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EAST WEST PLAYERS

120 Judge John Aiso St
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Website

About the Theatre

EWP was founded by nine Asian American artists (Mako, Rae Creevey, Beulah Quo, Soon-Tek Oh, James Hong, Pat Li, June Kim, Guy Lee, and Yet Lock) seeking to create roles beyond the stereotypical parts they were offered in mainstream Hollywood. In 1998, EWP Artistic Director Tim Dang led the company’s move from a 99-seat Equity Waiver “black box” theatre into a new 240-seat venue at an Actors Equity Association contract level. EWP’s main stage is the David Henry Hwang Theater, housed within the Union Center for the Arts in downtown Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo district. The theater serves more than 25,000 people each year, and has become a creative center in this historically significant setting. When Dang retired in 2016, his successor Snehal Desai was appointed to guide East West Players into a new wave of artistic leadership. Desai has committed to steering the work of East West Players with an intersectional focus that further unveils the diversity of Asian Pacific identities as portrayed on stage.

RELATED STORIES

Cast Set for Lisa Sanaye Dring's KAIROS at East West Players


by Chloe Rabinowitz - March 06, 2024

East West Players will present Kairos, by Lisa Sanaye Dring and directed by Jesca Prudencio. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets!...

GRUMPY MONKEY, THE MUSICAL World Premiere Extends at Pasadena Playhouse


by Chloe Rabinowitz - February 15, 2024

Pasadena Playhouse is extending its world premiere of Grumpy Monkey, The Musical  through Sunday, March 10....

PACIFIC OVERTURES, World Premieres & More Set for East West Players 2024 Season


by Chloe Rabinowitz - February 01, 2024

East West Players has unveiled its the 2024 Season. See full programming and lear how to purchase tickets!...

Interview: Chelsea Sutton's No Fool With Creating CAROUSEL OF FOOLS


by Gil Kaan - January 22, 2024

Rogue Artists Ensemble starts up their 2024 season with a one-night fundraiser Carousel of Fools at the Santa Monica Pier January 25, 2024. Known for its interactive, immersive, site-specific shows with puppetry, Rogue Artists Ensemble will be an interactive, immersive carnival experience utilizing ...

REDCAT Presents The West Coast Premiere of THE NOSEBLEED, The Obie Award-Winning Show from Aya Ogawa


by A.A. Cristi - January 11, 2024

From Feb. 1 to 3, 2024, Roy and Edna Disney CalArts Theater (REDCAT), CalArts' center for contemporary arts in downtown Los Angeles, in association with East West Players, presents the West Coast premiere of The Nosebleed, the 2022 Obie Award-winning show from innovative playwright, performer, trans...

Rogue Machine to Present West Coast Premiere of MIDDLE OF THE WORLD This Month


by Chloe Rabinowitz - January 10, 2024

Rogue Machine Theatre presents 'MIDDLE OF THE WORLD' by Juan José Alfonso, directed by Guillermo Cienfuegos. A story of redemption and unexpected alliance....

Last Chance to Vote for the BWW Los Angeles Awards; Voting Ends 12/31


by BWW Awards - December 26, 2023

It's the final week left to vote for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Los Angeles Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!...

West Coast Premiere of Lisa Sanaye Dring's KAIROS to be Presented at East West Players


by Chloe Rabinowitz - December 19, 2023

East West Players has revealed the inaugural production of its upcoming 2024 Season. Kairos, by playwright Lisa Sanaye Dring will perform at East West Players’ David Henry Hwang Theater....

2 Weeks to Vote for the BWW Los Angeles Awards; 44: THE UNOFFICIAL, UNSANCTIONED OBAMA MUSICAL, 1984, House of Bards Theatre Company & More Lead!


by BWW Awards - December 18, 2023

There's just two weeks left to vote and we have the latest standings as of Monday, December 18th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Los Angeles Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!...

BroadwayWorld Los Angeles Awards; 44: THE UNOFFICIAL, UNSANCTIONED OBAMA MUSICAL, 1984, House of Bards Theatre Company & More Lead!


by BWW Awards - December 11, 2023

It's the final 3 weeks and we have the latest standings as of Monday, December 11th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Los Angeles Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!...

Past Shows

On This Side of the World
On This Side of the World
5/11 - 6/4/2023


  On This Side of the World Music & Lyrics by Paulo K Tiról Created with & Directed by Noam Shapiro A World Premiere Musical ...

The Brothers Paranormal
The Brothers Paranormal
11/17 - 12/11/2022


Two Thai brothers–one born in Thailand and the other in the American Midwest–struggle to launch a ghost-hunting business when they are called to investigate the ...

Interstate: A New Musical
Interstate: A New Musical
6/2 - 6/26/2022


INTERSTATE is an Asian-American pop-rock poetry musical that follows Dash, a transgender spoken word performer who becomes internet-famous along with his best friend Adrian, a ...

ASSASSINS
ASSASSINS
2/17 - 3/20/2022


A darkly comic Tony-award winner that examines the motives of the nine notorious Americans who took their shot at the President of the United States, ...

The Sitayana (or How To Make An Exit)


The Sitayana (Or How To Make An Exit) is an artful transposition of the Hindu epic The Ramayana told from Sitas point of view. Part ...

1 Hour Photo
1 Hour Photo
6/12 - 6/20/2021


East West Players (EWP), the nations largest producer of Asian American theatrical works, is proud to present Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre (vAct)s 1 Hour Photo, ...

An Evening of Aloha with Daniel Ho


East West Players is excited to present multiple GRAMMY-winning musician Daniel Ho in concert on December 19th. Enjoy an evening of Aloha spirit with Daniels ...

