Isaac Ho's Newest Work Tells A Tale of An All-Asian American Comedy Troupe That Finds Comedy Isn't Always Funny

Lodestone Theatre Ensemble presents the world premiere of Claim To Fame, which runs July 24 through August 29, 2004 at The Whitefire Theater (13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91423).

Directed by veteran theatre director Alberto Isaac, the cast of Claim to Fame includes Feodor Chin, Janis Chow, Charles Kim, Yi Lin, Eddie Mui, Janet Song, DC Wolfe, Leonard Wu, and Phil Young.

Claim To Fame follows the exploits of an up-and-coming sketch comedy troupe and chronicles their first steps toward success. All the while, internal politics and personal relationships collide as the troupe navigates through a maze of botched dinner parties, strip clubs, county jails, and Internet hell. Their trip to the stars is a brash, reckless ride with toxic consequences.

"A lot of Asian American writers are trying to be cultural in some fashion, to separate from the pack and find a niche among mainstream audiences," says Ho. "With Claim, I wrote a story about fellowship, love, hate, and jealousy. The characters just happen to be Asian-American."

Ho's previous play, Along for the Ride," won the SF Weekly Black Box Award for Best Play in 1997. He is also a recipient of the AT&T/Asian American Arts Foundation Grant for Theater and is currently the Resident Lighting Director for Lodestone.

"Lodestone has brought a wealth of talent to the table for this project and I am proud to be a part of it," says Claim director Alberto Issac. "I like the idea of an Asian American theatre group doing a play about an Asian American theatre group. More importantly I like how this play shows how people are people, regardless of color."

Alberto Isaac directed such East West Players productions as Yankee Dawg You Die, Woman From The Other Side Of The World, The Maids, Hughie, Performance Anxiety, and Yellow Fever. Isaac also directed Insomnia (Strasberg Institute), Ghosts And Baggage (Los Angeles Theatre Center), Performance Anxiety (East LA Actors Company), and Chickencoop Chinaman (Asian American Theatre Company), winning (3) DramaLogue awards and (1) L.A. Drama Critics Circle award for outstanding direction.

Lodestone’s last production (co-produced with Orphans Theater Company and the Victory Theatre), When Tigers Smoked Long Pipes, recently garnered several awards including Backstage West’s Garland Award, The Maddy Awards, and the L.A. Weekly Theater Award. In its mission to develop, create, promote, and present edgy, compelling, and impassioned works that bridge communities through truthful and entertaining artistry, Lodestone Theatre Ensemble has made great leaps in redefining contemporary Asian American theatre. Founded in 1999, this is the start of Lodestone's Fifth Anniversary as one of Los Angeles's most acclaimed theatre companies.

Show times are 8pm Thursday through Saturday, and 2pm Sunday at the Whitefire Theater (13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91423). The production runs July 24-August 29, 2004 with low-priced previews on July 22nd and July 23rd. Tickets prices are $15 for general admission and $13 for students and seniors. Group rates of $11 each are available for reservations of ten or more. Tickets for the July 24th Opening Night Gala is $25 and includes a post-show reception. For more information or to make reservations, call the Lodestone Theatre hotline at (323) 993-7245. You can also find more information on the show by visiting www.lodestonetheatre.org.