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New Single "Hunker" Released!
I wrote and produced this track all the way back in 2006, but never got around to releasing it on modern streaming platforms like Spotify and Amazon. Well, I finally decided to get more up-to-date with the music industry and make this song available. So if you have a few minutes to spare, please click on some of the links below and support the song and me in the process. Thanks! Spotify Amazon Bandcamp ITunes |
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I'm nominated for an Ovation Award!
For the second time in my career, I've received a nomination for the Ovation Award, which is Los Angeles theatre's highest honor. It was totally unexpected, but I'm glad to be recognized because the play the nomination was for, MAN OF GOD, was one I felt passionately about and worked really hard to push my craft to new heights and depths, with special thanks to director Jesca Prudencio who led the way with her vision and creative tenacity. |
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I was the music director of Pippin!
We did a hiphop anime reimagining of Pippin with a group of stellar college students at the Claremont Colleges exploring a completely unique revival of the show updated with new orchestrations by yours truly. Directed by Tim Dang Music Direction by Howard Ho Choreography by Tom Tsai |
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I wrote the music for a new play!
Hannah and the Dread Gazebo Written by Jiehae Park Directed by Jennifer Chang At the Fountain Theatre 5060 Fountain Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029 Opens Sat. Aug. 17 Runs thru Sun. Sept. 29 Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2pm and 8pm, Sundays at 2pm, and Pay What You Want Mondays at 8pm. |
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I wrote an Ecstasy musical!
Originally developed through The Vagrancy Playwrights’ Group in Los Angeles, MOLLY is a musical trip through the surprising rise and fall of Ecstasy, the drug that changed how we groove and move. From her birth in a German lab in 1912 to the Rave scene's Summer of Love in 1988, Molly sings her intoxicating song and ignites a movement. May 26th, 6:30pm Lyric Hyperion Theatre 2106 Hyperion Ave., LA 90027 |
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I'm in the Samuel French Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival!
Back in 2015, I wrote a 10-minute musical with Kristen Rea and Chris Edgar at New Musicals Inc., where it was produced for a short run. Though it seemed like a one-off, it's taking on a life of its own. In August 2019, it will be performed as part of the Samuel French Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival at the Vineyard Theatre in NYC! This actually marks the second time it's being performed in NYC after 2018's SoundBites. I'm super stoked to have another reason to go out there and create theatre! Click here for more info on the festival and to buy tickets. |
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I Scored a Hip-Hop Musical!
I had a blast creating the music for this show that fuses hip-hop with Chinese traditional melodies and instrumentals. This includes a bunch of musical numbers, a rap battle, and a full-on tiger fight. It's definitely one of the biggest musical plays I've been responsible for, and I'm extremely proud of the results! By Damon Chua Directed by Tim Dang at the Lewis Family Playhouse General: $18.00 Senior/Youth: $16.00 All tickets are only $12.00 each when purchasing 4 or more tickets to any single MainStreet performance Sat, May 4, 2019 4:00 PM Sat, May 11, 2019 1:00 PM Sat, May 11, 2019 4:00 PM Sat, May 18, 2019 1:00 PM Sat, May 18, 2019 4:00 PM Sun, May 19, 2019 1:00 PM |
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Free Concert featuring my music as part of COMPOSE LA
Tuesday, February 12th 7:30pm 244 San Pedro St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 I've been chosen to be part of COMPOSE LA, a city-wide concert series featuring some really interesting and diverse composers. My concert will feature my musical PRETENDO as well as me accompanying Cold Tofu Improv singers. And there will be an excerpt from TALES OF CLAMOR, the show currently running at the JACCC Aritani Theatre. Register for your tickets here! |
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Sound Designing Two Shows - Tales of Clamor & Man of God
I've never really designed two shows at the same exact time, but these are both projects I find incredibly beautiful and important. So I took on the challenge of tackling both simultaneously!
Tales of Clamor at the JACCC is about a model minority, Japanese Americans, learning to speak up for the wrongs that were done to them and in the process, finding their voice. Runs February 1st to March 3rd.
Man of God at East West Players is about a group of Korean American teenage girls who find themselves on a Christian mission trip with a startling realization that their pastor may not be who they thought he was. Runs January 31st to February 24th.
