Record-Breaking Community Support Fuels Effort to Preserve Groundbreaking Asian American Production
(From L to R) Joe Ngo as Chum, Abraham Kim as Rom, Kelsey Angel Baehrens as Sothea, Jane Lui as Pou, and Tim Liu as Leng perform “One Thousand Tears of a Tarantula” by Dengue Fever in Cambodian Rock Band at East West Players. Photo by Teolindo.
East West Players (EWP), the nation’s longest-running Asian American theater company, has surpassed its initial $15,000 fundraising goal in under 20 hours to professionally record Lauren Yee’s acclaimed play, Cambodian Rock Band.
Launched in partnership with Outside In Theatre and driven by the production’s cast, the campaign now eyes an extended $25,000 goal to elevate the recording’s quality and ensure this powerful, history-making production is preserved for generations to come.
Preserving a Cultural Landmark
The Los Angeles production at David Henry Hwang Theater features four original cast members, including Joe Ngo’s Obie Award-winning performance as Chum. Praised by critics — KCRW’s Anthony Byrnes calls it “a joyous triumph” — the play has sparked overwhelming demand for a permanent, high-quality recording to share the show with global audiences.
“This show has changed my life,” says playwright Lauren Yee. “I want to do everything possible to share this work with the audiences who have joined us and those who will experience it for the first time.”
A Campaign Fueled by Passion
The funds will support a multi-camera recording of the March 20th performance, professional sound editing, and an online release platform — ensuring the production’s energy, heart, and message are captured in full.
“This play is a vital part of Asian American theater history,” says EWP Artistic Director Lily Tung Crystal. “We’re committed to preserving it for future generations to experience and celebrate.”
Director Chay Yew underscores the play’s significance: “Cambodian Rock Band honors the resilience of art and artists. It reminds us that even in the most turbulent times, music and storytelling hold the power to uplift, inspire, and affirm our humanity.”
How to Support the Movement
The GoFundMe campaign runs through March 31, 2025, and can be accessed at https://gofund.me/4a30a7d3.
The production runs through March 23, 2025, at David Henry Hwang Theater, Union Center for the Arts, 120 Judge John Aiso Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
For more on East West Players and their mission to amplify Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) voices, visit eastwestplayers.org.
About East West Players
Founded in 1965, East West Players is the nation’s leading Asian American theater company, dedicated to increasing representation, access, and inclusion in the arts. Recognized as one of America’s Cultural Treasures by the Ford Foundation in 2020, EWP continues to push boundaries, share diverse stories, and shape the future of theater.
Key supporters include the Perenchio Foundation, Dwight Stuart Youth Fund, Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, California Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, and a dedicated network of foundations, companies, and individuals.