Events
WIVES (Closing Night Performance)
With a South Asian cast and direction by Hypokrit Live Arts NYC co-founder Arpita Mukherjee, this whirlwind comedy travels from 16th-century France to 1920s India and 1960s Idaho, turning the spotlight on the overlooked voices who shaped the world. WIVES lands at a pivotal cultural moment—just after the 2024 election that saw South Asian American women make history in both parties, and as Los Angeles’s own Nithya Raman advances to the 2026 mayoral race. Instead of simply retelling the past, WIVES unravels it, reminding us that history is made by many, not just the few who make the headlines.
WHEN YURI MET MALCOLM at Venice - Abbot Kinney Memorial Branch Library
WHEN YURI MET MALCOLM by Rosie Narasaki, Directed by Khalif J. Gillett.
Told through the prism of her unlikely friendship with Malcolm X, this play explores the legacy of Yuri Kochiyama, tracing her journey from Japanese American incarceration camps to a lifetime of activism. What does it mean to be a citizen of a flawed country, and how much can one person do to change it?
Approximate Run Time: ~38 minutes
Ages: 12-17 years old
Themes: Racism, Activism, Friendship
Historic Topics: Civil Rights Movement, Internment of Japanese Americans during World War II
Content: Conversations on police brutality, activism, racism, internment/concentration camps, JFK’s death, discussion of Malcolm X’s assassination, and abstract portrayal of his assassination, (no gunshot sounds are used in the show).
Public performances of Theatre for Youth are free and open to all. Schools, libraries, and community organizations interested in booking the show can contact Arts Education Director Jade Cagalawan at jcagalawan@eastwestplayers.org.
WHEN YURI MET MALCOLM at Baldwin Hills Branch Library
WHEN YURI MET MALCOLM by Rosie Narasaki, Directed by Khalif J. Gillett.
Told through the prism of her unlikely friendship with Malcolm X, this play explores the legacy of Yuri Kochiyama, tracing her journey from Japanese American incarceration camps to a lifetime of activism. What does it mean to be a citizen of a flawed country, and how much can one person do to change it?
Approximate Run Time: ~38 minutes
Ages: 12-17 years old
Themes: Racism, Activism, Friendship
Historic Topics: Civil Rights Movement, Internment of Japanese Americans during World War II
Content: Conversations on police brutality, activism, racism, internment/concentration camps, JFK’s death, discussion of Malcolm X’s assassination, and abstract portrayal of his assassination, (no gunshot sounds are used in the show).
Public performances of Theatre for Youth are free and open to all. Schools, libraries, and community organizations interested in booking the show can contact Arts Education Director Jade Cagalawan at jcagalawan@eastwestplayers.org.
WHEN YURI MET MALCOLM at Little Tokyo Branch Library
WHEN YURI MET MALCOLM by Rosie Narasaki, Directed by Khalif J. Gillett.
Told through the prism of her unlikely friendship with Malcolm X, this play explores the legacy of Yuri Kochiyama, tracing her journey from Japanese American incarceration camps to a lifetime of activism. What does it mean to be a citizen of a flawed country, and how much can one person do to change it?
Approximate Run Time: ~38 minutes
Ages: 12-17 years old
Themes: Racism, Activism, Friendship
Historic Topics: Civil Rights Movement, Internment of Japanese Americans during World War II
Content: Conversations on police brutality, activism, racism, internment/concentration camps, JFK’s death, discussion of Malcolm X’s assassination, and abstract portrayal of his assassination, (no gunshot sounds are used in the show).
Public performances of Theatre for Youth are free and open to all. Schools, libraries, and community organizations interested in booking the show can contact Arts Education Director Jade Cagalawan at jcagalawan@eastwestplayers.org.
Toki the Japanese Elvis at David Henry Hwang Theater
Put on your Blue Suede Shoes and get ready to Shake, Rattle, and Roll. Toki the Japanese Elvis brings all your favorite Elvis tunes from the 50’s to the 70’s to life - with a Twist.
Toki has been crowned a Global Top 5 Elvis Tribute Artist, as chosen by the House of the King himself, Graceland. Toki may not speak English, but he sure is fluent in Elvis! Toki tours the world working to keep the memory of The King alive and has been featured multiple times in The New York Times, went viral through a Reuters feature, and is a past winner of 5 International Elvis competitions, including Branson, Missouri, Dallas, Texas, and Cooly Rocks, Australia. Toki brings a high-octane version of the King's tunes and channels the spirit of the man himself to bridge international divides and deliver an incredible night of country, gospel, and Rock ‘N Roll.
Toki the Japanese Elvis at David Henry Hwang Theater
Put on your Blue Suede Shoes and get ready to Shake, Rattle, and Roll. Toki the Japanese Elvis brings all your favorite Elvis tunes from the 50’s to the 70’s to life - with a Twist.
Toki has been crowned a Global Top 5 Elvis Tribute Artist, as chosen by the House of the King himself, Graceland. Toki may not speak English, but he sure is fluent in Elvis! Toki tours the world working to keep the memory of The King alive and has been featured multiple times in The New York Times, went viral through a Reuters feature, and is a past winner of 5 International Elvis competitions, including Branson, Missouri, Dallas, Texas, and Cooly Rocks, Australia. Toki brings a high-octane version of the King's tunes and channels the spirit of the man himself to bridge international divides and deliver an incredible night of country, gospel, and Rock ‘N Roll.
WHEN YURI MET MALCOLM at Westwood Branch Library
WHEN YURI MET MALCOLM by Rosie Narasaki, Directed by Khalif J. Gillett.
Told through the prism of her unlikely friendship with Malcolm X, this play explores the legacy of Yuri Kochiyama, tracing her journey from Japanese American incarceration camps to a lifetime of activism. What does it mean to be a citizen of a flawed country, and how much can one person do to change it?
Approximate Run Time: ~38 minutes
Ages: 12-17 years old
Themes: Racism, Activism, Friendship
Historic Topics: Civil Rights Movement, Internment of Japanese Americans during World War II
Content: Conversations on police brutality, activism, racism, internment/concentration camps, JFK’s death, discussion of Malcolm X’s assassination, and abstract portrayal of his assassination, (no gunshot sounds are used in the show).
Public performances of Theatre for Youth are free and open to all. Schools, libraries, and community organizations interested in booking the show can contact Arts Education Director Jade Cagalawan at jcagalawan@eastwestplayers.org.
WHEN YURI MET MALCOLM at Chinatown Branch Library
WHEN YURI MET MALCOLM by Rosie Narasaki, Directed by Khalif J. Gillett.
Told through the prism of her unlikely friendship with Malcolm X, this play explores the legacy of Yuri Kochiyama, tracing her journey from Japanese American incarceration camps to a lifetime of activism. What does it mean to be a citizen of a flawed country, and how much can one person do to change it?
Approximate Run Time: ~38 minutes
Ages: 12-17 years old
Themes: Racism, Activism, Friendship
Historic Topics: Civil Rights Movement, Internment of Japanese Americans during World War II
Content: Conversations on police brutality, activism, racism, internment/concentration camps, JFK’s death, discussion of Malcolm X’s assassination, and abstract portrayal of his assassination, (no gunshot sounds are used in the show).
Public performances of Theatre for Youth are free and open to all. Schools, libraries, and community organizations interested in booking the show can contact Arts Education Director Jade Cagalawan at jcagalawan@eastwestplayers.org.
WHEN YURI MET MALCOLM at Fairfax Branch Library
WHEN YURI MET MALCOLM by Rosie Narasaki, Directed by Khalif J. Gillett.
Told through the prism of her unlikely friendship with Malcolm X, this play explores the legacy of Yuri Kochiyama, tracing her journey from Japanese American incarceration camps to a lifetime of activism. What does it mean to be a citizen of a flawed country, and how much can one person do to change it?
Approximate Run Time: ~38 minutes
Ages: 12-17 years old
Themes: Racism, Activism, Friendship
Historic Topics: Civil Rights Movement, Internment of Japanese Americans during World War II
Content: Conversations on police brutality, activism, racism, internment/concentration camps, JFK’s death, discussion of Malcolm X’s assassination, and abstract portrayal of his assassination, (no gunshot sounds are used in the show).
Public performances of Theatre for Youth are free and open to all. Schools, libraries, and community organizations interested in booking the show can contact Arts Education Director Jade Cagalawan at jcagalawan@eastwestplayers.org.
KRISTINA WONG #FoodBankInfluencer (Preview Performance)
Self-proclaimed “Food Bank Influencer” Kristina Wong offers her rendition of the American Musical like nobody ever asked for by celebrating our emergency food system. Having experienced food distribution (or lack thereof) from New York to the Navajo Nation, she shares irreverent commentary while illuminating American food insecurity and the subsequent national pastime that is collecting and giving away free food. But, how will she pull this off with humor? It’s a SNAP! (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, that is!)
KRISTINA WONG #FoodBankInfluencer (Opening Night)
Self-proclaimed “Food Bank Influencer” Kristina Wong offers her rendition of the American Musical like nobody ever asked for by celebrating our emergency food system. Having experienced food distribution (or lack thereof) from New York to the Navajo Nation, she shares irreverent commentary while illuminating American food insecurity and the subsequent national pastime that is collecting and giving away free food. But, how will she pull this off with humor? It’s a SNAP! (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, that is!)