Not only are they both great stories with very timely messages, they both are playing in February in Little Tokyo just blocks away from each other! I hope I get to see you at one or both!
I've never really designed two shows at the same exact time, but these are both projects I find incredibly beautiful and important. So I took on the challenge of tackling both simultaneously!
Tales of Clamor at the JACCC is about a model minority, Japanese Americans, learning to speak up for the wrongs that were done to them and in the process, finding their voice. Runs February 1st to March 3rd.
Man of God at East West Players is about a group of Korean American teenage girls who find themselves on a Christian mission trip with a startling realization that their pastor may not be who they thought he was. Runs January 31st to February 24th.
Not only are they both great stories with very timely messages, they both are playing in February in Little Tokyo just blocks away from each other! I hope I get to see you at one or both!
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My Original Music is in the play Two Mile Hollow
I wrote an original musical theatre song for the play Two Mile Hollow now at the Lounge Theatre in Hollywood running until November 4th. The script actually has lyrics in and in each of the four productions so far it's been accompanied by different melodies from different composers! I got a chance to work with it and create something I'm truly proud of. Come check it out! Click here for more info. |
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Why The Saddest Songs in Hamilton Make You Cry
The third part in my series How Hamilton Makes You Cry tackles arguably the saddest songs in the show including "It's Quiet Uptown," "That Would Be Enough," "Burn," "Who Lives Who Dies Who Tells Your Story," and "Dear Theodosia." And surprise! Lin-Manuel Miranda tweeted the video too! |
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Short Fugue on Radiohead's My Iron Lung
I learned how to write Baroque counterpoint back in college and haven't touched it in years. After a friend suggested I do a fugue based on Radiohead, I decided to dust off those skills to see if I could still do it. Here's the result! |
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Staged Reading of DISAPPOINTMENT ISLAND
My newest play is in a reading at Inner City Arts on August 19th, 4pm! Directed by Jully Lee Featuring Justin Huen, Krystal Mosley, Marta Portillo, Scott Takeda, Kelvin Han Yee, and Karen Zumsteg with Steve Brady This reading is part of Here and Now Theatre Company's Summer of Stories Reading Festival. For more info or to make a donation, go here: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/summer-of-stories-2018-community-drama/x/688277#/ |
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My Interview with Marcus Choi
I got to chat with Marcus Choi about playing George Washington in the 2nd National Tour of HAMILTON as he was playing to packed houses in Costa Mesa. I got way back with him when he was doing LA theatre, and I've always known he was a good guy, but he was also really generous in helping me bring in one of my fans who got a kick out of going behind the scenes. I love this show even more now that I get to see a friend and fellow Asian American in it. |
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TAR, part 2 of the Bimini Baths Trilogy
I recently completed sound design for a brand-new play from award-winning playwright Tom Jacobson. TAR is actually part two of a trilogy of plays now concurrently running at Son of Semele, Playwrights' Arena, and Rogue Machine, three of LA's best small theatres. And in its first review, TAR gets a WOW from critic Steven Stanley! And he had this to say about my contribution: "...and sound designer Howard Ho mixes effects and ambient sounds with admirable expertise." TAR runs at the Atwater Village Theatre until July 2, 2018. Sat 8 PM / Sun 4 PM / Mon 8 PM Buy tickets here! |
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Hamilton Cover While Solving a Rubik's Cube
A friend gave me the idea to cover Hamilton while solving a Rubik's Cube and I wanted to see how I'd do. The result is this video. Enjoy! |
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26 More Theatre References in Hamilton
My follow-up to the video All the theatre references in Hamilton. It turns out I missed mentioning a lot of references, enough in fact to make a new video compiling them. Enjoy! |
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I'm a Finalist in Sound Bites in NYC!
END OF THE LINE, a 10-minute musical I wrote in 2015 at NMI with music by Kristen Rea and lyrics by Chris Edgar, is getting a new life with a performance in New York! Theatre Now NY runs a great program called Sound Bites, which annually brings together 10 short musicals that then compete for awards! I'm super thrilled and honored to be included this year and just even to have some of my work being performed in NY at the Signature Theatre no less! The performance will be May 28th (Memorial Day) at 7pm. |
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PRETENDO Readings in Boyle Heights!
