Veteran of the 442nd Donates Purple Heart to Making Tracks
by Brian Yorkey - Co-Bookwriter/Lyricist

A veteran from the 442nd Regimental Combat Team came to the show on the afternoon of Saturday the 20th, loved the production, and met the cast afterwards. (The 442nd is the all-Japanese-American WWII battalion that became the most highly decorated unit in military history). The gentleman told us he wanted to donate his Purple Heart and 442nd insignia patch to the show. After thanking him profusely (and after many pictures were taken of us all), I gave him my card and expected he'd contact us. To be honest, I didn't quite understand at the time why exactly he would want to donate his Purple Heart.

Turns out he showed up the next day (Sunday, before the last show of our Issaquah run) with an envelope containing his Purple Heart and 442nd uniform insignia and a letter asking that they travel with the show, so that the actor can wear them in the scene at the end of the first act in which the soldier returns from war. He didn't leave a name. His accompanying letter said "The items are given to the show as a token of appreciation and for luck. Please respect and honor them so that the emblems and all veterans who have received them will be honored and appreciated."

That afternoon, Mike Lee wore the medal in the scene in which he plays young Paul Narita, returning from Europe having lost a leg in combat. I hadn't yet heard about the actual donation, so as I was sitting there in the fifth row I saw the medal over Mike's heart and thought "is that a new costume piece? I don't remember...ohhhhh...that must be...he must have...Wow." It was incredibly moving. I later heard from a couple of the actors on stage with Mike that they, too, were taken by surprise, fighting back tears as they realized how the medal had come to be pinned over his heart.

According to his letter, the man wanted his donation to be anonymous, to honor the veterans of the 442nd and of all wars. An incredible gesture. He had dropped off his medal and disappeared.

But with a little detective work, I was able to reach him by phone the next day. Our benefactor insisted on remaining anonymous. "It's not about one person," he told me, "It's in honor of all the veterans, of all the men who made the sacrifice." He reiterated his wish that the medal and the patch travel with the show, wherever it may go. The best gratitude he could receive, he said, and the best way to honor his gift, was to continue bringing the messages of MAKING TRACKS to audiences across the country. I promised we would continue to strive to do just that. It's our great privilege to honor the men of the 442nd, and all Americans who have sacrificed in the service of freedom.

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Making Tracks is playing at the Village Theater until May 12th.
BOX OFFICE: (425) 257-8600, or stop by 2710 Wetmore Avenue, Everett, WA,12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. For more info, go to www.villagetheatre.org

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What the SEATTLE PRESS has to say about MAKING TRACKS:

"Making Tracks is a stunning rock-music saga of Asian immigration to America. The show...[with] its youthful fire, shakes the walls with nonstop rock 'n roll energy" - The Eastside Journal

"The latest version of Making Tracks may be the greatest compilation of Asian American Talent on stage-- ever. The struggle, history and romance in Making Tracks is right on par with that in Les Miserables. Moreover, the energy and passion seen in this show rivals the power and excitement of RENT and stands up to any great musical theatre experience I ve had, on or off Broadway. You will laugh, cry and be swept away. Everyone Asian American or not can enjoy this show, because it is not just an Asian American story, it is an American story. A sense of pride and joy can be felt for something that has long been overdue: a story told through [Asian American] eyes and delivered by a cast of veterans of the most prestigious stage venues in this country. Go see this show. Take your friends and family. And let everyone know around you that you have done your part: you have done your part and witnessed Asian American history." -International Examiner

"Making Tracks should have audiences making tracks to the Eastside-based Village Theatre to experience its artistry and passion. Jamie H.J. Guan's Chinese movement choreography achieves some dazzling effects and Steve Tomkin's handles the brassy San Francisco nightclub numbers with easygoing aplomb. UndeJeff Steitzer's concise and staccato paced direction, they move the all-ready impressive work to a new level." - Broadwaysbiggesthits.com

"Enthusiastically received by a diverse crowd opening night...This musical promises much, not only for itself but for Asian American productions yet to be written." -Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"Polished, performed with passion by a strong ensemble, staged efficiently by Jeff Steitzer, and undeniably stirring at times... Group anthems and bravado ballads with scale-climbing climaxes dominate. The gifted main actors sing out with fervor and vocal gusto... This musical style is clearly accessible and quite appealing to many theatergoers." -Seattle Times

NEWS RELEASE: from Village Theatre in Issaquah and Everett

LOCAL AND BROADWAY LUMINARIES' PASSION BRINGS ORIGINAL ASIAN AMERICAN MUSICAL, "MAKING TRACKS", TO LIFE!