KRISTINA WONG #FoodBankInfluencer
Self-proclaimed “Food Bank Influencer” Kristina Wong offers her rendition of the American Musical like nobody ever asked for by celebrating our emergency food system. Having experienced food distribution (or lack thereof) from New York to the Navajo Nation, she shares irreverent commentary while illuminating American food insecurity and the subsequent national pastime that is collecting and giving away free food. But, how will she pull this off with humor? It’s a SNAP! (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, that is!)
KRISTINA WONG #FoodBankInfluencer
Self-proclaimed “Food Bank Influencer” Kristina Wong offers her rendition of the American Musical like nobody ever asked for by celebrating our emergency food system. Having experienced food distribution (or lack thereof) from New York to the Navajo Nation, she shares irreverent commentary while illuminating American food insecurity and the subsequent national pastime that is collecting and giving away free food. But, how will she pull this off with humor? It’s a SNAP! (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, that is!)
KRISTINA WONG #FoodBankInfluencer
Self-proclaimed “Food Bank Influencer” Kristina Wong offers her rendition of the American Musical like nobody ever asked for by celebrating our emergency food system. Having experienced food distribution (or lack thereof) from New York to the Navajo Nation, she shares irreverent commentary while illuminating American food insecurity and the subsequent national pastime that is collecting and giving away free food. But, how will she pull this off with humor? It’s a SNAP! (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, that is!)
This performance of KRISTINA WONG, #FOODBANKINFLUENCER is sponsored by Gail & Jim Lopes.
KRISTINA WONG #FoodBankInfluencer
Self-proclaimed “Food Bank Influencer” Kristina Wong offers her rendition of the American Musical like nobody ever asked for by celebrating our emergency food system. Having experienced food distribution (or lack thereof) from New York to the Navajo Nation, she shares irreverent commentary while illuminating American food insecurity and the subsequent national pastime that is collecting and giving away free food. But, how will she pull this off with humor? It’s a SNAP! (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, that is!)
KRISTINA WONG #FoodBankInfluencer
Self-proclaimed “Food Bank Influencer” Kristina Wong offers her rendition of the American Musical like nobody ever asked for by celebrating our emergency food system. Having experienced food distribution (or lack thereof) from New York to the Navajo Nation, she shares irreverent commentary while illuminating American food insecurity and the subsequent national pastime that is collecting and giving away free food. But, how will she pull this off with humor? It’s a SNAP! (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, that is!)
KRISTINA WONG #FoodBankInfluencer (Masked Matinee)
Self-proclaimed “Food Bank Influencer” Kristina Wong offers her rendition of the American Musical like nobody ever asked for by celebrating our emergency food system. Having experienced food distribution (or lack thereof) from New York to the Navajo Nation, she shares irreverent commentary while illuminating American food insecurity and the subsequent national pastime that is collecting and giving away free food. But, how will she pull this off with humor? It’s a SNAP! (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, that is!)
KRISTINA WONG #FoodBankInfluencer
Self-proclaimed “Food Bank Influencer” Kristina Wong offers her rendition of the American Musical like nobody ever asked for by celebrating our emergency food system. Having experienced food distribution (or lack thereof) from New York to the Navajo Nation, she shares irreverent commentary while illuminating American food insecurity and the subsequent national pastime that is collecting and giving away free food. But, how will she pull this off with humor? It’s a SNAP! (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, that is!)
KRISTINA WONG #FoodBankInfluencer
Self-proclaimed “Food Bank Influencer” Kristina Wong offers her rendition of the American Musical like nobody ever asked for by celebrating our emergency food system. Having experienced food distribution (or lack thereof) from New York to the Navajo Nation, she shares irreverent commentary while illuminating American food insecurity and the subsequent national pastime that is collecting and giving away free food. But, how will she pull this off with humor? It’s a SNAP! (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, that is!)
KRISTINA WONG #FoodBankInfluencer
Self-proclaimed “Food Bank Influencer” Kristina Wong offers her rendition of the American Musical like nobody ever asked for by celebrating our emergency food system. Having experienced food distribution (or lack thereof) from New York to the Navajo Nation, she shares irreverent commentary while illuminating American food insecurity and the subsequent national pastime that is collecting and giving away free food. But, how will she pull this off with humor? It’s a SNAP! (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, that is!)
KRISTINA WONG #FoodBankInfluencer
Self-proclaimed “Food Bank Influencer” Kristina Wong offers her rendition of the American Musical like nobody ever asked for by celebrating our emergency food system. Having experienced food distribution (or lack thereof) from New York to the Navajo Nation, she shares irreverent commentary while illuminating American food insecurity and the subsequent national pastime that is collecting and giving away free food. But, how will she pull this off with humor? It’s a SNAP! (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, that is!)
