Kumu Kahua Theatre (Hawaii)
Territorial Plays:
Cane Fire
by Kathryn S. Bond
Reunion
by Lisa Toishigawa Inouye
In the Alley
by Edward Sakamoto
September 2 to October 3, 2004

Three short plays originally produced in the 30s, 40s and 60s take Kumu audiences back for a look at plantation workers, World War II veterans, and the disaffected local youth of early statehood days in Hawai'i.


Pamana Theatre Project (Seattle, WA)
Dead Woman Home
written and performed bt May Nazareno
September 9 to October 3, 2004

East Hall Theater (1525 10th Ave., 2nd Floor)

Suspended between two worlds, Dead Woman Home tells the true story of a Filipina UN aide reported as dead in the August 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad. As her loved ones reel with the tragic news, this timely and inspiring multimedia solo play richochets between New York and Baghdad, examining the unseen human toll of war.


New York Musical Theatre Festival (NY)
Relentless Pursuits
And the Earth Moved
by Timothy Huang
September 13 to October 3, 2004

And the Earth Moved is a musical signifying the experience of the 2nd Generation in America. Inspired by the tragic earthquake that struck Taiwan in September of 1999 killing thousands, And the Earth Moved is a fictional account of one Asian’s role in the experiment called America. This musical, written by writer/composer Timothy Huang, explores the Asian-American experience through an exploration of urban, gender, and family issues. And the Earth Moved is a piece that touches upon the relationship between Asians and America.

Faced with the possible deaths of his overseas living parents, Will Chen steps out of his Manhattan apartment for a breath of air to find he does not recognize a single building. Suddenly thrust into a constantly changing, topsy-turvey, landscape filled with as much wonder as danger, Will finds he must first discover what his home really is before discovering how to get back to it. Between a clairvoyant 18 year old truant named Jenny, an eccentric cross-dressing restaurant owner with a penchant for Chinese Opera and The First Chinese Pentecostal Church of Harlem Gospel Choir, everyone Will encounters has something to teach him. But does he have anything to learn?

at The 45th Street Theatre
354 West 45th (b/n 8th & 9th Avenues)
New York, NY
1, 2, 3, 7, or 9 to Times Square
A, C, or E to 42nd Street
N, R to 49th Street

Here's a review...


East West Players (LA, CA)
Mixed Messages
by Cherylene Lee
September 15 to October 10, 2004

Mixed Messages explores the journey of a "mixed" woman (Japanese, Chinese and British) who discovers that her cranial features are extremely similar to that of the 9,000 year-old women fossil found in the La Brea Tar Pits in 1914. The realization sparks emotional duels pitting science against culture, ethnicity against heritage, and the individual against institutions in defining those of "mixed: backgrounds.

See News article.


fu-GEN Theatre (Toronto, Canada)
Banana Boys
by Leon Aureus,
from the novel by Terry Woo
September 18 to October 3, 2004

The full production of Banana Boys by Leon Aureus, the world premiere stage adaptation of the novel by Terry Woo, is here. Banana Boys is the story of five Asian-Canadian guys trying to find their place in the chaos. It’s a smart, contemporary, wickedly funny play that breaks down stereotypes and paints a candid picture of what it is to be an Asian-Canadian male.

Banana Boys marks fu-GEN's inaugural full production. Award winning director Nina Aquino leads the five talented Asian Canadian actors who have come to be known as “The Boys” (at least to the Second Cup staff at King & Adelaide): In-Surp Choi, Derek Kwan, Richard Lee, David Yee & Dale Yim. Set and costume designer Camellia Koo, Dora award-winning lighting designer Michelle Ramsay, multimedia designer Guy Bertrand, and sound designer/musical director/composer Romeo Candido round out the stunning creative team involved in this production.

Join fu-GEN, as they bring new definitions of Asian-Canadianism to the stage. For those of you who have been following this project from the start, and those who are joining our program already in progress … thank you for your continued support and patronage…when The Boys take the stage.


Second Generation
a concert reading of
Making Tracks
Concept and Book by Welly Yang
Co-book and Lyrics by Brian R. Yorkey
Music by Woody Pak
September 28 to 29, 2004

Musical Direction by Tom Kitt

Featuring:
Michael K. Lee
Thomas Kouo
Herman Sebek
Deedee Lynn Magno
Hazel Anne Raymundo
David Rhee
With:
David Albulario, Grant Chang, Robin Lee Gallo, Jonathan Lee, Juan Pineda and Yuka Takara

WHEN:
Tuesday, September 28, 2004 at 7:30 pm
Wednesday, September 29, 2004 at 7:30 pm

WHERE:
The East 13th Street Theatre
136 East 13th Street, New York City

FREE
Advance Reservations Required


Bindlestiff Studio (SF, CA)
8.5 Stories High
September 30 to October 9, 2004

The 3rd annual culmination of Bindlestiff Studio's writing, acting, directing, and production incubators. Come see 8.5 all new original works written and performed by the next generation of artists.

A bride gets wet feet on her wedding day. Lola's ghost comes to visit. Detective Shingles shakesdown a toy store. An awkward morning after. Packing a balikbayan box. A SoMa Cinderella. Elicit love affairs! Corporate Balut?!

Bindlestiff Alley
505 Natoma St. @ 6th St. (between Howard and Mission)
San Francisco, CA 94103
415.255.0440


Seattle Repertory Theatre (Seattle, WA)
Secret Histories: Seattle Youth
Ping Chong
October 3 to 9, 2004

Seattle Repertory Theatre is hosting a new work by noted theater and film artist Ping Chong: Secret Histories: Seattle Youth."

This collaborative theater piece spearheaded by Chong (whose puppet play Oban: Tales of Rain and Moonlight was a Rep hit in 2002) is based on the lives of Seattle young people from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds, who portray themselves onstage.

Chong has created similar works in other cities, and describes the Secret Histories project as "a kind of microcosm for the American tapestry of peoples."

This show will have several public performances, on Oct. 3 and Oct. 8-9. Details: www.seattlerep.org, 206-443-2222.


THE FIFTH ANNUAL L.A. HISTORY PROJECT
Lodestone Theatre Ensemble
Staged reading of Act 2 of
China Doll
Written by Elizabeth Wong
Directed by Philip W. Chung
Produced by Nic Cha Kim
October 8 to 10, 2004

Anna May Wong. China Doll. Dragon Lady. The woman who died a thousand deaths. The brightest Asian American movie star in the world. This is her story.

Starring: Tamlyn Tomita (The Joy Luck Club, The Day After Tomorrow) as Anna May Wong With: Peggy Ahn, Vic Chao, Nechelle Fabiana, Clyde Kusatsu, Jeff Liu, Camille Mana, Rachel Morihiro, Kelvin Han Yee & Freda Foh Shen as Marlene Dietrich

Sat., Oct. 9 @ 1:30 PM
Sunday, Oct. 10 @ 4:30 PM

FREE ADMISSION & PARKING
Autry National Center
Museum of the American West's Wells Fargo Theater
4700 Western Heritage Way
(in Los Angeles' Griffith Park, right across from the L.A. Zoo)
For directions: http://www.museumoftheamericanwest.org/visit/#directions

For more info. on Lodestone:
(323) 993-7245
www.lodestonetheatre.org

The L.A. HISTORY PROJECT is a part of EDGEFEST 2004. For more info. about the Edge of the World Theater Festival and the other four plays in this year's L.A. History Project, go to www.edgefest.org


Rasa Theater and the Queens Museum of Art (NYC, NY)
a Staged Reading of
Mitrachi Goshta (A Friend’s Story)
by Vijay Tendulkar
Sunday, October 10th, 2004
5pm

Featuring:
Rita Garg, Rizwan Manji, Gita Reddy, Debargo Sanyal and Kevin Shenoy

Followed by a discussion with Dr. Una Chaudhuri (Professor of English and Drama, New York University), playwright Vijay Tendulkar and director Uzma Rizvi

with a Wine & Cheese Reception

At Queens Museum of Art
Free with admission to Museum
For Reservations please call 718-592-9700
Directions & more program info:
http://www.queensmuseum.org/education/tendulkar.htm

Direction: Uzma Rizvi
Assistant Director: Nandita Shenoy
Stage Manager: Piyali Bhattacharya

Campus non-entity Bapu tells his story of befriending the college’s most enigmatic female Mitra, whose directness, aggressive manner and ultimately her romantic pursual of a woman starts not one but several love and power triangles. First produced in the original Marathi in 1981, using a tight narrative structure and exhibiting Tendulkar’s hallmark social relevance and knack for controversy, this landmark play continues to be a problematic yet fascinating work that takes on both society and its conscience keepers in exploring memory, friendship and loyalty.


Desipina & Co. (NYC)
Tendulkar's Women
Directed by Ashok Sinha
October 9 to 11, 2004

8pm Shetler Studio #204, 939 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY. Tickets ar $15 in advance and $20 at the door and are available at www.theatremania.com or by calling 212 352-3101. For more information, please visit www.desipina.org

Tendulkar's Women is a workshop staging of a collection of monologues and scenes for women from the work of Vijay Tendulkar. The piece is an examination of gender, politics and power in the modern Indian theatre. The company will perform just over an hour's worth of material from such Tendulkar classics as Silence! The Court is in Session, Kamala and Sakharam Binder. Keeping with Tendulkar tradition, the all-female company will perform both male and female roles. A discussion with Vijay Tendulkar follows the October 9 performance.


LARK PLAY DEVELOPMENT CENTER (NYC, NY)
Presents a Public Reading of
His Fifth Woman
By Vijay Tendulkar
Directed by Sturgis Warner
Thursday, October 14
7pm

Followed by a talkback with Mr. Tendulkar about new play development in India and more!

With Samrat Chakrabarti, Sanjiv Jhaveri, Rizwan Manji, Gita Reddy, Debargo Sanyal & Ami Shukla

The Lark Studio
939 Eighth Avenue, between 55th & 56th
1/9/A/B/C/D to Columbus Circle
N/R/Q/W to 57th
http://www.larktheatre.org

HIS FIFTH WOMAN is a preamble to Tendulkar's most famous play SAKHARAM BINDER. When Sakharam's fifth kept woman dies unexpectedly, he must decide whether he wants to accept responsibility for her burial or let her be disposed of as an unclaimed body. The woman then discovers that the afterlife is not exactly what she had expected. This is Tendulkar’s most recent work, his first written in English.

This event is part of the IAAC TENDULKAR FESTIVAL OCTOBER 2004, and is presented by the Indo American Arts Council and the Lark.

To reserve tickets please call 212-246-2676 x22, $15 Suggested Donation

VIJAY TENDULKAR (Playwright) is a leading contemporary Indian playwright,screen and television writer, literary essayist, political journalist, and social commentator. A lifelong resident of the city of Bombay, Mr. Tendulkar (b. 1928) is the author of thirty full-length plays and twenty-three one-act plays, several of which have become classics of modern Indian theater. Among these are Shantata! Court Chalu Ahe (Silence! The Court Is in Session, 1967), Sakharam Binder (Sakharam the Book-Binder, 1972), Kamala (1981), and Ghashiram Kotwal (Ghashiram the Constable, 1972), which is one of the longest-running plays in the world, with over six thousand performances in India and abroad, in the original and in translation. Mr. Tendulkar is also an important translator in Marathi, having rendered nine novels and two biographies into the language, as well as five plays, including Tennessee William's "A Streetcar Named Desire". He is the author of original stories and screenplays for eight films in Marathi, including "Umbartha" ("The Threshold", 1981), a groundbreaking feature film on women's activism in India.


YangTze Repertory Theatre (NYC, NY)
The Sun Shall Rise
by Cao Yu
October 1 to 17, 2004

A classic from the 1930s, in Mandarin with English subtitles.


Ma-Yi Theatre Co. (NYC)
Savage Acts
by Kia Corthron, Jorge Cortiñas, Han Ong and Alice Yuan
October 9 to 17, 2004

Savage Acts is a new Off-Broadway, collaborative play by noted playwrights Kia Corthron (LIGHT RAISE THE ROOF), Jorge Cortiñas (BLIND MOUTH SINGING), Han Ong (MIDDLE FINGER), Sung Rno (wAve), and Alice Tuan (LAST OF THE SUNS). Directed by Ma-Yi Theater Company Artistic Director Ralph Peña, Savage Acts examines how the perceptions and representations of ethnicity have changed over the past 100 years.


East West Players (LA, CA)
A Special Fundraiser
Love Letters
by A. R. Gurney
featuring Nancy Kwan and James Shigeta
August 21, 2004
October 16, 2004

Due to scheduling conflicts East West Players‚ annual One Night Only fundraiser has been rescheduled to October 16, 2004. East West Players, the nation's premier Asian American theatre organization, will present a special performance of LOVE LETTERS by A.R. Gurney featuring Nancy Kwan and James Shigeta, the stars of the musical film-adaptation of FLOWER DRUM SONG by Rodgers and Hammerstein.

See News article.


Ma-Yi Theatre (NYC) & International WOW Theatre
Death of Nations
by Josh Fox
October 16, 2004

Ma-Yi Theater Company will co-present Death of Nations with International WOW Theatre, to be performed October 16th at 3 and 8pm at Aaron Davis Hall (CUNY Harlem, West 135th Street and Convent Avenue) in conjunction with "Performing Ethnicity," a month-long arts festival. Written and directed by Josh Fox (THE BOMB), Death of Nations is a provocative, original theatre piece featuring artists from the U.S., Japan and Thailand.


F L U I D M O T I O N T H E A T E R & F I L M, Inc. (NYC, NY)
A Staged Reading of Fluid Motion's upcoming film,
The Midas Touch
by TINA LEE
October 17, 200
4

Live musical performances by singer-songwriters
KEVIN SO (www.kevinso.com) &
MIEKA PAULEY (www.mieka.com)

W h e n:
Sunday, October 17, 2004
4:30pm-6:30pm (note new time!)

W h e r e:
NYCD (www.nycd-online.com)
173 West 81st Street (just west of Amsterdam)
Closest Subways: B/C at 81st St or 1/9 at 79th St

Wine & light snacks will be served
Suggested Donation: $20


Spotlight On
3rd Annual Halloween Theatre Festival and
Cuchipinoy Productions (NYC, NY)
Now I Lie
By Lesli-Jo Morizono
October 10-20, 2004

Director:  Jonathan Calindas
Assistant Director: Sarah Darnsteadt
Stage Managers: Lenice da Rocha
Featuring:  Seiko Higuma, Karen Tan, and Sonia Tatninov.

Location:
Greenwich Street Theatre
547 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10013
(Between Charlton and Vandam Streets)
(A/C to Spring St. stop, or 1/9 to Houston St. stop)

Dates/Times
Sunday, October 10, 2004 5:30 pm
Tuesday, October 12, 2004 5:00 pm
Wednesday, October 13 2004, 9:00 pm
Saturday, October 16 2004, 3:00 pm
Sunday, October 17, 2004, 5:00 pm
Wednesday, October 20, 2004 7:00 pm

Tickets for Now I Lie are $15. For tickets please call 212-352-3101 or order online at www.theatermania.com. Advance ticket sales are encouraged.

Now I Lie by Lesli-Jo Morizono, tells the story of three generations of Chinese-American women who are on the run from their past, a curse on their bloodline that hunts their offspring. After a lifetime on the road, Jane finally confronts her mother, Lola, about their past and the sins of her grandmother, Mae. Now I Lie was first presented by Cuchipinoy and _gaia, a Hoboken based collective of women artists, as part of the Nine Muses Reading Series in June/2003.  

Cuchipinoy is an exciting new theatre company dedicated to presenting plays that reflect the American multi-ethnic landscape. A predominantly young company, Cuchipinoy strives to create productions that reflect the complex world we live in today.  The daring company has produced at least eight original productions since its inception and has garnered accolades from the off-off Broadway community, including nominations from the Spotlight On Festival for its last production, Leyendas, recognizing the group as a whole as well as its individual members.