AT A GLANCE:

In Issaquah:

When:		March 14 - April 21 Tues-Sat, 8pm Sat, 2pm/Sun. 2pm & 7pm (Complete performance schedule below)
Where:		the Francis J. Gaudette Theatre 303 Front Street North Issaquah, WA 98027
Tickets:		$25 to $42 Additional discounts available for Students, Seniors, and Family Room tickets. For tickets and more information, call Village Theatre's Issaquah Box Office

In Everett:

When:		April 26 - May 12 Wed-Sat, 8pm Sat & Sun, 2pm (Complete performance schedule below)
Where:		the Everett Performing Arts Center 2710 Wetmore Avenue Everett, WA 98201
Tickets:		$22 to $38 For tickets, call Village Theatre's Everett Box Office, (425) 257-8600

A young Asian-American rock musician journeys through six generations of his family's history in the rousing and passionate new rock musical, Making Tracks, which opens at Village Theatre in Issaquah on March 14th and runs through April 21st, before moving to Village Theatre at the Everett Performing Arts Center for an additional 3-week run. After an acclaimed Off-Broadway run (when the show was been hailed as "promising, energetic, and hopeful" by The New York Times and as "making Asian American history" by NBC's The Today Show), the latest incarnation of the show was developed in Village Theatre's 2000 "Village Originals" series. This all-American musical combines the epic scope of Les Miserables with the youthful dynamism of Rent. Featuring a cast that includes Broadway luminaries, the show has already been embraced by tens of thousands of people across the US and Taiwan. In a groundbreaking international collaboration, this premier Village Theatre production is scheduled to move on to Asia in 2002, with an eye toward a New York opening in 2003. Puget Sound-area audiences will be among the lucky few to see it first!

The concept and book for this exciting new show are by Welly Yang. Yang is known on Broadway for his role as Thuy in Miss Saigon, on TV for roles on Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, and as a singer for performances with the New York Philharmonic, Taipei City Orchestra, and the Taipei Philharmonic Foundation. The book and lyrics are by Brian Yorkey, a graduate of Columbia University who has been writing and directing for the stage and screen for more than ten years. The electrifying rock music is by Woody Pak, a graduate of Julliard, currently studying at New York University for his doctorate in composition.

Joe's Pub and Second Generation Productions
present

MUST BE THE MUSIC

Rock 'n roll versions of new and old songs from Making Tracks, the hit musical sensation that's rockin the nation.

VOCALS:
Rona Figueroa (Les Miserables, Dragonheart II, Miss Saigon)
Hoon Lee (Band 101)
Alex Tano (Disney's Mulan, Miss Saigon)
Welly Yang (MetroGuide, Miss Saigon)

BAND:
Woody Pak, Matt Fieldes,
Hector Lopez, Shai Bachar

8:30 pm, Fri., April 21st
COVER $20

music by Woody Pak, lyrics by Brian Yorkey, conceived by Welly Yang

joe's pub...
at The Public Theater
425 Lafayette St.
www.joespub.com

tele-charge: 212.239.6200 or
www.telecharge.com

second generation productions:
contact Laura Bach, laura@2g.org
www.2g.org

this performance is expected to sell out quickly,
so get your tickets NOW!!!

Joe's Pub is sponsored, in part, by Philip Morris Companies Inc.