KRISTINA WONG #FoodBankInfluencer (Masked Matinee)
Self-proclaimed “Food Bank Influencer” Kristina Wong offers her rendition of the American Musical like nobody ever asked for by celebrating our emergency food system. Having experienced food distribution (or lack thereof) from New York to the Navajo Nation, she shares irreverent commentary while illuminating American food insecurity and the subsequent national pastime that is collecting and giving away free food. But, how will she pull this off with humor? It’s a SNAP! (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, that is!)
KRISTINA WONG #FoodBankInfluencer
Self-proclaimed “Food Bank Influencer” Kristina Wong offers her rendition of the American Musical like nobody ever asked for by celebrating our emergency food system. Having experienced food distribution (or lack thereof) from New York to the Navajo Nation, she shares irreverent commentary while illuminating American food insecurity and the subsequent national pastime that is collecting and giving away free food. But, how will she pull this off with humor? It’s a SNAP! (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, that is!)
KRISTINA WONG #FoodBankInfluencer (Closing Night Performance)
Self-proclaimed “Food Bank Influencer” Kristina Wong offers her rendition of the American Musical like nobody ever asked for by celebrating our emergency food system. Having experienced food distribution (or lack thereof) from New York to the Navajo Nation, she shares irreverent commentary while illuminating American food insecurity and the subsequent national pastime that is collecting and giving away free food. But, how will she pull this off with humor? It’s a SNAP! (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, that is!)
REDPOINT MY HEART (New Works Festival)
REDPOINT MY HEART by Amanda L. Andrei, the recipient of the Open Call Commission for a new sports play, will have its world premiere at EWP alongside the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Andrei’s play is a romantic comedy about a community of Asian American rock climbers who support and compete with themselves and one another–and, just maybe, find ways to come together along the way.REDPOINT MY HEART (New Works Festival)
REDPOINT MY HEART by Amanda L. Andrei, the recipient of the Open Call Commission for a new sports play, will have its world premiere at EWP alongside the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Andrei’s play is a romantic comedy about a community of Asian American rock climbers who support and compete with themselves and one another–and, just maybe, find ways to come together along the way.
SOFT MAGICAL TOFU BOY(S) (New Works Festival)
REDPOINT MY HEART by Amanda L. Andrei, the recipient of the Open Call Commission for a new sports play, will have its world premiere at EWP alongside the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Andrei’s play is a romantic comedy about a community of Asian American rock climbers who support and compete with themselves and one another–and, just maybe, find ways to come together along the way.SOFT MAGICAL TOFU BOY(S) (New Works Festival)
REDPOINT MY HEART by Amanda L. Andrei, the recipient of the Open Call Commission for a new sports play, will have its world premiere at EWP alongside the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Andrei’s play is a romantic comedy about a community of Asian American rock climbers who support and compete with themselves and one another–and, just maybe, find ways to come together along the way.WIVES • Witches & Wives Costume Party & Masked Matinee
With a South Asian cast and direction by Hypokrit Live Arts NYC co-founder Arpita Mukherjee, this whirlwind comedy travels from 16th-century France to 1920s India and 1960s Idaho, turning the spotlight on the overlooked voices who shaped the world. WIVES lands at a pivotal cultural moment—just after the 2024 election that saw South Asian American women make history in both parties, and as Los Angeles’s own Nithya Raman advances to the 2026 mayoral race. Instead of simply retelling the past, WIVES unravels it, reminding us that history is made by many, not just the few who make the headlines.WIVES • South Asian Happy Hour Pre-Show Party
With a South Asian cast and direction by Hypokrit Live Arts NYC co-founder Arpita Mukherjee, this whirlwind comedy travels from 16th-century France to 1920s India and 1960s Idaho, turning the spotlight on the overlooked voices who shaped the world. WIVES lands at a pivotal cultural moment—just after the 2024 election that saw South Asian American women make history in both parties, and as Los Angeles’s own Nithya Raman advances to the 2026 mayoral race. Instead of simply retelling the past, WIVES unravels it, reminding us that history is made by many, not just the few who make the headlines.WIVES
With a South Asian cast and direction by Hypokrit Live Arts NYC co-founder Arpita Mukherjee, this whirlwind comedy travels from 16th-century France to 1920s India and 1960s Idaho, turning the spotlight on the overlooked voices who shaped the world. WIVES lands at a pivotal cultural moment—just after the 2024 election that saw South Asian American women make history in both parties, and as Los Angeles’s own Nithya Raman advances to the 2026 mayoral race. Instead of simply retelling the past, WIVES unravels it, reminding us that history is made by many, not just the few who make the headlines.WIVES CAATA AANHPI Theater Night!
With a South Asian cast and direction by Hypokrit Live Arts NYC co-founder Arpita Mukherjee, this whirlwind comedy travels from 16th-century France to 1920s India and 1960s Idaho, turning the spotlight on the overlooked voices who shaped the world. WIVES lands at a pivotal cultural moment—just after the 2024 election that saw South Asian American women make history in both parties, and as Los Angeles’s own Nithya Raman advances to the 2026 mayoral race. Instead of simply retelling the past, WIVES unravels it, reminding us that history is made by many, not just the few who make the headlines.WIVES
With a South Asian cast and direction by Hypokrit Live Arts NYC co-founder Arpita Mukherjee, this whirlwind comedy travels from 16th-century France to 1920s India and 1960s Idaho, turning the spotlight on the overlooked voices who shaped the world. WIVES lands at a pivotal cultural moment—just after the 2024 election that saw South Asian American women make history in both parties, and as Los Angeles’s own Nithya Raman advances to the 2026 mayoral race. Instead of simply retelling the past, WIVES unravels it, reminding us that history is made by many, not just the few who make the headlines.WIVES (Masked Matinee)
With a South Asian cast and direction by Hypokrit Live Arts NYC co-founder Arpita Mukherjee, this whirlwind comedy travels from 16th-century France to 1920s India and 1960s Idaho, turning the spotlight on the overlooked voices who shaped the world. WIVES lands at a pivotal cultural moment—just after the 2024 election that saw South Asian American women make history in both parties, and as Los Angeles’s own Nithya Raman advances to the 2026 mayoral race. Instead of simply retelling the past, WIVES unravels it, reminding us that history is made by many, not just the few who make the headlines.WIVES
With a South Asian cast and direction by Hypokrit Live Arts NYC co-founder Arpita Mukherjee, this whirlwind comedy travels from 16th-century France to 1920s India and 1960s Idaho, turning the spotlight on the overlooked voices who shaped the world. WIVES lands at a pivotal cultural moment—just after the 2024 election that saw South Asian American women make history in both parties, and as Los Angeles’s own Nithya Raman advances to the 2026 mayoral race. Instead of simply retelling the past, WIVES unravels it, reminding us that history is made by many, not just the few who make the headlines.WHEN YURI MET MALCOLM at El Sereno Branch Library
WHEN YURI MET MALCOLM by Rosie Narasaki, Directed by Khalif J. Gillett.
Told through the prism of her unlikely friendship with Malcolm X, this play explores the legacy of Yuri Kochiyama, tracing her journey from Japanese American incarceration camps to a lifetime of activism. What does it mean to be a citizen of a flawed country, and how much can one person do to change it?
Approximate Run Time: ~38 minutes
Ages: 12-17 years old
Themes: Racism, Activism, Friendship
Historic Topics: Civil Rights Movement, Internment of Japanese Americans during World War II
Content: Conversations on police brutality, activism, racism, internment/concentration camps, JFK’s death, discussion of Malcolm X’s assassination, and abstract portrayal of his assassination, (no gunshot sounds are used in the show).
Public performances of Theatre for Youth are free and open to all. Schools, libraries, and community organizations interested in booking the show can contact Arts Education Director Jade Cagalawan at jcagalawan@eastwestplayers.org.
WIVES
With a South Asian cast and direction by Hypokrit Live Arts NYC co-founder Arpita Mukherjee, this whirlwind comedy travels from 16th-century France to 1920s India and 1960s Idaho, turning the spotlight on the overlooked voices who shaped the world. WIVES lands at a pivotal cultural moment—just after the 2024 election that saw South Asian American women make history in both parties, and as Los Angeles’s own Nithya Raman advances to the 2026 mayoral race. Instead of simply retelling the past, WIVES unravels it, reminding us that history is made by many, not just the few who make the headlines.WIVES + Actors Post-Show Conversation
With a South Asian cast and direction by Hypokrit Live Arts NYC co-founder Arpita Mukherjee, this whirlwind comedy travels from 16th-century France to 1920s India and 1960s Idaho, turning the spotlight on the overlooked voices who shaped the world. WIVES lands at a pivotal cultural moment—just after the 2024 election that saw South Asian American women make history in both parties, and as Los Angeles’s own Nithya Raman advances to the 2026 mayoral race. Instead of simply retelling the past, WIVES unravels it, reminding us that history is made by many, not just the few who make the headlines.WIVES Student Saturday
With a South Asian cast and direction by Hypokrit Live Arts NYC co-founder Arpita Mukherjee, this whirlwind comedy travels from 16th-century France to 1920s India and 1960s Idaho, turning the spotlight on the overlooked voices who shaped the world. WIVES lands at a pivotal cultural moment—just after the 2024 election that saw South Asian American women make history in both parties, and as Los Angeles’s own Nithya Raman advances to the 2026 mayoral race. Instead of simply retelling the past, WIVES unravels it, reminding us that history is made by many, not just the few who make the headlines.WIVES Student Saturday + Post-Show Conversation (Masked Matinee)
With a South Asian cast and direction by Hypokrit Live Arts NYC co-founder Arpita Mukherjee, this whirlwind comedy travels from 16th-century France to 1920s India and 1960s Idaho, turning the spotlight on the overlooked voices who shaped the world. WIVES lands at a pivotal cultural moment—just after the 2024 election that saw South Asian American women make history in both parties, and as Los Angeles’s own Nithya Raman advances to the 2026 mayoral race. Instead of simply retelling the past, WIVES unravels it, reminding us that history is made by many, not just the few who make the headlines.WHEN YURI MET MALCOLM at Bret Harte Neighborhood Library
WHEN YURI MET MALCOLM by Rosie Narasaki, Directed by Khalif J. Gillett.
Told through the prism of her unlikely friendship with Malcolm X, this play explores the legacy of Yuri Kochiyama, tracing her journey from Japanese American incarceration camps to a lifetime of activism. What does it mean to be a citizen of a flawed country, and how much can one person do to change it?
Approximate Run Time: ~38 minutes
Ages: 12-17 years old
Themes: Racism, Activism, Friendship
Historic Topics: Civil Rights Movement, Internment of Japanese Americans during World War II
Content: Conversations on police brutality, activism, racism, internment/concentration camps, JFK’s death, discussion of Malcolm X’s assassination, and abstract portrayal of his assassination, (no gunshot sounds are used in the show).
Public performances of Theatre for Youth are free and open to all. Schools, libraries, and community organizations interested in booking the show can contact Arts Education Director Jade Cagalawan at jcagalawan@eastwestplayers.org.
WIVES
With a South Asian cast and direction by Hypokrit Live Arts NYC co-founder Arpita Mukherjee, this whirlwind comedy travels from 16th-century France to 1920s India and 1960s Idaho, turning the spotlight on the overlooked voices who shaped the world. WIVES lands at a pivotal cultural moment—just after the 2024 election that saw South Asian American women make history in both parties, and as Los Angeles’s own Nithya Raman advances to the 2026 mayoral race. Instead of simply retelling the past, WIVES unravels it, reminding us that history is made by many, not just the few who make the headlines.WIVES (Preview Performance)
With a South Asian cast and direction by Hypokrit Live Arts NYC co-founder Arpita Mukherjee, this whirlwind comedy travels from 16th-century France to 1920s India and 1960s Idaho, turning the spotlight on the overlooked voices who shaped the world. WIVES lands at a pivotal cultural moment—just after the 2024 election that saw South Asian American women make history in both parties, and as Los Angeles’s own Nithya Raman advances to the 2026 mayoral race. Instead of simply retelling the past, WIVES unravels it, reminding us that history is made by many, not just the few who make the headlines.WIVES + Playwright & Director Post-Show Conversation (Preview Performance)
With a South Asian cast and direction by Hypokrit Live Arts NYC co-founder Arpita Mukherjee, this whirlwind comedy travels from 16th-century France to 1920s India and 1960s Idaho, turning the spotlight on the overlooked voices who shaped the world. WIVES lands at a pivotal cultural moment—just after the 2024 election that saw South Asian American women make history in both parties, and as Los Angeles’s own Nithya Raman advances to the 2026 mayoral race. Instead of simply retelling the past, WIVES unravels it, reminding us that history is made by many, not just the few who make the headlines.WIVES Nonprofit Night! (Preview Performance)
With a South Asian cast and direction by Hypokrit Live Arts NYC co-founder Arpita Mukherjee, this whirlwind comedy travels from 16th-century France to 1920s India and 1960s Idaho, turning the spotlight on the overlooked voices who shaped the world. WIVES lands at a pivotal cultural moment—just after the 2024 election that saw South Asian American women make history in both parties, and as Los Angeles’s own Nithya Raman advances to the 2026 mayoral race. Instead of simply retelling the past, WIVES unravels it, reminding us that history is made by many, not just the few who make the headlines.WHEN YURI MET MALCOLM at Palisades Branch Library
WHEN YURI MET MALCOLM by Rosie Narasaki, Directed by Khalif J. Gillett.
Told through the prism of her unlikely friendship with Malcolm X, this play explores the legacy of Yuri Kochiyama, tracing her journey from Japanese American incarceration camps to a lifetime of activism. What does it mean to be a citizen of a flawed country, and how much can one person do to change it?
Approximate Run Time: ~38 minutes
Ages: 12-17 years old
Themes: Racism, Activism, Friendship
Historic Topics: Civil Rights Movement, Internment of Japanese Americans during World War II
Content: Conversations on police brutality, activism, racism, internment/concentration camps, JFK’s death, discussion of Malcolm X’s assassination, and abstract portrayal of his assassination, (no gunshot sounds are used in the show).
