Well, I couldn't afford to do Ithaca Fringe Fest this year.
Next best thing, talking to George Sapio.
Catch this week's Onstage/Offstage where the guest is... playwright Lucy Wang!
http://www.onstageoffstage.com
WRFI Thurs Jun3 5, 2014, 3:30pm EST
88.1
Stream http://www.wrfi.org
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Friday, March 21, 2014
WILD, TOO
It took a long time for me to pick up and read Cheryl Strayed's book WILD. When WILD hit the bestseller list, I was hiking in the Angeles Forest regularly and it seemed all the women hikers were reading it. And of course, they had to share.
So I felt like I was reading it then as well.
Now I know better.
The other reason I waited is...you have to know when something is good for you. Yes, I know, this is not always as easy as it may sound. The deep pain that Cheryl feels about losing her mother....well, I still feel that pain acutely too. But there are major differences.
Cheryl's mother died too young.
My mother is still alive. But she might as well be dead b/c she abandoned us and when she reinvented herself, my brother and I became casualties of war.
http://herkind.org/articles/
Like Cheryl, I am sad on my mother's birthday. I think of her, and wonder, how is she. It's one of those dates I call a blackout date. A date you don't want to travel.
Another blackout date, my birthday which is coming up in four days. I wonder does she ever think of me? Wonder if I'm OK? Google me?
Movies like Philomena give me false hope. Oh, she must think of me! Philomena couldn't stop thinking of her son. I must go visit my mum in Australia and try, try again! But doing the same thing over and expecting different results -- that's the very definition of insanity -- isn't it?
Plus in this day and age, she could find me if she wanted.
When I go to the doctor's, increasingly they ask for family history. A few doctors have urged me to call her and say, "OK, you don't want to be my mom....Fine. But I need your medical history so my doctors know what to do." Be aggressive, be laid back, be ______________. My mother could help fill in the blanks.
I admire Cheryl's courage, writing, honesty so much I've decided to start a book. Of course, it's totally different. Inspired by my life, my one woman show CHINESE GIRLS DON'T SWEAR and a literary agent in NYC. This agent in NYC loves my wit, my courage, my writing. She says my story is totally inspiring and empowering.
I've been resisting because I didn't want to go "there." It's dark, it's personal, it's sad.
I resisted because my mother once pleaded, "C'mon, grow up, you don't need a mother any more." Because I loved her, I believed her, I thought, hey I'm super mature. Precocious. Tiger Cub!
I resisted because everyone wants to know about my mother, but when you tell them, they don't freaking believe you. "Oh no, a mother would never do that!" "Are you kidding me?" Sadly, tragically, I'm not kidding. Even though I excel at comedy, have done standup, and my bits about my mother never fail to bring the house down. Time + Tragedy = Comedy.
But I understand why nobody believes -- everyone else seems to have loving, nurturing mothers. Top Chefs, Oscar Winners, Biggest Loser Contestants. My girlfriends often say, "My mother's my BFF!" You find posts like this all over social media.
You are never too old, too wild, for want of a mother's love.
Tired of being sad, waiting for comedy gigs, feeling pity on those Blackout Dates (Mother's Day is probably the worst blackout date!), I will set out on a journey to write my novel. I'm hoping that by blogging about it, I can inspire and push myself.
So I felt like I was reading it then as well.
Now I know better.
The other reason I waited is...you have to know when something is good for you. Yes, I know, this is not always as easy as it may sound. The deep pain that Cheryl feels about losing her mother....well, I still feel that pain acutely too. But there are major differences.
Cheryl's mother died too young.
My mother is still alive. But she might as well be dead b/c she abandoned us and when she reinvented herself, my brother and I became casualties of war.
http://herkind.org/articles/
Like Cheryl, I am sad on my mother's birthday. I think of her, and wonder, how is she. It's one of those dates I call a blackout date. A date you don't want to travel.
Another blackout date, my birthday which is coming up in four days. I wonder does she ever think of me? Wonder if I'm OK? Google me?
Movies like Philomena give me false hope. Oh, she must think of me! Philomena couldn't stop thinking of her son. I must go visit my mum in Australia and try, try again! But doing the same thing over and expecting different results -- that's the very definition of insanity -- isn't it?
Plus in this day and age, she could find me if she wanted.
When I go to the doctor's, increasingly they ask for family history. A few doctors have urged me to call her and say, "OK, you don't want to be my mom....Fine. But I need your medical history so my doctors know what to do." Be aggressive, be laid back, be ______________. My mother could help fill in the blanks.
I admire Cheryl's courage, writing, honesty so much I've decided to start a book. Of course, it's totally different. Inspired by my life, my one woman show CHINESE GIRLS DON'T SWEAR and a literary agent in NYC. This agent in NYC loves my wit, my courage, my writing. She says my story is totally inspiring and empowering.
