Shanghai Theater Academy graduate Wang Luoyong rose to become a Broadway star, getting raves for his role in 'Miss Saigon.' The actor returns to China to star in an adaptation of Lu Xun's novel 'Kong Yiji,' writes Claudia Sun Wang Luoyong beat the odds to become one of the longest-running performers on Broadway.
A Wuhan native who studied acting at the Shanghai Theater Academy, Wang has returned to China to assume the lead in "Kong Yiji," a play based on Lu Xun's novel of the same name. The play will be performed for five nights with English subtitles in the city after its premier in Beijing.
Wang has an impressive resume. In 1990, he starred in "M. Butterfly," and in 1995, he won the role of "Engineer" in "Miss Saigon," a role he held until the musical closed last year - reportedly the longest contract in the history of Broadway. Not bad for a lad who could barely speak 10 words of English when he arrived in the United States. "I loved the role in Miss Saigon," says Wang, "or perhaps it's just that I wasn't bright enough to move on."
The confidence in Wang's eyes betrays his modesty. Surviving on Broadway takes more than dumb luck, particularly for an Asian. For Wang, success came from a drive to succeed, coupled with a passion for his art.
Born in Wuhan, Hubei Province, 44-year-old Wang grew up during the "cultural revolution" (1966-1976). "At that time, career choices were few - either join a factory or become an actor," recalls Wang.
He enjoyed performing, so he joined a local troupe, where he was actor, chorus member and Peking Opera singer. At 15, he was sent to the Wuhan Conservatory of Music, where he studied French horn. After graduation, he spent another four years playing the instrument in a local ensemble.
In 1981, Wang entered the Shanghai Theater Academy. Wang taught at the academy after graduation, and in 1987, won a scholarship to study acting at Louisiana State University. He accepted the scholarship, despite his limited English.
Reflecting on growing up in turbulent times, Wang notes that while today's opportunities seem to paralyze young people, his generation never allowed obstacles to hold them back. The improbability of a Chinese actor with poor English landing a lead role on Broadway - didn't deter him.
Wang remained in the States, eventually mastering English, and through sheer force of determination, and five auditions in two months, won the coveted "M. Butterfly" role of the "dan" (a man playing a female) who marries a Frenchman. Similarly, he first auditioned for the role of the "Engineer" in "Miss Saigon" in 1993, and was so enamored of the part that he took speech classes to perfect his pronunciation, finally winning the role on July 4, 1995. Of his performance - more than 100 minutes every night - online Broadway correspondent Brad Hathaway wrote that Wang "maintains a high energy level every time he is on the stage."
After "Miss Saigon" ended its epic run, Wang said that he needed a "hiatus" before joining the Broadway cast of "Flower Drum Song" later this year.
The actor's idea of a hiatus, however, involved returning to China to do a TV series as well as "Kong Yiji." The play, based on Lu Xun's 2,500-character novel, won favorable reviews in Beijing last August.
Beijing critics had high praise for Wang: "Wang Luoyong has created an accurate portrayal of the tragic Kong."
(eastday.com March 29, 2002)
