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The Creative Team of Victor Woo - The Average Asian American
KEVIN MERRITT (Writer/Director) has had an extremely varied career in entertainment and
media. In the late 1990's he spent most of his time as an actor in the Off-Off-Broadway scene performing in countless readings, workshops and late night plays at LaMama. In 1999 he ducked out of acting to pursue his love of music, and released a folk-rock album of his own songs, All The People. After touring around to no-name towns and overbooked NY music venues he began directing and producing work for other songwriters including the debut comedy/country album for Los Angeles comedian Mecky Stecky (Greatest Hits Volume II), numerous albums/shows for Cabaret/Singer-Songwriter, Julie Reyburn and The Eric Stuart Band. While not making any money in 2001, he became a self-taught computer programmer and developed relational databases for anyone who would pay him enough. Concurrent with his musical pursuits he continued to work in the theatre for three years as the Assistant Director for the First National Tour of Roger's and Hammerstein's Cinderella and Andrew Lippa's, The Wild Party. He has also produced a number of large-scale art installations for the annual Burning Man Festival in Nevada. (Podville, Atheria , SloBurn) Most recently he has focused mostly on live television events and has worked as a Senior Talent & Logistics Coordinator for events such as CBS's 75th Anniversary, HBO's Def Poetry, The Tony Awards, Concert For New York, The Super Bowl, and The Democratic National Convention (and numerous other bad variety shows). He has also reared his acting head again in the voice-over world doing promos for The Travel Channel and the The Learning Channel's Trading Spaces. Once again his desire to get "back to the theatre" has focused his interest on developing a number of new theatre pieces projects including the Victor Woo Project in collaboration with songwriter Kevin So.

KEVIN SO (Composer/Lyricist) In a decade of performing his original music around the country, Kevin So has earned the respect of his fellow musicians (Keb' Mo', Amos Lee), won over members of the press and radio and built up a substantial fan base coast to coast.  Born and raised in Boston, So channeled his early passion for singing and playing into the start of  a career in music with his appearance, in 1990, on a nationally broadcast Fox show hosted by Natalie Cole called "Big Break."  In  1994, So toured the country as a member of a cover band that later had some of its musicians moving on to Britney Spears' band. When not playing keyboards with the group, he spent a considerable amount of time listening to the music of Bob Dylan and Robert Johnson.  By 1995, So had quit the cover band and was a regular on the open-mic folk scene in Boston.  His strong musicianship and showmanship caught the attention of Boston Globe  critic Steve Morse - who wrote that Kevin was "unusually talented."  The next year, Kevin took to the interstates.  At the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas, an Austin Chronicle's music writer took notice, writing that So was "the big discovery."  The release of So's Individual album, in 1997, was accompanied by a sold-out performance at Club Passim.  So moved to Chicago in late 1999. He booked his own gigs, performing shows in the Midwest and elsewhere.  Busking in Austin, Kevin was "discovered" by the big-league Agency Group.  Subsequently, he opened for Joe Cocker, then toured as the opening act for Billy Bragg.  In 2001, So moved back to Boston, encouraged by the renewed affirmation of his standing as one of the most popular performers in New England with two SRO nights headlining Club Passim.  Musically, he was shifting from folk in a pop/r&b direction. The day after September 11, 2001, Kevin hooked up with popular bluesman Keb' Mo' in Los Angeles to collaborate with Mo' in writing the wonderful song, "Talk," which Keb' would eventually record.  So continued touring in 2002, becoming a favorite performer/speaker for dozens of Asian American student organizations around the US.  The double-disc Leaving the Lights On, stylistically based in contemporary r&b, appeared to an avalanche of praise in 2003.  In August, Kevin relocated to Brooklyn and got busy on the vibrant NYC music scene there.  His next CD, The So Must Go On: Live in Concert, appeared in 2005.  Always making new friends, So continues to tour the country at a vigorous clip.  The release of So's new album, A Brighter Day, quite possibly his most compelling work to date, is supported by concert dates in 2007.