AATC (San Francisco, CA)
Rental Car
by Alex Park
October 8 to 23, 2004

World Premiere! Renting cars is not just a job, it's a kick in the nuts. Rental Car explores the concept of control: control of each other, of our environment, and of our identities. Bobby just got fired from the rental car company and needs a Lexus to do "something" in Denver. But his buddy Jim won't let him because he's too busy thinking naughty thoughts about Brian. Enter Ted who's trying to pick up on a hot 22 year-old Yumi. Who knew renting cars could be like this!


Fire Rose Productions and Losing My Nachos Troupe (LA, CA)
Helter Sketcher
The Halloween comedy show for the whole (Manson) family
October 14 and 21, 2004

With Paul Lirette, Sharlene Louie, Rollence Patugan, Joan Farrell, Michael Vaccaro, Josh Polizzi, Erika Woo, Mimi Chen, Leslie Spring, Doug Eboch, Warren Hall

at
Secret Rose Theatre
11246 Magnolia Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601

Thursdays Oct 14 & 21 at 8:31pm
Tickets: $10 (for mature audiences)
Reservations: (818)623-4291


UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History
Presents Fowler Out Loud!
Maps of City & Body: Shedding Light on the Performances of Denise Uyehara
Performance, reception and book signing
Thursday, October 21, 2004
6 to 8 pm

FREE!

Denise will perform excerpts from her new book, including "Big Head." This work explores the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, and those now perceived as "the enemy": Arab Americans, Muslims, and South Asians. Reception and book signing follows.

FOWLER MUSEUM OF CULTURAL HISTORY, UCLA
General Museum Information: 310/825-4361, fowler.ucla.edu
Fowler Out Loud: 310/825-7810
For more info: www.deniseuyehara.com

Sponsored in part by the Office of Residential Life
Cosponsored by Asian American Studies, Center for Intercultural Performance, and the Department of World Arts and Cultures


NAATCO (The National Asian American Theatre Company)
Eyes of the Heart
By Catherine Filloux
Directed by Kay Matschullat
October 11 to 30, 2004

This new drama is about Thida San, a Cambodian woman suffering from psychosomatic blindness, a devastating condition that afflicts a segment of middle-aged, female Cambodian refugees who witnessed atrocities of the Khmer Rouge. Based on oral histories that Ms. Filloux compiled over five years of working with Cambodian refugee women at St. Rita's Refugee Center in Bronx, New York, Eyes of the Heart follows one woman's search for healing -- and peace of mind -- as she reunites with relatives in America and develops a unique relationship with her American doctor.

with Nadia Bowers*, Alexis Camins, Mia Katigbak*, James Saito*, Virginia Wing*, Eunice Wong*

Sets: Mimi Lien
Lights: Clifton Taylor
Costumes: Suttirat Larlarb
Sound: Dave Morreale
Stage Manager: Sarah Izzo*
*Members of Actors Equity AssociationTickets: $19

For reservations: (212) 244-0447
October 11 - 30, 2004
Intar 53
508 West 53rd Street


Spotlight On's Afternoon of One Acts (NYC, NY)
Sari Yams
by Angela Counts
Saturday, Oct. 23 to 24, 2004

SARI YAMS features Abigail Ramsey as Irene and Gita Reddy as Aruna, in a comic tale in which Irene's home cooking and Aruna's sari collide when two international food fair caterers battle for the man of their dreams.

Greenwich Street Theatre
547 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10013
Tickets: 212-352-3101
Price $15


Interactive Asian Theatre (Sacramento, CA)
Dear George: Letters to the President
October 24 to 30, 2004

Dear George: Letters to the President
LETTERS FROM AMERICA TO PRESIDENT BUSH
LIMITED ENGAGEMET

InterACT presents Dear George: Letters to the President, as part of a nationwide simultaneos presentation. Throughout the month of October, Dear George: Letters to the President will be performed by over 30 theatre companies across the country. It will be performed in both "red" states (Alaska, Wyoming, Texas) and "blue" states (California, New York) as well as several "swing" states (Ohio, North Carolina). InterACT is one of three California companies presenting the piece (the other two are in Los Altos and Santa Monica). The performance piece is a compilation of Americans‚ open letters written to President George W. Bush during this election year from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The letters come from all 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands as well as Americans overseas and cover a wide range of opinions on every major issue including the War in Iraq, the economy, gay marriage and 9/11.

In a classic exercise of "freedom of speech," actors will read these open letters to the President at the Eagle Theatre in Old Sacramento. In addition, the cast will read a limited number of letters written by those who bring them to the performance. The cast, directed by ,includes Marcia Cope-Hart who played Carlotta in San Francisco's resident company of Phantom of the Opera), InterACT veterans Jason Fong and Maria Ramirez, and Celebration Arts‚ James Wheatley. There will also be guest performers from the community to be announced at the performance.

Marcus Woollen, creator of Dear George states: "Public opinion of the President is so sharply divided that interpreting the division through binary polls does not do justice to the passion and intelligence of the American people. Our experiences are far too complex to be adequately reflected by sound bytes or approval ratings. The letters provide a fascinating and complex portrait of our nation today. By presenting individual voices, Dear George is an accessible, non-partisan alternative to the prescribed talking points that too often serve as political debate." The piece offers both pro and con view points. If you have a definate opinion about The President, this will undoubtedly stir your emotions. For those who are still forming their opinion, it offers more food for thought. A collection of the 1500 letters received for this project are on view at: www.DearGeorgeLetters.com.

