David Henry Hwang Theater at the Union Center for the Arts 120 Judge John Aiso Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

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The Nation’s Premier Asian American Theatre

eastwestplayers.org #eastwestplayers A WELCOME FROM EAST WEST PLAYERS’ PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Producing Artistic Director Snehal Desai and Council of Governors Co-Chair George Takei

I have always believed that theater is a place where challenging questions can be raised, and where, through the power of storytelling, a community can come together to bear witness, affect , change, and engage in civil discourse about issues that affect our world. FOUNDED IN 1965 Since the US presidential election, I have been thinking a lot about the community that East West Players has created over the last 52 years, where artists, storytellers, and changemakers have gathered to create, inform, and respond to the society we live in. It’s this reflection on existing strong partnerships and new connections that leads us to our 52nd Anniversary Season, The Company We Keep, which focuses on our community in the past, present, and future.

We start the season with a special add-on event, Kaidan Project: Walls Grow Thin, in association with Rogue Artists Ensemble, which is a site-specific, immersive theatrical experience inspired EAST by the Japanese ghost stories of the same name. We continue with a revival of award-winning playwright Philip Kan Gotanda’s Yohen, in partnership with The Robey Theatre Company and with Danny Glover reprising his starring role from our 1999 co-production. We follow with the Los Angeles premiere of the award-winning Broadway musical Allegiance, which is inspired by the life of EWP Council of Governors Co-Chair George Takei. Allegiance is presented in partnership with the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center, and we are proud to present the first production WEST of this timely and moving musical since its bow on Broadway. We are also thrilled to partner with Center Theatre Group for the world premiere of Soft Power by David Henry Hwang and Jeanine Tesori at the Ahmanson Theatre. We close our season with the world premiere of As We Babble On by Nathan Ramos, winner of our 2042: See Change playwriting contest, presented in partnership with the Los Angeles LGBT Center.

On behalf of our Board of Directors, artists, and staff, thank you for your support. As the PLAYERS longest-running theater of color in the country, we are so proud to present our 52nd season to you, IS THE NATION’S LONGEST-RUNNING PROFESSIONAL THEATER our beloved community. You are the company we keep, and we look forward to spending more time OF COLOR AND THE LARGEST PRODUCING ORGANIZATION with you. See you at the theater! OF ASIAN AMERICAN ARTISTIC WORK. Snehal Desai Producing Artistic Director ACCLAIMED REVIVAL

The Robey Theatre Company and East West Players with Generous Support from the S. Mark Taper Foundation present DANNY GLOVER IN YOHEN by Philip Kan Gotanda Directed by Ben Guillory

OCTOBER 26 - NOVEMBER 19, 2017

In Japanese pottery, the term “yohen” refers to unpredictable changes that take place in the kiln. James and Sumi Washington are an interracial couple struggling to maintain their 37-year marriage after James retires from the US Army. The dramatic change in routine prompts questions about life, love, and aging, as the couple attempts to repair what’s broken and decide what is worth saving.

About The Robey Theatre Company: The Robey Theatre Company explores, develops, and produces provocative plays written about the Global Black Experience, as seen through the eyes of Black characters on stage struggling to survive, advance, and in the end—thrive.

robeytheatrecompany.com

VENUE: DAVID HENRY HWANG THEATER 120 Judge John Aiso Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 LOS ANGELES PREMIERE

East West Players and the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center By Special Arrangement with Sing Out, Louise! Productions & ATA present

Music and Lyrics by Jay Kuo Book by Marc Acito, Jay Kuo, and Lorenzo Thione Directed by Snehal Desai Musical Direction by Marc Macalintal STARRING GEORGE TAKEI FEBRUARY 21 - APRIL 1, 2018

Inspired by true events, the Broadway musical Allegiance is the story of the Kimura family, whose lives are upended when they and 120,000 other Japanese-Americans are forced to leave their homes following the events of Pearl Harbor. An uplifting testament to the power of the human spirit, Allegiance follows the Kimuras as they fight between duty and defiance, custom and change, family bonds and forbidden loves.

