(L. to R.) Katherine Aumer & Jason Kanda. Photo by Firebird Photography

Kumu Kahua Theatre (Honolulu, HI)
House Lights & Prolonged Sunlight
by Eric Yokomori
January 14 to February 14, 2010

In a one-act play (House Lights) and six short plays under one title, (Prolonged Sunlight), playwright Yokomori explores the human condition via dramatic surrealism and theater of the absurd. Intense aberrant behavior is the norm as characters confront one another in strange situations. In one of the short plays, Joey tells Crystal that he possesses a magic rock into which he has placed all of his love, and no one can take it away from him. Crystal finds her own rock, and the battle begins. In another, an author attempts to convince a children's book publisher to buy his x-rated manuscript. In another, a bizarre cocaine deal goes bad. In House Lights, Saul Peacock, an actor whose credits are merely those of a perennial extra ("It's the hardest role to play, really. You never draw attention to yourself."), is invited to dinner at the dysfunctional Roget household and gives them all a lesson in the difference between illusion and reality.

See News story.

Cornerstone Theatre (Los Angeles, CA)
On Caring for the Beast
by Shirshir Kurup
February 4 to March, 2010

Follow six characters as they embark on parallel psychological, physical, and spiritual journeys through darkness into pain, and ultimately towards...light?

On Caring for the Beast is a study of the struggle between spirit and flesh, hope and despair, love and fear. Is the battle ever won?

L.A.'s celebrated ensemble returns with the fifth play in Cornerstone's Justice Cycle. Be consumed by this multi-media theatrical drama illuminating the shadows that exist in all of us.

Featuring Michael Cooke, MC Earl, Justin Gordon, Page Leong, Amro Salama and Bahni Turpin

Scenic Design - Shigeru Yaji, Costume Design - Garry Lennon, Lighting Design & Video Projections - Tom Ontiveros, Sound Design - John Nobori, Production Stage Manager - Nikki Hyde

Times & Dates
February 4 - 28, 2010
Thursdays - Saturdays @ 8pm; Sundays @ 2pm
Plus Wednesdays 2/17 & 2/24 @ 8pm

Ticket Information
PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN
PREVIEWS (Feb 4-7) & WEDNESDAYS (Feb 17 & 24)

ALL OTHER PERFORMANCES $20

Location
Rosenthal Theater, Inner-City Arts
720 Kohler Street
Los Angeles, CA 90021
*valet parking available

Actors At Play (Los Angeles, CA)
Beware of Cupid
February 5 to 21, 2010

Actors at Play present the world premiere of an original Valentine’s Day show titled BEWARE OF CUPID.

BEWARE OF CUPID is a unique theatrical production centered on Valentine’s Day, presenting stories based on love and other matters of the heart.  The various pieces explore and ultimately celebrate relationships in all their different manifestations.  Opening on February 5 and running through February 21, 2010 at The Actor’s Playpen (1514 N Gardner Street, Los Angeles, CA 90046), this show is the inaugural production for Actors at Play and is directed by Julia Cho and Benjamin Kim.

"BEWARE OF CUPID deals with the different aspects and stages of love through a collection of original scenes and monologues... falling in love for the first time, struggling to make a relationship work, getting over the one that got away,” says producer and director Julia Cho.  “All of the material is written and developed by the cast, offering the distinct perspective of those who are too old to believe in fairy tales but not yet ready to give up on true love."

The cast includes Jason Rogel (Splinterheads w/ Christopher McDonald, Lea Thompson and Rachael Taylor, Dexter, Bones, The Office), Julia Cho (Eating Out: All You Can Eat, Disney XD’s I’m In the Band), Benjamin Kim (SyFy’s CHA$E), Lynnette Li (Octomom! The Musical), Sandy Yu (recently seen in Company of Angel’s The Ghost Building), Jared Asato, Sara Ceballos, and Chris Miyasaki.

Julia Cho assembled Actors at Play in an effort to work with like-minded fellow actors to create a fun and moving experience for both the performers and audience members alike.  “I believe theatre can and should be accessible and relatable, especially to younger people.  I felt the need to produce this show and luckily I was surrounded by people who were incredibly supportive, excited and wanted to take this on with me," says Cho.