The musical I've been writing for about 10 years of my life is now getting a series of readings in Boyle Heights thanks to Center Theatre Group! The readings are free and open to the public, but they are in libraries so we're hoping to get some local community members also to come check out live theatre! All performances start at 6pm. 4/17 @ Benjamin Franklin Library: 2200 E. 1st St., LA 90033 4/18 @ Malabar Library: 2801 Wabash Ave., LA 90033 4/19 @ Robert L. Stevenson Library: 803 Spence St., LA 90033 |
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All the Theatre References in Hamilton
Here's my latest video where I catalogue every single theatre reference I could find in Hamilton. I go from the most obvious ones to some a bit more obscure. I hope you dig watching it as much as I did making it! |
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How to work in multiple creative fields
I was invited by one of my favorite artists Johanna Craven to be a part of her podcast ARTYFICIAL DREAMS talking about creative process. Because of my work in sound design, writing, and composing, my podcast interview became about how to juggle these disparate fields whilst trying to maintain quality and productivity. And also of the dangers of drinking too much Red Bull...seriously. Check it out! |
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How Hamilton Makes You Cry (Part 2)
The second video in the series focuses on The Story of Tonight and its use of the descending bass. And as you can tell from the thumbnail, Les Miz will be discussed! Oh yes! Please check out the new video! Part 3 will be coming soon too. |
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How Hamilton Makes You Cry (Part 1)
After a bit of a break, I've come back with a new video analysis of Hamilton. This time I'm talking about Hamilton makes us cry so effectively. Due to the huge nature of this topic, I'm releasing it in several parts. For now, check out part 1 and stay tuned! |
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Nothing Is the Same at Sierra Madre Playhouse
I created the sound design for Nothing Is the Same, a play about four 11-year old kids living in Hawaii in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor. Based on real-life testimonies, this sweet play is about friendship and what it means to be American. The sound includes original music which I produced through a collaboration with ukulele player Rod Salaysay. And it's directed by Tim Dang, who was one of the artists who made me want to do theatre growing up! It was an honor! The show runs Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30pm until March 4th. And it's only 65 minutes long, so it makes for a wonderful afternoon in the Aloha State. Hope you can join us! Sierra Madre Playhouse 87 W Sierra Madre Blvd Sierra Madre, California 91024 |
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Bloodletting will be at the Kirk Douglas Theatre!
Bloodletting Returns! The show (for which I received an Ovation nomination for sound design) will now get a revival in the much bigger theater, the Kirk Douglas Theatre as part of Center Theatre Group's Block Party 2018! Since last year, CTG has created Block Party, where they choose three LA-based productions to revive at their Kirk Douglas Theatre. This year Playwrights' Arena's Bloodletting was chosen out of 53 applicants to be part of Block Party, which means my work will get seen at this amazing space! It will be running from Mar 29 – April 8, 2018! I'm so honored to be a part of this, and I hope those of you interested in seeing the best of what LA theatre has to offer will come check out the diversity of shows in Block Party this year. They include: Ameryka Written and Directed by Nancy Keystone Apr 19–29, 2018 An epic exploration of humanity’s longing for freedom, and justice Die, Mommie, Die! Written by Charles Busch, Directed by Ryan Bergmann May 10–20, 2018 A Greek tragedy on acid with a gay Hollywood twist! |
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The Santaland Diaries at Theatreworks
I went back up to Palo Alto this time to work on the TheatreWorks Silicon Valley production of THE SANTALAND DIARIES! It reunited me with director Jeffrey Lo from The Crucible as well as the amazing actor Max Tachis, who played John Proctor in that production. This time it's a much more light-hearted production recounting David Sedaris's time as an elf in a mall Santaland. The show runs until December 23rd at the Foothill College in Los Altos Hills! But also keep in mind...this show is for some adult fun (not for kids)! This really generous review even gave my sound design a paragraph mention: "Howard Ho’s sound design could almost be considered “counter-Christmas” with some rock, some eerie haunted-sounding holiday arrangements, and a bit of burlesque thrown in at just the right moment. In addition, as Tachis portrays David / Crumpet the elf introducing the audience to the different regions of Santaland, sudden horn blasts accompany the unfurling of the appropriate banners, sounding like attacks to the poor elf on stage." |
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Broadway World Regional Award Nomination
In addition to my Ovation Award nomination, I'm also nominated for a Broadway World Regional Award for my sound design for the play FAIRLY TRACEABLE! The difference is that for Broadway World you can vote on it directly at their website. So please if you have some free time, go to the voting website and please vote for me as well as some of the many other artists nominated this year! |
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Ovation Nominated for Sound Design (Intimate)
Wow, I am now an Ovation Nominated Sound Designer for BLOODLETTING! BLOODLETTING was produced by Playwrights' Arena at the Atwater Village Theatre. It played October-November 2016 and then was revived January 2017. I was fortunate to have amazing collaborators, playwright and actor Boni B. Alvarez and director Jon Lawrence Rivera. As my first Ovation nomination, I am thrilled to be included in a category with so many other incredible designers whose work I've admired over the years. The Ovation Awards are on January 29th, 2017 at The Theatre at Ace Hotel! |
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Free Reading of VARIOUS EMPORIA (2017 O'Neill Finalist)
My play is part of Santa Monica Playhouse's Binge Free Festival of Theatre! Come check it out! VARIOUS EMPORIA Staged reading of new work from playwright Howard Ho. Directed by Rebecca Wear. Featuring Kelvin Han Yee, Pat Loeb, Jim Harnagel, Jessica Jade Andres, Arthur Keng. Thursday, Oct. 19th 9:30 PM Santa Monica Playhouse 1211 4th Street Santa Monica, CA 90401 To RSVP a free ticket, email theatre@santamonicaplayhouse.com! VARIOUS EMPORIA was a finalist for the 2017 O'Neill National Playwriting Conference. It was developed through The Vagrancy and the East West Players writer's workshops through the EWP/APAFT Playwriting Scholarship. |
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Performing at ASIAN AF on 9/29
I can hardly believe it, but I will be joining this amazing group of improvisers at the next ASIAN AF show at UCB in Los Angeles. I'll be piano accompanying a new musical improv team called FANTASIA, and just like the name, they are fantastic! Normally here's where I would ask you to buy tickets, but tickets have been sold out! |
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One Million Views
I finally have a video that has reached one million views! It took 2 whole years, but given that I thought it would never happen or happen in 10+ years, this is a very nice surprise. Thank you to all the viewers who helped make my Youtube channel what it is! |
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Sound Designing Arthur Miller's The Crucible
Nestled in a beautiful suburb between Palo Alto and Mountain View (home of Google) is this wonderful theatre company! The theater itself is in a park and the building used to house buses for the local school system. Now it does wonderfully diverse shows! I'll be creating the sound design for their version of The Crucible, the classic play about the Salem Witch Trials, directed by Jeffrey Lo! The story sadly seems timely again, and this cast and crew have put their hearts into telling this story. It runs September 7th thru October 1st. For tickets check out the Los Altos Stage Company website. Here's a great review from the San Jose Mercury News! |
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Why Wonder Woman's Multiple is Amazing!
I LOVE Wonder Woman, but the film wonk in me is even more in love with her box office performance. The movie has some of the best word-of-mouth EVER. Here's an explanation of how that works via the "multiplier," a little-known statistic that may explain Wonder Woman's break-out success. I used to be an entertainment journalist, and this is me returning to those roots to cover a story that isn't really widely-known but is truly astounding for those who do know. Click here to read the article! |
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I'm singing Beethoven's Ninth!
The last time I sang Beethoven's Ninth Symphony it was 16 years ago in the wake of 911. Somehow today its message of unity and togetherness is even more important. Please join us at the Walt Disney Concert Hall on July 28th for some of the greatest music ever written, including the Ninth and the Choral Fantasy. For info or tickets, click here! |
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Now I'm published on HowlRound!
