S61 - Crazy Talented Asians

The 61st season kicks off in August as East West Players, AJ Rafael, and the Nisei Week Foundation reunite for CRAZY TALENTED ASIANS: NISEI WEEK, a special two-night concert August 21 & 22, 2026 during the Nisei Week Japanese Festival in historic Little Tokyo. Hosted by AJ Rafael, the event brings together established and emerging Asian American performers, many with ties to the East West Players community. The event will honor the career of Filipino-American actor and singer Jon Jon Briones (MISS SAIGON on West End & Broadway, most recently PACIFIC OVERTURES at EWP).

This year’s lineup features: Deedee Magno Hall, known for her roles as Kim in the MISS SAIGON National Tour, the voice of Pearl on Cartoon Network’s Steven Universe, and Diana Goodman in NEXT TO NORMAL at EWP; dynamic vocal group grlhood featuring Justine Rafael (HERE LIES LOVE at the Mark Taper Forum, ON THIS SIDE OF THE WORLD at EWP), Kay Sibal (SIX on Broadway), and Leianna Weaver (BEETLEJUICE National Tour) whose members all met during SPRING AWAKENING at EWP; Zandi De Jesus (HERE LIES LOVE at the Mark Taper Forum, ON THIS SIDE OF THE WORLD and CAMBODIAN ROCK BAND at EWP); Scott Keiji Takeda (most recently Ta in EWP’s FLOWER DRUM SONG); Alyssa Rafael (Belle in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at the Nocturne Theatre); Kenton Chen (most recently Harvard in EWP’s FLOWER DRUM SONG). More acts to be announced soon.

The night highlights the creativity and sense of belonging that defines AAPI artistry, offering a meaningful showcase of voices shaping the global future of performing arts.