Performances are at the Eagle Theatre in Old Sacramento, 925 Front Street (across and down the street from Fat City) on: Sunday, October 24th at 7 pm - Thursday, October 28th at 8 pm - Saturday, October 30th at 4 pm. Admission is $12. For reservations, please call the InterACT box office: 394-1335 or via email at: iactmail@earthlink.net


Tribeca All Access Open Stage (NYC, NY)
Cowboy vs. Samurai
by Michael Golamco
October 25 to 26, 2004

Part of the Tribeca Film Festival. A man must choose between the Asian-American and the American within himself.

Ma-Yi Theater Company (NYC, NY)
a Staged Reading of
Pavillions

By
Carla Ching * Qui Nguyen * Sung Rno * Lloyd Suh
October 25 to 26, 2004

Featuring
Kevin Bartlett * Andy Brown * Deborah S. Craig * Andrew Guilarte
* Kate Hall * Tim Kang * Nancy Kim * Jodi Lin

Directed by
Gita Reddy * Christine Simpson

October 25-26, 2004
Monday-Tuesday at 7:00 PM

Ohio Theater
66 Wooster Street
Between Spring & Broome Streets

Subways -
6 to Spring
N/R to Prince
C/E to Spring

$5 SUGGESTED DONATION

Comprised of four pieces loosely inspired by the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair “Palaces,” the large exhibition halls dedicated to a particular theme of culture or industry,

Pavillions features stories by Carla Ching, Qui Nguyen, Sung Rno, and Lloyd Suh.

Pavillions is made possible through the support of The Jerome Foundation.

For more information, please call Ma-Yi Theater Company at 212-971-4862,
or visit www.ma-yitheatre.org

This production is a part of the Performing Ethnicity International Conference and Arts Festival, organized by Ma-Yi Theater Company, The City College of New York, the University of the Philippines system, and Philippine Forum. Major support provided by The Ford Foundation.


First Voice (SF, CA) presents
Ghost Festival IV: Mermaid Meat and Other Japanese Ghost Stories
Featuring Brenda Wong Aoki, Mark Izu and Grand Master Seiichi Tanaka of the San Francisco Taiko Dojo. Directed by Robin Stanton
October 29-31, 2004

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Forum
www.ybca.org or www.firstvoice.org

In the words of Artistic Director Brenda Wong Aoki, “Our lives are built on those who came before, their stories still live on in our collective consciousness. Since humankind tends to repeat itself, we believe that by looking at the ancient myths and archetypes of our ancestors we will find strategies for living today.”

This year the Ghost Festival: Mermaid Meat and Other Japanese Ghost Stories will focus on five unique and powerful tales that explore the dilemmas of life that people around the world have grappled with for thousands of years. Obsessive greed, crimes of passion, and the abuse of power – these stories are found on the front pages of newspapers today, but they are also the foundation of ancient tales and ghost stories.

*SOUL OF THE GREAT BELL
Special guest artist Grand Master Seiichi Tanaka has collaborated with First Voice on the remounting of Soul of the Great Bell, a timely story about a tyrannical ruler who conquers country after country with an insatiable desire to rule the world. First Voice originally created Soul of the Great Bell in 1985 in collaboration with San Jose Taiko Dojo. In this story the tyrannical ruler demands the creation of a great bell to ring out across the empire as a monument to his power and to spread fear among all of his subjects. Bringing this story into the present, Soul of the Great Bell offers a parallel to the fear and despair that is being perpetuated today with the war in Iraq and the war on terrorism.

*MERMAID MEAT
Mermaid Meat
, another cautionary tale, tells the story of a young girl who feasts on the flesh of a mermaid to live forever. Originally commissioned by Kent Nagano, conductor of the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra, Mermaid Meat is an original story written by Brenda Wong Aoki based on the Japanese proverb “eat the flesh of a mermaid and you’ll live forever.” The piece speaks to our collective fascination with ephemeral qualities such as youth and beauty, as well as the welcoming joy of death as a new beginning.

*DANCING IN CALIFORNIA
Another parallel to current political concerns, Dancing in California is inspired by the stories of artists who were in the internment camps during WWII. This story follows a ballet dancer as she teaches her artform to children in the camp determined, despite all odds, to dance again in California.

*THE BELL OF DOJOJI
Brenda Wong Aoki applies her Noh training to The Bell of Dojoji, a Noh play that was made popular by Kabuki. This is a story of a girl transformed by passion after she falls in love with a monk.

*BLACK HAIR
Black Hair
is a ghost story about a wife’s revenge on her samurai husband.

Once again Ghost Festival will be held at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Forum (701 Mission Street at 3rd in San Francisco). A limited engagement of three performances only will occur on Friday and Saturday, October 29th and 30th at 8PM and a Sunday Matinee on October 31 at 2PM

Entertaining and insightful, Ghost Festival IV promises to offer new insights into the human condition while giving you the thrill of a few goosebumps on Halloween.

Tickets are $25 at the door ($2 discount for students and seniors)
The box office number is (415) 978-2787
Buy tickets online at www.ybca.org
For group discounts of 10 or more call Linda Graham (415) 346-7805

Come in costume and get a Japanese treat.
******************************
First Voice is the organization that binds the illustrious storytelling and musical partnership between two celebrated artists, Brenda Wong Aoki and Mark Izu. Since 1979, Brenda Wong Aoki and Mark Izu have been, together and separately, garnering national and international acclaim for their multi-disciplinary work that adapts and combines non-Western theatrical performance structures, jazz, and spoken word traditions.

Tickets are $25 at the door ($2 discount for students and seniors)
The box office number is (415) 978-2787
Buy tickets online at www.ybca.org
For group discounts of 10 or more call Linda Graham (415) 346-7805

Please note that due to mature themes and erotic content, this show is not for children under 12.