Public performances of Theatre for Youth are free and open to all. Schools, libraries, and community organizations interested in booking the show can contact Arts Education Director Jade Cagalawan at jcagalawan@eastwestplayers.org.
WHEN YURI MET MALCOLM at Memorial Branch Library
WHEN YURI MET MALCOLM by Rosie Narasaki, Directed by Khalif J. Gillett.
Told through the prism of her unlikely friendship with Malcolm X, this play explores the legacy of Yuri Kochiyama, tracing her journey from Japanese American incarceration camps to a lifetime of activism. What does it mean to be a citizen of a flawed country, and how much can one person do to change it?
Approximate Run Time: ~38 minutes
Ages: 12-17 years old
Themes: Racism, Activism, Friendship
Historic Topics: Civil Rights Movement, Internment of Japanese Americans during World War II
Content: Conversations on police brutality, activism, racism, internment/concentration camps, JFK’s death, discussion of Malcolm X’s assassination, and abstract portrayal of his assassination, (no gunshot sounds are used in the show).
Public performances of Theatre for Youth are free and open to all. Schools, libraries, and community organizations interested in booking the show can contact Arts Education Director Jade Cagalawan at jcagalawan@eastwestplayers.org.
CRIERS FOR HIRE (10th Anniversary Reading)
Please note this event will take place at the Curtis Theatre in Brea, CA.
Originally commissioned by EWP and premiering in 2016, the play follows three professional funeral criers in Monterey Park—Aurora, Remedios, and Eugenia—as they introduce Aurora’s teenage daughter, Ligaya, to their unique profession. But Ligaya, fresh from the Philippines and full of unexpected charm, seems to have a knack for laughter rather than tears, upending the group’s somber rituals and sparking a heartfelt, comic exploration of identity, family, and the immigrant experience.
This one-night event invites audiences to revisit a story that’s as moving as it is hilarious; perfect for longtime fans and those discovering the play for the first time.
WHEN YURI MET MALCOLM at Pio Pico Koreatown Library
WHEN YURI MET MALCOLM by Rosie Narasaki, Directed by Khalif J. Gillett.
Told through the prism of her unlikely friendship with Malcolm X, this play explores the legacy of Yuri Kochiyama, tracing her journey from Japanese American incarceration camps to a lifetime of activism. What does it mean to be a citizen of a flawed country, and how much can one person do to change it?
Approximate Run Time: 38 minutes
Ages: 12-17 years old
Themes: Racism, Activism, Friendship
Historic Topics: Civil Rights Movement, Internment of Japanese Americans during World War II
Content: Conversations on police brutality, activism, racism, internment/concentration camps, JFK’s death, discussion of Malcolm X’s assassination, and abstract portrayal of his assassination, (no gunshot sounds are used in the show).
Public performances of Theatre for Youth are free and open to all. Schools, libraries, and community organizations interested in booking the show can contact Arts Education Director Jade Cagalawan at jcagalawan@eastwestplayers.org.
WHEN YURI MET MALCOLM Benefit Premiere
Join us Sunday, September 13, 2026, 4pm, at the David Henry Hwang Theater in Little Tokyo, for the premiere performance of our 2026-2027 Theatre For Youth touring production WHEN YURI MET MALCOLM. Hosted by Jeanne Sakata, our program will feature the performance, a post-show conversation about the struggle for civil rights then and now moderated by May Lee, a special insight into EWPlay!, and a dessert reception in the courtyard.
Tickets for this fundraiser benefitting EWP’s arts education programs for youth are $100 each and available online through September 10th.
CRAZY TALENTED ASIANS: Nisei Week (08/22/2026)
Presented by AJ Rafael, this special two-night concert brings together established and emerging Asian American performers, many with ties to the East West Players community. The event will honor the career of Filipino-American actor and singer Jon Jon Briones (MISS SAIGON on West End & Broadway, most recently PACIFIC OVERTURES at EWP).
This year’s lineup features: grlhood, Zandi De Jesus, Scott Keiji Takeda, Alyssa Rafael, Kenton Chen, Lindsay Watson, and Alex Aiono, and more special and surprise guests!
CRAZY TALENTED ASIANS: Nisei Week (08/21/2026)
Presented by AJ Rafael, this special two-night concert brings together established and emerging Asian American performers, many with ties to the East West Players community. The event will honor the career of Filipino-American actor and singer Jon Jon Briones (MISS SAIGON on West End & Broadway, most recently PACIFIC OVERTURES at EWP).
This year’s lineup features: grlhood, Zandi De Jesus, Scott Keiji Takeda, Alyssa Rafael, Kenton Chen, Lindsay Watson, and Alex Aiono, and more special and surprise guests!
Single tickets go on sale July 20th!
