stills, reviews and reels
At age 7, Anzu's love for acting was first ignited opposite Mako (Academy Award-nominated actor) in her first screen test playing his granddaughter, in an indie film. As a child, Anzu was so riveted by Al Pacino's performance after watching SCARFACE that she knew exactly what she wanted to do with her life and has never looked back. On March 6th 2020, Anzu found herself on stage opposite her muse, Al Pacino, playing his Vietnamese hooker "Yen" in a revival staged reading of "The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel" benefiting Al's charity for War Veterans. This was the Broadway role that landed Al Pacino his Tony Award in 1977 on Broadway. https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo-Flash-Al-Pacino-Headlines-Staged-Reading-Of-THE-BASIC-TRAINING-OF-PAVLO-HUMMEL-20200311?utm_source=newsletterregional&utm_medium=email
She got her first break in America when she was cast in HBO's "American Yakuza", starring opposite Viggo Mortensen as his love interest by casting director Don Phillips. Don Phillips is known for giving such talents as Forest Whitaker, Sean Penn, Viggo Mortensen & Matthew McConaughey their first film roles. That film's director, Frank Cappello, commissioned her to write a song for his next movie "No Way Back" starring Russell Crowe and then cast her again, playing Christian Slater's neighbor in the indie Showtime movie, "He Was A Quiet Man" years later. They collaborated again in 2020 on Frank's new movie called "The Womb," currently in post production.
Anzu received her certificate in screenwriting at UCLA in 2010 after decades of being frustrated with the lack of Asian stories and Asian roles. She optioned her first script, “The Seed Between the Stones” a “Lost In Translation-esque” coming-of-age story inspired by her time with Mick Jagger. Then, In 2011, Forest Whitaker’s dramaturge asked Anzu if she had ever considered playing “Yoko Ono?” ("HOW IT BEGAN" INTERVIEW )
Not only did Anzu go on to write the musical, but she began to proudly embrace her Asian heritage because of it.
Anzu Lawson received her first Best Actress nomination in her portrayal as "Yoko Ono" in the 2014 Hollywood Fringe Festival. Anzu's One Woman Show called DEAR YOKO has been selling out every Los Angeles performance and has been an official selection at the 2019 BFF FESTIVAL and SOLOFEST 2020 Festival.
DEAR YOKO - NOHO ARTS REVIEW - SANTA MONICA PLAYHOUSE SOLO SHOW FESTIVAL
WHITEFIRE THEATRE SOLOFEST PRESENTS "DEAR YOKO" REVIEW
Broadway World Review of "Rock & Roll's Greatest Lovers"
Broadway World Review of "Dear John, Why Yoko?"
New York Times Chronicle review of "Dear John, Why Yoko?" (formerly called R&R Greatest Lovers)
DEAR YOKO is a highly charged, hilarious yet deeply revealing one-woman show
that interweaves the lives of actress/playwright Anzu Lawson
and her late tiger mother, Keiko
with the wisdom and legendary life of Yoko Ono…
as they navigate xenophobia, self-worth, and identity through multiple eras
Voice Over Demo - Atlas Talent Agency
The Womb - Sophia (post production status)
No one says it better than Nicole Force of - The Examiner when she wrote:
"Anzu Lawson is a consummate and multi-talented performer who represents the new triple threat in Hollywood-singer, actress and stand-up comedian. Anzu Lawson is an entertainment force who consistently delivers, regardless of the genre.”
CSI; Cyber - Judge Loring (click image to watch clip)
The Young & The Restless - Dr. Lang (click image to watch clip)
