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[0:12] Robert Bannon: Oh my goodness, welcome everybody. It's another edition of The Roundtable. My name is Robert Bannon, and I'm excited to return. My guest, Jennie Kwan, is here. Jennie Kwan was here to talk about the California Dreams reunion.

[0:26] Robert Bannon: Are you someone who loved the '90s? I did. Oh, '90s and 2000s. When did I become so old? Now I became elderly. No, I did not become elderly. We're just getting started. Well, I love this episode because we're gonna learn about something called Avatar: The Last Airbender. It's a cartoon, and what is life like for a cartoon voice acting actor? That was on Nickelodeon for seasons, and now she's got a whole new show coming to New York City. Oh yes, she does. We're gonna hear all about it from Suki herself. And the reboot is now on Netflix, and we have the one and only Jennie Kwan here. So stay tuned. Thanks for listening to us on the Broadway Podcast Network or watching us right here on YouTube.

[1:23] Robert Bannon: Alright, so like I said, she's back, she's here. She's gonna be in the New York area. Everybody, you need to get tickets for "Casualty at the Comac Comic Con." Sounds like fun. So yeah, I know her from the show a couple decades ago, but many of you know her from Avatar: The Last Airbender. And look, I can shuffle up to Buffalo. I know how to do a time step, I have my book on musical theater. I need to know what this means, Jennie Kwan. Tell me everything about this.

[2:00] Jennie Kwan: You are so cute. Oh my gosh, Robert. So first of all, I must say you got the title of the play so down pat. Like, and you were smart. You went slow. Like, I literally, I'm like, wait, okay, let me try this. But first of all, congratulations on that. Second of all, thank you so much for having me. And third of all, I am here to help you understand the world as I know it of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Animated, and now we have the live action, which is so insane. So it was out for three seasons, right? And it was on Nickelodeon.

[2:42] Jennie Kwan: Yes, and now it's on Netflix. So yeah, so originally we premiered in 2005, the animated series on Nickelodeon. Wow, it's so crazy. Um, on Nickelodeon, and then at the start of the pandemic, it went to number one on Netflix, the animated series that got a resurgence on Netflix, which was like such a surprise to me, you know. People started texting me and started calling me, and I had this session I remember, and the director's like, so Jennie, how does it feel to be on the number one show on Netflix? I'm like, what are you talking about? And he's like, uh, Avatar. I'm like, really? I guess I should post about it. He's like, they don't need any help. And I was like, oh, okay, great, great, great.

[3:31] Jennie Kwan: Um, and so now with the live action that has just come out, it has just been again a revival, a rebirth of the Avatar show and now the new chapter. So it's number one in the world. It's crazy and on Netflix, yeah, in the world. It's insanity. Um, this is one of my original posters from the show, actually. Um, but yeah, so yeah, basically that's kind of how to introduce Avatar to you, Robert. I'm obsessed. I know my students here in Jersey, my musical theater students, my students in my regular classes, they are obsessed with anime. They love all of the cartoons and all the stuff, but it is a gigantic part of this business.

[4:21] Jennie Kwan: And you get to do that. Like before the live action one, did you do it like in your house? Did you get to record it or in a studio? So we were lucky enough, we got to record at Nickelodeon. So the way that I describe Nickelodeon here in Los Angeles, it's literally when you walk in, it's like a rainbow threw up on you, but in a good way, like it's so colorful. And you're like, whoa, look at that, look at that, look at that. How you imagine Nickelodeon to be is probably how it is, but just really fun and a great show to record with our amazing director, Andrea Romano, like just good things to say about the whole experience with everything.

[5:06] Jennie Kwan: And now when I get to travel around the country, around the world, and people know Avatar, and now they will now, you know, just because of the live action, we just it's such a blessing to be a part of such an iconic legacy now that has become this whole entity in itself.

[5:24] Robert Bannon: Absolutely. So now this all ties together in some magical crazy way. Because you're Suki.

[5:34] Jennie Kwan: See, I told you. I don't know. I barely know the difference.

[5:36] Jennie Kwan: No, it's okay. I'm here to help you understand as much as I can. And then Cricket Lee, yes, uh-huh, is one of your co-stars. And now you're both coming to New York to do the show.

[5:52] Jennie Kwan: Oh yes. So the director and the writer of "Casualty at the Comac Comic Con." So basically, us two Avatar gals, and I was like, I know Cricket would be perfect for this role. And I will tell you, she is the MVP of the show. And all the actors are so good. I'm like, you guys, I gotta catch up to you. You know, like everybody's really good. And I'm not just saying that because I'm in the show. When I got on, like we've been rehearsing because I'm in Los Angeles. When we started rehearsing, I was like, oh my gosh, they're really good. You know, like I gotta step this up.

[6:30] Jennie Kwan: Um, but yeah, so um to have Cricket there, she is literally the firecracker of the show. And I can just kind of explain to you what the show's about. It's a whodunit mystery, and it's a comedy. It's in your face, it's raunchy, it's funny. It basically it's all inclusive on who we're talking about here with everybody, um, as far as the Comic-Con world goes. And um, it's about different characters, but my character is Cherish Fan Shan, and I play a '90s actress who is on an animated series that is a popular phenomenon around the world who does comic-cons.

[7:13] Jennie Kwan: And then there is a murder that happens at the Comic Con. And so everybody has to figure out who done it. And it's an ensemble piece and it's very fast-paced. It's like I said, in your face, and really fun. We're gonna have so much fun. There's music, we sing, Cricket's also a singer. Some of the castmates are singers, so it's going to be a riot.

[7:39] Jennie Kwan: Well, it's at the Actors Temple Theater, which is a beautiful space in New York City. It's right there on West 47th Street. March 9th at 8:30. March 10th at 7. And this cast seems like a lot of fun, and just the idea of writing a murder mystery, comedy, raunchy, funny horror about comic cons.

[8:01] Jennie Kwan: I know, and it's crazy how you know Andrew Christie was able to really tie this all in together. And the heart of the show, though, is literally a love letter to the fans. So, on top of everything in your face, the raunchiness, the comedy, this and that, it truly is a love letter to anybody who has any sort of fandom for any sort of, you know, movies or what have you. It's just we're giving back to you.

[8:30] Robert Bannon: Yes. Well, I'm curious to see who is the killer and what happens.

[8:37] Jennie Kwan: Oh, it's gonna be fun. If you like Agatha Christie-style mysteries, or if you're somebody who has ever been to a big Apple Con, New York Comic Con, San Diego Comic Con. If you've been in, you need to come on and grab your tickets. Now there's a special event also in conjunction with the show that you will be signing from one to three on Saturday, March 9th at St. Mark's Comic Store.

[9:05] Jennie Kwan: That's right. In Brooklyn. So when you do these now, this Jennie, I have I'm a nerd for autographs and for this. No, I love because when I was 12 years old, I got a gift that was the addresses of the rich and famous. It was a book. And I sat there like a little theater entertainment nerd, and I rewrote my little fan letters. So when you do these events, when you go to a Comic Con, what is we're not fancy here. We want to live vicariously through you. What is it like? What is the good and the bad and the fun of a Comic Con experience for you?

[9:36] Jennie Kwan: So the good is I get to have, like you're saying, like that story you just shared. Imagine for three days straight, you know, a different variety of people coming up and saying that to you. Um, that, for example, in my case, how you were a part of my childhood or Suki, you know, or now it's like my mom knows you're from California Dreams, but I know you from Avatar.

[10:00] Jennie Kwan: I'm like, oh my gosh, this is how long I've been in the business, you know, but I'm grateful for that. To feel the impact immediately from someone who you may have had some impact on their life. It is just not only doesn't make you feel good, but I want to always make sure that everybody has a great experience. Because like you, like if you met your childhood idol, you want to have a good experience, right? You really we've heard stories, and I never want to be that person who's like, oh, that story was not great, you know, just because I know how much it means and I know how much I have looked up to people who have helped shape my life. Um, and so that is just a gift that I get to do right now in this sort of chapter of my life.

And I would say the bad is, you know, finally when you come home, it's like, wait, where am I? We're back in real life. Or sometimes the travel, to be quite honest, it can be very grueling. I don't think people realize that, or for me in my case, you know, I still am doing voice work. I'm still singing, for example, I'm going to the play. Um, to the and this is just a technical thing. It's like to talk for three hours, three, I'm sorry, three days for eight hours straight is a little taxing. So you have to really take care of yourself. And I've really learned how to step up my self-care game because of that. So that's what I would say. It's uh it's wonderful to be able to have this opportunity. And yeah, and we're also human, so we also have to take care of ourselves.

[11:40] Robert Bannon: I think that's a really great, it seems like it would be physically taxing because you are there and you're you I know you're you have such a great personality and you're so sweet and kind that you give everyone the best experience and hear their stories. I have yes, so they can see you on stage in New York City, or you can meet Jennie and you can get all of your stuff signed and you can take your Avatar artwork and lithographs. I'm sure people send you pictures and draw characters and Jennie will be there at the comic store to sign it and then be in the show. How do you rehearse a show in LA while everyone else is in New York? Isn't that crazy?

[12:16] Jennie Kwan: We've been doing it over Zoom. And I've never experienced a rehearsal process like that. And so it's been interesting to develop the show in that way. And sometimes, you know, you'll have the boxes up, but I have to put the box, I have to do the gallery like just to be able to see one person, or else I'm all over the place, you know. So it's really funny. So I'm really excited to be in person with everyone. And believe it or not, though, it's interesting. You're able to connect in a different way. Like this is our modern day technology, and I'm grateful for it because now when we get there, we'll already have you know known each other in a different way. But of course, I'm so excited to see everybody in person. It's gonna be really fun.

[13:04] Robert Bannon: It sounds so much a question. You know, you brought up California Dreams. You were here to talk about the reunion, which got press all over the place, People Magazine to all over Huffington Post, and people were so excited for you all to get together. So when that show ended, and now you are you're young, you're a baby, you're a little young actor. Now to journey this journey as you fast forward and you see Avatar, the live version, and now a whole new generation of people, and there's a whole new is there a fear as an actor when that show ended, and now you think what's next? Was there moments when you wanted to go into something else and think that there was, or were you always ready to fight this fight? And then Avatar came along.

[13:47] Jennie Kwan: Always truth be told, I will be honest. You know, people look, I think, at celebrity or they look at actors and they think, I just want to do that. It's gonna be easy. And it is so true that an overnight success takes anywhere from 10 to 15 to 20 years, and maybe longer, you know, and so of course I have had times in my life that I'm like, this is so hard sometimes to keep that hustle, that grind going. Um and to be quite honest, I've tried to just, I'm like, okay, maybe this is time for me to end this part of my life. And then something always drew me back. I'm like, okay, so now at this point in my life where I'm at, I mean, I decided this years ago. I'm like, this is my life. You know, some people are like, I'm die hard, I'm doing this forever, no matter what it takes.

And for me, for the most part of my life, I was doing it, but man, when it did get hard, I was like, I don't know anymore. And that's just the honest truth. And then, like I said, something would reel me back in. And I'm really glad though. I'm really glad. And it can be challenging. It's like anything in life. Life is not linear, you know.

[15:09] Robert Bannon: Right. 100%.

[15:10] Jennie Kwan: So all the aspiring actors and singers and people out there, it's it's a calling. It really is a calling. It calls you and it's a service that you do for you.

[15:20] Robert Bannon: Absolutely. I love how you put that. It is a service, you know, because us artists, us creatives like you, it's like you are putting your service out there and you are impacting people with who you communicate with. You have an amazing audience and they look to you for certain information, you know, like current events or you know, to make, you know, bring levity in life, you know. We watch the housewives. It's like, what's next? It calms me down in a weird way. I'm like, I cannot wait for Beverly Hills Reunion Part two. When am I when do I get to just like watch someone else and eat my popcorn? You know what I mean? You are providing services for us. My friend Robbie calls the housewives the potato chips of TV because you could just open the bag and just enjoy them.

[16:12] Jennie Kwan: Oh, and I do. I enjoy that potato chip bag till it is over. I might even go back and eat more chips. I'm going like this on the bottom of the bag and like licking the crumbs. So, you know.

[16:26] Robert Bannon: Jennie, I wanna I want to watch the housewives with you.

[16:30] Jennie Kwan: I want to sign, please. That's um, I'll introduce you to all the Jersey Housewives over here.

[16:36] Robert Bannon: Oh gosh.

[16:37] Jennie Kwan: Oh, you know, you know, it's funny. You uh oh gosh, you uh we'll talk, Robert.

[16:42] Robert Bannon: Yeah.

[16:44] Jennie Kwan: Well, I'm excited for this project and for what you've got up your sleeve. I'm sure, you know, Avatar is the, as you said, number one show. It just the name alone, it is a big gigantic fan of, so I'm sure there'll be more. I'm sure the fans will be out. I want you to put down the date again, March 9th and March 10th. So you see the Actor's Temple Theater. I'm obsessed with this name. I'm kind of obsessed with the name. Christy's Case Crackers Casualty during the Comic Con Job.

[17:21] Jennie Kwan: Close casualty at the comic, comic con con job. Jeez. Did I get that right, Andrew?

[17:34] Robert Bannon: You got it right.

[17:35] Jennie Kwan: I'm obsessed with the name. The name itself has sold it. And so clever. So clever. How can we stay up to date with you?

[17:41] Robert Bannon: We could follow you on Instagram.

[17:43] Jennie Kwan: Yes, you can. And we can stay all up to date on all of the projects, all of the work. And when you're traveling at conventions and fan conventions and more projects and new seasons of shows coming out and stuff, we can stay up to date with you.

[17:57] Jennie Kwan: Yes. So it's Jennie J E N N I E underscore Kwan, K W A N on Instagram. And Jennie Kwan Official on TikTok. I'm on TikTok. And we could follow you and your whole thing. And maybe maybe there's more California Dreams live.

[18:13] Jennie Kwan: Oh yeah. Oh, just ever there's always something in the works. I'm one person. So just uh, oh yes, and we do have a Streamly signing event on March 24th and 25th. Let me double check those dates here for you. It's oh oh see, good thing. It's sorry, it's the 22nd and 23rd. We have a panel on Streamly on the evening of the 22nd and then a live signing on the 23rd. So yeah, more dream stuff coming up.

[18:42] Robert Bannon: With the cat. So those are like those I've seen them where you go online and you can buy a picture and then you guys see who's and you sign it and they're gonna do a live signing.

[18:51] Jennie Kwan: That's right.

[18:52] Robert Bannon: That's so modern and Jennie. You're so can you believe this?

[18:56] Jennie Kwan: I'm like modern.

[18:58] Robert Bannon: You're so modern. I love it. And so are you. Here we are, you know, online doing here we are. Well, I'm excited for you to be in New York, and I'm excited for everyone to come on down, see the show, and stay up to date. Go to Instagram, go to TikTok, follow Jennie. Jennie, thank you for being here always such sunshine and brightness and love, and we love you.

[19:20] Jennie Kwan: Thank you. Thank you for the way to the way that we have to do that.