Cole Horibe, a Honolulu dancer who gained acclaim last year on the Fox TV competition "So You Think You Can Dance," will portray kung fu legend Bruce Lee in a new Broadway drama, "Kung Fu," by renowned playwright David Henry Hwang.
The production, to be directed by Leigh Silverman, will premiere in a run from Feb. 4 to March 16 at the Irene Diamond Stage at the Pershing Square Signature Center at 480 W. 42nd St., several blocks from Times Square.
"My initial response was that this was simply fate," Horibe said. "I have so many similarities to Bruce Lee and have always shared his dream of combating the Asian male stereotype in Hollywood cinema."
The challenge of playing a legend is a tall order, he said. "But the honor of being chosen to portray Bruce Lee far exceeds the intimidation."
Yes, he’s anxious, able and willing to bring Lee’s story to the stage. As he said via Twitter, "I am incredibly honored, ecstatic, eager and grateful for this new chapter in my life."
Playwright Hwang, whose credits include "Chinglish,""Golden Child" and "M. Butterfly," said in a statement that his wife, Kathryn, drew his attention to Horibe’s performances on "So You Think You Can Dance."
"Cole’s electrifying martial arts and dance performances immediately riveted me," Hwang said. "He shared Bruce’s charisma and even resembled him physically. Later, in his auditions for ‘Kung Fu,’ he brought the same raw talent to his acting that he’d shown so brilliantly in his dance."
"Kung Fu" will be a portrait of Lee’s remarkable though brief journey from troubled Hong Kong youth to martial arts legend and his struggle to define himself as a martial artist, husband, father and man. (Lee died in 1973 at age 32.) The production will embrace dance, along with elements of Chinese opera, martial arts and drama.
Horibe, 28, will be reunited with his Emmy Award-nominated choreographer from "So You Think You Can Dance," Sonya Tayeh, for the production.
Horibe was a contestant during Season 9 of the TV dance competition, finishing third among the male dancers with a powerful and dramatic style described as "martial arts fusion"; he was eliminated from the show Sept. 5, 2012.
He began his training as a dancer but transitioned into martial arts and studied acting to enhance his chances of gaining roles. Thus, the "Kung Fu" signing galvanizes his career goal.
Signature Theatre, producer of the project, has set ticket prices at $25, part of its groundbreaking Signature Initiative: A Generation of Access, a program that ensures affordable tickets. Comparable Broadway tickets are at the $150 level, and even higher at VIP or premium status for such current hit shows as "The Book of Mormon" and "Kinky Boots."
Visit signaturetheatre.org or call the box office at 212-244-7529.