Ma-Yi Theatre (NYC, NY)
Godiva Dates and a One Night Stand
Written and Performed by Regie Cabico
October 29, 2004

Godiva Dates and a One Night Stand is presented as part of Ma-Yi's Performing Ethnicity Festival.

Astrology, men & chocolates combine in the latest play by Nuyorican Grand Slam Performer & HBO's Def Jam poet, Regie Cabico. Featuring his most recent poems "i got it bad for nina" and 3 minute neofuturist plays "Soul Bargaining" & "One Night Stand Play Told In Reverse Order or The Unbearable Lightness of Sanctity."

Regie Cabico has appeared on two seasons of HBO's Def Poetry Jam. Solo plays include Faith,Hope & Regie and straight out directed by reg e gaines. His work has been featured at Dixon Place, The Kitchen, Theater Offensive (Boston), 2002 NY International Fringe Festival, the 2003 Humana Theater Festival, and New World Theater. He is a company member of the Neo Futurists' productions of Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind: 30 Plays in 60 Minutes at the Belt Theater. He received three New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowships for Poetry & Performance Art.


InterACT (Sacramento, CA)
Ola Na Iwi  (The Bones Live)   
by Victoria Nalani Kneubuhl       
October 9 to November 7, 2004

It’s not “who done it?” - we know that right away.  It’s what happens afterwards that’s a mystery.  Kawehi discovers Hawaiian bones at a German museum that call out to her, so she takes them back to Hawaii.  She is pursued by Gustav, who hires Fatu and Mina, private investigators, to help him locate and retrieve the bones.  When Pua, Kawehi’s former boss, finds out about the bones, she wants them too, but what is her motive?  But the bones seem to have a life and purpose of their own, guiding Kawehi to help achieve this goal.  Kneubuhl has woven history and culture and entwined them into a mystery with intriguing subplots. 

Pan Asian Repertory Theatre (NYC)
Mom, Dad, I'm Living with a White Girl
By Marty Chan
Directed by Ron Nakahara
October 9 to November 7, 2004

A clever, fast-paced satire dealing with interracial dating that leaps back and forth between reality and film noir fantasy. Starring Wai Ching Ho, Henry Yuk, Pun Bandhu and Mary Kickel.


The Rising Circle Theater Collective (NYC, NY)
presents
The World Premiere of
Pulling the Lever
One Country. One Vote. Your Choice

October 28 to November 6, 2004

Thursday, Friday, Saturday evenings at 8pm/Sunday at 7pm/Saturday matinees at 2pm

An Original Play by The Rising Circle Theater Collective based on interviews with a unique cross-section of Americans about how we approach the most important decision we face as a nation.

A special Post Election Day Performance is scheduled for Wednesday Nov. 3 @ 8pm

Wings Theatre
154 Christopher Street
Greenwich Village, New York City

Tickets are $15 and are available at Wings Theatre 212-627-2961 or online at http://www.wingstheatre.com/reservations.html

With Catherine Jhung*, Lethia Nall*, Don Nahaku*, Matthew Pendergast*, Debargo Sanyal*, Ragini Shah, A-men Rasheed*, Tijuana Ricks*, Carlos Tesoro*, Samir Younis*

Lead Writers: Sanjit De Silva and Deepa Purohit
Director: Rod Bowen
Producers: Don Nahaku and Deepa Purohit
Associate Producers: Nancy Kim and Amie Parikh
Set Design: Shoko Kambara
Lighting Design: Chris Brown
Sound Design: Eugene Cho
Costume Design: Amelia Dombrowski
Stage Manager: Adam Moore

During this election, our national discourse has been dominated by TV's talking heads, the media and the candidates. But it‚s conversations with our co-workers, our neighbors, and our loved ones that truly engage and affect us deeply. Pulling The Lever draws the curtain to reveal how a diverse group of Americans really feels about pulling that lever.


bindlestiff studio (SF, CA)
pipe dreams and paper trails
by Samantha Chanse and Dan Weil
Directed by Chrsytene Ells
October 28 to November 6

"In an age of vegan birthday cake, Republican-controlled electronic voting software, and bad standup comedy, a new band prepares for an ominous election day showdown...

A story for the world-weary and dream-seekers, and everyone who's afraid of losing their voice. Or their punchline."with dan weil, don wood, jamie nallas, michelle talgarow, samantha chanse

bindlestiff studio
505 natoma @ 6th street (between mission and howard), SF
$7 - 12 sliding scale
415.255.0440


3rd Annual Los Angeles Storytelling Festival
Jude Narita
Casual and fun event:
Saturday, Nov. 6, 2004

USC Davidson Conference Center
3415 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles CA 90089-0871
(corner of Jefferson and Figueroa)

check out website for schedule & tix prices: www.lastorytellingfestival.com

all day event from 8 AM to 9 PM with workshops and performances.

Narita performs in both the:

2 -3 PM "Telling Lives: Personal Stories" Concert of Storytellers

7 PM - 9 PM "Final Feast!" Evening Concert of Storytellers


El Portal Theatre (North Hollywood, CA)
Ten Thousand Years
written & directed by John Ridley
October 23 to November 13, 2004

featuring Jennifer Aquino, Dion Basco, Oliver Fox, Dana Lee, Reggie Lee, Kipp Shiotani, Peter James Smith, Brian Tee, James Wong, and Ping Wu.

