LODESTONE THEATRE ENSEMBLE KICKS OFF ITS FINAL SEASON WITH A SPECIAL PERFORMANCE
Lodestone After Dark: The Beginning of the End
Lodestone launches its tenth and final year with a cabaret-style benefit
LOS ANGELES, CA – Lodestone Theatre Ensemble presents Lodestone After Dark: The Beginning of the End, running December 11-14, 2008 at the GTC Burbank (1111-B West Olive Ave., Burbank, CA 91506), located inside George Izay Park. The award-winning Asian American theatre company kicks off “Beginnings and Endings: 2008-09 Tenth Anniversary Season” with this special benefit performance running for one weekend only.
Lodestone After Dark: The Beginning of the End is a cabaret-style show which will feature comedy sketches and musical numbers to celebrate Lodestone’s ten years and launch the company’s final season before it closes its doors at the end of 2009. The show is scheduled to pay tribute to every aspect of Lodestone’s sordid history. There will also be sneak peeks at our upcoming tenth season performances including the world premiere of Ten to Life and our revival of the musical Closer Than Ever.
The show will be hosted by Gedde Watanabe (Sixteen Candles) and Erin Quill (Avenue Q) on Dec. 11, and Alec Mapa (Ugly Betty) on Dec. 12-14. Other Lodestone’s celebrity friends will be making appearances on select evenings during the run of the show including: John Cho (Harold and Kumar), David Ono (anchor, KABC TV Eyewitness News), George Takei (Star Trek), Kaba Modern’s Yuri Tag and Fysh N’ Chicks’ Taeko Collins (America’s Top Dance Crew), James K. Lee (Heroes) and other surprise guests (all appearances will be subject to artists’ availability). In addition, other Asian American performing groups will contribute to the show including the 18 Mighty Mountain Warriors, OPM and Cold Tofu.
“My fellow Artistic Director Philip Chung and I wanted to do something special for our final season,” says Chil Kong, who along with Chung has been the Artistic Director of Lodestone since the group’s founding. “What better way to do that then to throw a party for our audience and invite all our talented colleagues in the community to join us. That’s what this show really is—a raunchy, irrelevant and fun celebration to say thanks to everyone who supported us.”
Performances are Thursday-Sunday, 8 pm, December 11-14. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $12 for students/seniors and groups of ten or more. All proceeds will benefit Lodestone’s tenth and final season.
Lodestone’s “Beginnings and Endings: 2008-09 Tenth Anniversary Season” will be comprised of three plays including two world premiere productions specifically developed for the occasion: The world premiere of Ten to Life (May 2-June 7, 2009), the revival of Closer Than Ever (Aug. 22-Sept. 13, 2009) and the world premiere of Grace Kim & The Spiders From Mars (Fall 2009–Dates TBA).
For more information, call the Lodestone Theatre Ensemble hotline at (323) 993-7245 or visit www.lodestonetheatre.org or www.myspace.com/lodestonetheatre
Founded in 1999 by Philip W. Chung, Alexandra Chun, Chil Kong and Tim Lounibos, Lodestone is committed to providing a forum for Asian Pacific American artists in all aspects of the theatre arts. Lodestone seeks to challenge limited perceptions of Asian Pacific Americans through the creation of original theatrical productions as well as a fresh retelling of established works.
Lodestone Theatre Ensemble is a Company-in-Residence at GTC Burbank.
CAST
Starring: Peggy Ahn, Steve Brady, Ray Chang, Cesar Cipriano, John Fukuda, Junko Goda, Howard Ho, Chil Kong, Jully Lee, Erin Quill, Greg Watanabe, Shannon Wong & Ryun Yu
Special musical performers: Ronald M. Banks, Deborah S. Craig & Marilyn Tokuda
Dancers: Elie Akl, Florido Basallo, Steve Bermundo & Jovver Fortunado
Note: Special celebrity guests are scheduled to perform throughout the weekend. They are not listed in the program so their appearances can be a surprise.
CREW
Writers: Judy Soo Hoo, Michael Chih Ming Hornbuckle, Charles Kim, Nic Cha Kim, Prince Gomovilas, Annette Lee, Tim Lounibos, Alec Mapa, Erin Quill & Peter J. Wong
Dramaturg/Writing Supervisor: Philip W. Chung
Directors: Henry Chan, Michael Chih Ming Hornbuckle, Nic Cha Kim, Chil Kong & Erin Quill
Producers: Michael Chih Ming Hornbuckle, Nic Cha Kim, Rosa Kwon, Junko Goda & Amelia Worfolk
Set Design: Chil Kong
Light Designer/Board Op: Luis Delgado
Costume Consultant: Karla Contreras
Sound consultant: Dennis Yen
Sound Board Operator: James Worfolk
Music Recordings: Randy Guiaya, Howard Ho
Stage Manager: Amelia Worfolk
Assistant Stage Manager: Angie Tsang
Backstage Crew: Howard Ho, Shannon Wong
Technical Director: Brian Nichols
Dance Choreography: Jully Lee, Erin Quill, Kevin Stea & Shannon Wong
Accompanist: Vivian Liu
Pole dancing choreographer: Stephanie Jo Chang
House Manager: Christina Nayve
Head Usher: Tony Young
Program Designger: Michael Chih Ming Hornbuckle
Videographer: Nic Cha Kim
Thanks to: 18 Mighty Mountain Warriors, Philip Anthony-Rodriguez, Cold Tofu, East West Players, Fox Entertainment, GTC Burbank, Hpnotiq, Meg Imamoto, Alberto Isaac, Carla Kama, L.A. County Arts Commission, Jeff Liu, OPM, Wanru Tseng & The Dale and Edna Walsh Foundation