Crazy Talented Asians


East West Players, the nations premiere Asian American theatre organization, is partnering up with online musician AJ Rafael for Crazy Talented Asians, a concert series ...

Assassins
Assassins
3/12 - 4/5/2020


A multiple Tony Award-winning theatrical tour-de-force, Assassins combines Sondheim's signature blend of intelligently stunning lyrics and beautiful music with a panoramic story of our nation's ...

Sugar Plum Fairy
12/5 - 12/22/2019


The Madwoman in the Volvo is back—and Scrooge isn’t the only one bitter about the holidays! With signature irreverence, NPR superstar Sandra Tsing Loh recounts ...

The Great Leap
11/10 - 12/1/2019


Lauren Yee; dir: BD Wong....

Hannah and the Dread Gazebo
8/17 - 9/22/2019


Jiehae Park; dir: Chay Yew. Thomas Theatre:...

MAMMA MIA!
MAMMA MIA!
5/9 - 6/23/2019


MAMMA MIA! is the ultimate feel–good show that has audiences coming back again and again to relive the thrill. Now it's your turn to have ...

MAMMA MIA!
MAMMA MIA!
5/9 - 6/9/2019


MAMMA MIA! is the ultimate feel–good show that has audiences coming back again and again to relive the thrill. Now it's your turn to have ...

Man of God
Man of God
1/31 - 2/24/2019


David Henry Hwang Theater: Anna Moench; dir: Jesca Prudencio....

Allegiance
2/21 - 4/1/2018


East Coast Regional Premiere! Inspired by the true childhood experience of actor and social media icon George Takei (Mr. Sulu on "Star Trek"), ALLEGIANCE tells ...

Yohen
10/26 - 11/19/2017


Philip Kan Gotanda; dir: Ben Guillory....

NEXT TO NORMAL
5/11 - 6/11/2017


Next to Normal delves into the raw and complex world of mental illness, specifically focusing on bipolar disorder. The story centers around Diana, a wife ...

Free Outgoing
2/9 - 3/12/2017


Anupama Chandrasekhar; dir: Snehal Desai. David Henry Hwang Theater:...

Kentucky
11/10 - 12/11/2016


Leah Nanako Winkler; dir: Deena Selenow....

Kentucky
11/10 - 12/11/2016


Leah Nanako Winkler; dir: Deena Selenow....

La Cage Aux Folles
5/12 - 6/26/2016


Harvey Fierstein; book: Jean Poiret; lyrics: Jerry Herman; music: Jerry Herman; dir: Tim Dang....

Chinglish
Chinglish
12/3 - 12/13/2015


Chinglish – Back by Popular Demand! By David Henry Hwang Directed by Jeff Liu December 3, 2015 – December 13, 2015 “CRITIC’S CHOICE!…deliriously funny, deliciously ...

THE WHO'S TOMMY
5/7 - 6/7/2015


The Who's Tommy is a rock musical bursting with energy, based on the iconic 1969 rock opera album of the same name by The Who. ...

Washer/Dryer
2/12 - 3/15/2015


Nandita Shenoy....

A Nice Indian Boy
2/20 - 3/23/2014


David Henry Hwang Theater: Madhuri Shekar; dir: Snehal Desai....


David Henry Hwang Theater: Betty Tokudani; dir: Amy Hill....

Steel Magnolias
9/5 - 10/6/2013


The action is set in Truvy’s beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where all the ladies who are “anybody” come to have their hair done. Helped ...

Chess
5/9 - 6/9/2013


East West Players: - Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus; lyrics: Tim Rice; dir: Tim Dang....

Christmas in Hanoi
2/7 - 3/10/2013


East West Players: - Eddie Borey; dir: Jeff Liu....

A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC
5/10 - 6/24/2012


One of Broadway?s most neglected masterpieces, the romantic and achingly beautiful ?A Little Night Music? deals with the universal subject of love, in all its ...

A Little Night Music
5/10 - 6/10/2012

Three Year Swim Club
2/9 - 3/11/2012


THREE YEAR SWIM CLUB is inspired by the true life story of Soichi Sakamoto, who trained the youth of Maui to swim in the plantation ...

The Language Archive
11/3 - 12/4/2011

A Widow of No Importance
9/8 - 10/9/2011

Videos


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PRELUDE TO A KISS, THE MUSICAL in Los Angeles PRELUDE TO A KISS, THE MUSICAL
South Coast Repertory (4/5 - 5/4) Tracker
Spring Awakening in Los Angeles Spring Awakening
The Broadwater Mainstage (4/26 - 5/11) Tracker
Kairos in Los Angeles Kairos
David Henry Hwang Theater (4/4 - 4/28)

COMEDY NEW PLAY Tracker
VIDEOS
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Mira Costa High School (4/26 - 5/4) Tracker
Patti LuPone: A Life in Notes at LA Opera in Los Angeles Patti LuPone: A Life in Notes at LA Opera
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (4/20 - 4/20) Tracker
Fancy Nancy, The Musical in Los Angeles Fancy Nancy, The Musical
Chance Theater @ Bette Aitken Theater Arts Center (5/24 - 6/9)
No Small Parts in Los Angeles No Small Parts
The Brickhouse Theatre (4/5 - 4/20)
Peter Pan in Los Angeles Peter Pan
Pantages Theatre (7/9 - 7/28)
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The Music Center's Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (6/22 - 6/22)
Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in Los Angeles Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Chance Theater (7/12 - 8/11)
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