East West Players (EWP), the Nation's Premier Asian American Theatre, has extended its two one-act musicals by two of the best musical theatre composers of our time to June 21, 2009. This musical theatre event continues EWP's tradition of producing Stephen Sondheim musicals with Marry Me a Little and explores new ground with Jason Robert Brown's The Last Five Years.
"It was not an accident that we choose to juxtaposse these two shows in one evening," said Producing Artistic Director Tim Dang, "East West Players has become renowned for doing Stephen Sondheim's work well and we wanted to continue that tradition. Having produced several of the shows that the songs from Marry Me a Little contains, such as Follies and Company, we thought it would be real treat for our Sondheim enthusiasts to hear those songs that never made it to the final production. At the same time we continue to usher in a new generation of musical theatre artists and their work. The Last Five Years is a prime example of exceptional talent, as its composer Jason Robert Brown won his first Tony Award at age 28. Although the two productions have some similarities, they have two distinctly different styles in composition and direction. We hope fans of either composer will seize this as an opportunity to experience something new and that is why we felt it was important to present them together in one evening."
All performances of Marry Me a Little and The Last Five Years will be staged at the David Henry Hwang Theater at the Union Center for the Arts at 120 Judge John Aiso St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. Marry Me a Little and The Last Five Years open Wednesday, May 13, 2009 and closes on Sunday, June 21, 2009. Opening night will be accompanied by a pre-performance cocktail reception and a post show reception with the cast and creative team. Performances are Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. Previews continue Thursday - Saturday, May 7 - 9 at 8pm and Sunday, May 10 at 2pm. The Pay-What-You-Can Performances will be held Thursday, May 14 at 8pm and Wednesday June 3, 2009. An American Sign Language-interpreted performance is scheduled for Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 2pm.
General ticket prices are $50 in the orchestra and $45 in the balcony. Preview tickets (May 7 - 10) are $25 for all seats. Opening night tickets are $70 for all seats. Tickets are currently on sale. For ticket purchases or more information, please call East West Players at (213) 625-7000 or visit www.eastwestplayers.org. Senior, student and group discounts are available. Dates and details are subject to change.
Photos by Michael Lamont
Jennifer Paz
Michael K. Lee
Jennifer Paz and Michael K. Lee
Jennifer Hubilla
Jennifer Hubilla
Michael K. Lee and Jennifer Paz
Mike Dalager
Mike Dalager and Jennifer Hubilla
