East West Players Announce ENCOUNTER, 9/6-10/6

East West Players (EWP), the nation's largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work and the longest-running professional theatre of color in the country, opens its 47^th Anniversary season, themed Spirited Away, with the critically-acclaimed dance theatre production ENCOUNTER. Previews run September 6-9, and the performance run continues through October 6, 2012.

“Navarasa Dance Theatre enthralled the Los Angeles arts community with an excerpt of ENCOUNTER at the 2011 Asian American Theater Conference and Festival here in LA,” says Tim Dang, Producing Artistic Director of East West Players. “In our commitment to presenting South Asian performances, East West Players is thrilled that the greater Los Angeles audience will be able to experience this stunning work.” 

ENCOUNTER is a dance theatre production that unearths various kinds of encounters, with the Divine, the Self, Love, Bob Marley, and the military. ENCOUNTER explores imageries from history and from around the world - whether it is Native American history or indigenous peoples’ history globally, or a modern day occurrence in Iraq, Afghanistan or Rwanda. 

ENCOUNTER is based on a story about an indigenous woman, Dopdi, inspired by Magsaysay award-winning writer Mahasweta Devi’s work and adapted for the stage by S M Raju and Aparna Sindhoor. Veteran Indian actor, Dr. Mohan Agashe says, “[Encounter] is a powerful piece.  It is gorgeously staged. The dances are beautiful, and the impact of the show makes one think about it for a long time.”

ENCOUNTER is written by Aparna Sindhoor, S M Raju and Anil Natyaveda; Directed and Choreographed by Aparna Sindhoor and Anil Natyaveda; Music by Isaac Thomas Kottukapally; and inspired by a short story by Mahasweta Devi.

Navarasa Dance Theater was founded by renowned dancer/choreographer Dr. Aparna Sindhoor in 1991. Inspired by the eclectic performing arts traditions, boldly knitting together dance, singing, martial arts, and original music into seamless theatrical presentations, Navarasa’s multilayered, multilingual productions inspire, engage and entertain audiences around the world.  Original movement vocabulary created by choreographers Aparna Sindhoor and Anil Natyaveda along with theatrical narratives designed by S M Raju, Navarasa Dance Theater’s work is specific and universal at the same time.

All performances of ENCOUNTER will be staged at the David Henry Hwang Theater at the Union Center for the Arts at 120 Judge John Aiso St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. Regular performance run is September 13 - October 7^th. Opening night on September 12, 2012 will be accompanied by a pre-performance cocktail reception and a post-show reception with the cast and creative team. Performances are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm. Previews are Thursday - Saturday, September 6 - 8 at 8pm and Sunday, September 9 at 2pm. The Pay-What-You-Can Performance will be held Thursday, September 13 at 8 pm.

            General Admission Tickets range from $26 - $36. Preview tickets are $21. Please call theatre for opening night ticket availability and special event pricing. For ticket purchases 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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