THE EMPEROR'S NIGHTINGALE, Featuring All-Asian Cast, to Play Adventure Theatre MTC

Adventure Theatre MTC (ATMTC), recipient of the Ann Flagg Multicultural Award, brings to the stage the powerful song of a nightingale in THE EMPEROR'S NIGHTINGALE, a world premiere play directed by Natsu Onoda Power.

This project is funded in part by The National Endowment for the Arts and features an all-Asian-American cast, playwright, director, choreographer, lighting designer, costume designer, and Princess Grace Award recipient scenic designer, Hana Sooyeon Kim.

The world premiere play runs April 22- May 30, 2016 in celebration of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month. Tickets are $19.50 each and can be purchased online at www.adventuretheatre-mtc.org or by calling 301.634.2270.

This brand-new adaptation is set in the Qing Dynasty, eighteenth century China, and brings to light the younger days of Emperor Qian Long, who would become one of the greatest rulers of the Middle Kingdom. It takes a magical bird to help the headstrong and aimless prince to become a true leader.

Natsu Onoda Power, director of the production and assistant professor of theater in Georgetown University's Department of Performing Arts, says of the production, "A young leader, a prince, who learns to prioritize the people he serves over his personal aspirations; he learns to listen to and act on behalf of the underrepresented. It's such a timely and beautiful story to tell in Washington, DC right now."

"It's always exciting to bring diversity to our stages," adds Michael J. Bobbitt, Artistic Director of ATMTC, "and that has been something I'm personally very proud to do because it creates new works that DC-area youth can't see anywhere else. We look forward to Asian-American families and all families including us in their celebrations of Asian-Pacific Islander Heritage in the month of May."

Adventure Theatre MTC was awarded a $10,000 grant from The National Endowment for the Arts for THE EMPEROR'S NIGHTINGALE. This is the second time Adventure Theatre MTC, now in its 64th season, has received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts as part of its initiatives to diversify audiences and bring new works to the stage; its first was for 2011's Mirandy and Brother Wind.

THE EMPEROR'S NIGHTINGALE is recommended for all ages. Tickets are $19.50 each with group and field trip rates available. Children under the age of 1 are free. The press performance will be Sunday, April 24th at 2pm. All performances will take place at Adventure Theatre MTC, 7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, MD, 20812 in the historic Glen Echo Park.

Adventure Theatre (founded in 1951) and Musical Theater Center (founded in 1986) merged into one organization, Adventure Theatre MTC, in 2012. Located in Glen Echo Park (Glen Echo, MD) and Wintergreen Plaza (Rockville, MD), ATMTC cultivates new generations of artists and audiences by creating memorable theatrical productions and by providing young people the highest quality musical theater training. ATMTC serves students at all skill levels and families from diverse communities, approximately 75,000 people annually.

"THE EMPEROR'S NIGHTINGALE"

April 22 - May 30, 2016

Based on the fairytale by Hans Christian Anderson

Adapted by Damon Chua

Directed by Natsu Onoda Power

Recommended for all ages

CAST (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER):

Prince Bao........................................................................................................... Brett Messiora

Nightingale........................................................................................................Nadine Rousseau

Actor 1 - Panda, Emperor, Court Servant, Storyteller.................................. Mikey Caffarelli
Actor 2 - Panda, Empress Consort................................................................. Sue Jin Song

Actor 3 - Prince Hongshi, Tiger Tail................................................................ Andrew Quilpa

Actor 4 - Minister Wu, Tiger Head................................................................... Jonathan Frye

PRODUCTION TEAM:

Director..........................................................................................................Natsu Onoda Power

Playwright............................................................................................................ Damon Chua

Choreographer................................................................................................... Stella Choi

Costume Designer............................................................................................. Deb Sivigny

Set/Projections Designer............................................................................... Hana Sooyeon Kim

Lighting Designer............................................................................................... Marie Yokoyama

Musical Arrangements/Sound Designer....................................................... Kenny Neal

Props Designer......................................................................................Andrea "Dre" Moore

Stage Manager................................................................................................... Brittany Truske

Asst. Stage Manager......................................................................................... Khaiya Darnell

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