East West Players Announces Its 53rd 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 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).

"For our 53rd season, I reflected on the surreal times that we live in and, in particular, the experience of what it means to be considered a 'foreigner.' To be an immigrant or a refugee-someone that crosses local and international borders-and the shock that one feels when being cast out or placed in the middle of another culture. Our season explores what it means to be an immigrant in this country and an 'American' abroad. How do we overcome the disorientation of political and cultural shocks, and when the boundary lines of propriety are breached? To that end, this season is about disrupting the status quo, taking charge of the 'outsider' narrative, and producing some cultural shocks of our own," says EWP Producing Artistic Director Snehal Desai.

EWP's 53rd season commences with the Los Angeles premiere of Vietgone, written by Qui Nguyen and directed by Jennifer Chang. Vietgone spins a modern twist on the classic boy-meets-girl story: Quang and Tong are refugees fleeing the Vietnam War, who hook up and fall in love in a relocation camp in Arkansas. Bold, and fearless, Vietgone takes audiences on a hilariously rip-roaring ride across 1970s America with a hot soundtrack that serves up hip-hop, sass, and revolution. Performances run from October 18 - November 11, 2018.

Next is the world premiere of Man of God, written by Anna Moench and directed by Jesca Prudencio. A hidden discovery in a hotel bathroom changes the lives of four Korean Christian girls on a mission trip to Thailand. Samantha is hurt that someone she trusted could betray her. Jen is worried about how this might affect her college applications. Kyung-Hwa thinks everyone should adjust their expectations. Mimi's out for blood. Amid the neon lights and go go bars in Bangkok, the girls plot revenge in this funny, feminist thriller. Performances run from January 31 - February 24, 2019.

EWP's 53rd season closes with an award-winning Broadway musical (to be announced at a later date). Performances run from May 9 - June 9, 2019.

Throughout the year, East West Players will also be presenting a series of community conversations and readings of new works titled, Counter-Culture.

All performances will take place at East West Players' David Henry Hwang Theater at the Union Center for the Arts at 120 Judge John Aiso Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Single ticket sales will be announced in August 2018. Season subscription options are available at www.eastwestplayers.org. For forthcoming information about the 53rd season, please visit www.eastwestplayers.org or call (213) 625-7000. Dates, details, and ticket prices are subject to change.

As the nation's premier Asian American theatre organization, East West Players produces artistic work and educational programs that foster dialogue exploring Asian Pacific Islander (API) experiences. Founded in 1965, at a time when APIs faced limited or no opportunities to see their experiences reflected outside of stereotypical and demeaning caricatures in the American landscape, EWP not only ensures that API stories are told, but works to increase access, inclusion, and representation in the economy.

For more information about East West Players, please visit www.eastwestplayers.org.

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