East West Players celebrates careers of pioneering Asian American actors Nancy Kwan and James Shigeta with a One Night Only fundraiser.
East West Players, the nation's premier Asian American theatre organization, presents its annual summer One Night Only fundraiser on August 21, 2004 now October 16, 2004with a special performance of Love Letters by A.R. Gurney featuring Nancy Kwan and James Shigeta, the stars of the musical film-adaptation of Flower Drum Song by Rodgers and Hammerstein.
Benefiting East West Players educational and artistic programs, the evening also celebrates Nancy Kwan and James Shigeta for their long and successful careers as two pioneering Asian American actors in Hollywood.
"Nancy and James are both amazing stars who, by making lifelong commitments to the film industry, have helped give voice to the Asian Pacific Islander community and raised the visibility of Asian American actors, especially in the early days of Hollywood when there were so few artists of color," said Tim Dang, East West Players Producing Artistic Director. "It is a tremendous honor to have them perform on our stage for the kick-off event of our 39th Anniversary Season."
A native of Hong Kong, Nancy Kwan's starring roles in the films The World of Suzie Wong and Flower Drum Song made her one of the most visible Asian actresses in Hollywood. Since then, she has starred in more than 40 films including Honeymoon Hotel, Lt. Robinson Crusoe USA, The Wrecking Crew and Dragon: The Life of Bruce Lee. Kwan has also appeared in television series such as Fantasy Island, Knots Landing, Kung Fu, Hawaii 5-0 and ER. Her stage credits include LOVE LETTERS at English Theatre (Vienna, Austria) and Singapore Repertory Theatre; originating the role of "Leila" in ARTHUR AND LEILA at Bay Front Theatre (San Francisco) and East West Players; and "Martha" in WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF at Singapore Repertory Theatre.
Once an aspiring song-and-dance man, Hawaiian-born James Shigeta holds the distinction of being the only Asian American actor groomed as a romantic lead. Shigeta first came to national attention when he won a talent contest on The Ted Mack Amateur Hour which led to a Las Vegas singing career. It was there that he was discovered to play the lead role in Flower Drum Song. Since then, Shigeta has played dozens of both A-movie starring roles and guest television appearances. Some of his films include Brother, Mulan, Drive, Space Marines, Blood for Blood, Cage 2: The Arena of Death, Die Hard, The Yakuza, Paradise Hawaiian Style, Battle of Midway and Walk Like a Dragon.
Nancy Kwan and James Shigeta will perform in two performances of Love Letters for East West Players One Night Only fundraiser. The play is comprised of letters exchanged over a lifetime between two people who grew up together, went their separate ways, but continued to share confidences. As the actors read the letters aloud, what is created is an evocative, touching, frequently funny but always telling pair of character studies in which what is implied is as revealing and meaningful as what is actually written down.
Held at the David Henry Hwang Theater at the Union Center for the Arts at 120 Judge John Aiso St., Los Angeles, CA 90012, the performances on Saturday, October 16, 2004 will be at 3 pm and 7 pm. A reception and silent auction for both performances will be at 5 pm. Sponsorships are $1,000-$10,000. Single tickets are $250 for VIP, $100 in the orchestra and $50 in the balcony. For more information on tickets and sponsorships contact Development Manager Rhiana Yazzie at ryazzie@eastwestplayers.org or (213) 625-7000 x17.
Love Letters by A.R. Gurney is presented by arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., in New York.
