James Wei-Yuan Wong - Favorite musicals!

A Chorus Line (1975)

My favorite musical of all time!!! This musical comes back into my life right when I need it. I first watched it during quarantine in 2020 when the world was shutting down. I was wrapping up my senior year of high school, and everything just felt so uncertain. I was about to pursue a degree in a field that is so tricky, and the world was crumbling down; I needed a reason to remember why I wanted to do musical theatre. This came at the perfect time. Those dances are iconic and so energetic, and the book is SO FUNNY, raw, and heartbreaking. My favorite dance of all time will always be The Music and the Mirror, and one of my first dance experiences in NYC was learning it from Jessica Lee Goldyn and Donna McKechnie. The energy in that room was exhilarating. My favorite quote has to be "Well shit -- that's theatre! Listen, nobody got into this business to play it safe. And we're all here because we wanted to be here, and you're all acting like it's just another job -- and it's not. So, what are you all talking about?" Changed my life when I heard that.

The Light in the Piazza (2005)

AHHH I LOVEEE THIS SCOREEE! I came from a classical background playing violin and singing opera, so this music feels like I'm walking through a dream. I have watched the proshot of Katie Rose Clarke and Aaron Lazar many times, and I love how simple and effective this production is. The set and costumes are beautiful, and it's a very calming proshot to watch. I also want to give a shoutout to the 2023 Encores production, which featured two Asian leads as Margaret and Clara, which is everything I wanted for the show. I love the glitz and the glam of musical theatre, but there are times that I miss my classical past, and this show feels like the perfect balance. I hope I get to ride a bike in the piazza one day!

Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (2016)

THIS SHOW IS SO COOL! I had the privilege of getting to do this show at a dream regional theatre with a dream cast. Before I was cast in the show, I actually didn't know much about it except that it was super funky and about War and Peace. I knew No One Else because I've heard it so many times, and it remains one of my favorite soprano ballads. When I got the offer, I finally sat down and listened to the entire show and fell in love with the musical quirks and characters, especially Natasha! I love an ingenue!! I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say that this show changed my life. Not only was it the most diverse production I've ever been a part of, but the cast is a group of really kind people who helped me feel welcome when I was first starting my life in NYC in 2025.

Maybe Happy Ending (2025)

This musical is SOOO CUTE! It reminds me of the Ghibli movies that I watched as a kid, and the music is reminiscent of the Asian pop ballads that I love to listen to. I went into it pretty much completely blind when I saw it, and it probably has to be my favorite show that I've seen on Broadway. It's so creative and original and beautiful and heartbreaking and funny, and I could gush for hours about this show. I love how they used the orchestra in the most emotional parts of the show, and everything musically makes sense. There are no money notes or huge 11 o'clock numbers. It's quiet, intimate, and effective.

Into the Woods (1987)

This was one of the first musicals I have ever seen! I remember watching it in 7th grade in my choir class, and my love for musical theatre began. I got to have a full circle moment because I began my theatre journey with this musical and finished my college education with it. For 10 years, I only sang Jack's songs in the shower and frequently used Giants in the Sky at auditions. But in college, I was cast as the Baker, and that was an exciting challenge. I got to do this production with my best friends, and it's definitely one of my favorite theatrical experiences I've ever had.