East West presents IMELDA

East West Players, the nation's premier Asian American theatre organization, completes its 39th Anniversary Season ˆ New Perspectives ˆ with the world premiere of Imelda: A New Musical, Book by Sachi Oyama, Music by Nathan Wang, Lyrics by Aaron Coleman, Directed by Tim Dang, Musical Direction by Nathan Wang and Choreography by Reggie Lee.

Does the story of the First Lady of the Philippines go beyond the shoes? In this musical biography, Imelda Marcos emerges aggressive, naïve and ultimately discovers that her husband‚s newfound power is a means to obtain everything she was once denied. Thief or political ploy? Greed or need? This production was developed by East West Players and the Academy for New Musical Theatre.

Liza Del Mundo will play the infamous "Imelda Marcos," a beauty contestant who became the First Lady of the Philippines. Last seen in DOGEATERS by Jessica Hagedorn at the SIPA Performance Space, Del Mundo has worked with The Colony Theatre, East West Players and STAGES Theatre. She has also performed in regional productions of THE KING AND I and CABARET.

"Ferdinand Marcos" will be played by Giovanni Jose Ortega. Regional theatre credits include productions of EVITA, CHICAGO and SOUTH PACIFIC. Ortega has an MFA from UCLA.

Antoine Diel is "Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino," the youngest Senator in the history of the Philippines and the man assassinated while trying to unseat Ferdinand Marcos from the presidency. A USC graduate with a Masters in Vocal Arts, Diel was also last seen in DOGEATERS. Other theatre credits include the world premiere of ON GOLD MOUNTAIN at the Los Angeles Opera and regional productions of KING AND I, INTO THE WOODS and MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG.

Myra Cris Ocenar is "Corazon Aquino," the wife of Benigno Aquino who eventually succeeds Ferdinand Marcos as president of the Philippines. Ocenar has worked with Actors Alley Theater, East West Players and Shakespeare Orange County. Regional theater credits include MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS and ROMEO & JULIET.

Other members of the cast include Rinabeth Apostol, Louise Marie M. Cornillez, Evan D‚Angeles, M.J. Deocariza, Ramona DuBarry, Bryan Geli, Golda Inquito, Marc Macalintal, Blythe Matsui, Michael C. Palma, Theresa Pedrena, Annie Katsura Rollins and Joe Santiago.

The design team includes set designer Victoria Petrovich, costume designer Ivy Chou, lighting designer Jerry M. Sonnenberg, property master Kenneth T. Takemoto and stage manager Robert "Bobby" Fromer.

All performances are in the David Henry Hwang Theater at the Union Center for the Arts, located in Little Tokyo at 120 Judge John Aiso St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. Opening night is May 11, 2005 (includes gala reception with the director, cast and crew) and closing on June 5, 2005. Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturdays at 8 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm (no Saturday matinee on May 14). Previews are May 5-7 at 8 pm and May 8 at 2 pm. An American Sign Language-interpreted performance is scheduled for June 4 at 2 pm.

General ticket prices are $38 in the orchestra and $33 in the balcony. Preview tickets are $20 for all seats. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.eastwestplayers.org or calling (213) 625-7000. Senior, student and group discounts are available.

Imelda: A New Musical is supported in part by the James Irvine Foundation, California Community Foundation and BMI Foundation.

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	East West Players announces the cast and design team for the world premiere of Imelda: A New Musical East West Players, the nation's premier Asian American theatre organization, completes its 39th Anniversary Season ˆ New Perspectives ˆ with the world premiere of Imelda: A New Musical, Book by Sachi Oyama, Music by Nathan Wang, Lyrics by Aaron Coleman, Directed by Tim Dang, Musical Direction by Nathan Wang and Choreography by Reggie Lee. Does the story of the First Lady of the Philippines go beyond the shoes? In this musical biography, Imelda Marcos emerges aggressive, naïve and ultimately discovers that her husband‚s newfound power is a means to obtain everything she was once denied. Thief or political ploy? Greed or need? This production was developed by East West Players and the Academy for New Musical Theatre. Liza Del Mundo will play the infamous "Imelda Marcos," a beauty contestant who became the First Lady of the Philippines. Last seen in DOGEATERS by Jessica Hagedorn at the SIPA Performance Space, Del Mundo has worked with The Colony Theatre, East West Players and STAGES Theatre. She has also performed in regional productions of THE KING AND I and CABARET. "Ferdinand Marcos" will be played by Giovanni Jose Ortega. Regional theatre credits include productions of EVITA, CHICAGO and SOUTH PACIFIC. Ortega has an MFA from UCLA. Antoine Diel is "Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino," the youngest Senator in the history of the Philippines and the man assassinated while trying to unseat Ferdinand Marcos from the presidency. A USC graduate with a Masters in Vocal Arts, Diel was also last seen in DOGEATERS. Other theatre credits include the world premiere of ON GOLD MOUNTAIN at the Los Angeles Opera and regional productions of KING AND I, INTO THE WOODS and MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG. Myra Cris Ocenar is "Corazon Aquino," the wife of Benigno Aquino who eventually succeeds Ferdinand Marcos as president of the Philippines. Ocenar has worked with Actors Alley Theater, East West Players and Shakespeare Orange County. Regional theater credits include MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS and ROMEO & JULIET. Other members of the cast include Rinabeth Apostol, Louise Marie M. Cornillez, Evan D‚Angeles, M.J. Deocariza, Ramona DuBarry, Bryan Geli, Golda Inquito, Marc Macalintal, Blythe Matsui, Michael C. Palma, Theresa Pedrena, Annie Katsura Rollins and Joe Santiago. The design team includes set designer Victoria Petrovich, costume designer Ivy Chou, lighting designer Jerry M. Sonnenberg, property master Kenneth T. Takemoto and stage manager Robert "Bobby" Fromer. All performances are in the David Henry Hwang Theater at the Union Center for the Arts, located in Little Tokyo at 120 Judge John Aiso St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. Opening night is May 11, 2005 (includes gala reception with the director, cast and crew) and closing on June 5, 2005. Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturdays at 8 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm (no Saturday matinee on May 14). Previews are May 5-7 at 8 pm and May 8 at 2 pm. An American Sign Language-interpreted performance is scheduled for June 4 at 2 pm. General ticket prices are $38 in the orchestra and $33 in the balcony. Preview tickets are $20 for all seats. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.eastwestplayers.org or calling (213) 625-7000. Senior, student and group discounts are available. Imelda: A New Musical is supported in part by the James Irvine Foundation, California Community Foundation and BMI Foundation. Home \| News \| Calendar \| Directory \| Library \| Plays Copyright 2005, Roger W. Tang Questions? Email

East West Players announces the cast and design team for the world premiere of Imelda: A New Musical