About the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center: Founded in 1971, the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC) is one of the largest ethnic arts and cultural centers of its kind in the United States and a hub for Japanese and Japanese American arts and culture in Southern California.

JACCC.org

VENUE: ARATANI THEATRE 244 S. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 WORLD PREMIERE

East West Players In Association with the Los Angeles LGBT Center with Generous Support from the S. Mark Taper Foundation presents AS WE BABBLE ON by Nathan Ramos Directed by Alison De La Cruz

WINNER OF EAST WEST PLAYERS’ 2042: SEE CHANGE PLAYWRITING COMPETITION MAY 31 - JUNE 24, 2018

As We Babble On explores the pursuit of success, its costs, and conquering the Swedish BIGBOX. Benji, a first-generation Asian American, struggles in New York City to find his voice as his writing career stalls. As the professional paths of his best friend Sheila and his half sister Laura begin to blossom, he begins to unravel. As We Babble On explores what lengths we are willing to go to realize our dreams, whether morality is tied to upward mobility, and whether boxed wine and soda is an appropriate sangria recipe after the age of 24.

About the Los Angeles LGBT Center: Since 1969, the Los Angeles LGBT Center has cared for, championed, and celebrated LGBT individuals and families in Los Angeles and beyond.

lalgbtcenter.org

VENUE: DAVID HENRY HWANG THEATER 120 Judge John Aiso Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 SPECIAL EVENT SPECIAL EVENT

East West Players Center Theatre Group with Generous Support from Venturous Theater Fund of the Tides Foundation In Association with East West Players presents presents Rogue Artists Ensemble’s KAIDAN PROJECT: WALLS GROW THIN by David Henry Hwang Music by Jeanine Tesori by Lisa Dring and Chelsea Sutton with Rogue Artists Ensemble Choreography by Sam Pinkleton Directed by Leigh Silverman Directed by Sean T. Cawelti MAY 3 - JUNE 10, 2018* OCTOBER 5 - NOVEMBER 5, 2017 *May 8-12, 2018 are the available dates for EWP subscribers Hilariously provocative, what begins as a contemporary play bursts into a musical set in A voice calls out through the darkness, drowning us in echoes of wells and graveyards, in the future in this seductive world premiere by Tony Award® winner David Henry Hwang tangles of hair and snow, in sharp reflections of our darkest and most human moments. (Yellow Face, M. Butterfly). A beloved East-meets-West musical, China’s 21st-century Kaidan Project: Walls Grow Thin is a multi-sensory, site-specific experience refracting rise and a theatre company gala collide to make mayhem—and some beautiful music. ancient Japanese ghost stories through a modern, multi-cultural lens, revealing the noise Inspired by the West’s often ridiculously inauthentic portrayals of Asia, Soft Power is a of our histories and the silences that haunt us. A small group of audience members enters Center Theatre Group commission and the first collaboration between two of America’s a room, guided by a voice, each room a different story — will you complete the ritual? great theatre artists: Hwang and Tony Award-winning composer Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home).

About Rogue Artists Ensemble: About Center Theatre Group: Founded in 2001, Rogue Artists Ensemble is a collective of multi-disciplinary Center Theatre Group, one of the nation’s preeminent arts and cultural organizations, is artists that creates Hyper-theater, an innovative hybrid of theater traditions, Los Angeles’ leading nonprofit theatre company, programming seasons at the 736-seat puppetry, mask work, dance, music, and modern technology. Mark Taper Forum and 1,600 to 2,000-seat Ahmanson Theatre at The Music Center in Downtown Los Angeles, and the 317-seat Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. rogueartists.org centertheatregroup.org VENUE: A SECRET MID-CITY, SIX-STORY WAREHOUSE BUILT IN 1927 VENUE: THE AHMANSON THEATRE (revealed after tickets have been purchased) 135 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012 As the nation’s premier Asian American For the first time in its history, East West theater organization, East West Players Players launched a playwrights group in 2017. OUR LEADERSHIP produces artistic works and educational East West Players continues the development COUNCIL OF GOVERNORS Rose Chan Loui Meredith Patt programs that foster dialogue exploring of new works by partnering with the Oregon Carmen J. Smith Audience Services Manager Asian Pacific experiences. Shakespeare Festival, Pasadena Playhouse, George and Brad Takei Jeff Yang New Musicals Inc., and the University of Chairs Rosie Narasaki PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Southern California. Each year, our ARTISTIC DIRECTORS EMERITI Development Assistant Writers Gallery series, in partnership Maoyeh Lu and Ellen Wu The Alliance of Creative Talent Services with the Japanese American National Museum, Randall and Mari Tamura Mako (d.) Christopher Aguilar (ACTS) is a career development program that presents staged readings of new plays Lynn Waggoner Nobu McCarthy (d.) Marc Ferrer brings visibility of Asian American artists in the Fall and Spring. Tim Dang Meds Medina to casting directors, producers, and other BOARD OF DIRECTORS House Managers executives. ACTS is the only industry-based ARTS EDUCATION STAFF career development program at an Asian Randall Tamura East West Players Pacific American (APA) theater in the country Our Theater for Youth (TFY) program inspires Co-Chair & Treasurer Snehal Desai David Henry Hwang Theater at and the largest APA talent resource. East West students to discover the prominent role Asian Producing Artistic Director the Union Center for the Arts Players’ Actors Conservatory offers classes to Pacific Americans have played in our history. Lynn Waggoner 120 Judge John Aiso Street over 100 students, such as Fundamentals of TFY produces an original touring production Co-Chair Nora DeVeau-Rosen Los Angeles, CA 90012 Acting, Voice (singing), Commercial Auditions, with professional actors, set, and sound that General Manager (213) 625-7000 and Shakespeare from introduction to master is performed at partner schools, local colleges, Peter Shimamoto www.eastwestplayers.org classes, all taught by industry professionals. and public libraries across Southern California. Vice President Carolina San Juan #eastwestplayers Partners in Education and Arts Collaboration Arts Education Director LITERARY PROGRAMS (PEAC) brings professional artists into after- Albert E. Aubin school programs, teaching acting and writing Secretary Monika Ramnath The David Henry Hwang Writers Institute while building confidence, communication Development Manager (DHHWI) is the most active Asian Pacific skills, and improving grades. Daniel M. Mayeda American playwright development program Legal Counsel Andy Lowe in the country. DHHWI offers a series of For more information, please visit Production Manager writing classes designed to foster new www.eastwestplayers.org. Jason Blackwell work for the stage. Photos of Kentucky (top left), Free Outgoing (center), and Kin W. Cheng Patricia Tumang Next to Normal (bottom left) are by Michael Lamont. All Snehal Desai PR/Marketing Manager other photos are by Mike Palma, unless otherwise noted. STEP 1. CHOOSE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION YES, I WANT TO BE AN EAST WEST PLAYERS SUBSCRIBER! Opening Night Sub Preferred Seating Series A x $280 = SERIES DATE & TIME YOHEN ALLEGIANCE** AS WE BABBLE ON AA preview Saturday 8 PM 10/28/17 2/24/18 6/2/18 Opening Night Sub Orchestra Series A x $250 = BB preview Sunday 2 PM 10/29/17 2/25/18 6/3/18 General Sub Preferred Seating x $195 = Series A Opening Night Wednesday 8 PM 11/1/17 2/28/18 6/6/18 General Sub Orchestra x $150 = B Thursday 8 PM 11/2/17 3/01/18 6/7/18 C Friday 8 PM 11/3/17 3/02/18 6/8/18 General Student/Senior Sub Orchestra x $135 = (full-time students with an ID or adults 60 & over) D Saturday 8 PM 11/4/17 3/03/18 6/9/18 Preview Sub Series circle one: AA or BB x $110 = E Sunday 2 PM 11/5/17 3/04/18 6/10/18

