Check out this week's list of new and upcoming book, music, and film releases, including a Hadestown lyric book, new music from Telly Leung, Melissa Errico, and more!
Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation, the not-for-profit foundation of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, announced today that nominations for the Zelda Fichandler Award are now being accepted through July 10, 2020.
East West Players (EWP), the nation's longest-running professional theater of color and the largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work, celebrates WE ARE THE ONES WE ARE WAITING FOR, its 54th Anniversary season with the Annual Visionary Awards Dinner & Silent Auction. Recognizing the achievements of individuals who have raised the visibility of the Asian Pacific American (APA) community through their craft, the gala fundraiser takes place on Monday, April 27, 2020 at the Hilton Universal City. Proceeds benefit East West Players' educational and artistic programs. This year EWP will honor:
Next up for L.A. Theatre Works will be Qui Nguyen's VIETGONE, set to be recorded live at the James Bridges Theater on the UCLA campus for four performances beginning January 24, 2020. East West Players' Producing Artistic Director Emeritus Tim Dang will direct this semi-fictional tale of how Qui's parents met in an Arkansas relocation camp. The talented cast includes Will Dao, Desirée Mee Jung, Greg Watanabe, Paul Yen and Jeena Yi. I grabbed the opportunity, after all these years of knowing him, to interview the creative force behind the early development of the East West Players - Tim Dang.
Vietgone a?" East West Players producing artistic director emeritus Tim Dang directs Will Dao, Desirée Mee Jung, Greg Watanabe, Paul Yen and Jeena Yi in Qui Nguyen's hilarious, a?oeprobably-mostly-truea?? version of how his parents met and built a life for themselves in a new land. Set in 1975 a?" just after the fall of Saigon a?" this epic, award-winning play repurposes pop culture from the last 40 years to tell the story of two Vietnamese refugees who meet in an Arkansas relocation camp before setting out on a rip-roaring road trip across America. Equal parts buddy story, all-American romance and motorcycle adventure, Vietgone sizzles to a smart, sassy and raucous hip-hop soundtrack by Shane Rettig.
Vietgone - East West Players producing artistic director emeritus Tim Dang directs Desirée Mee Jung, Will Dao, Greg Watanabe and Jeena Yi in Qui Nguyen's hilarious, 'probably-mostly-true' version of how his parents met and built a life for themselves in a new land. Set in 1975 - just after the fall of Saigon - this epic, award-winning play repurposes pop culture from the last 40 years to tell the story of two Vietnamese refugees who meet in an Arkansas relocation camp before setting out on a rip-roaring road trip across America. Equal parts buddy story, all-American romance and motorcycle adventure, Vietgone sizzles to a smart, sassy and raucous hip-hop soundtrack by Shane Rettig.
L.A. Theatre Works has announced its 2019-20 season of seven plays, each of which will be recorded in front of a live audience for future radio broadcast and online distribution. Performances take place at the James Bridges Theater, located on the campus of UCLA in West Los Angeles. In addition, the company will introduce audiences to its signature style of radio theater at venues across the country during its 16th annual national tour.
Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF), the not-for-profit foundation of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), announced today that nominations for the Zelda Fichandler Award, for a director or choreographer who is transforming theatre in the Central Region, are now being accepted through July 2, 2019.
MainStreet Theatre Company presents, "The Emperor's Nightingale" by Damon Chua at the Lewis Family Playhouse in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Directed by Tim Dang, Choreographed by Tom Tsai, featuring music composed and arranged by Howard Ho.
The treasured tale by Hans Christian Andersen of a wise bird that helps save a kingdom gets a new twist in this adaptation set in 18th-century China. The West Coast Premiere of The Emperor's Nightingale by Damon Chua, directed by Tim Dang, opens May 4th and runs through May 19th at the Lewis Family Playhouse. Tickets are priced at $18.00 for General admission, and $16.00 for Seniors and Youth up to age 12.
Set in Stockton, California in 1946,Philip Kan Gotanda's acclaimed play about a Japanese-American family returning home after time in an Arkansas internment camp during World War II takes on renewed resonance as current government policies and rhetoric continue to inflame anti-immigrant sentiment. Starring Keiko Agena (Better Call Saul, 13 Reasons Why),June Angela (Tony and Drama Desk nominee forShogun on Broadway, The Electric Circus on PBS) and Suzy Nakamura (ABC's The Goldbergs, Blackish, Dr. Ken) as the sisters, with Greg Watanabe (Allegiance on Broadway, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Watch Over Me) and Ryun Yu (Hold These Truths at East West Players, Pasadena Playhouse), as their husbands.
The Consortium of Asian American Theaters & Artists (CAATA), dedicated to advancing the field of Asian American theater, announces Chicago as the host city for the Sixth National Asian American Theater Conference and Festival (ConFest), to be held August 13 - 18. ConFest Early Bird passes start at $350 and are available at CAATA.net beginning Wednesday, May 16 at 10 a.m.
MainStreet Theatre Company, the resident professional company at the Lewis Family Playhouse, has special treats in store for the thousands of school groups and families who make up the bulk of their audiences. "I'm so excited to announce our 13th season", says Mireya Hepner, MainStreet's Producer. "We always strive to share stories that the kids and families will not only enjoy, but will send positive messages, as well. The three offerings next season are very different from each other, but all are geared for families to enjoy together. Our season includes a nostalgic musical, a magical introduction to contemporary dance based on a beloved book, and a new take on an age-old story."
The Consortium of Asian American Theaters & Artists (CAATA), dedicated to advancing the field of Asian American theater, announces Chicago as the host city for the Sixth National Asian American Theater Conference and Festival (ConFest), to be held August 13 - 18. ConFest Early Bird passes start at $350 and are available at CAATA.net.
Geva Theatre Center unveils the play chosen for Plays in Progress 2018 to be held in the Fielding Stage on April 16. Plays in Progress are vibrant and innovative plays by some of the most exciting playwrights working today. Through Geva's Plays in Progress program, writers can hear their work performed, discuss the play with the audience and then continue to work on the play to its next level. This year's play, Panorama by Prince Gomolvilas, has been commissioned by Geva as part of the theatre's "Rochester Stories" program.
Playwrights' Arena, the only theater created and dedicated to producing bold new works for the stage written exclusively by Los Angeles playwrights, will be celebrating its 26th Anniversary with their annual fundraising gala, HOT NIGHT IN THE CITY. The event will be held at Barnsdall Gallery Theater, 4800 Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, starting at 7:30 PM (with a VIP reception beginning at 6 PM). For tickets go to www.playwrightsarena.org or call 800-838-3006.
The 28th Annual LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards, celebrating theatrical excellence and achievement throughout Los Angeles, were presented on Monday, January 29, at the Theatre at Ace Hotel in downtown LA.
Presenters have been announced for the 28th Annual LA STAGE Alliance Ovation Awards on Monday, January 29, at the Theatre at Ace Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. Red carpet arrivals will begin at 6pm and the ceremony, hosted by Kirsten Vangsness, is set to begin at 7:30pm.
Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF), the not-for-profit foundation of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, just presented its first annual 'SDC Foundation Awards: A Celebration of Excellence in Directing and Choreography.'