I've been reading HowlRound for years. They are an online theatre commons with great articles by some of the artists and writers I most admire. And now I have a piece of my own on HowlRound! My article is basically an intro to my Youtube series HOW HAMILTON WORKS. I help walk the people who are generally skeptical about the music in Hamilton through the history of musical theatre to show that hip-hop and rap do have a place alongside jazz and rock on Broadway. Click here to read the article, titled "The Musical (Non-Lyrical) Brilliance of Hamilton's Hip-Hop Vernacular." |
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Come see the first reading of my newest play
As part of the Vagrancy's Blossoming play reading series. DISAPPOINTMENT ISLAND by Howard Ho Directed by Dave Mancini Featuring Annalyn Frame, Justin Huen, David Huynh, Ken Narasaki, Marta Portillo, Cathy D. Tomlin, Karen Zumsteg Saturday July 22nd, 4:00PM Sacred Fools Studio Space 1078 Lillian Way Los Angeles, CA 90021 Admission is pay-what-you-can! |
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Lin has seen my Youtube video!
My jaw is on the floor. And no, thank YOU for the wonderful work you do, and in your own words "YOU'RE WELCOME!" |
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Why 10 Duel Commandments is Amazing
The latest video essay in my series "How Hamilton Works" deals with "The 10 Duel Commandments," one of the most melodies in HAMILTON. And I break down how Lin-Manuel Miranda created and wove together such an incredible theme in 10 parts. I've also launched a PATREON account, which allows you to support these videos more directly. I'd be grateful if you checked it out and considered helping me make these videos better and more frequent. Thanks! |
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Staged Reading of my short play STORGE
Twenty-five playwrights were chosen to celebrate Playwrights' Arena's 25 Anniversary by each writing a new 4-minute play about Los Angeles. I was invited to be one of the 25 writers, and the play I've written is maybe the most intensely personal thing I've ever done. The readings are FREE on June 5th, 2017, 8:00 PM at the Los Angeles Theatre Center in Downtown LA. Please come and support one of the best theater companies in Los Angeles or anywhere for that matter! Click here to reserve your free ticket. |
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I'm a Finalist in the 2017 O'Neill National Playwrights Conference!
My play VARIOUS EMPORIA is a finalist in one of the most important theatre conferences in the country. I'm so grateful to everyone who helped me along the way in my writing process from The Vagrancy Writers Group, the East West Players Rewriting workshop, and the Asian Pacific American Friends of the Theater (APAFT). Here's a list of all the Finalists this year. Here's what the O'Neill had to say about my play: "Our readers especially responded to the play’s deft maneuvering between the family's dynamics and the way racism pervades their lives." VARIOUS EMPORIA is about a white suburban family who has to come to terms with its Asian American identity. As Charles and Nancy Unger prepare to perform in a church production of The Mikado, their daughter Hannah returns from college challenging their use of yellowface. To prove he has no bigotry, Charles urges Hannah to invite the local Chinese American store owner to dinner, which only dredges up more uncomfortable truths, especially when their estranged adopted Chinese son Apollo arrives unexpectedly on the same night. |
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I'm a reviewer for Thai Movie Central
Thai Movie Central is your place for English language reviews of Thai cinema! I've started writing reviews for the site, which launched last week with the article "Every Thai Movie on Netflix Listed and Reviewed!" In that list is my review of Ong Bak 2, the Tony Jaa action movie. Seriously, if you want to check out some films from a corner of the world you never knew had a vibrant film industry, then please check it out! |
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THE HOTEL PLAY at USC Radisson Hotel
This is my first time designing an immersive, site-specific experience! It should be unique as you walk from hotel room to hotel room listening in on private lives and secrets. And it is a Center Theatre Group Commission! Hope to see you there! By Paula Cizmar, Velina Hasu Houston, Jennifer Maisel, Nahal Navidar, Julie Oni, Janine Salinas Schoenberg & Laurie Woolery Directed by Jon Lawrence Rivera Mar 31, 2017 - Apr 16, 2017 Tickets are $40 or $20 if you order by March 30 Buy Tickets Here "Enter each room at your own risk. The class of 1992 ended bitterly, marked by the civil unrest of the Rodney King trial. Today they are gathered together for their 25th High School Reunion." |
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Designed FAIRLY TRACEABLE at The Autry Museum
I did the sound design for the world premiere play FAIRLY TRACEABLE, which is now open at the Autry Museum in Griffith Park. The story is about a pair of Native American law students who fall in love and struggle in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to find a way to litigate climate change. With the Dakota Access Pipeline and climate change deniers, this very intelligent and moving play couldn't be more relevant and necessary today. Written by Mary Kathryn Nagle (Cherokee) Directed by Jon Lawrence Rivera March 10–26 Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays: 8:00 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays: 2:00 p.m. At the Autry's Wells Fargo Theater $10 Autry Members / $25 Nonmembers / $15 Students, Seniors (60+), and Military (With ID) |
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How HAMILTON Works: Stay Alive Explained
The fourth installment of my "How Hamilton Works" video essay series explains the Stay Alive Theme, which sounds suspiciously similar to the James Bond Theme. I'll pick apart how it works in some very surprising ways throughout the show in 9 songs! And if you like this video, I highly recommend my other videos where I discuss Eliza's Progression, Aaron Burr's Progression, and the My Shot Progression. |
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Stage Raw recommends BLOODLETTING!
