TOP LOS ANGELES ASIAN AMERICAN PERFORMING ARTS GROUPS COLLABORATE TO PRESENT THE WORLD PREMIERE OF

TeleMongol

A new comedy set at a fictional Asian American cable network opens on Nov. 11

Los Angeles Asian American performing arts organizations Lodestone Theatre Ensemble, Cold Tofu Improv, OPM and 18 Mighty Mountain Warriors have come together in a historic collaboration to present the world premiere of TeleMongol, running November 11-December 17, 2006 at the GTC Burbank (1111-B West Olive Ave., Burbank, CA 91506) located inside George Izay Park.

TeleMongol is a sketch comedy performance that tells the story of AHOLE-TV (Asia Home of Language Entertainment), a fictional Asian American cable network with a mission to create programming by and for the Asian Pacific American community.

The show takes a satirical look at the behind-the-scenes politicking at the station. Actors Corinne Chooey, Ewan Chung and Michael C. Palma play the three executives in charge of putting AHOLE-TV on the air, and through them we see the conflicting issues of the cable station's mission: Is it to serve the greater good by telling the stories of and representing the Asian Pacific American community or to profit from the tremendous buying power of Asians?

In addition, TeleMongol presents a tongue-and-cheek preview of the original programming AHOLE-TV will air. Some of the new shows include The Dr. Pho Show, a talk show hosted by local nail salon owner Dr. Pho; reality show The Asian Surreal Life featuring housemates George Takei, Sammo Hung, Bai Ling and Rick Yune; and a special holiday presentation by North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il and friends.

Additional TeleMongol cast members include Robert Covarrubias, Denise Iketani, Charles Kim, Jully Lee, Aaron Takahashi, Wanru Tseng, Greg Watanabe and Joyce F. Liu.

Veteran TV director Henry Chan will direct. For six years, Chan was the principal director for the UPN sitcom Moesha (starring Brandy) and his other directing credits include episodes of The King of Queens, Scrubs and Lloyd Suh's play Masha No Home for East West Players.

LODESTONE THEATRE ENSEMBLE is an Asian American theatre company with a mission to develop, create, promote and present edgy, compelling and impassioned works that bridge communities through truthful and entertaining artistry. Lodestone Theatre Ensemble is a Company-in-Residence at GTC Burbank.

Founded in 1981, COLD TOFU , the nation's premier Asian American comedy improvisation troupe is dedicated to promoting diverse images of Asian Pacific Americans through comedy and to developing multiethnic talent through education and performance. www.coldtofu.com.

18 MIGHTY MOUNTAIN WARRIORS have been together since 1994 and have created 15 all-new material shows, and 3 original collaborations with Culture Clash, Campo Santo and Latina Theatre Lab. They have performed throughout the United States and Asia . www.18mmw.com

OPM ("Opening People's Minds") started in 1996 with an aim to bring Asian Pacific American voices alive through sketch comedy. The group has won numerous awards including the Best of the San Francisco Fringe Fest and the SketchOff competition in Vancouver and has been a staple in the Hollywood sketch comedy circuit. www.opmcomedy.com.

Performances are Thursdays – Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m. , November 11 – December 17 (no performance on Thanksgiving, Nov. 23), with special low-priced previews on November 9 and 10 at 8 pm. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $13 for students and seniors. Group rates of $11 each are available for reservations of 10 or more. Tickets for the November 11 Opening Night Gala with a post-show reception are $25. All Sunday matinees (except December 17 closing night) will be specially discounted pay-what-you-can performances.