The cast has been set for the world premiere of David Henry Hwang's Golden Child, opening the 2000 season at East West Players Jan. 26, 2000, for a one-month run. Directed by Chay Yew, Golden Child is the first of Hwang's plays to be produced in the theatre named after him.

The cast includes (in alphabetical order) Melody Butiu, Robert Glaudini, Amy Hill, Emily Kuroda and Sandra Oh. The technical team includes Joyce Kim Lee (costumes), Jose Lopez (lighting), Joel Iwataki (composer/sound designer) and Ricardo Figueroa (production stage manager).

Golden Child deals with the theme of family and change. Hwang draws on his grandmother's true stories about his great-grandfather's break with Confucian tradition by his conversion to Christianity and the unbinding of his daughter's feet. The play explores the impact of these decisions on his grandfather's three wives and on succeeding generations.

EWP is located in the Union Center for the Arts, 120 N. Judge John Alioso St. in Little Tokyo. For tickets and information call Telecharge at (800) 233-3123 or visit www.eastwestplayers.com.

-- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent