Pan Asian Rep Hosts Eathquake Relief Benefit 6/13

Pan Asian Repertory Theatre will perform excerpts from their recent Off-Broadway hit, THE JOY LUCK CLUB at the Hands together: New York Artists Gather for China Earthquake Relief to Benefit UNICEF hosted by The Players Theatre and presented by Matrix Music Collaborators on June 14, 2008 at 3pm.  The benefit will be held at The Players Theatre at 115 MacDougal Street (between W 3rd and Minetta Lane) in Greenwich Village, New York. Admission is $45 / Package of Four for $125 (Use Code: 4Unicef). Tickets can be obtained through TheaterMania (www.theatermania.com) at (212) 352-3101. All proceeds will go to U.S. Fund for UNICEF.
 
On May 12, 2008 the largest natural disaster in a generation struck Sichuan province in China.

According to date recently collected by UNICEF, more than 10,000 school buildings in Sichuan were badly damaged by the earthquake. Almost 7,000 schools were completely destroyed and many others suffered partial damage. UNICEF estimates that the number of school children affected is in the millions. Most of these children are now trying to continue their schooling in temporary shelters and tents. Precise figures are still very difficult to obtain. As the death toll from the earthquake exceeds 68,000, according to official estimates, the needs of survivors are growing daily.  At least 300,000 people were injured and 5 million displaced.  Now in the aftermath we can see that the scale of the humanitarian crises before us is truly staggering. Supplies are being rushed to the five million are literally without shelter.  Like so many Americans we stand together with the people so deeply affected by this massive earthquake to find ways to help.
 
Along with cast members from THE JOY LUCK CLUB, this special performance will feature an international line up of artists to include Min Xiao-Fen; Wu Na; Huang Ruo; Asian American Writers' Workshop; the cast of puppeteers from Peter and the Wolf and Matrix Music Collaborators. It is geared for all ages.
 
Program:
Drunken Man by Jiu Kuang, based on a famous poet of the western Jin dynasty (265 -420)
Blue Pipa (inspired by Miles Davis) by Min Xiao-Fen
The North of Sunset by Thelonius Monk, arr. by Min Xiao-Fen
Mo (dedicated to the victims of the Sichuan earthquake) by Min Xiao Fen and Wu Na. Performed by Min Xiao-Fen, pipa / Wu Na, qin Four Fragments for solo violin by Huang Ruo
Performed by Yoon Kwon, violin
Oblivion by Astor Piazzolla
Performed by Matrix Music Collaborators
Excerpts from THE JOY LUCK CLUB a play by Susan Kim, adapted from the novel by Amy Tan with direction & musical staging by Tisa Chang
 Performed by Pan Asian Repertory Theatre
"Super Cop World" video installation featuring mighty Mario and Jackie Chan
Designed by Eric Siu
Peter and the Wolf, Op. 57 by Sergei Prokofiev

Performed by puppeteers: Deborah Hertzberg; Serra Hirsch; Daniel Irizarry; Mary Robinette Kowal; Chris McLaughlin; Jessica Scott; Meghan Williams, directed by Jane Catherine Shaw and Terry O'Reilly with Matrix Music Collaborators under the direction of Sheryl Lee
 
For more than 30 years, Pan Asian Repertory Theatre, guided by founding Artistic Producing Director, Tisa Chang, has been creating critically acclaimed and innovative Off Broadway premieres for audiences in New York City, nationally and internationally. Pan Asian Rep celebrates the artistic expressiveness of Asian and American theatre artists working under the highest standards of professional excellence. Pan Asian Rep has produced over 100 productions, with highlights including last fall's  "The Joy Luck Club"; "Rashomon", which toured to Havana, Cuba; and the masterpiece, "Shogun MacBeth", coming this November to the Julia Miles Theater.  www.panasianrep.org.

For more than 60 years, UNICEF has been the world's leading international children's organization, working in over 150 countries to address the ongoing issues that affect why kids are dying. UNICEF provides lifesaving nutrition, clean water, education, protection and emergency response saving more young lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world.  While millions of children die every year of preventable causes like dehydration, upper respiratory infections and measles, UNICEF, with the support of partnering organizations and donors alike, has the global experience, resources and reach to give children the best hope of survival.  For more information about UNICEF, please visit www.unicefusa.org.

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