East West Players Features CRIMES OF THE HEART, et. al. in 2010-2011

East West Players (EWP), the nation's premiere Asian American theater, announces its 45th Anniversary Season, running from September 2010 to June 2011. This season, themed "Shake It Up" includes MYSTERIOUS SKIN by Prince Gomolvilas based on the novel by Scott Heim, CRIMES OF THE HEART by Beth Henley, WRINKLES by Paul Kikuchi, and KRUNK FU BATTLE BATTLE with book by Qui Nguyen, lyrics by Beau Sia and vocal music by Marc Macalintal.

WRINKLES: Unbeknownst to his daughter and grandson, 73 year-old Nisei Harry Fukutani is an internet sensation. But to view his work, one has to turn off the parental filter and have a valid credit card. The sticky comedy about sex, lies, and Tiger Balm is written by Paul Kikuchi and directed by Jeff Liu. WRINKLES will run February 10 - March 13, 2011. The world premiere of this play was developed in the EWP David Henry Hwang Writers Institute. Generous support for this production is provided by the S. Mark Taper Foundation Endowment for East West Players.

Born and raised in Pasadena, California, playwright/screenwriter/substitute teacher Paul Kikuchi is a third generation Japanese American. He attended UC Santa Barbara where he received a BA in English literature. His first play, IXNAY, had its world premiere at East West Players in 2009.

KRUNK FU BATTLE BATTLE: Under the guidance of Sir Master Cert, young Norman Lee battles the baddest b-boy crew at Sunset Park High for respect, honor, and the heart of sweet Cindy Chang. The hip-hop musical is written by by Qui Nguyen with lyrics by Beau Sia and vocal music by Marc Macalintal; it is directed by Tim Dang. KRUNK FU BATTLE BATTLE will run May 12 - June 26, 2011. Generous support for this production is provided by the S. Mark Taper Foundation Endowment for East West Players.

Originally from Arkansas, Qui Nguyen is a Brooklyn-based Writer and Fight Director. As Co-Artistic Director/Co-founder of Vampire Cowboys productions in NY, his scripts include the critically acclaimed SOUL SAMURAI and FIGHT GIRL WORLD BATTLE. Qui is a member of New Dramatists, a co-director of the Ma-Yi Writers Lab, an alumnus of Youngblood, and the stage combat instructor for Columbia University.

Beau Sia is a Chinese-American poet from Oklahoma City. Beau has been featured in the award-winning film Slam and the documentary Slam Nation. As an author, Beau wrote the poetry book, A Night Without Armor II: The Revenge. His one man show, Fish Out of Water won the 2004 Jury Prize for Best Alternative Show at the HBO Comedy Festival in Aspen, Colorado.

Marc Macalintal's musical direction credits include: GUYS AND DOLLS, YOU'RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN, and East West Players' PIPPIN. Marc is the artistic director of Room To Improv, an Asian American improv group in Studio City, California.

Additional funding is provided by the California Community Foundation, the James Irvine Foundation, the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, the Shubert Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the LA County Arts Commission and the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.

All performances 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. Season Subscriptions are available with General Subscriptions starting at $125. Wednesday, Thursday, Student, and Senior Subscriptions are discounted to $110. Preview Subscriptions are $85. Opening Night subscriptions include pre-show cocktails and a post-show reception and are $200. Season Subscription purchases and additional information can be found at http://www.EastWestPlayers.org or by calling 213-625-7000. All plays and dates subject to change.