LOS ANGELES -- East West Players' transition from small to mid-sized status will be delayed a month. The Asian-American theatre company, Los Angeles' first, will now move into its new home, the 220-seat David Henry Hwang Theatre, at the Union Center for the Arts in the heart of Little Tokyo, in February rather than January of 1998. The company has for the past 32 years been based in Hollywood, operating most recently out of an intimate theatre in Silverlake. EWP's inaugural production will be Pacific Overtures, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and book by John Weldman. Artistic director Tim Dang will direct.
Four world premieres have been scheduled as part of the EWP's upcoming season: Big Hunk O' Burnin Love, by Prince Gomilvilas; Maid of Orleans, book and lyrics by Alberto Isaac, music by Joel Iwataki; Lava by Edward Sakamoto; and Angel Island, book and lyrics by Robert Lee, music by Leon Ko.
-- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent