Cold Tofu Improv Presents GILMORE GIRLS Themed Show

Gilmore Girls star Keiko Agena joins Cold Tofu Improv for a night of comedy on Saturday, November 19 at 6 pm the Armory Center for the Arts in Pasadena. Tickets are available online at http://bit.ly/CTgilmoregirls.

Cold Tofu Improv is the nation's first Asian American improv and sketch group, dedicated to presenting diverse images of AAPIs in comedy. Joining Agena on stage are Cold Tofu Performing Cast members Jully Lee, Helen Ota, Mike Palma, Will Choi, Aaron Aoki, Jhemon Lee, Johnny Ye and musician Howard Ho.

Agena played Lane Kim in Gilmore Girls for seven years and reprises her role in the upcoming revival, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life premiering on Netflix later this month. She is well known in the Los Angeles improv scene, having studied at Upright Citizens Brigade, iO West and Groundlings, and performs with improv teams Ham Radio, RJP and Totally Heather.

"Cold Tofu has always endeavored to collaborate with the many creative artists in the Asian American community. In the past, we've performed with actors Amy Hill, Tamlyn Tomita and Rodney Kageyama, as well as Grammy Award-winning musicIan Daniel Ho and ABC7 news anchor David Ono," said Artistic Director Jully Lee.

"Last year, we approached Keiko about a possible collaboration, and the announcement of the Netflix return of Gilmore Girls made it a perfect time to plan a special event," Lee added.

A Night in Stars Hollow is a special fundraiser to benefit Cold Tofu and the work they do training the next generation of Asian American improvisors.

"Since 1981, Cold Tofu has been a committed group of individuals with passion for the arts, community and Asian American voice. The diversity of talent and care for providing students and members with lifelong skills and friendships has continually impressed us and is the reason why we are dedicated to this wonderful organization," said Kim Hayashi, co-president of the Board of Directors.

A Night in Stars Hollow pre-show entertainment features Beatles cover band The Fob Four. Food trucks Whole Sam and Kona Ice will be on-site selling their food. All tickets include hosted wine and beer.

The Armory Center for the Arts is located at 145 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103. To purchase tickets visit http://bit.ly/CTgilmoregirls. General Admission pre-sale tickets are $25, Walk-Up tickets are $30.

About COLD TOFU IMPROV

Founded in 1981, Cold Tofu Improv is the nation's premier Asian American comedy improv group. Under the leadership of its Artistic Director Jully Lee and its Core Performing Cast members, Cold Tofu Improv continues to grow and develop its distinctive brand of comedy.

In addition to performing all over Southern California, Cold Tofu Improv has presented improv shows throughout the nation from Seattle to Houston to Washington, D.C. (Smithsonian Institute), and in Vancouver, Canada. Through its outreach and educational programs, the acclaimed improv group has performed and taught workshops at campuses including USC, UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, Occidental College, Pomona College and the University of Washington. Cold Tofu Improv also offers specialized professional development improv workshops focusing on communication, team building, leadership and public speaking skills and has worked with Deloitte & Touche, Paramount Studios, Raytheon, Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics (LEAP), National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), Asian Professional Exchange, Leadership Inspirations (a high school leadership conference at Chapman University) and the Nisei Week Queen Candidates.

Cold Tofu Improv was founded by Marilyn Tokuda, Denice Kumagai, Judy Momii and Irma Escamilla who were looking for an environment where Asian Americans could explore comedy, as no comparable organization existed at that time. Under the 19-year leadership of former Artistic Director Helen H. Ota, Cold Tofu Improv grew to more than 25 members who performed improv shows regularly in historic Little Tokyo in Downtown Los Angeles, as well as at various events for community organizations, colleges, and museums. Cold Tofu Improv shares the thrill of performing improv and sketch, while training up-and-coming performers by providing improv workshops year-round. For more information about Cold Tofu Improv, visit www.ColdTofu.com.

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