MELODY BUTIU — A BOOK OF MAGAZINE

BY A BOOK OF EDITORIAL TEAM

Exclusive interview with EASTER SUNDAY’S MELODY BUTIU on playing Jo’s cousin, Tita Yvonne, her acting career, the challenges and the highs she experienced so far, dream projects and more.

Hi Melody! Tell us a bit about yourself.

I was born in New York City and moved around from there to Kennewick, Washington, Seattle, Washington, and Canoga Park, California. My parents, Romeo and Aurora Butiu, immigrated to the US from The Philippines. I am the middle child, between my older brother, John, and my younger sister, Precious. We grew up with a lot of music, laughter, food, and family, but also faced tremendous challenges. I was 9 years old when my mom got cancer, and my grandparents on both sides, Lola Val, Lolo Johnny, and Lola Sion, and my aunt, who we affectionately called Nanay Caring, came to live with us at various times to help the family, until my mom passed away when I was 17 years old. I grew up singing and loving music but found a love for theatre in high school and college, performing in musicals and plays, and joining an Asian American theatre company called HereAndNow, where we performed at colleges, universities, and conferences around the country. I received my BA and MFA from UC San Diego, and have performed steadily in theatre, television, and film ever since. I’ve performed on Broadway, off-Broadway, and in theaters around the country and world from Juneau, Alaska, to Chiang Mai, Thailand. I live in Manhattan Beach, California with my partner of 14 years, Alan Combies, and we are the cool and doting auntie and uncle to several nephews and nieces on both sides of our extended families.

Tell us more about your character in Easter Sunday. What drew you to this role?

I play Tita Yvonne, Jo’s cousin, and part of the extended family. I’m the type of Tita (or Auntie) that is ready to break out the karaoke machine, needle you about who you’re dating, and fill the room with joy and laughter. I’ve been a huge fan of Jo Koy’s and have loved his stand-up specials. When I heard the movie was being made, my first thought was, “This is so cool. I can’t wait to see this movie!” So having the opportunity to be part of a large, multi-generational Filipino American family was a dream come true.

How would you describe the film?

Stand-up comedy juggernaut, Jo Koy, stars in Easter Sunday as a divorced dad returning home with his son for an Easter celebration with his riotous, bickering, eating, drinking, laughing, loving family. It’s a funny, heartwarming comedy about family and love letter to the Filipino American community. It’s the first Hollywood Studio produced film centered around a Filipino-American family, features a wonderfully diverse cast, including Tia Carrere, Tiffany Haddish, Eugene Cordero, Asif Ali, and Jimmy O. Yang, and is directed by Jay Chandrasekhar (director of Super Troopers and Beerfest).

What’s the most challenging part of doing this role?

Not being star-struck or intimidated! I was already a huge fan of Jo Koy, as well as Tia Carrere, Lou Diamond Phillips, and Tiffany Haddish. There were some huge names in comedy involved, like the ones I named earlier. We all came from different backgrounds, some with a huge careers in stand-up, others in improv and sketch, and our director was known for his comedic hits as well. I came from primarily a theatre background, and while I had some experience in TV and film, most of my roles on camera were smaller co-stars and a few guest stars. During the table read, our director invited us to be prepared to play and improv and bring in jokes. I was nervous and excited and nervous again. I spent my two weeks in quarantine spinning with jitters.

How did you rise above these challenges?

I had to remind myself that I’ve worked so hard for this moment, and I deserved to be there. I was being invited to play with these incredible comics, and I could not allow myself to sit on the sidelines and watch it happen. I wanted to feel fully present and part of the family. I wanted to contribute my ideas. While imposter syndrome and insecurities are very real, I had to treat those feelings like an impetuous child and say, “I hear you, and I know you’re feeling big feelings, but you’re going to sit in the corner, so I can go work.” It was so much fun to give myself permission to play, to try and fail, and to see some of the jokes and ideas I put forward end up in the film!

What’s the proudest moment of your career so far?

Besides working on Easter Sunday, it was originating the role of Estrella in the musical Here Lies Love, by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim. This immersive disco musical was a huge hit at The Public Theater in New York and told the story of the rise and fall of Imelda Marcos, the Marcos regime, the People Power Revolution. I had a supporting role and a couple of really wonderful songs, playing the nanny who raised Imelda, who was then cast aside as the Marcoses rose to fame and power. I was nominated for a Lucille Lortel award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical and got to sing on the original cast album.

What inspires you?

Excellent story telling. I’m thrilled when I witness excellent writing and acting. I listen to audiobooks on my walks, love powerful films and riveting tv shows. I especially love theatre, being in the same space with an audience and witnessing incredible performances live. Some of the more recent inspiring theatre experiences I’ve had include productions of Hadestown, The Lehman Trilogy, Clean/Espejos, and King James.

What scares you?

My own insecurities. I can sometimes be my own worst enemy, and I have to remind myself that feeling unsteady, moving forward into the unknown, is part of growing. I cannot allow self-doubt and fear about how people will perceive me to hold me back from taking risks and leaping towards new experiences. I understand that so much of this business is about projecting a sense of confidence and self-worth, and while I do have that at times, I also recognize the times when it’s a bit more challenging. I have to trust that I can move through those feelings. Other things that scare me are climate change and the collapse of our very fragile democracy.

Guilty pleasure?

Two words: Candy Crush. It’s a total time suck and the first game I ever got on my iPhone, and I still play it after all these years. I am so many thousands of levels in, it’s embarrassing to admit!

Name your top 5 favorite films of all time.

When Harry Met Sally, The Color Purple, Singin’ in the Rain, Fargo, Back to the Future

Last song that got stuck in your head.

"About Damn Time” by Lizzo

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

Speak to yourself as you would to your own child, or to your own inner child. The way you speak to yourself can change everything.

What’s your ultimate goal?

To live a full and connected life. To live with kindness, passion, joy, empathy, adventure, laughter, creativity, compassion, forgiveness, resilience, and patience. To challenge myself to grow as an artist and a human.

What are your dream projects?

I’ve really loved working with dynamic, creative women, and would be thrilled to collaborate with creators such as Lulu Wang, Leisl Tommy, Mindy Kaling, Ava DuVernay, Issa Rae, Chloe Zhao, and Greta Gerwig, and work again with directors such as Seema Sueko, Taibi Magar, and Rachel Chavkin. I would love the opportunity to grow more in TV and Film and would jump at the chance to tackle the right role for me on Broadway again.

Is there a skill / talent that a lot of people don’t know about you?

I have an uncanny memory for lyrics (friends at school used to call me “Jukebox"), and once won $25,000 on the gameshow, “Don’t Forget the Lyrics!” This is thanks to my friend, Eddie Mui, who was a contestant in the first season and encouraged me to compete in the second season.