East West Players (EWP), the nation’s largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work and the longest-running professional theater of color in the country, announces Radiant, a season of productions and special events celebrating the female perspective. On the heels of a record breaking box office 50th anniversary season, Producing Artistic Director Tim Dang announces the shows that comprise the Radiant season, starting this Fall and continuing through Summer 2017.
“When I became artistic director in 1993, I inherited a season of women playwrights and female characters from artistic director Nobu McCarthy,” said Tim Dang, East West Players’ Producing Artistic Director. “That season really shaped my perspective of the inspirational stories we would tell over the next two decades as not only providing entertainment, but enlightening and educating our community. With this in mind, I pass on to my successor a season filled with women in empowering leading roles both on stage and behind the scenes.”
East West Players, a leader in diversity, inclusion, access and cultural equity in the arts, once again plays a vital role creating the future of the American theatre as America continues to evolve.
The new season will launch with two special events:
Mama Bares in Concert: Once Upon a Play Date
The Mama Bares – Joan Almedilla, Ai Goeku Cheung, Deedee Magno Hall, and Jennifer Paz – are Broadway musical theatre stars, EWP alumni and real-life mothers who will bring you to your feet. Hear the Mama Bares roar along with special guests in this limited ten performance concert series! Runs August 25 through September 4, 2016.
Road to Kumano
In a collaboration between East West Players and the critically acclaimed TAIKOPROJECT, Chieko Kojima, a Distinguished Member of the world-renowned taiko group Kodo, stars in a dance theatre piece based on the popular Buddhist tale Dojoji. Runs September 15 through September 25, 2016.
The 2016-17 season begins with the West Coast Premiere of Kentucky by Leah Nanako Winkler (November 10 – December 11, 2016). Hiro is self-made, single, and almost making it in NYC when her born-again baby sister decides to marry a man she hardly knows. Hiro resolves to stop the wedding by returning to Kentucky and the past she put behind her. Will she save her sister and escape back to Manhattan? Will years of therapy unravel in one weekend back home? Identity, religion, and love collide in this rollicking coming-of-age story.
Next will be the Los Angeles Premiere of Free Outgoing by Anupama Chandrasekhar (February 9 – March 12, 2017). Modern technology and old-world values collide in this internationally acclaimed and timely play about a middle-class home in Chennai torn apart by an indiscreet cell phone video that has gone viral.
The 51st Anniversary Season concludes with the Broadway musical Gypsy by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Arthur Laurents, based on the memoirs of ‘Gypsy Rose Lee’ (May 11- June 11, 2017). The ultimate stage mother makes her East West Players debut. Join Rose and her children June and Louise in their trip across the United States during the 1920’s, when vaudeville was dying and burlesque was born. Widely considered to be the greatest American Musical, songs include “Let Me Entertain You,” “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” and “Together Wherever We Go.”
All performances will be staged at the David Henry Hwang Theater at the Union Center for the Arts at 120 Judge John Aiso St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. Starting this year, East West Players will be offering a preferred seating area for subscriptions and single tickets. Subscriptions start at $100 and season subscription renewals start May 16. Single ticket sales and other subscription options will be announced at a later date. Please note that starting with our 51st Season, Saturday matinees will be added while regular Wednesday evening performances have been eliminated with the exception of Wednesday Opening Nights. Additional information can be found at EastWestPlayers.org or by calling 213-625-7000. All plays, dates, and personnel subject to change.
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