We're Not Your Cup of Tea
In celebration of Asian Heritage, AAPI artists perform in a variety of acts from storytelling, songs, and dance — to astound and entertain you!
Producer: Marcel Licera
Assistant Producer: Marisa Frankie
Director: Marcel Licera
Assistant Director: Soda Persi
Date & Time: Sunday, June 1, 2:30 PM & 7:30 PM
Ticket Price: $30 advance / $35 at the door
DAY PROGRAM
Opening Intro by EmceesMarcel Solo w/ Tai Joe in the background: If I Sing from Closer Than Ever
Marisa Solo: I'd Give My Life For You from Miss Saigon
Soda: Narrative "My Thai"
Cyndy Solo: Miller's Son from A Little Night Music
Marisa Solo: My Lord and Master from The King and I
Marcel Solo: If You Want to Die in Bed from Miss Saigon
Apoorva Solo Dance: Modern Indian Dance
Sandy: Stand Up Comedy
Kristen Solo: How Did We Come to This from Wild Party
Bryan Solo: The Origin of Love from Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Bryan & Kristin Duet: Last Night of the World from Miss Saigon
INTERMISSION
EMCEESMarcel Solo: Giants in the Sky from Into the Woods
Kristina Solo: The Story Goes On from Baby
Meg Solo: When He Sees Me from Waitress
Marcel & Marisa Duet: Someone Like You from Jekyll and Hyde
Jade Solo: Life is a Cabaret from Cabaret
Marisa Solo: Think of Me from Phantom of the Opera
Marcel Solo: Music of the Night from Phantom of the Opera
Jade and Marisa Duet: For Good from Wicked
Closing Song by ALL: Do You Hear the People Sing from Les Miserables
NIGHT PROGRAM
Opening Intro by EmceesMarcel Solo w/ Tai Joe in the background: If I Sing from Closer Than Ever
Marisa Solo: I'd Give My Life For You from Miss Saigon
Soda: Narrative "My Thai"
Cyndy Solo: Miller's Son from A Little Night Music
Marisa Solo: My Lord and Master from The King and I
Marcel Solo: If You Want to Die in Bed from Miss Saigon
Earl and Kristen Duet: Last Night of the World from Miss Saigon
INTERMISSION
EMCEESMarcel Solo: Giants in the Sky from Into the Woods
Kristina Solo: The Story Goes On from Baby
Earl and Bryan Duet: Agony from Into the Woods
Jade Solo: Life is a Cabaret from Cabaret
Marisa Solo: Think of Me from Phantom of the Opera
Marcel Solo: Music of the Night from Phantom of the Opera
Jade and Marisa Duet: For Good from Wicked
Closing Song by ALL: Do You Hear the People Sing from Les Miserables
We're Not Your Cup Of Tea (or WNYCOT, for short) was founded by 4 Theatre West members — Meg Lin, Pamela Najera-Michael, Evie Abat & Marcel Licera in 2024 — all of whom are of Asian American Pacific Islander heritage (AAPI) in an effort to provide a stronger presence and foster solidarity among the AAPI artists in their theater community.
Such collaboration culminated in celebrating AAPI Heritage Month in a show on May 11, 2024, with the same title that signifies recognizing their differences while honoring their uniqueness. Not only was the show about entertainment, it had also become a fundraiser for their home theater. As this is also a show with a purpose, the quartet of WNYCOTers chose the Asian American Drug Abuse Program, a substance abuse rehabilitation agency founded in 1972 that primarily caters to AAPI's, though its services are open to all, to be the recipient of their outreach simply because of their long-standing commitment and service to the community-at-large. The fundraiser/show event raised over $8,000+ and AADAP was awarded over $3,000+.