GREG SCHAFFERT (Producer) has spent the last twenty-eight years working in New York in every facet of the theatre.   Greg is a Producing Associate with 321 Theatrical Management which currently general manages the Broadway musicals WICKED (5 productions); THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (3 productions); and I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE.

Greg's producing credits include the Broadway production of ALL SHOOK UP; off-Broadway's STRIKING 12 (2007 Lucille Lortel nomination for Outstanding Musical); Jonathan Karp & Seth Weinstein's HOW TO SAVE THE WORLD & FIND TRUE LOVE in 90 minutes (NY Fringe Festival);  Brian Dykstra's FORSAKING ALL OTHERS and BRIAN DYKSTRA: CORNERED & ALONE.  Greg was an Associate Producer of the original off-Broadway and London production of BAT BOY THE MUSICAL.  

His General Managing credits include the off-Broadway productions of THE PROPERTY KNOWN AS GARLAND; SILENT LAUGHTER; HANK WILLIAMS: LOST HIGHWAY; THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER and THE GOSPEL OF JOHN.

Production Manager credits include Andrew Lippa & Tom Greenwald's JOHN & JEN at the Lamb's Theatre and the inaugural season of the Cherry Lane Alternative's Mentor Project, which included Christopher Shinn's FOUR and Bridgette Wimberly's ST. LUCY'S EYES.

Greg assistant directed numerous projects with David H. Bell including the Broadway musical A CHANGE IN THE HEIR and Stage Managed the first season (three original musicals) for the Lamb's Theatre Company.

Greg's continuing pursuit to develop and produce new works has given him the good fortune to work with some of today's best young writers. Current projects include: George Stiles (MARY POPPINS; HONK)/Paul Leigh/Peter Raby's THREE MUSKETEERS upcoming production at North Shore Music Theatre, Beverly, MA - Aug/Sept 2007 and last winter's production at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Chicago, IL;  Michael Friel's GOIN' TO HELL (Roundabout Theatre Company 2008); Kevin So and Kevin Merritt's VICTOR WOO: AN AVERAGE ASIAN AMERICAN and Sean Grennan's MARRIED ALIVE.

Recent projects include: Jeremy Desmon's THE GIRL IN THE FRAME, Goodspeed Musicals and the Adirondack Theatre Festival;  William Donnelly's PAINTED ALICE, Theatre Alliance, Wash DC and the Unicorn Theatre, Kansas City; David H. Bell and Craig Carnelia's ACTOR, LAWYER, INDIAN CHIEF; David H. Bell's MALIBU and MATADOR; Mark St. Germain and Randy Courts' JOSEPH & MARY and BOOK OF THE DUNN COW;  Sean Grennan's LUCK;  Steve Murray's RESCUE & RECOVERY and Craig Volk's WUNDERKIND.
ETHAN POPP (Music Supervisor/Music Director) Ethan grew up in New Hampshire and started working professionally as a music director, conductor, arranger, and studio producer at the age of 18.  At the age of 29, he's now performed in over 20 different countries for over 60 different productions. Recent credits include the New York workshop of Spider-Man (Directed by Julie Taymor, music and lyrics by Bono and The Edge of U2), vocal coach/accompanist for Rob Marshall's upcoming movie of Maury Yeston's NINE, Disney's TARZAN (Associate Conductor/Keyboards), QUEEN/Ben Elton's WE WILL ROCK YOU (Music Director, German Premiere), Disney's AIDA (Music Supervisor - European Tour), MAMMA MIA! (Associate Conductor, German Premiere), FOREVER PLAID (Musical Director - U.S. Tour), Radio City Music Hall's Christmas Spectacular starring The Radio City Rockettes (Assistant Musical Director - Mexico City Production), FAME! The Musical (Assistant Musical Director - U.S. Tour), as well as involvement with large-scale productions of EVITA, ANNIE, A CHORUS LINE, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, The Who's TOMMY, CAMELOT and many others.

