EAST WEST PLAYERS TO PRESENT 37TH ANNIVERSARY VISIONARY AWARDS

Announcement of 38th Season of Programming Will Be Made

The James Irvine Foundation, actress Nancy Kwan, playwright Cherylene Lee, and volunteer Ken Takemoto will be honored at the East West Players 37th Anniversary Visionary Awards Dinner and Silent Auction on April 28, 2003 at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites in downtown Los Angeles. This award-winning fundraiser pays tribute to those who have raised the visibility of the Asian Pacific Islander community, with proceeds benefiting the nation’s premier Asian Pacific American theatre company.

The James Irvine Foundation is being honored for its commitment to the diversity of Asian Pacific American experiences through its support of the East West Players New Voices Program. Accepting the Visionary Award will be President and CEO Mary G.F. Bitterman, who says, “East West Players is a leader in the arts community, with a proven track record of achievement, excellence, quality programming and execution. We are honored to support their important work.”

Nancy Kwan is best known for her groundbreaking film roles in THE WORLD OF SUZIE WONG and FLOWER DRUM SONG. She co-starred in the world premiere production of ARTHUR AND LEILA written by fellow honoree Cherylene Lee and reprised her role in an East West Players production of the play.

Cherylene Lee will receive the Made in America Award, recognizing playwrights who have contributed to the canon of Asian American works. She was most recently a National Endowment for the Arts / Theatre Communications Group Playwright in Residence at East West Players. Actor, prop master, and costume designer Ken Takemoto will receive the Rae Creevey Award, named in honor of an Emmy Award-winning founder of East West Players and recognizing commitment and volunteer service to EWP.

Actor Dustin Nguyen of the television series V.I.P. and Tamilyn Tomita of the film Joy Luck Club will serve as Master and Mistress of Ceremonies. Scheduled to perform are members of Halau Keali’i o Nalani; lead singers of Disney’s California Adventures production of Aladdin; and East West Players talent. More than 800 guests are expected to attend what has been described as the most entertaining event of its kind in the Asian Pacific community. EWP’s 38th season of programming will also be announced during the evening.

Platinum sponsors include George and Sakaye Aratani, David Mauss and Tenet Healthcare, Walt Disney Co./ABC Entertainment, CBS, and FOX Television, with the VIP reception sponsored by Bank Julius Bär and dessert reception sponsored by Click2Asia. Tickets are $150-$1,000. For more information, call (213) 625-7000 x17.

Questions? Email gwangung@u.washington.edu