East West Players Presents LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, Opening Tonight

East West Players (EWP), the nation's longest-running professional theatre of color in the country and the largest producing organization of Asian American artistic work, completes its extended two year 50th Anniversary Season Golden with the Tony Award-winning musical "La Cage aux Folles" for a six week engagement.

"La Cage aux Folles," book by Harvey Fierstein, lyrics and music by Jerry Herman, and based on the book by Jean Poiret, was originally produced on Broadway at the Palace Theatre in 1983. Directed by Tim Dang in his final production as producing artistic director at East West Players, with musical direction by Marc Macalintal (EWP's "Chess," "Krunk Fu Battle Battle," "The Who's Tommy") and choreography by Reggie Lee (EWP's "Follies," "A Little Night Music" ). Generous support for this production is provided by the S. Mark Taper Foundation Endowment for East West Players and is produced in association with the Los Angeles LGBT Center. Additional funding is provided by The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation and the OUT Fund.

This multiple Tony Award winner for Best Musical about a gay couple who own a glitzy drag club is given a fresh, sleek and racy look that only East West Players can deliver.

The charmed lives of Georges, the suave owner, and Albin, his high-strung star performer, are turned upside down when George's son, Jean-Michel, returns with his fiancée, Anne. Cultures collide as Georges and Albin are introduced to Anne and her ultra-conservative parents in this jubilant musical that inspired the movie, "The Birdcage."

"Working with a fantastic ensemble lead by Gedde Watanabe and Jon Jon Briones, this show represents the presence of Asian Americans in the industry. One is a Broadway veteran, the other is on his way to debut on Broadway with a cast of emerging talent ready to make their mark," stated Tim Dang, outgoing Producing Artistic Director of East West Players. "Our 50th Anniversary is a closing of one memorable chapter of EWP but the beginning of another. Taking the lead from one of the most memorable songs from the show, these are indeed the 'best of times'".

Jon Jon Briones (Georges) just completed starring as the Engineer in the 2014 revival of "Miss Saigon" in London's West End, a role for which he has won many awards and was nominated for the prestigious Lawrence Olivier Award for Leading Actor in a Musical. He has appeared in EWP's production of "A Little Night Music" as Fredric and also the Old Globe Theatre's production of "Allegiance." He will be making his Broadway debut in 2017 with "Miss Saigon."

Gedde Watanabe (Albin) originated the role of the Boy in a Tree in the Broadway musical "Pacific Overtures" by Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman. He is also best known for "Sixteen Candles," "Gung Ho" and many more film and television projects.

Allen Lucky Weaver (Jacob) has performed Thuy in "Miss Saigon" and Angel in "Rent" in various regional productions across the country.

Other cast members include Michael Hagiwara as Edouard Dindon, Sharline Liu as Marie Dindon, Jinwoo Jung as Jean Michel, Audrey Cain as Anne, Grace Yoo as Jaqueline, and Cesar Cipriano as Francis.

The notorious Cagelles will be played by Christopher Aguilar, Carlos Chang, Jonathan Kim, DT Matias, and Alex Sanchez.

The design team includes: Set design by Victoria Petrovich, costume design by Anthony Tran, lighting design by Karyn D. Lawrence, and sound design by Cricket Myers. Props by Ken Takemoto. Stage Manager is Ondina V. Dominguez.

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 12 through Saturday May 14 at 8pm and Sunday May 15 at 2pm. All preview seats are $28.

Opening Night for "La Cage aux Folles" is tonight, May 18 at 8pm and includes a 7pm pre-performance cocktail reception, and a post-show reception with the cast and creative team. Call theater for availability. "Pay-What-You-Can" Performance is on Thursday, May 19 at 8pm. A special talkback with the cast and creative team is on Sunday, May 29 immediately following the performance. The production runs until June 26.

Regular performances run 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 $48-58. Student and Senior discounts available. Dates, prices and details are subject to change.

Special Event: Aloha Tim! Celebrate the final performances June 22-26 with outgoing artistic director Tim Dang with a Chinese buffet and drinks one hour before showtime Wednesday through Saturday night. At the closing performance Sunday matinee, the buffet and drinks will occur after the performance with the cast/crew.

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