East West Players Presents World Premiere KRUNK FU BATTLE BATTLE

East West Players (EWP), the nation's premier Asian American theatre, continues its 45th Anniversary season, themed Shake It Up, with the world premiere hip hop musical, KRUNK FU BATTLE BATTLE, with book by Qui Nguyen, Lyrics by Beau Sia, Vocal Music by Marc Macalintal, Dance Music provided by Rynan Paguio and Jason Tyler Chong, Musical Direction by Marc Macalintal, and Choreography by Jason Tyler Chong. This production will be directed by EWP Producing Artistic Director Tim Dang. The cast of the production includes Joan Almedilla, Cesar Cipriano, Liza B. Domingo, Lawrence Kao, Evan Moua, Leng Phe, Megumi Tatsumikawa, Matt Tayao, and Troy Terashita. Generous support for this production is provided by the S. Mark Taper Foundation Endowment for East West Players.

Under the guidance of Sir Master Cert, young Norman Lee battles the baddest b-boy crew at Sunset Park High for respect, honor, and the heart of sweet Cindy Chang.

"East West Players is shaking it up with this world premiere hip hop musical KRUNK FU BATTLE BATTLE," says EWP Producing Artistic Director Tim Dang. "This musical about first love, respect, and standing up for yourself is something that will resonate with audience members young and old. But its presentation will be like no other musical we've produced. Get ready for an amazing, foot-stomping good time."

Qui Nguyen (book) is the Co-Artistic Director of the Obie Award winning Production Company, Vampire Cowboys. He is a resident playwright of New Dramatists, a co-director of the Ma-Yi Writers Lab, a member of Ensemble Studio Theatre.
Beau Sia (lyrics) is a spoken word artist and has been featured in Def Poetry Jam and has earned two National Poetry Slam Championships.

Marc Macalintal (vocal music and musical direction) is the Artistic Director and one of the founding members of Asian American improv troupe Room to Improv. He was the musical director for MARRY ME A LITTLE and THE LAST FIVE YEARS at EWP and adapted the score for EWP's box office hit production of PIPPIN.

Jason Tyler Chong (choreography and dance music) has choreographed and performed shows at the MGM Grand, concerts in Asia, Miss Universe Pageant, and the Grammy's. He is currently an instructor at the Edge Performing Arts Center in Hollywood.

Rynan Paguio a.k.a. Kid Rainen (dance music) is a member of the JabbaWockeeZ Crew that performed and won Season 1 of America's Best Dance Crews. He is also affiliated with two other dance groups, Footwork Fanatix and Kilafornia.

Tim Dang (director) is the Producing Artistic Director of East West Players. Recent directing credits at EWP include IMELDA: A NEW MUSICAL, PIPPIN, EQUUS, VOICES FROM OKINAWA, and MYSTERIOUS SKIN.

The design team consists of set and projection designer Adam Flemming, lighting designer Dan Weingarten, costumer designer AnnaLisa Adams, property master Ken Takemoto, fight choreographer Diana Lee Inosanto. The stage manager is Ondina Dominguez.
Additional funding for KRUNK FU BATTLE BATTLE 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. KRUNK FU BATTLE BATTLE is proud to be a partner with the National Asian American Theater Conference/Festival and the Festival of New American Musicals.

All performances of KRUNK FU BATTLE BATTLE 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. KRUNK FU BATTLE BATTLE opens Wednesday, May 18, 2011 and closes on Sunday, June 26, 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, May 12 - 14 at 8pm and Sunday, May 15 at 2pm. The Pay-What-You-Can Performance will be held Thursday, May 19 at 8 pm with a suggested $5 minimum. The post-show discussion will be held on Sunday, May 29.

General Tickets range from $40 - $50. Preview tickets are $20 for all seats. Opening night tickets are $70 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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