Pictured above: (L-R) Marc delaCruz, Aury Krebs and Courtney Reed in La Jolla Playhouse’s world-premiere musical THE FAMILY ALBUM; photo by Rich Soublet II.
La Jolla, CA
Internationally recognized for joining artists and audiences to experience poignant original theatre, the multiple award-winning La Jolla Playhouse unveils Director Jess McLeod’s new theatrical production, The Family Album. In a story designed by her, MILCK (aka Connie K. Lim), and author Sam Chanse, the piece navigates the challenges of growing up as the black sheep in a traditionally Asian home, exploring the pressures of perfectionism, expectation, and the ongoing impact of unspoken truths. McLeod showcases a powerful journey of chasing a dream despite all odds, with character Mia Bing searching for her break into the music industry. Just as she receives an incredible opportunity, she is roped back into the dynamics of her childhood home, left to swim through the identity her family has her trapped in. Commissioned by the La Jolla Playhouse, and based on Chanse’s book of the same name, music and lyrics are provided by MILCK (aka Connie K. Lim) and AG (aka Adrianne Gonzalez).
Says La Jolla Playhouse Artistic Director Jessica Stone, “The Family Album is a bold, full-throated new musical that is (proudly!) a La Jolla Playhouse commission.” Stone continues, explaining that the piece “expertly weaves comedy and affection throughout a tale that sheds light on how we are shaped by our family and the world around us – and who we might become when we learn to break free of those expectations.”
Inspired along her healing journey, MILCK began writing songs for an EP that was ultimately turned down by her label (who felt the music was not ‘universal’ enough). That same music has since grown into a full theatrical production. While supporting Jason Mraz during a fundraising concert, MILCK saw children performing theatrically to the music of the show, and recognized that her music would work well on the stage. Enter Sam Chanse—who wrote the book, The Family Album, based on MILCK’s journey—and even more music began to flow.
With incredible performances and vocals (casting by Kate Murray), featuring Marc delaCruz (Daniel), Eleen Hsu, Aura Krebs (Mia), Claire Kwon (Young Mia), Jodi Long (Sylvia), Paul Nakauchi (Henry), Courtney Reed (Charlotte), Kendyl Sayuri Yokoyama (Young Mia) and understudies Eileen Hsu, Kevin Shiu, Cindy Tsai, and Charlotte Mary Wen, the set, sound, staging and overall ambiance all work beautifully together to tell the story of a young woman coming into her own and learning to self-advocate. Enhanced by clean set design (Wilson Chin) and costuming (Hahnji Jang / 장한지) that create just enough visual stimulation, while keeping the focus on the unfolding relationships and evocative musical delivery on stage, No Guarantees Productions (who recently won a Tony Award for Best Musical Production) has just picked up the musical.
Music supervision is provided by Bryan Perri, with direction by Lyndon Pugeda and sound design by Justin Stasiw. Orchestration is led by AG, who was recently nominated for two Tony Awards for Lost Boys as composer and orchestrator. The show’s 24 songs are performed by a fantastic live band (including Michael Sobie/Taylor Peckham on keys, Brian Dall on drums, Vince Cooper on Guitar, and Michael Pearce on the bass) that underpins the beautiful vocals from the cast. Numbers include 2017’s global hit “Quiet” (by MILCK and AG), a piece written to uplift and magnify the power of reclaiming your voice and using it for change. Music inspired by the production, as well as those included in the play are being released in a series of recordings, with the first album, Family Album Pt. 1, out now on all digital streaming platforms.
The Family Album runs August 23 at the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre (tickets at: lajollaplayhouse.org / (858) 550-1010).
Contact: Becky Biegelsen at LaJolla Playhouse / bbiegelsen@ljp.org
Learn more at: lajollaplayhouse.org/show/the-family-album/