Where WNYCOT 2024 was about introducing who they were as AAPI's, WNYCOT 2025 is about showing what they, AAPI's, can do. So for the second year in a row, now helmed by Marcel and assisted by Marisa Frankie, Theatre West could not have chosen a more deserving recipient of its free tickets to none other than AADAP. Indeed, 40 free tickets will be donated to AADAP for the afternoon variety show to provide their clientele a way to have a day of leisure and camaraderie, and enjoy the live and transformative power of theater.
Marcel Licera is thrilled to present this 2.0 version with his talented group of artists/friends, having initially started the group with Meg, Pam & Evie and performed in last year’s program (2024) as well. After this stint, he is appearing in Hollywood Fringe Festival 25 (his 4th foray) in the semi-musical Enchanted Silverware (where he originates the role of Knife) — a spinoff of Beauty and the Beast.
He has originated quite a few roles (the memorable ones are): Capt. Matsuoka in West Coast Jewish Theater’s FUGU, Bruce & Prof. Fong in TheaterCasa0101’s Remembering Boyle Heights Part 1 & 2, Soldier 1 in Playwright’s Arena & LA LGBT’s MARCH & Cook/Falstaff in Pan Andreas Theater’s Quilt and Ink. His favorite roles (to mention a few) include: Engineer in Miss Saigon, Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast, and King in The King & I.
His recent short films that he was a part of, The Manolos and Martial Law, are currently making their film festival rounds. He was a former National LEGO Champion Brick Builder of the Philippines and a recent 2025 AAPI Grant Fellowship finalist. SAG/AFTRA/AEA member.
Soda Persi is a proud mom of five and mama to her French Bulldog Mochi. She spent her younger years dancing and competing in gymnastics. Soda got the acting bug at the age of seven when she was picked to be in the California Shakespeare Company’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She was in every performance in high school, ranging from The Miracle Worker to Fame.
In college, Soda had the wonderful opportunity to portray Laura in The Glass Menagerie and Alice in You Can’t Take It With You. After college, Soda joined the Asian American theatre group Here ‘n’ Now and got to perform in colleges all over the country. In 1996, she went to an open call for STOMP and was one of two women cast out of 1,100 other hopefuls.
Soda went on to do the North American tour and perform at the Orpheum in NYC. She is an award-winning choreographer and has written and produced for Hollywood Fringe and Short and Sweet Festivals since 2017. Soda has been coaching gymnastics for the past forty years and is now the proud owner of her own gym — PERSISTENCE GYMNASTICS.
Marisa Franki has had the pleasure of being cast with East West Players in Sama Sama: Solidarity in the Fields, Christmas Eve in Avenue Q, Mrs. Potts in Beauty & the Beast, Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, and Kim in Miss Saigon.
Currently, she is studying acting at Krater Studios and is represented by Johnson Talent Agency. When she is not performing, Marisa has her own business in notary, real estate, and financial services. You can check out her business website here: linktr.ee/marisafavena.
She gives immense love and gratitude to her family, friends, cast, and the audience attending. Thank you for supporting local theatre! IG: @marisa.frankie SAG-E
Hawaiian/Japanese/Chinese/Filipino, Dancer
Ally Meda is so excited to perform alongside this diverse and creative cast. Ally is a drag artist and actress who can be seen performing all across Southern California. Some recent credits include her role in Thousandaires with DropoutTV, Emcee (Cabaret), and Cinderella’s Stepmother (Into the Woods).
Ally would like to thank Marcel for allowing her to share the stage with so many amazing and talented individuals. She hopes you all enjoy the show!
Cyndy Fujikawa started at Theatre West cleaning toilets in 1983, alongside Anne Leyden, Bill Sehres, Kevin McMahon, Mark Masi, Cecily Adams, Don Moore, Joe Nassi and many others who were looking for an opportunity to make new friends and continue to hone their craft.
She and her other TW apprentice-mates studied under the late greats: Richard Carlyle (acting), Gerry Dolin (voice) and Betty Garrett (musical theatre). Betty would be a second mother to Cyndy and she dedicates everything she has done since to her and her mentorship.