BEWARE OF CUPID runs February 5 through February 21, 2010 at The Actor’s Playpen (1514 N Gardner Street, Los Angeles, CA 90046). Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, Sundays at 3 pm.  General admission is $14; opening night (including a post-show reception) is $20 per patron.  Tickets may be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/92523 or (800) 838-3006.

For more information, please visit www.bewareofcupid.com.

[from l. to r. Jared Asato and Sandy Yu]

Mu Performing Arts (Minneapolis, MN)
Yellow Face
by David Henry Hwang
February 6 to 21, 2010

East West Players (Los Angeles, CA)
Cave Quest
by Les Thomas
February 11 to March 14, 2010

The search for inner peace is a life long journey. However, Justin Yi plans to condense that journey into minutes by packaging it into a $49.99 video game. To help his cause, he tracks down Padma, a legendary Buddhist nun in a Tibetan cave high in the Himalayas. Padma hasn't spoken in three years but Justin hopes she will divulge her secrets of enlightenment. When his wit and charm fail, Justin resorts to tactics deemed less heroic.

See News for more details.

Pan Asian Repertory Theatre (New York, NY)

Breathing Space Ministries (Seattle, WA)
SECOND CHANCES FOR GRACE
Episode 1 - Betrayal
inspired by my testimony to Christ
Written by Kiki Yeung Johnson
Directed by Marc Mok Moser
February 12 to 27, 2010

Grace's dream came true - she has the lead role in My Fair Lady, the musical. Ironically, her family is falling apart, she struggles with her physical illness and addictions including William Hurt and various sorts of carbohydrates containing white sugar. Just when things can't get any worse for her, betrayal lurks in the most unexpected corners.........This is her journey of falling in love with Christ. Inspired by playwright and actress, Kiki Yeung Johnson's testimony to Christ, this is the first episode of the full series.

Rated PG-13. Themes: Body image, self-esteem, love.

Location: University of Washington's Ethnic Cultural Theatre
Dates: February 12th - 27th, 2010
Times: Fridays 8:30pm, Saturdays 7pm & Late show 9:30pm
Play Website: www.secondchancesforgrace.webs.com

NAATCO (New York, NY)
A Play on War
by Jenny Connell
February 12 to March 6, 2010

A ferocious comedy about a war-torn landscape populated by characters on bicycles...all desperate to survive.

With
Mia Katigbak, Jon Norman Schneider, Nikki Calonge, Orville Mendoza, Marcus Ho, Brian Hirono, Nathan Elam, and Bushra Laskar

Justin Nestor (set design)
Kate Ashton (lighting design)
Candida K. Nichols (costume design)
Adam Cochran (original compositions and live music)
Sam Rudy Media Relations (press release)

Directed by Rubén Polendo

February 12, 2010 through March 6, 2010
Mondays - Fridays at 7:00pm
Saturdays 2:00pm & 7:00pm

The Connelly Theater
220 East 4th Street (between Avenues A and B)

Tickets: $15 - $20
212-352-3101
866-811-4111

Pan Asian Repertory Theatre (New York, NY)
Chinese New Year Party
February 22, 2010

Mo'olelo Performing Arts Company (San Diego)
self (the remix)
Robert Karimi
DJ D Double
February 24 to March 21, 2010

The 10th Avenue Theatre, 930 10th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101

Tickets & Information: www.moolelo.net or 619-342-7395

Beginning on February 24, 2010 and running through March 21, the award-winning, rubber-face, uber-talented Robert Farid Karimi will descend on The 10th Avenue Theatre in Mo`olelo’s production of his semi-autobiographical, spoken word, hip hop play self (the remix). Accompanied by DJ D Double and directed by Ellen Sebastian Chang, Mr. Karimi weaves a tale of words, music and movement about an American child of Iranian and Guatemalan immigrants growing up in 1970s and 1980s California in the shadow of the Iranian crisis and Reganomics. It’s a story about a boy learning about manhood, nationhood and neighborhood.

Grateful Crane Ensemble,
in partnership with the Japanese American National Museum (Los Angeles, CA)
The Betrayed
A Play by Hiroshi Kashiwagi
February 27 and 28, 2010

Grace is a sophisticated city girl, a college student, from Seattle while Tak is a bumpkin from rural California. Despite their differences, the attractive 20-year-olds fall in love. Typical story book stuff, you think. But this is a unique romance that takes place behind a barbed wire fence, in a prison for Japanese and Japanese Americans during World War II. Even in this difficult environment the relationship grows until it hits a snag in February 1943 when all inmates 17 years and older are ordered to answer the loyalty questions 27 and 28. Their responses to this order break up the relationship--Grace answers positively and leaves camp while Tak refuses to comply and is hauled off to the county jail.

Forty years later they meet again. Both have had a difficult life. Like most Japanese Americans they have struggled to re-build their lives after camp and though both have attained a measure of success in their respective fields, their marriages have not been totally fulfilling. Grace married a 442nd veteran and suffered through his nightmares of the war; Tak married a woman who refused to accept his No-No status in camp and as a consequence he loses his son to the Vietnam War. But Grace’s father dies most tragically, his American dream totally shattered. All are consequences of the incarceration, especially of the loyalty questions 27 and 28.

The Betrayed
Written by Hiroshi Kashiwagi
Directed by Darrell Kunitomi
Music by Scott Nagatani

Saturday, February 27 at 11 a.m. & 3 p.m.
Sunday, February 28 at 2 p.m.

Panel presentation with playwright Hiroshi Kashiwagi and special guest to follow the 3 p.m. Saturday show, and the 2 p.m. Sunday matinee.

Tateuchi Democracy Forum at the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy
111 N. Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012
(Across from the Japanese American National Museum)

Tickets: General Admission: $25.00
JANM Members/Seniors/Students: $23.00
Groups of ten (10) or more: $20.00

For tickets, call the Grateful Crane Ensemble hotline number at 323/769-5503

Silk Road Theatre Project (Chicago, IL)
The DNA Project
March 2 to April 4, 2010

Theatre meets science when a diverse group of playwrights each agree to take a genealogical DNA test and revisit their assumptions about identity politics and the perennial “who am I” question. Self, family, community, and ethnicity are all up for grabs in this perception-defying collection of short plays.

Featuring Plays by Philip Kan Gotanda, Velina Hasu Houston, David Henry Hwang, Jamil Khoury, Shishir Kurup, Lina Patel, and Elizabeth Wong

Pan Asian Repertory Theatre (New York, NY)
NEWWORKS 2010
March 4 to April 11, 2010

at the West End Theater
263 W. 86th Street
(between Broadway & West End Avenue)
in the church of St Paul & St Andrew

Six weeks of new works by diverse artists, including the full production of "CHING CHONG CHINAMAN." Much more to be announced, so check back at www.panasianrep.org or become our fan on Facebook for updates! For advance tickets, call Pan Asian Rep: 212-868-4030

Pan Asian Repertory Theatre (New York, NY)
Ching Chong Chinaman
by Lauren Yee
March 5 to 28, 2009

Kumu Kahua Theatre (Honolulu, HI)
M?ui the Demigod
adapted by Gary L. Balfantz with oli & hula created by Kahoa Malalis
March 18 to April 18, 2010

A narrative theatre adaptation of Steven Goldsberry's M?ui the Demigod: An Epic Novel of Mythical Hawai`i, Balfantz's play was first produced by Kumu Kahua in 1991 and toured the islands in 1992. The play incorporates hula, chant and storytelling in bringing the many myths of M?ui to the stage – including his miraculous birth, prank-filled childhood, and heroic deeds of manhood such as slowing down the pace of the sun and pulling an island from the depths of the sea. Characters in the play include M?ui's older brothers Loke, Waena and Ki`i, his mother Hina, god of the ocean Kanaloa and the sun La. Many versions exist of the same stories because, as the Kupuna says, "M?ui was a great man. There were many who said he did things that he did not do. Many liars whom we cannot blame for their wonderful lies."

