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 ìBeginnings and Endings: 2008-09 Tenth Anniversary Seasonî 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 of shows before it closes its doors at the end of 2009.   The show is scheduled to touch on topics ranging from the recent passing of Prop. 8 to memorable moments in 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 hit musical revue Closer Than Ever.

Some of Lodestone’s celebrity friends will be making appearances on select evenings during the run of the show including: Alec Mapa (Ugly Betty), George Takei (Star Trek), Kaba Modern’s Yuri Tag and Fysh N’ Chicks’ Taeko Collins (America’s Top Dance Crew), Gedde Watanabe (Sixteen Candles), 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.

ìMy fellow Artistic Director Philip Chung and I wanted to do something special for our final season,î  says Chil Kong, who along with Chung has been the Artistic Director of Lodestone since the group’s founding.   ìWhat 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.î

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 ìBeginnings and Endings: 2008-09 Tenth Anniversary Seasonî 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.