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LODESTONE THEATRE ENSEMBLE PRESENTS THE WORLD PREMIERE OF
TEN TO LIFE
Lodestone kicks off its final season with four one-acts from its veteran writers

LOS ANGELES, CA – Lodestone Theatre Ensemble launches its tenth and final season with the world premiere of TEN TO LIFE, running May 2 – June 7, 2009 at the GTC Burbank (1111-B West Olive Ave., Burbank, CA 91506) located inside George Izay Park. TEN TO LIFE will consist of four one-acts developed specifically for the tenth season by four writers who have been an integral part of Lodestone’s history — Nic Cha Kim, Annette Lee, Tim Lounibos and Judy Soo Hoo. The show will be directed by another Lodestone veteran, Alberto Isaac, who previously helmed Lodestone’s productions of Claim To Fame and The Trojan Women.

“We wanted to do something special for our final year,” says Chil Kong, Lodestone’s Co-Artistic Director. “So we gathered together some of the writers who had been an integral part of our company and asked them to create a show that would celebrate a decade of Lodestone.”

The four plays that resulted—RE:verse by Nic Cha Kim, Hacienda Heights by Annette Lee, Be Happy by Tim Lounibos and Red Dress by Judy Soo Hoo—were born from an idea to explore the milestones that come along each decade and touch on everything from a ten-year high school reunion to the census but in a distinctly Lodestone fashion…delving into the dark and twisted things lurking beneath the surface of normalcy. The cast includes Peggy Ahn, Feodor Chin, Ewan Chung, Elpidio Ebuen, Emily Kuroda, Jully Lee and Janet Song.

“I’ve been with Lodestone from the start but this is my debut as a writer and it made perfect sense that for my virgin effort, I’d help create a perversely compelling show to kick off our final year,” explains Tim Lounibos who is also a co-founder of the company. “I’ve spent the past one and a half years in a dark claustrophobic room with my fellow Lodestone colleagues, creating something which is part Twilight Zone, part Outer Limits, part Hitchcock and, hopefully, 100% entertaining—exactly what Lodestone should be.”

In addition to Lounibos, the other three writers also have a history with Lodestone. Nic Cha Kim is the company’s resident producer and his play Trapezoid had its world premiere last year on Lodestone’s mainstage, Annette Lee’s A Dirty Secret Between The Toes was Lodestone’s first all-out comedy and Judy Soo Hoo’s TEXAS was Lodestone’s inaugural production back in 1999 and she has gone on to become the group’s most produced writer.

Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, Sundays at 2 pm., May 2 – June 7, with low-priced previews on April 30 and May 1. Tickets are $16 for general admission, $14 for students/seniors. Group rates of $12 each are available for reservations of ten or more. Tickets for the May 2nd Opening Night Gala with a post- show reception are $25. All Sunday matinees (except June 7) will be pay-what-you-can admission with a $1 minimum.

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. For more information on GTC Burbank check out www.gtc.org