East West Players to Present BEIJING SPRING, 5/16-6/15

East West Players (EWP), the nation's largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work and the longest-running professional theatre of color in the country, concludes its 48th Anniversary Season Making Light, with "Beijing Spring," lyrics by Tim Dang and music by Joel Iwataki. Tim Dang is directing, Noriko Olling Wright is musical director, and choreographer is Marcus Choi.

BeijingSpring is a sung-through musical commemorating the events of the Tiananmen Square Uprising in Beijing in 1989. For weeks, the world's eyes were on China as the youth fought for democracy against the hardliners of the Chinese Communist Party. This year will mark the 25th anniversary of the Uprising. Beijing Spring is a compelling reminder that the battle for freedom and human rights has yet to be won for many.

"It is hard to believe that it has been 25 years since the Tiananmen Square Uprising," says Tim Dang, Producing Artistic Director of East West Players and director of the production. "With current events happening in the Ukraine and previous events with the Arab Spring, the struggle for a better life is a story that continues to be told. Sometimes, we take for granted the rights that we have here in America. This musical is dedicated to those all around the world who fought for a better life."

The design team includes: scenic design by Christopher Scott Murillo, lighting design by Guido Girardi, costume design by Yuheng Dai, sound and projection design by Nick Drashner, and Junmei Fu is prop master. China Consultant is Damien Lu. Stage manager is Ondina V. Dominguez.

The cast features: Daniel May as Xian, Radmar Agana Jao as Ba, Marc Oka as Yeh Yeh, Nicole Santiago-Barredo as Qiao, DT Matias as Niu, Jaime Barcelon as Peishi, Reuben Uy as Da, and Cailan Rose as Ling. The ensemble includes Carissa Dizon, Jay Gamboa, Belle Hengsathorn, Jonathan Kim, Jason Ko, and Nancy Lam.

Generous support for this production is provided by the S. Mark Taper Foundation Endowment for East West Players.

All performances will be staged at the David Henry Hwang Theater at the Union Center of the Arts at 120 Judge John Aiso Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Previews are Thursday, May 15 through Saturday, May 17 at 8pm and Sunday, May 18 at 2pm. All preview seats are $26, $21 for students.

Opening Night sponsored by Edison International for Beijing Spring is Wednesday, May 21 at 8pm and includes a 7pm pre-performance cocktail reception, and a post-show reception with the cast and creative team. For ticket availability, please call the theater. A post-show discussion takes place immediately after the perfomance on Sunday, June 1st.

Regular performance run: May 16 - June 15; Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm. Tickets may be purchased online at eastwestplayers.org or by calling 213.625.7000. Regular tickets range from $31-$51. Student, Senior, and Group discounts available - please call for more information. Dates, prices and details are subject to change.

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