Vanessa Cate of Stage Raw calls BLOODLETTING "Recommended!" Here's an excerpt from the review: "Jon Lawrence Rivera does a fine job of directing. Christopher Scott Murillo’s set design, coupled with Howard Ho’s subtle yet essential sound design, transport us to the Philippines. And the small ensemble does a nice job of bringing this haunting and empowering piece to life." And, as if that wasn't enough, another great review from Dale Reynolds of Edge Media Network says "...the sound-design of Howard Ho...becomes a character unto itself." |
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Responding to the LA LA LAND backlash
After sweeping the Golden Globes as well as many of the critics groups, LA LA LAND is the clear Oscar front-runner, and thus the subject of some backlash. I'm not the biggest fan of the movie, but as a lover of musicals, I do think it has its charms. An article has been circulating with the title "LA LA LAND is a terrible film, but it will win Best Picture at the Oscars anyway." It's pretty harsh, and I wanted to see if this argument would hold up against scrutiny. Here's my response to the article on Medium titled "Is LA LA LAND actually terrible?" |
KENTUCKY makes LA Observed list of 2016 Theatrical Highlights!
Veteran theatre critic Don Shirley puts KENTUCKY on his year-end list! I've been a long-time reader of his, and this accolade is so very nice. Bonus, he calls my music "amusing." Here is his review in full:
"Kentucky. Leah Wanako Winkler's comedy is the best new script East West Players has staged in years. A rebellious daughter returns home from New York to Kentucky for her younger, more conventional sister's wedding, in the process facing down their abusive white father and their submissive Japanese mother. Amusing music and movement help lift it out of the dysfunctional-family-drama pit. Deena Selenow directed."
Veteran theatre critic Don Shirley puts KENTUCKY on his year-end list! I've been a long-time reader of his, and this accolade is so very nice. Bonus, he calls my music "amusing." Here is his review in full:
"Kentucky. Leah Wanako Winkler's comedy is the best new script East West Players has staged in years. A rebellious daughter returns home from New York to Kentucky for her younger, more conventional sister's wedding, in the process facing down their abusive white father and their submissive Japanese mother. Amusing music and movement help lift it out of the dysfunctional-family-drama pit. Deena Selenow directed."
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How HAMILTON Works: Eliza's Chord Progression
The third installment of my "How Hamilton Works" video essay series explains how Eliza gets her own chord progression and tells her own story! I also go over a couple things I missed from the first two videos. If you haven't seen those, I HIGHLY recommend checking them out first! |
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BLOODLETTING extended January 7 - 29!
BLOODLETTING continues its nearly sold out run with four more weeks in January. Read more on Broadway World. BUY $10 tickets now thru Dec. 31st using code "pasko" Listen to my original music from BLOODLETTING: |
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Music Director and Sound Designer for
KENTUCKY and BLOODLETTING KENTUCKY (West Coast Premiere) By Leah Nanako Winkler Directed by Deena Selenow November 10 – December 11, 2016 at East West Players |
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BLOODLETTING By Boni B. Alvarez Directed by Jon Lawrence Rivera Produced by Playwrights' Arena October 27 - November 21, 2016 at Atwater Village Theatre |
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Panelist featured at the 2016 National Asian American Theater Conference
The 2016 National Asian American Theater Conference and Festival (ConFest) will be held at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, one of America's largest theatre companies, from October 1-9. I will be speaking on a panel discussion titled "Asian Designers Leading Change and Tools For Scaling Community Arts" along with my colleagues Jojo Siu, Manuel Prieto, Patricia Garza, Yuheng Dai, and Wesley Chew. |
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Selected for the Vagrancy Writers Group again!