CATS (Navada City, CA)
Snow Falling on Cedar
written by David Guterson
adapted for the stage by Kevin McKeon
directed by Kevin McKeon
March 18 to April 10, 2010

Vampire Cowboy Theatre (New York, NY)
Alice in Slasherland
by Qui Nguyen
March 18 to April 10, 2010

Veronica Mars meets Evil Dead in Vampire Cowboys newest creation for the stage, ALICE IN SLASHERLAND! When young Lewis Diaz accidentally resurrects the soul of a brutally slain girl named Alice, he unwittingly unleashes a literal hell on Earth. Now with every sort of demon, monster, and killer ravaging his small town, Lewis along with his new demented girlfriend must find a way to close the rift before the big bad evil devil himself shows up and totally ruins their senior prom. Guaranteed to be Vampire Cowboys goriest show yet; this is one bloody good time that you're not going to want to miss!

Starring Carlo Alban, Sheldon Best, Tom Myers, Bonnie Sherman, Andrea Marie Smith, Amy Kim Waschke

MARCH 18 - APRIL 10, 2010
(Thurs, Fri, Sat, & Sun @ 8:30pm;
Special Saturday Matinee on April 10th @ 4pm)

at HERE Arts Center
145 Sixth Avenue
(between Spring & Broome, enter on Dominick)

Tickets: $18
For tix: go to HERE.ORG
Or call 212.352.3101

Ma-Yi Theater Company (New York, NY)
Rescue Me
(A Postmodern Classic with Snacks)
by Michi Barall
directed by Loy Arcenas
choreographed by Julian Burnett
March 23 to April 18, 2010

The Ohio Theatre
66 Wooster Street
New York, NY 10012
_________________________________________________________

A contemporary dance-theatre adaptation of Euripides' Iphigenia in Tauris. Iph is 34 and stuck in a dead-end job. Haunted by the past, her present situation is grim -- she's at the mercy of a temperamental goddess and a barbarian king with a fondness for human sacrifice.
And she's beginning to lose all hope of rescue.

A post-modern tragi-comedy about what to do when your Dad tries to kill you, your Mom freaks out, your brother goes crazy and you're surrounded by Barbarians.

SIS Productions (Seattle, WA)
Ching Chong Chinaman
by Lauren Yee
March 26 to April 24, 2009

Meet the Wong family: as all-American as apple pie. Ed likes to play golf, Grace wants another child, Desdemona is desperate to get into Princeton, and Upton is working towards gaming superstardom. When Upton gets an indentured Chinese servant to help him with his homework, life in the Wong household takes an interesting turn . . . Flipping every cliché about Asian American identity upside down, this award-winning play by Lauren Yee is an "exhilarating send-up" of the American dream.

Produced by: Lorna Chin, Kathy Hsieh, Miko Premo & Roger Tang with support from Steve Hayatsu, Chris Monsos, Jane Moon & Serin Ngai.

Featuring: Jose Abaoag, Stan Asis, Elizabeth Daruthayan, Kathy Hsieh, Kay Nahm and Christian Ver!

South Coast Repertory Theatre (Southern CA)
The Language Archive
by Julia Cho
March 26 to April 25, 2009

Julia Cho’s The Language Archive, the story of a brilliant linguist who finds himself at a loss for words when he learns his wife is leaving him, will fill the final slot in South Coast Repertory’s 2009-10 season.

The world premiere, which runs March 26 through April 25, 2010, on the Segerstrom Stage, was commissioned by New York’s Roundabout Theatre Company and is being produced by special arrangement with the company. Mark Brokaw, a Roundabout Associate Artist, will direct.

“I think Mark is one of the leading directors in American theatre today,” said SCR Producing Artistic Director David Emmes. “And we have a long relationship with Julia Cho. It’s been really exciting to see her deepening her talent.”

Emmes said he knew he wanted to produce The Language Archive at SCR immediately after its reading at the Pacific Playwrights Festival last spring: “The play possesses a wonderful charm and displays a tremendous theatrical imagination.”

The Language Archive tells the story of George, a man consumed with preserving and documenting the dying languages of far-flung cultures. Closer to home, though, language is failing him. He doesn’t know what to say to his wife, Mary, to keep her from leaving him, and he is oblivious to the deep feelings his lab assistant, Emma, has for him.

This is Cho’s second SCR production; her first was the 2007 world premiere of The Piano Teacher, about the lasting effects of childhood trauma and human beings’ great capacity for denial. Brokaw just directed After Miss Julie, currently playing on Broadway with Sienna Miller. He has extensive on- and Off-Broadway credits, but this will mark his SCR directorial debut.

