8$ is a series which occasionally highlights interesting crowdfunding projects. Every day, the 8Asians team is inundated by many worthy pitches. We are unable to highlight every one that comes our way, or even the ones we might individually support. The projects selected for 8$ are not endorsements by 8Asians. (To be considered for 8$, we highly suggest you not harass the writers or the editors of 8Asians.)
WHO:
East West Players was founded in 1965, and is currently embarking on its 50th Anniversary!
As the nation’s premier Asian American theatre, East West Players (EWP) produces artistic works and educational programs that foster dialogue exploring Asian Pacific experiences. EWP was the first theatre dedicated to portraying an authentic and non-stereotyped Asian Pacific American experience, and today stands as the longest-running professional theatre of color operating in the U.S.
WHAT: Indiegogo project: East West Players Creates the World of Takarazuka!!!
TAKARAZUKA!!!, a play with music by Susan Soon-He Stanton, is set at the Takarazuka Revue, an all-female Japanese performance troupe, that has put on lavishly staged spectacles for decades. Facing retirement, the Takarazuka’s Top Star, Yuko, begins to be haunted by the ghost of a former top star. Mysterious events happen at the theater as Yuko’s sayonara performance looms and a new star is set to rise to the top in this thrilling and seductive new play.
The Takarazuka Revue in Japan has performed to packed houses since 1913, showcasing all-female casts in productions that are renowned for their lavish costume and set designs, melodramatic performances, and extravagant musical productions that combine traditional Japanese music and dance with western influences. Many now consider the Takarazuka Revue to be as significant as noh and kabuki in terms of its contributions to indigenous Japanese theatre.
TAKARAZUKA!!!, the play, offers a rare glimpse behind the scenes, revealing the almost obsessive discipline and training that are required of the women who enter the world of Takarazuka, and the elaborate, dreamlike spectacles that have thrilled and fascinated audiences for the last century.
WHEN: Deadline to contribute is Wednesday, November 12, 2014 (11:59pm PT).
WHY:
Help us recreate the splendor of Takarazuka!!! We want the show to look fantastic, and we want you to enjoy it! Your support will enable us to bring the world of Takarazuka to life through beautiful sets and costumes.
Scenic Designer Tesshi Nakagawa has designed an intricate and innovative set that transports the audience from the glitz and showmanship of the Takarazuka Revue, to the gritty behind-the-scenes of a working theatre (check out the gallery for some photos!). June Suepunpuck is designing costumes that capture the ornate and fanciful showmanship for which the Takarazuka Revue is renowned. In our efforts to represent the performance styles as authentically as possible we look to you for help bring their visions to life!
We need to raise $5,000, and we have received a $1,600 challenge match from a friend of East West Players, Wendy Chang — that means that the first $1,600 you donate will be doubled, and we can reach our goal even faster! Please donate today to help us reach our goal by opening night, November 12!
Since the November 2014 mid-term elections are coming up, APIA is spreading the word about voting. As part of that effort, APIA is posting a series of YouTube-based Public Service Announcements (PSAs) of “Rock the Vote” with well known Asian Americans, including Kelly Miyahara of “Jeopardy”, reporter Richard Lui of NBC and MSNBC, actor Dante Basco, and actress Kelly Hu:
