EL NINO HITS EAST WEST PLAYERS;
PACIFIC OVERTURES POSTPONED UNTIL MARCH 12 AT NEW THEATRE

Extreme weather conditions that have hit the Southland have caused unforseen delays in the construction of the David Henry Hwang Theatre at the Union Center for the Arts, located in Little Tokyo at 120 N. Judge Jobn Aiso Street (formerly N. San Pedro Street). Due to delays, the opening for Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman's PACIFIC OVERTURES is set for March 18 and closing on April 5, 1998. Previews begin March 12.

Performances are Thursday, Friday, and Satutrday nights at 8pm, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2pm. There is no matinee performance on Saturday, March 21.

Directed by Tim Dang with musical direction by Scott Nagateni, PACIFIC OVERTURES is the first production of East West Players' inaugural season at the new David Henry Hwang Theatre. The cast for PACIFIC OVERTURES includes (in alphabetic order) Stella Choe, Jason Fong, David Furumoto, Randall Guiaya, Mike Hagiwara, Chanel Akiko Hirai, Denise lketani, A1vin Ing, Kurt Kuniyoshi, Michael K Lee, Reggie Lee, Sabrina Lu, Hisato Masuyama, Orville Mendoza, Deborah Nishimura, Ray Rochelle, Tedd Szeto, Janice K. Terukina, Paul Wong, Ed You and Keone Young.

Contemporary choreography for PACIFIC OVERTURES is by Betsy Chang, Kabulki consultant and choreography by David Furumoto, set design by Lisa Hashimoto, lighting by G. Shiziko Herrera, costumes by Naomi Yoshida Rodriguez, sound design by Joel Iwataki, and props by Ken Takemoto. Ricardo Figueroa is the production stage manager.

PACIFIC OVERTURES, about international relationships, is the title phrase which was coined by Admiral Commodore Perry to describe the historic and naval presence (gunboat diplomacy) that made Japan open trade with the West, ultimately ending over 200 years of isolation. The extraordinary cultwal shock that never stopped is what PACIFlC OVERTURES is all about: the price of progress. A musical theatre piece in the tradition of great musicals, PACIFIC OVERTURES incorporates the dramatic techniques of Japanese Kabuki theater.

Tickets go on sale Sunday, March 1, by calling Telecharge at 800-447-7400, 24 hows a day, seven days a week. Senior and student rates available. Group rates are available by calling 213-6257000, Monday through Friday, 10am to 6pm.

Top: David Furumoto in Pacific Overtures. Bottom: Keone Young. pictures by Susan Schader.

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