Find out more here: http://www.scr.org/calendar/view.aspx?id=2748

Timescape (Southern CA)
No No Boy
an adaption of the John Okada novel
by Ken Narasaki
March 27 to April 18, 2010

See News story.

Asian American Theatre Company (San Francisco, CA)
Macho Bravado
by Alex Park
April 1 to 25, 2010

A World Premiere.

MACHO BRAVADO explores the mythology of masculinity with a Korean-American soldier placed front and center. He is a wounded veteran from an unnamed war, challenged to find meaning and place at home. The play is a war-and-love story that finds the protagonist and his wife fighting to make their way back to each other in the wake of difficult changes and choices that have recast them as strangers.

GENseng
Mask Dance
by Rick Shiomi
April 29 to May 1, 2010

Asian Arts Initiative (Philadelphia, PA
Annual Benefit Dinner
Friday, April 30

Annual Benefit Banquet and Silent Auction
Ocean City Restaurant, 234-236 N 9th St, Chinatown

Save the date for a night of food and fun celebrating Asian Arts Initiative and raising support for our diverse programs!

For sponsorship or volunteer opportunities, please contact Laura -AT- asianartsinitiative.org

Can’t wait and want to give right now?

Keep our programs strong! Make a gift! Give securely online:
https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=1181

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Fluid Motion (New York, NY)
The Herakles Project
by Christopher Chen
May 2010

A workshop of "The Herakles Project," a new play by Christopher Chen that reformulates the Greek classic to post-boxer rebellion China.

East West Players (Los Angeles, CA)
Road to Saigon
May 13 to June 13, 2009

The coveted role of Kim in the musical MISS SAIGON has been performed by an elite group of talented women on Broadway and around the world. However this evening does not tell Kim's story, but the stories of the actresses who have played this powerhouse role. Hear Joan Almedilla, Jennifer Paz, and Jenni Selma in a heart-warming, passionate and musical journey as they share memories about family, relationships, careers and personal milestones on their individual roads to Saigon. Developed and Directed by Jon Lawrence Rivera, Musical Direction & Arrangement by Nathan Wang.

Kumu Kahua Theatre (Honolulu, HI)
The Hilo Massacre
by Tremayne Tamayose
May 20 to June 20, 2010

On August 1, 1938, to express their solidarity with striking workers in Honolulu, more than 200 Big Island men and women belonging to different labor unions (including longshoremen, warehousemen, teamsters, garbage collectors, quarry workers and the ladies auxiliary) attempted peacefully to demonstrate against the arrival of a ship from Oahu. They were met by a force of over 70 police officers who tear-gassed, hosed and fired riot guns into the crowd. Fifty of the demonstrators were hospitalized. Based in part on research from labor historian William J. Puette's book The Hilo Massacre: Hawaii's Bloody Monday, Tremaine Tamayose's teleplay, originally produced for the PBS labor history series Rice and Roses, infuses historical events with personal stories of the workers, police and politicians. It is brought to the theatrical stage for the first time by Kumu Kahua Theatre.

Mu Performing Arts (Minneapolis, MN)
Becoming
by Iris Shiraishi
June 2010

This world premiere is personal journey of discovery from Shiraishi’s own childhood in Hawaii to her work as a taiko artist with Mu Performing Arts. An intimate piece filled with ritual and song, Becoming is an uplifting work close to the heart of Mu.

Fluid Motion (New York, NY)
The Chingghis Khan Project
by Michi Barall
June 2010

A workshop of "The Chingghis Khan Project," a new multi-art play by Start the Story Wickshaw Productions Fellow Michi Barall.

Asian American Theatre Company (San Francisco, CA)
Beijing, California
by Paul Heller
Summer 2010

The Theatre @ Boston Court (Los Angeles, CA)
Portland Center Stage
National Asian American Theatre Company
Futura
by Jordan Harrison
directed by Jessica Kubzansky

Can a font change the future? On her first day back at the University, a rogue professor sets out to avenge her missing husband - and the lost art of ink on paper - by conducting a dangerous lesson on typography. When the Professor’s lecture jumps the rails, we peer into a near future where desperate people search for the tangible in an ever more virtual age. Futura is a shared world premiere with Portland Center Stage and The National Asian American Theatre Company.