John Ridley - A former standup comedian that went on to write for sitcoms like Martin and the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air broke the mold when he wrote his first novel, Stray Dogs, which was turned into the film U-Turn directed by Oliver Stone and starring Sean Penn and Jennifer Lopez. He is the author of six published novels, the most recent, Those Who Walk in Darkness from Warner Books and The Drift from Knopf. Additionally, Ridley wrote the screenplays for the films UNDERCOVER BROTHER, COLD AROUND THE HEART, and THREE KINGS. He was executive producer, writer, and director for the UPN television series Platinum. Currently, he is a producer of the NBC television series “Third Watch”.

Ten Thousand Years follows a group of pilots that voluntarily train to fly specially designed airplane bombs on suicide missions for the Japanese government near the closing of World War II. As their training progresses, and defeat becomes more imminent, the physical and psychological toll begins to make them question their reasons, their honor, and their hearts.


Lodestone Theatre (LA, CA)
American Monsters 2
by Corinne Chooey, Isaac Ho, Angela Kang, Oanh Ly & Judy Soo Hoo
directed by Kelvin Han Yee
stage managed by Jennie Yee
November 15, 2004

featuring Peggy Ahn, Feodor Chin, Emily Liu, Ken Narasaki, Sharon Omi & Michelle Sekine

Trapped for centuries, a dark force is unleashed, wreaking havoc while searching for the perfect bride. Nothing is safe, nothing will hold. Drawing inspiration from familiar fairy tales, this sequel to the highly successful AMERICAN MONSTERS continues the classic story of humanity versus evil.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15th, 8:00 PM

Boston Court
70 North Mentor (at Boston Court)
Pasadena, CA 91116
(just north of Colorado Bl. and east of Lake Ave.)
FREE PARKING IN THE LOT BEHIND THEATER
www.BostonCourt.com
Facilities for this event were provided courtesy of Boston Court.

FREE ADMISSION (but donations gladly accepted and encouraged).

NO RSVPS required, however, please arrive at least ten minutes before curtain for seating (which is limited and on a first-come basis). THERE WILL BE NO LATE ADMISSION! Once reading starts, doors will be locked.

For more info. about Lodestone:
(323) 993-7245
SHPLodestone@aol.com
www.lodestonetheatre.org


East West Players Writers' Gallery (LA, CA)
Sunday on Statue Square
By Mark J. Jue
Directed by Heidi Helen Davis
November 18, 2004

Set in Hong Kong, Sunday on Statue Square is a bittersweet tale of a Filipina maid and her Chinese employers. Annually thousands of Filipinas are forced to leave home for economic reasons, and take jobs overseas as maids.

FREE Admission | Thursday, November 18 @ 7:30 pm
Japanese American National Museum
369 E. First St., Los Angeles, CA 90012


ProperGander (Southern California)
A Burning Thing
October 21 to November 20, 2004

Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night at 8pm (Doors open at 7:30pm)
Tickets are $15 / $12 for Students (Group rates available, email info@propergander.net)

People have been wondering aloud, "Gee, I really enjoyed FERTILIZING EGGY AND OTHER STORIES... I wonder when Propergander is going to come out with a new show." Well, wonder no more because the time has come!

Five new theatrical stories about life on the fiery edge of existence: A tale of lost-and-found love surrounding a ten year old's mix tape... A sea captain and his angrily-tattooed son discovering a mysterious mermaid... An aunt and her awkward niece finally reconnecting... Ostriches in combat with vicious Cheetahs... And a young woman whose emotions set everything around her on FIRE...

Question: "What is a Burning Thing?"

Answer: Find out as ProperGander presents A Burning Thing this fall!


Campo Santo (SF, CA)
A Fist of Roses
by Philip Kan Gotanda
October 27 to November 21, 2004

Fist of Roses has been developed collaboratively with Campo Santo, community groups working in the fields of violence prevention and intervention, and Gotanda, one of the nation's premiere playwrights (The Wash and The Ballad of Yachiyo). This new play uses elements of personal narrative, dance, live music and beatboxing to explore what pushes someone to want to hurt - even kill - someone they love.


SIS Productions (Seattle, WA)
Sex in Seattle, Episode 10: Action Fantasies
Richard Hugo House
October 29 to November 20, 2004

Storyline by Dawn Box, Kathy Hsieh & Lisa Marie Nakamura
Written by Kathy Hsieh
Directed by Kathy Hsieh

Richard Hugo House
1634 11th Ave
Seattle's Capitol Hill

October 29-November 20, 2004
Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm & 10:30pm

Reservations strongly encouraged:
206-323-9443 or tickets@sis-productions.org

For advance tickets call Ticket Window (206-325-6500) or www.ticketwindowonline.com

Rated "R" for sexual situations, innuendo, and action adventure violence.

Sex in Seattle, Episode 10: Action Fantasies is a delightfully daring, all-new adventure with Seattle's sexy Asian American foursome - Jenna, Tess, Elizabeth and Shari. Join these four dynamic dames in a scintillating send-up of action films as they each continue their search for happiness, excitement and that ever elusive notion called Love.


Kumu Kahua Theatre (Hawaii)
Half Dozen Long Stem
by Lee Cataluna
November, 2004

Kumu Kahua premieres another new work by playwright, screenwriter, actor and newspaper columnist Lee Cataluna, who now cultivates her distinctive brand of local humor in new soil--a Honolulu flower and lei shop.

See News story.


Ma-Yi Theatre (NYC)
House/Boy
by Nicky Paraiso
November 4 to 21, 2004

Ma-Yi continues its 2004-05 season with House/Boy, a solo piece with music conceived and performed by Nicky Paraiso, at La MaMa ETC (74 East 4th Street), November 4-14, Thursdays-Saturday at 10PM, Sundays at 5PM. Also directed Mr. Peña, Paraiso's humorous and thought-provoking autobiographical one-man show explores identity, sexuality and the enduring theme of what "home" means to Filipino Americans.


Desipina Theatre (NYC, NY)
Here Arts Center (NYC, NY)
Broke
BROKE
by Vishakan Jeyakumar
Directed by Abigail Marateck
November 10 to 21, 2004

The cast features Paul Coughlan, Ian Eaton*, Amol Shah*, Sekou Campbell* *Actor's Equity

Set Design by Tania Bijlani, Light Design by Jeff McCrum, Sound by Ezekiel Kendrick

www.desipina.org
Nov 10-21 at HERE Arts Center
145 sixth avenue (bet. spring and broome)

General Admission $15, Tickets can be purchased at
www.here.org or calling 212/868-4444
Wed-Saturday 7 PM, Saturday and Sunday matinee 2 PM

Broke explores day to day life in a Queens autoshop run by two African American brothers, Derrick and Kevin, and their employee Neelan, a Sri Lankan refugee. When temperamental and elusive Vince joins the team, it becomes difficult to tell what needs fixing more ˆ the cars or the mechanics.


Bindlestiff Studio (SF, CA)
Anak ti Diablo
November 11 to 20, 2004

Set in present day Daly City, CA "Anak ti Diablo" (Ilocano for "children of the Devil) focuses on Jack Bastus and Jake Jr., Rip and Slang, the guys in the band "Anak ti Diablo" as they plot to raise fifteen hundred dollars to payback Big Jake, the local loan shark. Jack borrowed the money to bail the guys out of jail after a poker game mishap and today is the day that she agreed to pay back Big Jake. While Mama, Magadalena Bastus and Manong Eddie have been away on their annual pilgrimage to pray for the soul of Mama’s seven year deceased husband, Jack and the guys have held a weekend-long party (the first annual "Brown Power Palooza" intended to rival the annual Barrio Fiesta which is taking place down the street) to raise the needed funds. When the guys realize that they forgot to collect the party’s cover charge they accuse Bong Bong, Jack’s recently paroled older brother, of making off with the cash to support his gambling habit. Virgie, Jack and Bong Bong’s eldest sister, a contestant in the Miss Barrio Fiesta Queen Pageant, agrees to donate the pageant’s fifteen hundred dollar first place prize if she does not lose the pageant yet again this year. When Mama and Eddie return home sooner than expected Jack easily convinces Mama, who is delirious from fasting, that the sounds of the partygoers inside the house are the sounds of "Daddy’s ghost" who has come home for good. Bong Bong and Jack send Mama on a series of errands to appease Daddy’s soul and to help remove his paranormal presence from the house. As the hijinks ensue Big Jake and Virgie fall in love and Eddie reveals his feelings for Mama. In the end Bong Bong saves the day with a winning lottery ticket, Jake Jr, Rip and Slang confess their guilt to Jack, she recovers from the shock of their betrayal and she forgives the guys for their sins and as the full moon shines over the kindred souls everyone rocks out.


Fire Rose Ten-Minute Play Festival (Group A) (Southern CA)
House of Sticks
by Felix Racelis
November 12 to 21, 2004

Alberto Isaac directs a cast which includes Joe Allen Price, Helen Duffy and Janellen Steininger. In the play an outspoken, flamboyant homeless shelter resident goes on the attack of his shelter's biggest donor with consequences both comic and tragic. There are also other plays by other local writers both the weekend of Nov. 12 & Nov. 19. "The Best of..." are featured Dec. 3 & 4.

Dates: Group A
Fri. & Sat., Nov. 12 & 13, 8pm; Sun., Nov. 14, 2pm
Tix: $15 or $10 advance

Secret Rose Theatre
11246 Magnolia Blvd. (block and 1/2 W. of Lankershim)
Reservation: 1-866-811-411 or
www.TheaterMania.com

Info: 818-623-4291 or www.FireRoseProductions.com


One Festival by Double Helix Theatre Co. presents
Goy Vey!
Adventures of a Dim Sun in Search of His Wanton Father
by Richard Chang
November 17 to 21, 2004

Jackie Sun, a country bumpkin, sells batteries in the New York subway as he seeks his long-lost Papa who has dumped his Chinese Opera Diva-Mama. A panoply of characters give clues to the truth in an allegorical tale with humorous twists and turns.

Goy Vey! is probably the first theatrical experience to combine standup comedy, Broadway musical theatre, mime, Chinese and Western Opera, Jewish Klezmer, hip hop, Looney Tunes and other performance styles -- all in a parody by one performer. By playing on the similarities between cultures, the show wreaks havoc with stereotypes and other absurd assumptions to celebrate the diversit! y and one-ness of the human race.

Follow Jackie on a quick tour at www.goyvey.com

Written and performed by Richard Chang
Music/Sound Design by Chris Liang a.k.a Ninjaboy
Directed by Linda Burson, based on original direction by Meryl Newbern

Schedule:
Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 9:00pm
Saturday, Nov. 20 at 8:00pm
Sunday, Nov. 21 at 1:00pm
Running Time: 1 hr. 15 min.

Primary Stages - 45th Street Theatre
354 West 45th Street (at 9th Avenue)
New York, NY 10036
Tickets: 212-352-3101
Info: 212-712-8548
Price $15.00

For group sales, call Jason Woodruff at 917-553-5143.
See also: www.doublehelixtheatre.org


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