Service & Handling Fee per subscription x $10 = F Thursday 8 PM 11/9/17 3/08/18 6/14/18 G Friday 8 PM 11/10/17 3/09/18 6/15/18 SUBSCRIPTION TOTAL: Saturday 2 PM SEASON ADD-ON SPECIAL EVENTS (OPTIONAL) We will contact you to schedule your performance date(s) H 11/11/17 3/10/18 6/16/18 # OF TICKETS J Saturday 8 PM 11/11/17 3/10/18 6/16/18 KAIDAN PROJECT: WALLS GROW THIN x $60 = K Sunday 2 PM 11/12/17 3/11/18 6/17/18 SOFT POWER May 8-12, 2018 are the available dates for EWP subscribers. # OF PREMIUM TICKETS (Center Orchestra or Center Mezzanine) x $117 = L Thursday 8 PM 11/16/17 3/15/18 6/21/18 # OF PRICE LEVEL B TICKETS (Side/Rear Center Orch, Side Mezz, or Side Balcony) x $67 = M Friday 8 PM 11/17/17 3/16/18 6/22/18 # OF PRICE LEVEL C TICKETS (Side/Rear Orchestra or Side Balcony) x $44 = N Saturday 2 PM 11/18/17 3/17/18 6/23/18 DONATION (OPTIONAL): O Saturday 8 PM 11/18/17 3/17/18 6/23/18 EVENT TICKETS TOTAL: P Sunday 2 PM 11/19/17 3/18/18 6/24/18 STEP GRAND TOTAL: ** ALLEGIANCE will be performed at the Aratani Theatre. Your seating at the Aratani Theatre will be comparable to your subscription level. 2. TELL US WHEN YOU WANT TO ATTEND (If selecting Preview or Opening Night subscriptions, skip to step 3) I WANT A SERIES WITH THE SAME SEATS AND MY TICKETS MAILED IN ADVANCE: SERIES (CHOOSE SERIES B - P) FLEXIBLE OPTIONS I DON’T WANT A SERIES, BUT I KNOW WHEN I WANT TO COME AND I WANT MY TICKETS MAILED IN ADVANCE FOR SUBSCRIBING! Not available for previews and Opening Night 1. SELECT A SERIES AND HAVE YOUR DATES & YOHEN DATE TIME SEATS LOCKED IN FOR THE SEASON ALLEGIANCE DATE TIME 2. PICK ANY DATES LISTED ABOVE FOR EACH SHOW* AS WE BABBLE ON DATE TIME 3. TELL US LATER WHEN YOU WANT TO ATTEND I’LL LET YOU KNOW LATER WHEN I WANT TO ATTEND EACH SHOW, AND I’LL PICK UP MY TICKETS AT THE BOX OFFICE EACH SHOW AROUND YOUR SCHEDULE* STEP 3. FILL IN FORM *Does not apply to Preview or Opening Night subscriptions NAME PAYMENT TYPE: CHECK ENCLOSED

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CITY STATE ZIP CARD NUMBER Dates, plays, and prices are subject to change. Payment is processed immediately upon receipt of order, after which no PHONE EXP. CVV. cancellations or refunds are issued. Single tickets are exchangeable for a $5 per ticket fee plus any ticket price difference. Subscribers may exchange tickets once per show with no fee, but are subject to ticket price differences. After that, EMAIL SIGNATURE subscribers will be subject to the $5 per ticket exchange fee, plus any ticket price differences. If you are unable to attend PLACE YOUR ORDER: (1) ONLINE AT EASTWESTPLAYERS.ORG (2) CALL (213) 625-7000, M-F, 11AM-5PM a performance, you may choose to convert your ticket to a charitable donation. East West Players is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (3) MAIL FORM TO EAST WEST PLAYERS, 120 JUDGE JOHN AISO STREET, 4TH FLOOR, LOS ANGELES, CA 90012 organization. Tax ID #95-6151775. Donations are tax-deductable as permitted by law.