East West Players Premieres WRINKLES, 2/16-3/13

East West Players (EWP), the nation's premier Asian American theatre, continues its 45th Anniversary season, themed Shake It Up, with the world premiere comedy WRINKLES by Paul Kikuchi, directed by Jeff Liu, presented in association with Keiro Senior HealthCare. The cast of the production includes Sab Shimono, Amy Hill, Elizabeth Ho, Ki Hong Lee, Scott Keiji Takeda, and Lisa Dring. Generous support for this production is provided by the S. Mark Taper Foundation Endowment for East West Players.
              
Grandpa Harry's got a big secret! In this comedy, unbeknownst to his adult daughter and 16-year-old grandson, 73-year-old Nisei Harry Fukutani is an internet sensation. But to view his work, you'd have to turn off the parental filter and have a valid credit card. A sticky comedy about sex, lies, and tiger balm. This play was developed in East West Players' David Henry Hwang Writers Institute.
              
"We are proud that Keiro Senior HealthCare is a community partner for WRINKLES. Despite the production being a laugh out loud comedy with situations that may be beyond imagination, the play uses art as a powerful tool in bringing up issues affecting senior citizens, their very active lifestyles and the dilemma that many of their adult children face as more and more of the "boomer" generation turns 65", says EWP Producing Artistic Director Tim Dang. "It is our hope that our community can use Keiro Senior HealthCare as a resource for questions about care, support and options for their older parents."
              
Since 1961, Keiro Senior HealthCare (Keiro Services), the largest healthcare provider serving the Japanese American community, has been an extension of family for over 60,000 older adults and their loved ones. Keiro promotes the highest quality of life for the residents who call Keiro "home." Keiro also promotes healthy "genki living" for residents and members of the community through The Institute for Healthy Aging at Keiro. Built on the cultural value of respecting our elders, Keiro offers a continuum of living options, including residential living, assisted living, intermediate care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation care, and memory support for residents who have Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive losses. Through The Institute for Healthy Aging, Keiro also partners with leading institutions to provide evidence-based wellness programs and resources so that residents and those living in the community may experience a healthy and fulfilling life. For nearly 50 years, a committed community, a competent and caring staff, hundreds of dedicated volunteers, and thousands of financial supporters have enabled Keiro to deliver compassionate care in a comfortable atmosphere, wherever older adults may live.                         

Additional funding for WRINKLES is provided by the James Irvine Foundation, the California Community Foundation, Shubert Foundation, The LA Board of Supervisors through the LA County Arts Commission, City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation.
              
All performances of WRINKLES 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. WRINKLES opens Wednesday, February 16, 2011 and closes on Sunday, March 13, 2011. Opening night will be accompanied by a pre-performance cocktail reception and a post-show reception with the cast and creative team. Performances are Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm. Previews are Thursday - Saturday, February 10 - 12 at 8pm and Sunday, February 13 at 2pm. The Pay-What-You-Can Performance will be held Thursday, February 17 at 8 pm with a suggested $5 minimum. The post-show discussions will be held on Thursday, February 17 and Sunday, February 27.
              
General Tickets range from $25 - $35. Preview tickets are $20 for all seats. Opening night tickets are $60 for all seats. Tickets are currently on sale. 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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