I've been resisting because I didn't want to go "there." It's dark, it's personal, it's sad.
I resisted because my mother once pleaded, "C'mon, grow up, you don't need a mother any more." Because I loved her, I believed her, I thought, hey I'm super mature. Precocious. Tiger Cub!
I resisted because everyone wants to know about my mother, but when you tell them, they don't freaking believe you. "Oh no, a mother would never do that!" "Are you kidding me?" Sadly, tragically, I'm not kidding. Even though I excel at comedy, have done standup, and my bits about my mother never fail to bring the house down. Time + Tragedy = Comedy.
But I understand why nobody believes -- everyone else seems to have loving, nurturing mothers. Top Chefs, Oscar Winners, Biggest Loser Contestants. My girlfriends often say, "My mother's my BFF!" You find posts like this all over social media.
You are never too old, too wild, for want of a mother's love.
Tired of being sad, waiting for comedy gigs, feeling pity on those Blackout Dates (Mother's Day is probably the worst blackout date!), I will set out on a journey to write my novel. I'm hoping that by blogging about it, I can inspire and push myself.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Chicago Booth Alumna Profile
University of Chicago Booth is known for its rigorous academics, Nobel Prize winners, top notch graduates so I was thrilled and surprised when they told me they wanted to profile me.
http://email.chicagobooth.edu/bwc/Lucy_Wang_email.aspx
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
New edition of GOOD MOURNING, AMERICA
Original Works Publishing has just released a new edition of GOOD MOURNING, AMERICA
for your reading pleasure.
You will laugh, cry, think, wonder....
Plays can change your life, open new worlds.
Please think about buying the gift of wonder and laughter for yourself, someone you love, someone in need, e.g., school libraries.
http://www.amazon.com/Good-Mourning-America-Lucy-Wang/dp/1934962112/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1386009892&sr=8-6&keywords=Lucy+Wang
Monday, December 2, 2013
Widow's Peak
Remember when you were a kid, and you couldn't wait for what was ahead of you, whether it was Christmas morning, the new school year, or getting your driver's license?
Well, imagine growing older and experiencing that life isn't always fair, doesn't always turn out the way you thought it would. That's what happens to Portia, Frank and Mary in Widow's Peak. So they always dread the holidays when the premium is to be SUPER HAPPY....
and finally, Portia says enough. I am going to do something about it. Ten minutes. Comedy. It goes with your latte.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H1C3IT0
Friday, November 29, 2013
Audition Monologues for Young Women
When I was in school, I wanted so badly to perform in the school plays. Loved theater, the chance to escape the harsh realities of home life, to be somebody else, embody the possibilities. Imagine. I auditioned for many plays, only to be told there were/are no Asians in Dogpatch, Alice in Wonderland, and so on....
Naturally I was so discouraged. And often humiliated, for even trying out. One theater director told me I could be a flower pot. Just stand there and look exotic. No thanks.
I have written many things, but I always push myself to write rich, complex characters. Meaty roles. Essential roles. Roles that break stereotypes. Roles for youth. Some of my plays, you will notice when you buy them, the characters do not have a last name. That is on purpose. So that the roles lend themselves to open casting. I know firsthand what it's like to be excluded.
Today I'm happy to report that my monologue PRETTY FOR AN ASIAN GIRL is available in AUDITION MONOLOGUES FOR YOUNG WOMEN #2, edited by Gerald Lee Ratliff, published my Meriwether Publishing.
Front cover:
Back cover:
Shine on, my friends! Shine on!
Naturally I was so discouraged. And often humiliated, for even trying out. One theater director told me I could be a flower pot. Just stand there and look exotic. No thanks.
I have written many things, but I always push myself to write rich, complex characters. Meaty roles. Essential roles. Roles that break stereotypes. Roles for youth. Some of my plays, you will notice when you buy them, the characters do not have a last name. That is on purpose. So that the roles lend themselves to open casting. I know firsthand what it's like to be excluded.
Today I'm happy to report that my monologue PRETTY FOR AN ASIAN GIRL is available in AUDITION MONOLOGUES FOR YOUNG WOMEN #2, edited by Gerald Lee Ratliff, published my Meriwether Publishing.
Front cover:
Back cover:
Shine on, my friends! Shine on!
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Gray Matters
New Short Play/Comedy
For High School
Gray hates to lose, and his basketball team is on a wicked losing streak. Desperate for a win, he reluctantly seeks help from Isabel, aka “Miss Smarty Pants,” and a master of feng-shui, in hopes of changing his luck. But changing Gray’s luck may not be the only thing she’s after…
Gray Matters
http://youthplays.com/play_details.php?play_id=290
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