LOS ANGELES -- East West Players, the nation's first Asian-American theatre, has announced its thirty-third season. Opening the season is the world premiere of Yohen (Jan. 9-Feb. 5) by Philip Kan Gotanda, directed by Anne Bowen. A co-production with the Robey Theatre Co., Yohen stars Danny Glover and Nobu McCarthy. It tells the story of an elderly African-American-Japanese couple struggling to maintain their marriage.

Danny Glover is best known from his ongoing role in the "Lethal Weapon" film series. His other movie credits include "The Color Purple" and the upcoming "Beloved."

Entitled "The Sound of Voices," the new season is the second the company has spent at its new Little Tokyo location, the David Henry Hwang Theatre at the Union Center for the Arts.

"The season commemorates the last year before the next millennium, which many feel will be the Pacific century," said a company spokesperson. "The Asian-Pacific community has grown by leaps and bounds in southern California and our voice continues to get louder and clearer in America... We will turn this voice into a presence that will be integral to our diverse community."

The season continues with the West Coast premiere of Cherylene Lee's Carry the Tiger to the Mountain (Feb. 24-Mar. 14). It deals with the brutal murder of Vincent Chin. Next is the world premiere of Hanako (Apr. 7-Apr. 25) by Chungumi Kim, which focuses on Korean comfort women. The final show will be the world premiere of Bejing Spring, A Musical Odyssey by Joel Iwataki and Tim Dang (May 12-Jun. 6). It will be performed in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Tian An Men Square massacre. Call East West at (213) 625-7000 or visit www.eastwestplayers.com.

-- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent