Encounter

*Poster and Promo designed by me*

 

East West Players in association with Navarasa Dance Theatre presents
By Aparna Sindhoor, S.M. Raju and Anil NatyavedaMusic by Isaac Thomas KottukapallyDirected & Choreographed by Aparna Sindhoor and Anil Natyaveda
Inspired by a short story by Mahasweta Devi

September 6-October 7, 2012

ENCOUNTER explores different confrontations - with the Divine, the Self, Love and the Military. In association with Navarasa Dance Theater in Massachusetts, ENCOUNTER mesmerized audiences during the National Asian American Theater Festival. It is now brought in its full version, continuing to expand EWP's boundaries to include South Asian voices and multi-disciplinary forms such as Indian dance.

In association with South Asian Network and UCLA Department of World Arts and Cultures/Dance.

Preview Performances Thursday, September 06 - Sunday, September 09, 2012
Opening Night Wednesday, September 12, 2012, $60 all seats. Includes pre-show hosted bar & post-show reception with cast and crew.

Performance Run:
Wed-Thurs at 8pm Balcony $26/Orchestra $31
Fri-Sat at 8pm Balcony $31/Orchestra $36
Sun at 2pm Balcony $31/Orchestra $36
*$4 per ticket handling fee on all regular ticket purchases.

Student and Senior Discounts $5 off regular ticket price.
Special Group Rates available for ten (10) or more. Call (213) 625-7000 x 20 for details.

Save the Dates:
Pay-What-You-Can Performance Thursday, September 13, 2012, at 8pm.
Post Show Discussion Sunday, September 23, 2012. A chat with the artists after the show.
Southern California Edison Community Night Wednesday, September 19, 2012.
Wine Down Fridays Complimentary glasses of red or white wine before the show, during the regular performance run. (Must be 21+ years of age.)

 

Three Swim Club at East West Players

I had the opportunity to see an amazing play at the East West Players this past Saturday. East West Players is a nationally known theater which features API actors and theater projects. EWP brought back a popular play for it's second year. It has received much accolades from the press as well as theater-goers. 

It's based on the true story about Soichi Sakamoto who trained underserved youth of Maui to become Olympic champions in 1937. The story is told through Hula and rhythm and this story about underdogs overcoming obstacles has inspired me. 

The set design was done smart. Using thin bamboo tied together as a screen, projections were able to set the mood of each scene. 

The story line also has the arching story of WWII, adding to the tension to the main protagonist who is Japanese.  With pressure from his wife/household, the over looming terror of war and the dreams of his students laying squarely on his shoulders, Sakemoto is spread thin and does his best to keep his seams together.

The whole play is spoken in Hawaiian Pidgin English. Listening to the play reminded me of my Grandmother and my family in Hawaii. The actors did a wonderful job committing to their characters, bringing history to life on stage.

This play is a wonderful way to bring Olympian history to life. In a realm where Asians and Pacific Islanders are rarely put to light, Three Year Swim Club reminds us of a time when there were Asian athletes proudly representing America. 

From nothing, they rose. And it all came from a man who thought outside of a box mixed with undying faith, that catapulted these young swimmers into heros of their own town and soon the nation.

Purchase your tickets online here.

or call Box Office at (213) 625-7000 x20.

Director & Choreographer Keo Woolford Talks About THREE YEAR SWIM CLUB

** all pictures courtesy of East West Players.

LA Theater: "A Little Night Music" at the East West Players

**** Extended to June 24 ****

Scroll down to check out the 50% off code.

Because of my many many many friends who work at East West Players, I had the lovely opportunity to check out "A Little Night Music" at East West Players , the nation's premier Asian American theater organization. "A Little Night Music" has a bit of a twist; instead of taking place in Sweden during the turn of the century, this production set the story in Shangai, China. The story and the songs are just as great, only it is presented in a different way.

I have a few friends who work behind the scenes and who are on stage for this production. Make sure to check them out before it ends on June 24th.

The stage is absolutely stunning taking you to an Eastern version of a metropolis. 

It was a strong cast with solid singing. I particularly was moved by Melody Butiu's performance as Desiree Armfeldt, especially when she sang "Bring in the Clowns.

#nightmusicEWP in its final weeks! Call (213) 625-7000 & use code:summernightmusic for 50% off the price of the ticket