JD AUBREY SMITH (Choreography) Broadway: Tarzan - Male Dance Captain / Ensemble Swing, Saturday Night Fever - Featured Ensemble Adagio Couple. Regional: Purlie - Featured Ensemble / Dance Captain, Saturday Night Fever: 1st National & Germany. Choreography: Motion Picture "Hairshow" featuring MoNique. Music Video: Celine Dion "One Heart". Holland America Line, Royal Caribbean Intl., Tokyo Disney, Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Harrah's Hotel, Hilton Hotel & The Boston Ballet - BB2

AKIM FUNK BUDDHA (Choreographer) From the streets of Bali to Carnegie Hall, from meditative throat singing to high-energy Hip Hop rhymes, Akim Funk Buddha creates borderless performance art, fusing sounds and movements. An avid world traveler and self-described oldschool B-boy MC, he is known for his holistic approach to Hip Hop, drawing from a full spectrum of cultural traditions and artistic disciplines. Rhyming, beat-boxing, mouth and body percussion, story-telling, break-dancing, Mongolian throat-singing, Indonesian monkey chants, body-balancing, martial arts, tap and circus arts are seamlessly blended to create distinctly spiritual yet urban sonic and visual compositions.

Raised in Zimbabwe, Akim and his brother Dumi came to the US in early 90s as Zimbabwe Legit, the first African Hip Hop group to release an EP in America. Produced by Mr. Lawnge of Blacksheep and remixed by (now) legendary DJ Shadow, the Hollywood Records release Brothers from the Mother was hailed by critics and fans as a ground-breaking classic, only to be shelved by industry red tape over a decade and never released in its entirety until 2005 by DC-based label, Glow In The Dark. In 1998 he formed a world music and dance performance troupe, DHA FUZION, consisting of Hip Hop dancers, sitar player, drummer, bassist, keyboardist, Japanese koto and taiko players and often a video artist, and has since toured with the group internationally performing at clubs and performance halls alike. Jack Anderson of The New York Times described DHA FUZION as performing with "...boisterous energy while brightly colored kaleidoscopic patterns whirled away...this troupe of dancers and musicians filled the theatre with wild sights and sounds, seductions and battles and strange encounters, both sacred and profane," and adds "Their energy was irresistible."

