East West Players Launches 'EWP Gives Back' for Premiere of ROAD TO SAIGON

East West Players (EWP), the nation's premier Asian American theatre, has created a new program to help non-profit organizations raise extra funds: EWP GIVES BACK. Whether it's the non-profit organization itself or one that an individual, group or business wants to support, East West Players is offering to donate 20% of all regular-priced tickets sold with a special tracking code unique to that non-profit organization during the entire run of their upcoming original musical ROAD TO SAIGON (May 20 - June 13, which excludes previews and opening night). There is no "up-front" cost, no ticket minimum, and no pre-purchase necessary. Patrons merely need to use the code created specifically for the non-profit they're supporting when buying tickets so that their organization will be credited.

At $40 - $50 per regular-priced ticket, a hundred patrons using a unique code would allow EWP to donate $800 - $1000 back to their participating organization. At 1000 patrons, East West Players would give that non-profit organization $8,000 - $10,000. The more patrons of an organization and supporters of a cause that participate, the more EWP GIVES BACK. This is a fundraising experiment which has hit the ground running.

In just the first several days, alone, the following diverse group of non-profits has jumped aboard for this promising venture: ABS-CBN Foundation International, Asian Journal Foundation, Asian Pacific Family Center, DIVA: Diverse + Inclusive Visionary Artists, Filipino American Library, Japanese American National Museum, PAE Live!, Playwrights' Arena, Project by Project, San Gabriel Valley Music Theatre, SIPA - Search To Involve Pilipino Americans, and the Vietnamese American Cancer Foundation. More are expected this week as the word continues to spread throughout the non-profit sector. EWP GIVES BACK is open to any and all non-profit organizations.

J. Robbie Fabian, President of ABS CBN Foundation International - an organization dedicated to improving the lives of abused and disadvantaged women and children in the Philippines - had this to say, "ABS CBN Foundation International is pleased to be part of East West Player's 44th Anniversary presentation of ‘Road To Saigon' and, in particular, the EWP GIVES BACK program. We encourage our friends and the subscribers of The Filipino Channel (TFC) to go see ‘Road To Saigon' and mention ABS CBN when purchasing tickets. A portion of your ticket price will go to Bantay Bata's feeding programs for poor Filipino children in the Philippines."

East West Players continues to welcome interested non-profit organizations into their EWP GIVES BACK program. Eligible performances for the program run from May 20 - June 13 and the deadline to join is May 31. All interested parties are advised to contact EWP's Business Administrator, Tim Lounibos, at tlounibos@eastwestplayers.org.

Adds EWP Producing Artistic Director Tim Dang, "We thought this would be a great way to create synergetic relationships where we could help other worthy causes and organizations where they need it the most - financially. At a time when government and foundation funding has been shrinking, non-profits everywhere can certainly use such a potentially worthwhile and unexpected revenue stream."

East West Players closes its 44th season, themed Art Is..., with the world premiere of ROAD TO SAIGON, developed and directed by Jon Lawrence Rivera, with musical direction and arrangements by Nathan Wang, musical staging by Kay Cole, and featuring Joan Almedilla, Jennifer Paz, and Jenni Selma in the cast. This production of ROAD TO SAIGON is made possible with the generous support of the S. Mark Taper Foundation Endowment for East West Players.

The coveted role of Kim in the musical MISS SAIGON has been performed by an elite group of talented women on Broadway and around the world. However, this evening does not tell Kim's story but the stories of the actresses who have played this powerhouse role. Hear Joan Almedilla, Jennifer Paz, and Jenni Selma in a heart-warming, passionate, and musical journey as they share memories about family, relationships, careers, and personal milestones on their individual roads to Saigon.

Tickets are currently on sale. For ticket purchases or more information, please call East West Players at (213) 625-7000 or visit www.eastwestplayers.org. East West Players is located at the David Henry Hwang Theater at the Union Center for the Arts at 120 Judge John Aiso Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 in the Little Tokyo District in Downtown L.A. Senior, student, and group discounts are available. Dates and details are subject to change.

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