Snehal Desai News

Creation myths and family histories meld in a wildly theatrical, startling new comedy that explores what it means to walk the edge between cultures. 

East West Players (EWP), the nation's longest-running professional theatre of color in the country and the largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work, is pleased to announce the second cohort of its Playwrights Group, providing space and artistic support over the course of a year for six writers of color. The 2019 program is led by playwright Alice Tuan and composed of writers from diverse backgrounds as part of EWP's 54th Anniversary Season.

East West Players (EWP), the nation's longest-running professional theatre of color in the country and the largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work, is pleased to announce its 54th Season, We Are the Ones We Are Waiting For. After a highly successful 53rd Anniversary Season, EWP's upcoming 2019/2020 season takes place from Summer 2019 through Spring 2020 and consists of four productions, including a Los Angeles Premiere, a West Coast Premiere, and co-productions with The Fountain Theatre and Pasadena Playhouse.

BroadwayWorld presents a comprehensive weekly roundup of regional stories around our Broadway World, which include videos, editor spotlights, regional reviews and more. This week, we feature Hugh Jackman's DEAR EVAN HANSEN Solo, Lea Michele's THE LITTLE MERMAID, SPONGEBOB on Tour and More!

East West Players' Producing Artistic Director Snehal Desai sharply directs his en pointe cast in a crowd-rousing production of non-stop Abba hits, the most joyous MAMMA MIA! Choreographer Preston Mui has created intricate, very FUN dance routines, deftly executed by all. Joan Almedilla as Donna Sheridan and Grace Yoo as her daughter Sophie - take this production to another celestial level.

East West Players (EWP), the nation's longest-running professional theater of color and the largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work, is pleased to announce the cast and creative team for award-winning Broadway musical Mamma Mia! With music and lyrics by Benny Andersson & Bjorn Ulvaeus, and book by Catherine Johnson, Mamma Mia! is directed by East West Players' Producing Artistic Director Snehal Desai, musical direction by Marc Macalintal, and choreography by Preston Mui. Mamma Mia! begins performances on May 9th and runs through June 9, 2019, with opening night on May 16, 2019.

On April 6, 13 and 14, 2019 at the Aratani Theatre at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center in LA's Little Tokyo, Pacific Opera Project (POP) presents its most ambitious production to date: the first ever true-to-story bilingual Madama Butterfly. With a new libretto written by POP Artistic Director Josh Shaw and Opera in the Heights Artistic Director Eiki Isomura, the production presents Puccini's story as if it actually happened and attempts to answer the question: How would Butterfly and Pinkerton communicate?

East West Players (EWP), the nation's longest-running professional theater of color and the largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work, is pleased to announce its nominations for the 29th Annual Ovation Awards, which will be held on Monday, January 28, at The Theatre at Ace Hotel. The annual Ovation Awards "are the only peer-judged theatre awards in Los Angeles, created to recognize excellence in theatrical performance, production, and design in the Greater Los Angeles area," according to LA STAGE Alliance, which administers the awards.

East West Players (EWP), the nation's longest-running professional theater of color and the largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work, is pleased to announce the appointment of five new members to the Board of Directors: Christine Chang, Alex Giza, Andrew Huynh, May Lee, and Nayan Shah. The new appointments hail from diverse backgrounds in law, media, education, e-commerce, and global management, and are avid supporters of the performing arts and Asian American theater. The size of EWP's Board of Directors has increased to 17 members from 12 members last year. 

East West Players (EWP), the nation's longest-running professional theater of color and the largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work, is pleased to announce the cast and creative team for the world premiere of Anna Moench's Man of God. Directed by Jesca Prudencio, Man of God begins performances on January 31 and runs until February 24, 2019, with opening night on February 7, 2019. 

East West Players (EWP), the nation's longest-running professional theater of color in the country and the largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work, is pleased to that announce that the award-winning Broadway musical Mamma Mia! will be part of its 53rd Anniversary Season, Culture Shock, which takes place from Fall 2018 through Summer 2019. With Music and Lyrics by Benny Andersson & Bjorn Ulvaeus, and Book by Catherine Johnson, Mamma Mia! will be directed by Snehal Desai and close out the season. Mamma Mia! begins performances on May 9, 2019 and runs until June 9, 2019, with opening night on May 16, 2019. 

East West Players (EWP), the nation's longest-running professional theater of color in the country and the largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work, is pleased to announce the cast and creative team for the Los Angeles premiere of Qui Nguyen's Vietgone, which the New York Times has hailed as "a raucous comedy" and Rolling Stone has described as "a wild, enjoyable ride." Directed by Jennifer Chang, Vietgone begins performances on October 18 and runs until November 11, 2018, with opening night on October 25, 2018.

East West Players (EWP), the nation's longest-running professional theater of color in the country and the largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work, is pleased to announce a new series of community conversations and readings titled, Counter-Culture, as part of its 53rd Anniversary Season, Culture Shock.

East West Players (EWP), the nation's longest-running professional theater of color and the largest producer of Asian American theatrical work, is pleased to announce that its signature EWP Night Market season kick-off event on Saturday, September 15, 2018 will honor Hon. Mark Ridley-Thomas, Supervisor on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors (Second District), and actor Gedde Watanabe (Sixteen Candles). Co-hosted by actress Mouzam Makkar (ABC's The Fix), EWP Night Market will feature tasting stations hosted by local restaurants, followed by an evening of performances. Proceeds of EWP Night Market support EWP's artistic and educational programs.

East West Players (EWP), the nation's longest-running professional theater of color and the largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work, is pleased to announce the hiring of Dora Quach as Development Manager, specializing in Individual Giving. This new hire arrives during a period of significant growth and visibility for the organization as it concludes its biggest and most successful 52nd Anniversary Season, The Company We Keep.

East West Players (EWP), the nation's longest-running professional theatre of color in the country and the largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work, is pleased to announce its 53rd Anniversary Season, Culture Shock. On the heels of EWP's record-breaking 52nd Anniversary Season, the upcoming 2018/2019 season takes place from Fall 2018 through Summer 2019 and consists of three productions, including a world premiere, a Los Angeles premiere, and an award-winning Broadway musical (to be announced at a later date).

East West Players (EWP), in association with the Los Angeles LGBT Center, is pleased to announce the cast and creative team for the world premiere of Nathan Ramos' As We Babble On, which was the winner of East West Players' 2042: See Change Playwriting Competition. Directed by Alison M. De La Cruz, Director of Performing Arts & Community Engagement at Japanese American Cultural & Community Center, As We Babble On begins performances on May 31 and runs until June 24, 2018, with opening night on June 6, 2018.

The world premiere of 'Soft Power' by David Henry Hwang (play and lyrics) and Jeanine Tesori opened last night at the Ahmanson Theatre. Check out photos from opening night below!

East West Players (EWP), the nation's longest-running professional theater of color and the largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work, has received a grant from Annenberg Foundation, a family foundation that is proud to support the arts, community, education, global issues, and development of nonprofit organizations. 

OPERA America, the national service organization for opera and the nation's leading champion of American opera, is pleased to announce the recipients of the second cycle of Innovation Grants, generously funded by the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation.