East West Players (EWP), the nation's premier Asian American theatre, hope to enrich the audience experience by providing a tasting of foods to go alongside its production of PO BOY TANGO, a heart-warming play by Kenneth Lin that uses the power of food and cooking to address issues such as deach, racism and the relationships we build, break and repair. Tastings from one restaurant each Friday will be joined with East West Players tradition of Wine Down Friday, where complimentary wine is served and will include appetizing treats from Chop Suey Cafe/FAR BAR, Fugetsu-Do Confectioners, Taipan Restaurant, and Yumplings Catering.
"Everyone on the creative staff at East West Players felt very strong that there should be elements of real food used in this production," says Producing Artistic Director Tim Dang. "However, couldn't actually share the foods with our audiences during the show. Thankfully these restaurants have agreed to share samplings from their menu with our audiences. Each restaurant offers something a little unique that you won't be able to find just anywhere. With this final element included, this production promises to please all your senses; sight, smell, touch, sound and taste."
THE RESTAURANTS
Friday, November 13 - Chop Suey Cafe/FAR BAR (www.chopsueycafeandlounge.com)
Chop Suey Cafe is committed to providing a venue with outstanding service and creative Asian fusion dishes in a historic setting. Enjoy a great meal or drinks in their relaxing lounge or scenic outdoor patio.
Friday, November 20 - Yumpling (www.layumplings.com)
Yumplings is the creation of Nancy Chi, whose culinary stylings perfectly capture the fresh and tasty delights of traditional Chinese fare. The dishes come from recipes that originated hundreds of years ago in the sea-side villages of Northern China. They have been passed down through the generations and are painstakingly prepared for your enjoyment. More than just dumplings...they're Yumplings.
Friday, November 27 - Fugetsu-Do Confectionary (www.fugetsu-do.com)
A family owned and operated confectionary store in Little Tokyo since 1903. All mochi and manju are hand made in their store. They specialize in seasonal mochi which includes New Year's mochi.
Friday, December 4 - Taipan Restaurant (www.taipanla.com)
Taipan offers modern Mandarin-Chinese cuisine in an elegant setting in the Well's Fargo Center in Downtown Los Angeles. The kitchen offers over 150 items daily, including many creative specialties normally unavailable in the West.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT PO BOY TANGO
All performances of PO BOY TANGO will be staged at the David Henry Hwang Theater at the Union Center for the Arts at 120 Judge John Aiso St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. PO BOY TANGO opens Wednesday, November 11, 2009 and closes on Sunday, December 6, 2009. Opening night will be accompanied by a pre-performance cocktail reception and a post show reception with the cast and creative team. Performances are Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm. The Pay-What-You-Can Performance will be held Friday, November 27 at 8 pm. There will be no performance on Thursday, November 26, Thanksgiving Day.
Special Events include: Wine Down Friday, where a complimentary glass of wine is served every non-preview Friday prior to and during intermission of the show; Next Generation Community Night which offers complimentary pizza, soda & beer and $1 opportunity drawings, Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at 7pm; A post-show discussion, held on Sunday November 22.
General tickets range from $25 - $35. Opening night tickets are $60 for all seats. For ticket purchases or more information, please call East West Players at (213) 625-7000 or visit www.eastwestplayers.org. Senior, student and group discounts are available. Dates and details are subject to change.
ABOUT EAST WEST PLAYERS
As the nation's premier Asian American theatre organization, East West Players produces outstanding works and educational programs that give voIce To the Asian Pacific American experience. Established in 1965, East West Players began with nine artists who wanted a theatre where they could strive for artistic excellence have control over their own careers as Asian American artists and to tell stories of their own community. East West Players started at a small 99-seat theater in Silverlake before moving to its current 240-seat home, the David Henry Hwang Theater at the Union Center for the Arts in Downtown Los Angeles' Little Tokyo District. For over 40 years East West Players has provided opportunities to Asian Pacific American artists by producing classic plays, Broadway musicals and stories specific to the Asian American experience.
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