Tam Tran Goes To Washington at Venice Branch Library
Meet Tam Tran, a UCLA senior who usually prefers to stay behind the camera, but finds herself thrust into the spotlight when her undocumented status draws her into the fight for the DREAM Act. With her fearless best friend Cinthya by her side, Tam’s quiet life changes overnight as she’s called to testify before Congress in Washington, DC.
Theatre for Youth is supported in part by Dwight Stuart Youth Fund; L.L. Foundation for Youth; Cathay Bank Foundation; Green Foundation; The Sun Family Foundation; The Tsao Family Foundation; and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Department of Arts and Culture.
East West Players is a recipient of the 2026 THRIVE! Grant, funded by the Theater League of Kansas City and administered by Theatre Communications Group, the national organization for theatre leading for a just and thriving theatre ecology.
Tam Tran Goes To Washington at Monterey Park Library
Meet Tam Tran, a UCLA senior who usually prefers to stay behind the camera, but finds herself thrust into the spotlight when her undocumented status draws her into the fight for the DREAM Act. With her fearless best friend Cinthya by her side, Tam’s quiet life changes overnight as she’s called to testify before Congress in Washington, DC.
Theatre for Youth is supported in part by Dwight Stuart Youth Fund; L.L. Foundation for Youth; Cathay Bank Foundation; Green Foundation; The Sun Family Foundation; The Tsao Family Foundation; and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Department of Arts and Culture.
East West Players is a recipient of the 2026 THRIVE! Grant, funded by the Theater League of Kansas City and administered by Theatre Communications Group, the national organization for theatre leading for a just and thriving theatre ecology.
Tam Tran Goes To Washington at Clifton M. Brakensiek Library
Meet Tam Tran, a UCLA senior who usually prefers to stay behind the camera, but finds herself thrust into the spotlight when her undocumented status draws her into the fight for the DREAM Act. With her fearless best friend Cinthya by her side, Tam’s quiet life changes overnight as she’s called to testify before Congress in Washington, DC.
Theatre for Youth is supported in part by Dwight Stuart Youth Fund; L.L. Foundation for Youth; Cathay Bank Foundation; Green Foundation; The Sun Family Foundation; The Tsao Family Foundation; and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Department of Arts and Culture.
East West Players is a recipient of the 2026 THRIVE! Grant, funded by the Theater League of Kansas City and administered by Theatre Communications Group, the national organization for theatre leading for a just and thriving theatre ecology.
Tam Tran Goes To Washington at Sorenson Library
Meet Tam Tran, a UCLA senior who usually prefers to stay behind the camera, but finds herself thrust into the spotlight when her undocumented status draws her into the fight for the DREAM Act. With her fearless best friend Cinthya by her side, Tam’s quiet life changes overnight as she’s called to testify before Congress in Washington, DC.
Theatre for Youth is supported in part by Dwight Stuart Youth Fund; L.L. Foundation for Youth; Cathay Bank Foundation; Green Foundation; The Sun Family Foundation; The Tsao Family Foundation; and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Department of Arts and Culture.
East West Players is a recipient of the 2026 THRIVE! Grant, funded by the Theater League of Kansas City and administered by Theatre Communications Group, the national organization for theatre leading for a just and thriving theatre ecology.
Tam Tran Goes To Washington at West Covina Library
Meet Tam Tran, a UCLA senior who usually prefers to stay behind the camera, but finds herself thrust into the spotlight when her undocumented status draws her into the fight for the DREAM Act. With her fearless best friend Cinthya by her side, Tam’s quiet life changes overnight as she’s called to testify before Congress in Washington, DC.
Theatre for Youth is supported in part by Dwight Stuart Youth Fund; L.L. Foundation for Youth; Cathay Bank Foundation; Green Foundation; The Sun Family Foundation; The Tsao Family Foundation; and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Department of Arts and Culture.
East West Players is a recipient of the 2026 THRIVE! Grant, funded by the Theater League of Kansas City and administered by Theatre Communications Group, the national organization for theatre leading for a just and thriving theatre ecology.
Tam Tran Goes To Washington at Carson Library
Meet Tam Tran, a UCLA senior who usually prefers to stay behind the camera, but finds herself thrust into the spotlight when her undocumented status draws her into the fight for the DREAM Act. With her fearless best friend Cinthya by her side, Tam’s quiet life changes overnight as she’s called to testify before Congress in Washington, DC.
Theatre for Youth is supported in part by Dwight Stuart Youth Fund; L.L. Foundation for Youth; Cathay Bank Foundation; Green Foundation; The Sun Family Foundation; The Tsao Family Foundation; and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Department of Arts and Culture.
East West Players is a recipient of the 2026 THRIVE! Grant, funded by the Theater League of Kansas City and administered by Theatre Communications Group, the national organization for theatre leading for a just and thriving theatre ecology.