East West Players Brings 'SIDES' to LA, 9/20-10/1

East West Players will present the first show of its 41st Anniversary Season, SIDES: The Fear is Real... in association with Mr. Miyagi's Theatre Company of New York City.  SIDES opens on September 20, 2006 and closes on October 1, 2006. 

"Keeping true to East West Players' title as the nation's premier Asian American theatre organization, SIDES: The Fear is Real... follows six hopeful actors through true life audition nightmares in their quest for employment.  The audience is treated to their mishaps and misadventures as they struggle against terrible scripts, psychotic casting directors, and competitive colleagues that stand in their way.  In a series of comedic vignettes and scenes, these actors bravely face their fears and almost triumph!," according to production notes.

Written and performed by Sekiya Billman, Cindy Cheung, Paul H. Juhn, Peter Kim, Hoon Lee & Rodney To, and directed by Anne Kauffman, SIDES: The Fear is Real... was first produced by Ma-Yi Theater Company, New York, New York.  The production was presented by the New York International Fringe Festival, a production of the Present Company, where it won the Best Ensemble Award in 2003.

SIDES: The Fear is Real... comes to Los Angeles after several critically-acclaimed sold out runs in New York. 

The creative team includes set designer Mitsuhara Isa, lighting designer Guido Girardi, costume designer Elizabeth Flauto and stage manager Courtney Caplin.

All performances will be held 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. Opening night will be accompanied by a gala reception with the cast and crew.  Performances are Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturdays at 8 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm.  Previews are Saturday, September 16 at 8 pm and Sunday, September 17 at 2 pm.  An American Sign Language-interpreted performance is scheduled for Sunday, October 1 at 2 pm.

General ticket prices are $35 in the orchestra and $30 in the balcony. Preview tickets are $20 for all seats.  Opening night tickets are $60 for all seats.  Tickets go on sale September 4 or can be purchased now with a subscription to East West Players' 41st Anniversary Season.  For ticket purchases, subscription requests or more information, please call East West Players at (213) 625-7000 or visit www.eastwestplayers.org.  Senior, student and group discounts are available.