East West Players Presents One Night Only: On Broadway 8/20

On Saturday, August 20th, 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, will kick off its 46th season with One Night Only: On Broadway. This signature one night only benefit performance, directed by Marilyn Tokuda with musical direction by Marc Macalintal and produced by Kim Varhola, offers the fun and excitement of seeing Broadway talent on the East West Players stage.

"Over the years, East West Players has showcased some of the best Asian American acting and musical theatre talent. Our One Night Only fundraiser gives us the opportunity to celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander talent that have graced the Broadway stage," says Producing Artistic Director Tim Dang. "So many Asian performances have shattered the stereotype of Broadway's Great White Way."

Performers for the evening include Sandra Allen (Sunset Boulevard, Flower Drum Song), Joan Almedilla (Miss Saigon), Alan Ariano (Jerome Robbins' Broadway, Miss Saigon), Marcus Choi (Wicked, Flower Drum Song), Merle Dandridge (Tarzan, Aida, Spamalot), Takayo Fisher (The World of Suzie Wong), Alvin Ing (Pacific Overtures, Flower Drum Song), Jose Llana (Wonderland, Rent, Spelling Bee), Jodi Long (Flower Drum Song, Loose Ends), Marc Oka (Fosse, Shogun The Musical), Jennifer Paz (Les Miserables), Jenni Selma (Miss Saigon), Sab Shimono (Mame, Pacific Overtures), Yuka Takara (A Chorus Line, Mamma Mia!) and Gedde Watanabe (Pacific Overtures). Additional talent to be confirmed.

One Night Only: On Broadway will be held on Saturday, August 20th, 2011 at the David Henry Hwang Theater at the Union Center for the Arts located at 120 Judge John Aiso St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. The event starts at 6:00pm with a hosted bar and reception, catered by Simpang Asia, continues with the performance at 7:30pm, and concludes with a raffle drawing and dessert reception. The evening will include a special "Broadway in Los Angeles" raffle drawing. Courtesy of Center Theatre Group, patrons' names will be entered into the drawing based on the number of tickets purchased (i.e. buy four $250 tickets, get entered to win four times). The winner of the drawing may select one pair of tickets to one of these Broadway hits at the Ahmanson Theatre: American Idiot or Fela! or Warhorse. One Night Only: On Broadway is a benefit performance, and all proceeds will go toward East West Players' arts and education programs. Various levels of sponsorships are available ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. Single tickets are $250 for VIP, $100 in the orchestra and $60 in the balcony. For more information on sponsorship and tickets, visit www.eastwestplayers.org