreography, a process known as choreographing. It most commonly refers to dance choreography. In dance, ''choreography'' may also refer to the design itself, which is sometimes expressed by means of dance notation. Dance choreography is sometimes called ''dance composition''. Aspects of dance choreography include the compositional use of organic unity, rhythmic or non-rhythmic articulation, theme and variation, and repetition. The choreographic process may employ improvisation for the purpose of developing innovative movement ideas. In general, choreography is used to design dances that are intended to be performed as concert dance. The art of choreography involves the specification of huma ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Haruki Fujimoto
Haruki Fujimoto (藤本 治貴) was a Japanese-born theatre performer, dancer, choreographer, and teacher. Career Born in Hiroshima, and educated in Osaka at the Hanayagi Dance School, he had a career in America. As a dancer, Fujimoto took part in experimental and modern choreography, dancing with the companies of both Donald McKayle and Sophie Maslow. Fujimoto made his Broadway debut in 1966 in the original production of '' It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman'' directed by Harold Prince. He also performed on national tours of On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, The Music Man, and Funny Girl, as well as the original production of Chu Chem, which closed during its tryout phase prior to reaching Broadway. Ten years after "Superman", Fujimoto returned to Broadway, reuniting with Prince for the musical ''Pacific Overtures'', with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by John Weidman. ''Pacific Overtures'' used a blend of kabuki and Western theatre techniques to tell t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Alvin Ing
Alvin Y. F. Ing (May 26, 1932 – July 31, 2021) was an American singer and actor. His career included movies, television, musical theatre, and cabaret acts. Early life, family and education Ing was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. He studied music at the University of Hawaii and at Columbia University in New York City. Ing served in the United States Army. Career Ing was well associated with the musical ''Flower Drum Song'' by Rodgers and Hammerstein. He played the role of Wang Ta in numerous tours and stock productions, performing in the piece more than any other actor. Ing appeared in the musical ''Chu Chem'' in 1966, but the production closed before it reached Broadway. Prior to his Broadway career, Ing appeared in two Off-Broadway shows. Ing made his Broadway debut in Stephen Sondheim's ''Pacific Overtures'' in 1976. Ing returned to Broadway in 2004 for a revival of the same show, playing one of his original parts, the Shogun's Mother. Due to his connection to ''Flower Drum Song' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Reiko Sato
Reiko Sato ( ja, レイコ・佐藤; December 19, 1931 – May 28, 1981) was an American dancer and actress. Early life Sato was born in Los Angeles, California, to an issei Zen Buddhist priest, Ken-ichi Sato and his wife Chieko. She and her family were interned at the Gila River War Relocation Center during World War II following the signing of Executive Order 9066. Her mother became a real estate investor after the war; Reiko also had an older brother, Keiichiro, and a younger brother, Koji. She graduated from Belmont High School in 1949, later attending Los Angeles City College. She continued her studies in ballet. Career Sato is best known for playing seamstress Helen Chao in the 1961 feature film ''Flower Drum Song''. She also had a dramatic role in '' The Ugly American'', receiving personal coaching from actor Marlon Brando with whom she had a relationship. She had been on contract with Fox and Universal, but nothing materialized, and she retired from Hollywood. S ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Robert Ito
Robert Ito (born July 2, 1931) is a Canadian actor of Japanese ancestry. He is known for his television and film work, including the roles of Sam Fujiyama on the 1976–83 NBC series ''Quincy, M.E.'' and Larry Mishima on the 1980s CBS primetime soap opera ''Falcon Crest'', and a variety of voice acting for animation. He was nominated for a Gemini Award for his performance in the 1994 film ''Trial at Fortitude Bay''. Career Ito was a dancer with the National Ballet of Canada before coming to Broadway and dancing in such shows as "Flower Drum Song"(1960-1961). He turned to acting in the mid-1960s, which led to a number of roles playing Asian or Asian-ancestry characters in American productions. He appeared three times (as different characters) in the 1970s TV series ''Kung Fu''; first as a Chinese rail worker in the two-hour movie that launched the series, later as a Chinese bandit named Captain Lee in the episode "The Way of Violence Has No Mind" and another time as a Japanese Nin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Yuki Shimoda
Yuki Shimoda (August 10, 1921 – May 21, 1981) was an American actor best known for his starring role as Ko Wakatsuki in the NBC movie of the week ''Farewell to Manzanar'' in 1976. He also co-starred in the 1960s television series '' Johnny Midnight'' (39 episodes), with Edmond O'Brien. He was a star of movies, early television, and the stage. His Broadway stage credits include ''Auntie Mame'' with Rosalind Russell, and ''Pacific Overtures'', a musical written by Stephen Sondheim and directed by Harold Prince. During World War II, following the signing of Executive Order 9066, Shimoda was incarcerated to the Tule Lake War Relocation Center. Broadway stage credits * '' Teahouse of the August Moon'', Martin Beck Theatre, (1953–1956), as Mr. Keora, choreographer * ''Auntie Mame'', Broadhurst Theatre, (1956–1958), as Ito * ''Pacific Overtures'', Winter Garden Theatre, (1975–1976), as Abe, First Councillor Filmography Film * ''Auntie Mame'' (1958) as Ito * '' Don't Give Up t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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