East West Presents SURFING DNA

East West Players continues its exciting 41st Anniversary Season with Surfing DNA, a world premiere solo performance written and performed by Jodi Long.

Born in a trunk to vaudevillian parents on the Chop Suey circuit, Broadway star JODI LONG – star of Broadway and TV sitcoms "All American Girl" and "Cafe Americain" – takes us on a hilarious and poignant voyage from the Ed Sullivan Show to feudal Japan to the Scottish Highlands, inescapably steered by the forces embedded in her DNA.

Long, the only child of a Chinese-Aussie tap dancer and a Japanese-American showgirl, has been performing since the age of seven when she made her Broadway debut in Nowhere to Go But Up directed by Sidney Lumet. Her Broadway credits include the 2002 revival of Flower Drum Song (reprising the role that won her LA’s Ovation Award at The Taper), Sondheim’s Getting Away With Murder, Loose Ends, and The Bacchae. Other stage credits include Wendy Wasserstein’s Old Money at Lincoln Center; Hamlet (Ophelia); Bus Stop (Cherie); and Phillip Glass/David Henry Hwang's 1,000 Airplanes on the Roof, a one-woman multimedia monologue in which she toured the USA, Europe, and Australia. Film credits include Paul Schrader’s Patty Hearst,Mike Newell’s Sour Sweet, Striking Distance, and The Hot Chick. Television viewers know Jodi as Margaret Cho’s mother in All American Girl, Madame Ybarra in Café Americain or from her other appearances on House, Without a Trace, Law & Order: SVU, Sex in the City and Miss Match.

Feeling that the roles she was being offered were limiting, Long wrote Surfing DNA to challenge herself as an actress/performer utilizing unused talents. “At the same time,” Long recalls, “I was interested in exploring how the imprinting of my DNA was manifesting in my life. Along the way, I learned how the stories of my predecessors resonate in me today.”

“East West Players is very fortunate to have the opportunity to present the world premiere of a work by a second generation Asian American playwright,” comments East West Players’ artistic director Tim Dang. “Having a prolific career in theatre, television, and film has given Jodi a unique point of view on being Asian American in the entertainment industry. Surfing DNA brings to life the rich legacy of our unsung predecessors and gives the audience a humorous and touching peek into Jodi’s own experiences as a performer.”

Under the direction of Lisa Peterson (WATER AND POWER, THE WIND CRIES MARY), the creative team for Surfing DNA includes scenic designer Rachel Hauck, lighting designer Jennifer Setlow, costume designer Christina Wright, sound designer Paul James Prendergast, properties master Ken Takemoto and stage manager Robert Fromer.

All performances will be held 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. Surfing DNA opens on November 1, 2006 and closes on November 19, 2006. Opening night will be accompanied by a gala reception with Ms. Long, the creative staff and crew. Performances are Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturdays at 8 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm. Previews are Saturday, October 28 at 8 pm and Sunday, October 29 at 2 pm. An American Sign Language-interpreted performance is scheduled for Sunday, November 12 at 2 pm.

General ticket prices are $35 in the orchestra and $30 in the balcony. Preview tickets are $20 for all seats. Opening night tickets are $60 for all seats. Tickets are currently on sale and can also be purchased with a subscription to East West Players’ 41st Anniversary Season. For ticket purchases, subscription requests or more information, please call East West Players at (213) 625-7000 or visit www.eastwestplayers.org. Senior, student and group discounts are available. Dates and details are subject to change.

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	East West Players presents Jodi Long in SURFING DNA East West Players continues its exciting 41st Anniversary Season with Surfing DNA, a world premiere solo performance written and performed by Jodi Long. Born in a trunk to vaudevillian parents on the Chop Suey circuit, Broadway star JODI LONG – star of Broadway and TV sitcoms "All American Girl" and "Cafe Americain" – takes us on a hilarious and poignant voyage from the Ed Sullivan Show to feudal Japan to the Scottish Highlands, inescapably steered by the forces embedded in her DNA. Long, the only child of a Chinese-Aussie tap dancer and a Japanese-American showgirl, has been performing since the age of seven when she made her Broadway debut in Nowhere to Go But Up directed by Sidney Lumet. Her Broadway credits include the 2002 revival of Flower Drum Song (reprising the role that won her LA’s Ovation Award at The Taper), Sondheim’s Getting Away With Murder, Loose Ends, and The Bacchae. Other stage credits include Wendy Wasserstein’s Old Money at Lincoln Center; Hamlet (Ophelia); Bus Stop (Cherie); and Phillip Glass/David Henry Hwang's 1,000 Airplanes on the Roof, a one-woman multimedia monologue in which she toured the USA, Europe, and Australia. Film credits include Paul Schrader’s Patty Hearst,Mike Newell’s Sour Sweet, Striking Distance, and The Hot Chick. Television viewers know Jodi as Margaret Cho’s mother in All American Girl, Madame Ybarra in Café Americain or from her other appearances on House, Without a Trace, Law & Order: SVU, Sex in the City and Miss Match. Feeling that the roles she was being offered were limiting, Long wrote Surfing DNA to challenge herself as an actress/performer utilizing unused talents. “At the same time,” Long recalls, “I was interested in exploring how the imprinting of my DNA was manifesting in my life. Along the way, I learned how the stories of my predecessors resonate in me today.” “East West Players is very fortunate to have the opportunity to present the world premiere of a work by a second generation Asian American playwright,” comments East West Players’ artistic director Tim Dang. “Having a prolific career in theatre, television, and film has given Jodi a unique point of view on being Asian American in the entertainment industry. Surfing DNA brings to life the rich legacy of our unsung predecessors and gives the audience a humorous and touching peek into Jodi’s own experiences as a performer.” Under the direction of Lisa Peterson (WATER AND POWER, THE WIND CRIES MARY), the creative team for Surfing DNA includes scenic designer Rachel Hauck, lighting designer Jennifer Setlow, costume designer Christina Wright, sound designer Paul James Prendergast, properties master Ken Takemoto and stage manager Robert Fromer. All performances will be held 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. Surfing DNA opens on November 1, 2006 and closes on November 19, 2006. Opening night will be accompanied by a gala reception with Ms. Long, the creative staff and crew. Performances are Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturdays at 8 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm. Previews are Saturday, October 28 at 8 pm and Sunday, October 29 at 2 pm. An American Sign Language-interpreted performance is scheduled for Sunday, November 12 at 2 pm. General ticket prices are $35 in the orchestra and $30 in the balcony. Preview tickets are $20 for all seats. Opening night tickets are $60 for all seats. Tickets are currently on sale and can also be purchased with a subscription to East West Players’ 41st Anniversary Season. For ticket purchases, subscription requests or more information, please call East West Players at (213) 625-7000 or visit www.eastwestplayers.org. Senior, student and group discounts are available. Dates and details are subject to change. Home \| News \| Calendar \| Directory \| Library \| Plays Copyright 2006, Roger W. Tang Questions? Email

East West Players presents Jodi Long in SURFING DNA