DIRECTOR & LEADING CAST....

WHAT THE CAST IS SAYING ABOUT director Peter James Cirino....

Peter is genuinely dedicated to nurturing every artist that takes the stage in his presence and for that, he's a gem. - Linda Pharathikoune

Director Peter Cirino is a creative visionary who knows what he wants while encouraging the actors to experiment. - Elise Prosser

Peter is great! He is mellow, nuturing and accepts our suggestions readily. Would love to work with him again! - Mary Cherwink

Nikki Hanzal – Stage Manager, Assistant Director, Dramaturg
Mark Anderson – Set Designer
Kelli Jean Groskopf – Lighting Designer
Jhomar "Jay" Josue – Sound Designer
Courtney Smith – Assistant Stage Manager

CAST PHOTOS BY JHOMAR JOSUE
More Primary Cast Photos

Red: Mother- Elise Prosser ("Lindo Jong"); Daughter- Tiffany Loui ("Waverly Jong")


Blue: Mother- Frances Regal ("An-Mei Hsu"); Daughter- Joanne Lim ("Rose Hsu Jordan")

Yellow: Mother- Joyelle Cabato ("Ying-Ying St. Clair"); Daughter- Linda
Pharathikoune ("Lena St. Clair")

Green: Mother- Gina Ma ("Suyuan Woo"); Daughter- Trini Tran ("Jing-Mei Woo")

Joyelle Cabato is thrilled to be making her AART debut with such a wonderful story to share. Though this is her first play, Joyelle has worked on various musicals with The San Diego Repertory Theatre, Starlight, and Moonlight. Favorite roles include: Gigi, Miss Saigon; Maggie, A Chorus Line; and Rosalia, West Side Story. "Many thanks to Peter and the entire Joy Luck Family. This show is dedicated to my mom, Ana, and my grandmothers, Pacita and Puring...the women who are in my bones."

Joanne Lim studies journalism and theatre as a senior at San Diego State University. Her most recent performances include SDSU's production of Eve Ensler's "The Vagina Monologues" and last year's traveling children's show "The Pivotal Moment." She thanks you for supporting The Joy Luck Club and hopes it leaves you with a wonderful theatre experience and insightful look into the complex relationships between mothers and daughters, parents and children. She thanks parents and brothers for making the show all the way from across the world, and she wishes them great luck in their next adventure.

Tiffany Loui is delighted to finally portray the role of Waverly Jong after having been called back 7 times for the role in the movie (and not getting it). AART audiences may remember her from But Can He Dance as the Asian Everywoman on her quest for true love. Other theatrical adventures have included Sweet Charity, Nunsense, A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine and Bye Bye Birdie. She received her degree in Neuroscience from UCLA and currently manages Parkinson's disease studies at a local biotech company. When she's not at work, or finding an audience to please, she enjoys SCUBA diving with her partner in crime and husband, Brian.

Gina Ma is a newbie to the local San Diego theatre scene. "Having not done a straight play in many years I was nervous about how I would do and if I was up to the challenge, but working with Peter has been so great! His relaxed demeanor and calm approach has created a great environment to work in. "…I am grateful to Peter for giving me the opportunity to work on "The Joy Luck Club"!"

Linda Pharathikoune is thrilled to make her debut appearance with The Asian American Repertory Theatre and to be working with such a talented cast, crew & director. She studies acting in San Diego with Terry Ross.

Elise Kim Prosser, Ph.D. was lead actress in the 2007 AART production House of Chaos. Her character was a Japanese woman who struggles with assimilation and betrayal in America. Her performance received favorable critics' reviews in the San Diego Union-Tribune, Asia: the Journal of Culture and Commerce, and San Diego Fox TV Morning News. She serves on the board of AART and has been a grand juror for the San Diego Asian Film Festival. Off-stage, Dr. Prosser is a marketing professor, researcher, and consultant.

Frances Regal is excited to be working with San Diego Asian American Rep. for the first time. Frances hails from northern California and spent several years as a member of the Ferndale Rep. Favorite local roles include: Dr. Barnes in Clifford Odets "Waiting for Lefty" (Palomar College), Mindy in Alan Ball's "Five Women Wearing the Same Dress" (Palomar), and Jenny Chow in "The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow"(Carlsbad Playreaders). Frances would like to give a "shout-out" to her "peeps" at Encinitas Acupuncture and Massage, and gives mucho amor to her family, Justin and Sandy.

Trini Tran is honored to make her first debut with the AART. At a young age, her passion for the art was supported by her loving family, who has been patient throughout the years. Special thanks to great friends, teachers, and professors who pushed her to along the way: Barry & Hema Lall, M. Katz, Billy K., Pao L., Jerry W., Lasith R., Adrian S., and Marilyn H. Much love and appreciation to God, her family, Anh, Ray, Cristina, Melynnie & Scott, Nguyet, and Huy N. To Peter Cirino, "He's an amazing person who believes in opportunities. Thank you for rekindling my flame." To individuals with dreams, "Don't go after your dreams, chase it."