This is my second year I've been selected for the Vagrancy Writers Group. I was also in the 2015-2016 season, where my play VARIOUS EMPORIA was developed and received a staged reading. |
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I'm in Playground-LA's Writers Pool again!
This is my second year I've been selected for Playground-LA's Writers Pool 2016/2017. I was also in the 2015-2016 season, where my hip-hop musical play THE NIGHTINGALE MIXTAPE was presented. PlayGround-LA is Los Angeles’s incubator for a new generation of playwrights, and 36 playwrights make up its writers pool. Over the course of the upcoming season (PlayGround-LA’s fifth!), scripts by these writers will be developed as part of Monday NightPlayGround, a monthly script-in-hand staged reading series. |
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Performing Improv on Stage and on the Keys!
COLD TOFU is back in a competition with the performing cast! Two teams will fight for YOUR VOTE to take home The TOFY Award. Your vote determines the winner. You ALSO get to pick what games they play! And then stick around for an improvised 15 Minute Musical with Howard Ho on the keyboard! TEAM PANDA: Helen Ota, Johnny Long Ye, Misa Nguyen and Kurt Yamamoto HO JAM: Mike Palma, Aaron Shizuo Aoki, Jhemon Lee and Howard Ho MC'd by: Jully Lee Saturday, Sep 10 at 7:30pm 222 S. Hewitt St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 Admission $7 |
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How HAMILTON Works: My Shot, A Journey in 11 Songs
The second installment of my "How Hamilton Works" video essay series is finally up! I really take a magnifying lens and try to uncover what makes "My Shot" such an effective musical theatre song. Seriously, if you love this music, please check out this video for some insights into the music you may not have realized. |
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I'm playing keyboards in an improvised musical!
My improv group COLD TOFU will perform an improvised 15-minute Musical with musical direction by me! It's part of The Comedy Comedy Festival going on all weekend. Saturday, August 27th 1:00 - 2:30 pm TICKETS $10: http://bit.ly/browntourage Artistic powerhouse collective Browntourage and the Asian American Journalist Association Los Angeles present this comedy variety show of standup comedy veterans, standup newbies, and improvised comedy. Featuring // Lenny Shelton (YouTube) // Teresa Lee (MTV’s Middle of the Night Show) // Heidi Carreon (AAJA-LA First-Timer Standup Comic) // Kathy Yamamoto (UCB Comedy) // Neha Taireja (Browntourage First-Timer Standup Comic) // Cold Tofu improv // Yellow Fever improv |
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I'm cast in a new play reading
KIDS ON A RAFT by Jason Fong Directed by John Miyasaki Featuring Samantha Valdellon, Howard Ho, Quincy Cho, Chantal Thuy, Ben Kim, Victor Chi, and Jennifer Carroll August 13 Saturday 5:00PM Inner City Arts - Rosenthal Theater 720 Kohler St, Los Angeles, California 90021 "Summer of Stories" is produced by hereandnow theatre company in association with the Rosenthal Theater at Inner City Arts. It is a two-weekend festival of 10 plays, 2 of which will be fully staged, and over 50 actors, writers, and directors will come together to bring these new works to life. TICKET PRICES: $5 Pre-sale, and $10 at the door. Pre-sale Tickets will be available until August 12. Buy tickets HERE: http://jasonfongreading.bpt.me/ |
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Launch of a new video series about
HOW HAMILTON WORKS The first episode is about the Aaron Burr Chord Progression, which helps us track Burr's emotional journey musically. If you've ever wanted to get under the hood of Hamilton and see what makes the music tick, please join me for this and future videos where I explore Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical mind. |
VARIOUS EMPORIA, Staged Reading of a New Play
Presented by The Vagrancy's Blossoming reading series
VARIOUS EMPORIA
By Howard Ho
Directed by Doug Oliphant
Featuring Christian Lebano, Pat Loeb, Jenny Soo, Robert Paterno, Ken Narasaki, Lindsay Zana and Rebecca Everhart
Sunday, July 24 @ 4:00 PM
Lyric Hyperion Theatre
2106 Hyperion Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Admission is Pay What You Can
For more info, check out the article in Broadway World!