Pamela Michael is Filipino. She brings her extensive background in stage performance and hosting to this production, engaging audiences with her vibrant personality and sharp wit.
Kristina Reyes is elated to be part of this creative and talented group. Past credits include Kim in Miss Saigon, Maggie in Manzanar the Musical, Miss Honey in Matilda, Tuptim in The King and I, and various swing and ensemble roles in East West Player’s production of Sweeney Todd and A Little Night Music.
Kristina looks forward to her upcoming production as mama to her newest addition, baby Gideon. All her love to her kids and thank you to Andrew for all his love and support. Enjoy the show!
Bryan Siu is an eccentric, multi-faceted performer and storyteller who’s thrilled to be a part of We’re Not Your Cup of Tea, along with talented creatives. Associated with Visions on the Fly and Theatre West, Bryan passionately believes that performing art creates change and amplifies voices of unheard communities, and they hope the audience sees how this show exemplifies this sentiment.
Jade Duong is so grateful to be able to perform with such talented, passionate, and like-minded people for the night! She is a theatre and film actress who enjoys dance, martial arts, and being involved in the Los Angeles community.
She is currently playing Joanne in RENT in Pasadena at Lineage Performing Arts Center, which runs from May 16 - June 8. Her recent credits include Miss Saigon (Kim), Matilda (Miss Honey), and Cabaret (Sally Bowles, Fraulein Kost).
She’d like to thank Marcel for putting together such a fantastic group to play with, as well as her manager Andrew Stawiarski and her agent Anthony Boyer for believing in her. Enjoy the night!
Tai Joe is a playwright and director. His plays have been produced mainly by theatres in California. Tai is passionate about creating meaningful, impactful work that resonates with audiences and reflects the diverse experiences of the communities he represents. Thank you for supporting live theatre. Enjoy the show!
Meg Lin is Taiwanese. She is thrilled to be part of this production, bringing her energy and charisma to the stage as the emcee. With a passion for connecting with audiences and creating memorable experiences, Meg is excited to share this moment with her fellow performers and the community. Thank you for supporting local theatre. Enjoy the show!
Apoorva Choudhary is a filmmaker based in Los Angeles, driven by a love for storytelling and a deep curiosity about people, spaces, and culture. Growing up in an academically inclined family, her passion for cinema was sparked by weekend classics and has since evolved into a commitment to creating visually rich, emotionally grounded work. With roots in both India and the U.S., her creative lens blends diverse perspectives, always seeking meaning, beauty, and connection in every frame. Thank you for supporting live theatre. Enjoy the show!
Shira Persi is so excited to be part of We are not your cup of tea! Shira is a sixth grader and already has quite a bit of theatre under her belt. Shira has performed in Hollywood Fringe, Hollywood Short and Sweet Festival, a 24 hr theater festival with Theatre Unleashed and a benefit show. Shira does competitive gymnastics, plays piano and loves animals. She is looking forward to trying soccer this fall!
Apoorva Choudhary is a filmmaker based in Los Angeles, driven by a love for storytelling and a deep curiosity about people, spaces, and culture. Growing up in an academically inclined family, her passion for cinema was sparked by weekend classics and has since evolved into a commitment to creating visually rich, emotionally grounded work.
With roots in both India and the U.S., her creative lens blends diverse perspectives, always seeking meaning, beauty, and connection in every frame.
Past Credits: Guys and Dolls, Beauty and the Beast, Annie Get Your Gun, Miss Saigon, The Little Mermaid, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Hello Dolly!, Tinig Bayan, Damayan.
Much love to the entire cast and crew at Theatre West for this opportunity! @earlhaven
Miki Yokomizo has performed in Pacific Overtures twice, once with East West Players and once with Chromolume Theatre; both productions were award-winning. She’s also been in other shows, including Songs for a New World, It’s Only Life, and an 80’s remix of Pirates of Penzance.
She also does taxes.