East West Players Presents WRINKLES, 2/16-3/13

East West Players (EWP), the nation's premier Asian American theatre, continues its 45th Anniversary season, themed Shake It Up, with the world premiere comedy WRINKLES by Paul Kikuchi. This production will be directed by Jeff Liu. The cast of the production includes Sab Shimono, Amy Hill, Elizabeth Ho, Ki Hong Lee, Scott Keiji Takeda, and Lisa Dring. Generous support for this production is provided by the S. Mark Taper Foundation Endowment for East West Players.
              
Grandpa Harry's got a big secret! In this comedy, unbeknownst to his daughter and grandson, 73 year-old Nisei Harry Fukutani is an internet sensation. But to view his work, you'd have to turn off the parental filter and have a valid credit card. A sticky comedy about sex, lies, and tiger balm. This play was developed in East West Players' David Henry Hwang Writers Institute.

"East West Players is shaking it up with this world premiere comedy WRINKLES," says EWP Producing Artistic Director Tim Dang. "On the surface, it is a great intergenerational comedy, but if you dig deeper, there are issues of aging as our baby boomer generation enters retirement. We want to show audiences that senior citizens are vibrant and healthy in all aspects of their lives. We hope audiences young and old are able to gain new perspectives on our senior citizen community after seeing this play."
                                   
Paul Kikuchi (Playwright) is a playwright, substitute teacher and weekend trumpet player.  Born and bred in Pasadena, California, he attended UC Santa Barbara where he received a BA in English Literature.  He has also written six screenplays which have landed him three different agents, two options and a cup of Winchell's coffee. His first play, IXNAY, had its world premiere at East West Players in 2009 and was nominated for a 2010 Garland Award for playwriting. Paul lives with his wife Maida, two daughters and dog in South Pasadena.
 
Jeff Liu (Director) is the Literary Manager of East West Players and was the Resident Director for Lodestone Theatre Ensemble during its ten year run.  His productions include the world premieres of TEXAS, TERMINUS AMERICANA (Ovation Award nominee), SOLVE FOR X, THE GOLDEN HOUR, IXNAY, and GRACE KIM AND THE SPIDERS FROM MARS.  An independent feature he co-wrote, CHARLOTTE SOMETIMES, was nominated for two IFP Spirit Awards.
              
The design team consists of set designer Alan Muraoka, lighting designer Dan Weingarten, costumer designer Bich Vu, sound designer Dennis Yen and property master Ken Takemoto. The stage manager is Jaclyn Kalkhurst.
              
Additional funding for WRINKLES is provided by the James Irvine Foundation, the California Community Foundation, Shubert Foundation, The LA Board of Supervisors through the LA County Arts Commission, City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation.
              
All performances of WRINKLES 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. WRINKLES opens Wednesday, February 16, 2011 and closes on Sunday, March 13, 2011. 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. Previews are Thursday - Saturday, February 10 - 12 at 8pm and Sunday, February 13 at 2pm. The Pay-What-You-Can Performance will be held Thursday, February 17 at 8 pm with a suggested $5 minimum. The post-show discussion will be held on Sunday, February 27.
              
General Tickets range from $30 - $40. Preview tickets are $20 for all seats. Opening night tickets are $60 for all seats. 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. Senior, student and group discounts are available. Dates and details are subject to change.

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