Larry the Musical: Conversation and Performance

Based on the book “Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong” by Dr. Dawn Mabalon and Gayle Romasanta (the musical’s writer and executive producer), “Larry the Musical” centers on Filipino American labor leader Larry Itliong, a lifelong advocate for workers’ rights.

Alongside Mexican American community leaders Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, Itliong led the 1965 Delano Grape Strike — a milestone for the American labor movement, winning better pay and benefits while leading to the formation of the United Farm Workers. Yet while Chavez is a household name, Itliong has been largely ignored by mainstream historians.

“We’re finally telling a story that needs to be told of a man who is absolutely paramount to Filipinos past, present, and future,” says music director Sean Kana, whose score — co-composed with Bryan Pangilinan and performed by a seven-piece orchestra employing traditional and indigenous instruments — is “the heartbeat of the story” (San Francisco Chronicle).

“I think this is a story for anybody who is an American,” says Romasanta. “Just like the Boston Tea Party, [which we’re taught is] essential to America’s identity. This story, Filipino Americans in labor history, should also be central to who the United States is, and what American schools teach.”

The Asian Art Museum is proud to present a conversation with the Filipino American cast and creative team behind “Larry the Musical” on the Free First Sunday in October, which is Filipino American History Month. Stay tuned after the conversation for a special performance of songs from the show!

About the Artists

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  Gayle Romasanta is the writer and executive producer of “Larry the Musical.” Romasanta co-authored the first book about labor leader Larry Itliong, “Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong,” with historian Dr. Dawn Mabalon; she is also the author of “Beautiful Eyes,” a Tagalog-English children’s book. Romasanta is the Executive Director of the Filipino American Development Foundation; a National Trustee of the Filipino American National Historical Society; and is on the Board of Directors for the Yerba Buena Gardens Conservancy in San Francisco. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, Smithsonian Magazine, Time, and ABS-CBN.

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  Composer and executive producer Bryan Pangilinan was trained by composer Bayani Mendoza de Leon and has directed music for Filipino folk arts performances locally and internationally. He portrayed Tatsuo Kimura in the West Coast premiere of “Allegiance” (Contra Costa Civic Theatre, Palo Alto Players) and served as an artist in residence at Brava Theater to compose and produce “Larry the Musical” with Gayle Romasanta. Bryan holds a B.A. in Ethnic Studies from UC San Diego and a master’s degree in music from San Francisco State. He currently serves as the Director of Fund Development with the Filipino American Development Foundation. 

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  Joshua Carandang plays the title role in “Larry the Musical.” Currently based in Brooklyn, NY, the Ohio-born actor originated the role of Joxer in “Xena: Warrior Musical.” Other favorite roles include Henry in “Next to Normal” and Andrew Jackson in “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson.” 

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  Marah Sotelo plays Malaya/Lourdes in “Larry the Musical”; other recent roles include Amalia in “She Loves Me,” Louise in “Gypsy” (42nd Street Moon), Annette in “Cruel Intentions: The ‘90s Musical” (Ray of Light Theatre), Catherine in “A Christmas Carol” (Center Repertory Company), Cinderella in “Into the Woods” (Berkeley Playhouse), Kei Kimura in “Allegiance,” Cathy in “The Last Five Years” (Palo Alto Players), and Sally Bowles in “Cabaret” (Pacifica Spindrift Players). Sotelo previously appeared as Mimi in “Rent” (Station Theatre), Lady of the Lake in “Spamalot” (Parkland Theatre), and Eponine in “Les Misérables” (Champaign Urbana Theatre Company). 

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  Kylie Abucay (Yzzy/Dance Captain in “Larry the Musical”) is a Bay Area native who has appeared as Connie in “The 1940s Radio Hour” and Crystal in “Little Shop of Horrors “(Hillbarn Theatre); Sandy in “Grease” and Shirley Charles in “Saturday Night Fever,” as well as roles in “Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and “Aida” (Broadway by the Bay). Her training includes musical theater, vocal, and classical and contemporary ballet at Westlake School for the Performing Arts. Abucay has been on the “Larry” journey since Workshop 2, after taking a break from performing to pursue her grandparents’ dream of becoming a registered nurse.

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  Rocky James Concepcion appears as Victor in “Larry the Musical.” Previous theatrical roles include Patrick in “The Spongebob Musical” (Palo Alto Players), Chino in “West Side Story” (Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre), Agwe in “Once on This Island” (Contra Costa Community Theatre), Roger in “Grease” (Sunnyvale Community Players) and Piragua Guy in “In the Heights” (Stage 1 Theatre).