East West Players presents the world premiere of THE NISEI WIDOWS CLUB HOLIDAY ON THIN ICE

East West Players, the nation‚s premier Asian American theatre organization, presents a special holiday show THE NISEI WIDOWS CLUB HOLIDAY ON THIN ICE for 10 performances only December 10-19.

Inspired by the box office success and outstanding support from the Japanese American community of East West Players 2003 production of THE NISEI WIDOWS CLUB, Producing Artistic Director Tim Dang, Arts Education Director Marilyn Tokuda and actor/writer Denise Iketani once again collaborated to create this new holiday initiative.

"The original THE NISEI WIDOWS CLUB was an opportunity to explore love, loss and living in the traditions of Nisei, or second generation Japanese Americans. It was the first time comedy was used to explore the issues of this community who experienced internment during World War II. This time around we‚ll be celebrating the holidays with traditions and entertainment that bring together the East and the West," Dang said.

In the new play the women of The Nisei Widows Club plan a special holiday show for the Little Tokyo community. The original cast of Takayo Fischer, Irene Sanaye Furukawa, Nancee Taye Iketani, Donna Kimura, Emily Kuroda, Annabelle M. Lee, June Kyoko Lu and Jeanne Sakata return to sing, dance and act. Each performance will feature special surprise guests which currently include actress Amy Hill, FOX 11 news anchor Susan Hirasuna and actor George Takei. Special performing groups include the Japanese American Optimist Club and the Ukulele Club from Sage Granada Park United Methodist Church.

East West Players Arts Education Director Marilyn Tokuda will direct THE NISEI WIDOWS CLUB HOLIDAY ON THIN ICE. Other East West Players directorial credits include benefit performances such as The Aloha Concert, Hero, Very Funny People and the 38th Anniversary Visionary Awards Gala. Marilyn has also directed a benefit for Asian for Miracle Marrow Matches at the Karen Carpenter Performance Arts Center, an evening for the 2000 Democratic National Convention and scenes for the ABC Diversity Showcase at the El Portal Theatre. She is is a founding member and former artistic director of Cold Tofu, the nation's first Asian American comedy group. Marilyn is a recipient of the Spencer Cherashore Fund where she developed a one-act play exploring comedy and humor in the Nisei women community.

[What? Marilyn, you never mention you were a co-founder of Northwest Asian American musical? We're devastated here in the Northwest...]

The design team is set designer Ken Takemoto, lighting designer Jose Lopez, costume designer Rodney Kageyama and stage manager Anna Woo.

All performances of THE NISEI WIDOWS CLUB HOLIDAY ON THIN ICE 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 (formerly San Pedro St. between Temple and First streets). The show runs December 10-19, 2005 with performances Friday at 8 pm, Saturday at 2 pm and 8 pm, and Sunday at 2 pm and 7 pm. An American Sign Language-interpreted performance is scheduled for December 18 at 2 pm.

Ticket prices for all seats are $25. Groups of 15 or more receive $5 off. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.eastwestplayers.org or calling (213) 625-7000 x20, Monday through Friday, 11 am ˆ 5 pm.

THE NISEI WIDOWS CLUB HOLIDAY ON THIN ICE is supported in part by the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department, the James Irvine Foundation and the California Community Foundation.