Most recently, members of DHA FUZION have joined Akim onstage for AMAZULU: DANCE AS A WEAPON written and conceived by Akim and co-produced by LaMama, Etc. in NYC, premiering to sold out houses, and Seasons of Buddha, commissioned by the Jerome Foundation and premiered at Mulberry Street Theater in NYC. Akim tours internationally with The Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Co. and has appeared in prestigous NYC venues such as at Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors, Rubin Museum, Blue Note, BAMCafe, Bronx Museum, Joe's Pub and Winter Garden, and collaborated with composer/performer Daniel Bernard Roumain and Orchestra of St. Luke's. Film credits include a recent appearance in FREESTYLE: ART OF RHYME, an award-winning documentary film by Kevin Fitzgerald. TV credits include THE DAVID LETTERMAN SHOW, THE CHRIS ROCK SHOW, and SESAME STREET.
MARYANN HU (Assistant Director) is thrilled to be working on this new show on the other side of the table. As an actress she has played SooLin on the NBC sitcom WHOOPI; and appeared on Law & Order. Film: Falling For Grace. Theatre: Broadway Company and the National Tour of Miss Saigon. Off Broadway/Regional: Falsettoland, The Audience, The Beautiful Warrior, Babes in Toyland, The King and I, Song of Singapore, and Heading East. Workshops: Please Don't Eat The Daisies, The Wedding Singer, Get Shorty and Desperately Seeking Susan! (featuring the music of Blondie). Concert appearances include CHESS with Josh Groban and was recently featured as Agnes in On the 20th Century. Vocalist on the Sondheim compilation album East West Overtures and the 2005 grammy nominated recording of HAIR (Sh-k-Boom/Ghostlight Records). Married to NY bassist, Dave Phillips.
BRUCE ALAN JOHNSON (Production Stage Manager) has had an extremely diverse career in the entertainment industry. He recently finished work as Graphic Designer and PSM for NAATCO's Off-Broadway production of Falsettoland. After Victor Woo he will reprise his duties as a stage manager and lighting designer on the Opening Doors concerts for Asian Americans on Broadway. He also appeared as "Joe Gillis" opposite Elaine Paige on Broadway in Sunset Blvd. In 1999 he founded Bruce Johnson Photography and Graphic Design, specializing in creating unique press materials (both internet and print) for high-profile (Oscar nominated and Tony and Grammy Award winning) performing artists. With a degree in film production from the University of Iowa, his love of cinematography led him to create award-winning photography and back again to directing the audience award-winning short film All American Eyes written by and starring his wife Christine Toy Johnson. After being awarded a grant from the California State Library, he is collaborating with Christine again to make a documentary about the first Asian American professional basketball player, Wat Misaka. More about his work can be found at www.brucealanjohnson.com.
JOHN MAZLISH (Coordinating Producer) John is excited to be writing in the 3rd person for the first time in his life. Actually, he's thrilled to be part of such a unique and exciting production, which originated from a mutual vision which he has shared with Kevin So for the past several years. John describes himself as a "connector" and a networker of talent; one of the right-brained engines of the project. He wishes to express gratitude and admiration to Kevin So and Kevin Merritt for actually taking the dream and transforming it into reality. Formerly a working musician, John is now a full-time photographer. His work may be viewed at: www.johnmazlish.com Go Victor!
KIRK BOOKMAN (Lighting Designer) NYC: What Then, The Cook, Recent Tragic Events (Heather Graham), Shangai Moon (Charles Bush). The Sunshine Boys (Jack Klugman & Tony Randall), The Gin Game (Julie Harris & Charles Durning), Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Right You Are, Playboy of the Western World, Eclipsed, The Importance of Being Earnest, Major Barbara, Havana is Waiting, Force Continuum, My One Good Nerve (Ruby Dee), The Book of Liz (David & Amy Sedaris), Les MIZrahi (Isaac Mizrahi), As Thousands Cheer, June Moon. Thomashefsky, Oedipus Rex, Nightingale, for the San Francisco Symphony.  Most recently: A Flowering Tree directed by Peter Sellars.
PHILLIP LOJO (Sound Designer) Phillip's theatrical background expands over fifteen years. Phillip has toured as a production sound engineer with many Broadway production companies on such shows as Phantom Of The Opera, Cats, Andrew Lloyd Webber's Music Of The Night, and ShowBoat. His Broadway show credits as a sound engineer include 1776, On the Town, Peter Pan, Not About Nightingales and most recently he was the Production Sound Engineer on Tim Rice and Elton John's Aida, Billy Crystal's 700 Sundays New York & 1st National Tour & Disney's Tarzan On Broadway. Phillip also has been the sound designer for the Manhattan Theatre Club Annual Gala for the last seven-years & the original sound designer for the original RFK production in New York. Phillip has worked internationally on such show as The Lion King Australia, Aida Korea & Billy Crystal's 700 Sundays Australia. Phillip has worked with such Sound Designers as Martin Levan, Steve Canyon Kennedy & Jon Weston. Phillip wishes to thank his wife, Julia and his two beautiful boys, Nicholas and Dario for all their love and support. This one's for you!
ANDREW BOYCE (Set Designer)
JENNIFER DRUE (Video Designer) Inspired by muses, Jennifer has been making movies, shooting and cutting her way through life from an early age. From Albany, she descended upon NYC in 2000 where she's been an active documentary and fiction filmmaker. When not in filmmaking fervor she disguises herself as a mild mannered Web Developer. (Though only the dim witted are consistently fooled). For a byte size sample of her work go to: www.jenniferdrue.com

SARAH LAUX (Costume Designer) Sarah is delighted to be participating in the Fringe Festival for the first time. Design credits include: Baby Face and Mud Blossom by Ashlin Halfnight at Walkerspace, The Opposite of Sex at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, Rip Me Open at Galapogos Art Space and the Gianni Velcreaux Music Video for Be My Girl Assisting credits include: Phillip Glass' Orphee at Glimmerglass Opera, Associate Costume Designer for Xanadu on Broadway, Shining City at MTC, Nancy Bannon's Pod Project, Britney Spears' Onyx Hotel Tour Film work includes: Stephanie Daley and John Cameron Mitchell's Shortbus.