Presented by The Vagrancy's Blossoming reading series
VARIOUS EMPORIA
By Howard Ho
Directed by Doug Oliphant
Featuring Christian Lebano, Pat Loeb, Jenny Soo, Robert Paterno, Ken Narasaki, Lindsay Zana and Rebecca Everhart
Sunday, July 24 @ 4:00 PM
Lyric Hyperion Theatre
2106 Hyperion Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Admission is Pay What You Can
For more info, check out the article in Broadway World!
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Selected for a Center Theatre Group (CTG)
Literary Fellowship Working closely with CTG's Literary and Artistic staff, the Literary Fellow processes script submissions, evaluates texts, and learns CTG's approach to new play evaluation. This graduate-level fellowship is a great opportunity for an aspiring playwright or dramaturge. |
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Selected as a reader in the ALOUD series at the Los Angeles Central Library
WRITING OUR FUTURE Readings from Graduate Writing Programs of the Southland With students from CalArts, Otis, UCI, UCR and USC Monday, May 2, 2016 Mark Taper Auditorium-Central Library |
I'm a Finalist in the East West Players Musical Theatre Initiative
Announced April 20, 2016
From the Press Release:
"This week, East West Players (EWP) and New Musicals Inc. (NMI) are proud to announce the Finalists for their joint initiative to develop a new musical. The finalists comprise of eleven writing teams, with a total of 20 writers.
The teams are: Howard Ho and Marc Macalintal (Los Angeles); Zhu Yi, Yoonmi Lee, and Gaby Gold (New York); Khiyon Hursey and Cheeyang Ng (New York); Edison Hong and Tidtaya Sinutoke (New York); Jason Ma (Los Angeles); Boni B. Alvarez and Christopher Porter (Los Angeles); Sam Chanse and Bob Kelly (New York); Timothy Huang; Orlando G. Morales (Seattle); Marcus Yi (New York); and Jeff Liu, Koji Steven Sakai, and Scott Jung (Los Angeles)."
Announced April 20, 2016
From the Press Release:
"This week, East West Players (EWP) and New Musicals Inc. (NMI) are proud to announce the Finalists for their joint initiative to develop a new musical. The finalists comprise of eleven writing teams, with a total of 20 writers.
The teams are: Howard Ho and Marc Macalintal (Los Angeles); Zhu Yi, Yoonmi Lee, and Gaby Gold (New York); Khiyon Hursey and Cheeyang Ng (New York); Edison Hong and Tidtaya Sinutoke (New York); Jason Ma (Los Angeles); Boni B. Alvarez and Christopher Porter (Los Angeles); Sam Chanse and Bob Kelly (New York); Timothy Huang; Orlando G. Morales (Seattle); Marcus Yi (New York); and Jeff Liu, Koji Steven Sakai, and Scott Jung (Los Angeles)."
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Original Music for a new play about the first Indian American to join the U.S. Army and his fight for citizenship in front of the Superior Court.
THE US VERSUS BHAGAT SINGH THIND by Mayank Keshaviah Directed by Snehal Desai March 1-31, 2016 Produced by East West Players' Theatre for Youth, the show is touring schools all across Southern California in March 2016! |
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Staged reading of my new 10-minute play
THE NIGHTINGALE MIXTAPE by Howard Ho Directed by Jeff Liu Presented by Monday Night PlayGround LA March 14, 2016 Zephyr Theatre, Los Angeles |
Original Music for a new play including an original song, "Nasaan Ka Man, Naririto Ako" with lyrics by Giovanni Ortega
CRIERS FOR HIRE By Giovanni Ortega Directed by Jon Lawrence Rivera February 11-March 13, 2016 East West Players, Los Angeles Earned the record of Highest Grossing World Premiere Non-Musical in East West Players' 50-year history! |
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