East West Announces 2000-2001 Season

East West Players (EWP), the nation's first and foremost Asian Pacific American theatre celebrate their 35th Anniversary Season with a season of works demonstrating the history of Asian American work and the theatre's love for musicals by Stephen Sondheim. The season, entitled "Time of Your Life," is a description of the dedication and commitment of EWP's artists and its supporters in giving voice to the Asian Pacific American community on this milestone anniversary. This is EWP's fourth season at its professional mid-sized space at the David Henry Hwang Theatre, which is one of the highest achievements in EWP's 35-year history.

The first play of the season, a co-production with Singapore Repertory Theatre is the world premiere of THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING, by Prince Gomolvilas. From the author of BIG HUNK O' BURNIN' LOVE, seven Asian Americans (Thai, Filipino, Chinese, Japanese) gather atop a Las Vegas wedding chapel every week for a UFO watch. One particular night brings about profound changes in all their lives when the impossible becomes a reality. This vibrant and moving new comedy won both the International Herald Tribune Playwriting Competition and the Julie Harris Playwright Award Competition. The THEORY OF EVERYTHING will be directed and designed by Loy Arcenas. THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING opens November 8 and closes on December 3, 2000. Previews begin in Los Angeles on November 2, 2000. This play is presented in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department.

The second play of the season is the Asian American classic THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON by Frank Chin. "We'come a Chinatowng, Folks!" And welcome back to Fred Eng's Chinatown tours! In this, the Year of the Dragon, EWP Founding Artistic Director Mako directs this seminal play by the playwright many consider to be the godfather of Asian American theatre. This play caused an enormous uproar when it was first produced in 1974. It not only influenced a generation of APA writers, but it also had a profound impact on an entire generation of Asian Americans. "The language is frequently strong, and the bitterness, even when wrapped in some very funny comedy, is unrelenting."New York Times. THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON opens on January 31 and closes on February 25, 2001. Previews begin January 25, 2001.

The third play will be the musical, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Broadway's greatest farce is light, fast-paced, witty, irreverent and one of the funniest musicals ever written the perfect escape from life's troubles. East West Players moves the setting from ancient Rome to ancient Polynesia while still maintaining the infectious energy of classic vaudeville. A crafty slave struggles to win the hand of a beautiful but slow-witted courtesan for his young master, in exchange for freedom. This is the eighth Stephen Sondheim musical produced at EWP. Tim Dang directs. A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM opens on March 21 and closes on April 15, 2001. Previews begin March 15, 2001.

The fourth play is another Asian American classic, YANKEE DAWG YOU DIE, by Philip Kan Gotanda. Two very different generations and two very different sensibilities clash when veteran actor Vincent Chang meets up-and-coming star Bradley Yamashita at a Hollywood party, in this now-classic Asian American exploration of where film, identity, politics and art converge. As relevant today as when it was first workshopped at EWP, Philip Gotanda takes a look at stereotypes and hard choices in this serio-comic valentine to Asian American actors, past and present. YANKEE DAWG YOU DIE opens on May 23 and closes on June 17, 2001. Previews begin May 17, 2001.

As an added play offering, EWP, in promotional collaboration with the Ahmanson Theatre will offer premium seats to selected preview performances of FLOWER DRUM SONG, music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, book by Oscar Hammerstein II and Joseph Fields based on the novel by C.Y. Lee and adapted by David Henry Hwang. FLOWER DRUM SONG is directed and choreographed by Robert Longbottom. Lavishly colorful, delightfully tuneful and lively, FLOWER DRUM SONG is a charming story of immigrants in San Francisco's Chinatown. It is a classic American musical with songs including a rollicking night-club number "Fan Tan Fanny," and the haunting ballad "Love, Look Away." Tony Award winner David Henry Hwang has updated the engaging story to reflect a more contemporary vision of Chinese heritage in today's modern world.

Prime orchestra and balcony seats at selected preview performances at the best discount price would be available to EWP subscribers before tickets go on sale to the public in March 2001.

For additional information on season subscriptions, please call 213.625.7000.