Cast Brings Internationalism to "Chinglish"

THE CAST:  From left to right, Ramond Ma, Vivian Chiu, Alex Moggridge, Michelle Krusiec, Austin Ku, Celeste Den and Brian Nishii.

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While cast of Chinglish has numerous credits in theatre, film and television, the actors also have fascinating and diverse backgrounds. Most of the actors are U.S.-born, some hail from different countries.

Originally from Tokyo, Japan, Brian Nishii—who understudied all the male Asian roles in the Broadway production of Chinglish—plays the role of Peter in the SCR’s production.  Taiwan native Vivian Chiu—who understudied all the female roles on Broadway—plays the role of Zhao in the SCR production.

Michelle Krusiec is originally from Taiwan, an upbringing she explores in her critically acclaimed solo show Made in Taiwan. Most people will recognize her from the international hit film Saving Face, which earned her a Best Actress nomination for the Golden Horse Award, the Chinese equivalent of the American Oscar Awards.

Austin Ku has his own knack for international travel: he’s a regular performer with the USO show troupe called the Liberty Bells.

Raymond Ma will be performing in a national tour of The Joy Luck Club. Celeste Den starred in that show when it ran in Los Angeles at East West Players, the nation’s preeminent Asian American theatre.

And finally there’s Alex Moggridge, who plays the sign-making Ohio businessman, Daniel. Moggridge actually taught English in Taiwan at one point in his career.

Catch this great cast at SCR in the Broadway smash hit Chinglish. Following the show’s run here in Costa Mesa, the production heads overseas for performances at the Hong Kong Arts Festival.

Some SCR performances of Chinglish are already sold out, so get your tickets in advance. The show runs Jan. 25-Feb. 24 on the Segerstrom Stage.