Making Tracks in Seattle

April 8 - April 30
Tickets only $5-$14
(425) 392-2202

Concept and Book by Welly Yang
Book and Lyrics by Brian Yorkey
Music by Woody Pak

Directed by Alan Muraoka
Music Direction by Tancioco

First Stage Theatre
120 Front Street North, Issaquah

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Angela Gist
Feb.15, 2000 Phone: 425-392-1942 x112

VILLAGE THEATRE PRESENTS
MAKING TRACKS
originally commissioned by Second Generation Productions
(see below for audition information)

Rehearsals: March 13 - April 12
Performances: April 13 - 30.

GENERAL AUDITIONS
SEEKING ROCK SINGERS/MUSICAL THEATER ACTORS
AEA AND NON-UNION PERFORMERS
FEB.26 10:00AM - 1:00PM BY APPOINTMENT

Issaquah- Village Theatre will hold auditions for Asian/Asian American actors/singers for the new musical: Making Tracks. General auditions will be held on February 26 from 10:00am - 1:00pm by appointment. To make an appointment, call Village Theatre at (425) 392-1942 between 9:00am and 5:30pm, Monday through Friday. Voicemail messages for an audition will not be accepted.

All auditioners are asked to bring a resume of theatre experience and a non-returnable headshot. To audition, please prepare a monologue and one verse and chorus of a pop song or a song from a rock musical. Actors must bring sheet music in their key and have a second song prepared, as they may be asked to sing an alternate selection. An accompanist will be provided. Auditions are limited to three minutes each. Call-backs will be held February 26; 2 - 6pm and February 27; 12 - 5pm.

Breakdown- 6 Males: Asian or Asian American, Roles range in age from 20's to 50's, all actors will play multiple characters. 4 Females: Asian or Asian American, Roles range in age from 20's to 50's, all actors will play multiple characters.

Catch the Evening Stars
OnStage! at the Twin Towers
Tuesday, June 29th, 7pm
World Trade Center Plaza
An Evening of Cabaret with
selections from MAKING TRACKS
a Second Generation Production
featuring:
Cindy Cheung, Mel Gionson, Tim Huang, Tom Kouo, Mimosa, Michael Minn, Kiki Moritsugu, Aiko Nakasone, Rodney To, Virginia Wing, and Welly Yang

and

Woody Pak, Tom Kitt, Mowg , and Hector Lopez

sharing the evening with:
The Williamstown Theater Festival
ABSOLUTELY FREE!!!
*presented by the Port Authority of NY & NJ

A CurtainUp Review: Making Tracks. Click here to read the article.

PERFORMANCE REVIEWS: Making Tracks. Click here to read the article.

'Making Tracks': Immigrants Traverse Miles and Generations in Song, from Anita Gates of The New York Times. Click here to read the article.

'Making Tracks': Reviewed by David Roberts for Theatre Reviews Limited. Click here to read the article.

MY RAVE REVIEW OF "MAKING TRACKS", from the desk of Jeff Yang (founder and publisher of A. Magazine: Inside Asian America). Click here to read the article.

New OB Musical Has Asian-Americans Making Tracks in New World, Jan. 30-Feb. 14. Click here to read the article (as appeared in Playbill Online).

New OB Rock Musical Makes Tracks Over Asian-American Life, Jan. 30-Feb 14. Click here to read the full article (as appeared in Playbill Online).

Making Tracks will be having its Off-Broadway world premiere this month. Previews begin January 30th and closing night is February 14th. There will be an opening night gala fundraiser on February 4th:

Dr. David Ho and Mr. David Henry Hwang
cordially invite you to
the Opening Gala Benefit of
Making Tracks
at the Taipei Theater
1221 Ave. of the Americas
McGraw-Hill Building, Concourse Level
Thurs., February 4th, 1999

Show begins at 7:00 pm
$100 per person
Reception following
Tax-deductible contribution

Please RSVP by January 30, 1999 at (212) 340-1095

Second Generation Productions proudly presents the world premiere production of Making Tracks, a new Asian-American rock musical. Click Here for the press release. Contact: Phil Bond, Tony Origlio Publicity, (212)695-7400, origliopr@aol.com