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The
Cast of East West Players' "Follies"
Deborah Nishimura is a BackStageWest Garland Award winner, a six-time
Dramalogue recipient and a two-time Theater L.A. Ovation Nominee for
various roles. Some of which include the Emcee in "Cabaret,"
the Beggar Woman in "Sweeney Todd," and Someone in a Tree
in "Pacific Overtures." Miss Mishimura also appears on "The
Gay 90's Musical" (original cast recording), "Cole Porter:
A Musical Toast" (live cast recording), "Sondheim III"
(live cast recording), and for EWP, Deborah has directed "Dance
and Sing for the Holidays," "Mytired Broke Ass Pontificating
Slapstick Funk," and co-directed "Beijing Spring."
She directed Noel Alumit's "Rice Room: Scene from a Bar"
at Highways, the Village, 6 @ Penn Studio in San Diego and The New
Conservatory Theater Center in San Francisco. Deborah currently co-directs
the Singing Workshop for Youth (age 6-16) at JANM with Scott Nagatani.
Miss Nishimura appears in "Armageddon" and co-stars in the
indie film "My American Vacation."
Freda Foh Shen played Shakespeare to modern to musicals at regional
theaters from Alaska to Dallas to Louisville, in NY theater (including
Lady Macbeth in "Shogun Macbeth," Miranda in Julie Taymor's "The Tempest,"
Nancy Wing in "Yellow Fever," and Queen Isabel in Joe Papp's Richard
II) and on Broadway as Gyoko in "Shogun: The Musical" (with a delightful
song about sex instruments). In NY, she received an Obie Award
for her Lady Nijo in "Top Girls" at the Public Theater and in LA she
received a Dramalogue Award as well as LA Drama Critics and Ovation
nominations for her portrayal of that love-hungry, pie-crazed lady
Mrs. Lovett in East West Players' "Sweeny Todd." She had the great
pleasure of originating Le Thi in Julian barry's "The Reunification
Hotel" as a company member of Venture West Theater Company, for which
she also received a Dramalogue Award. Her film work includes
"Basic Instinct," "The Glimmer Man," "Crossing Delancey," and the
voice of Mulan's mother in "Mulan." On TV, she has costarred with
Robbie Coltrane in "Cracker: White Ghost," and played Mrs. Kultida
Woods opposite Keith David in "The Tiger Woods Story," in addition
to guest starring on numerous episodics including "Chicago Hope,"
"Party of Five," and "Nash Bridges." She recurred on "ER" and
Seventh Heaven," and her most recent TV movie is "Horse Sense," airing
on the Disney Channel. She voiced the role of Pam, the spunky girl
reporter" in the Rugrats special, "Rugrats Vs. Reptar." Upcoming
are "Miracle in Lane Two" and Gideon's Crossing."
Ken Takemoto (Theodore Whitman/Property Master) is a native of Hawaii
and retired LAUSD art teacher of 34 years, turned actor, costume designer
and property master. Follies will be his 4th appearance on stage at
EWP, this is his first musical. He was last seen in "Our Hearts Were
Touched by Fire" at the Japan America Theater. He is the recipient
of 2 Dramalogue Awards as costume designer and has been property master
of 29 productions at EWP. His other acting credits include, film,
T.V., commericals and music videos.
Marilyn Tokuda's career began as a back up singer/dancer with Mac
Davis and Connie Stevens, performing in Las Vegas, Tahoe, and road
tours. After two years she landed a series regular role in the
sit-com "Rollergirls" which motivated her to remain in Los
Angeles to pursue an acting career. She has performed at theaters
such as The Whole Theater, Burt Reynold's Jupiter Theater, Los Angeles
Theater Center, A Contemporary theater, Inner City, Scottsdale Repertory
Theater, Northwest Asian American Theater. Last year she was seen
playing the role of Hanako in "Hanako" at East West Players
and is currently rehearsing for "Follies" in the role of
Stella. She has guest directed at USC and has also directed
numerous readings at East West Players as well as two benefits for
the theater; The Aloha Concert, and Hero: A Tribute to George Takei.
Ashe co-founded the first Asian American comedy improvisation group
titled "Cold Tofu" and served as artistic director for six
years. She has since taught improvisation for "Cold Flu"
as well as as outside organizations. Film and television credits
include "Farewell To the King," "Strawberry Fields,"
"Cage," "Martin," "Alien Nation," "Hangin
With Mr. Cooper," "Boy Meets World," "Friends,"
Seinfeld," "Jag," and most recently "City Guys."
This summer Marilyn is proud to serve as program director for East
West Players summer conservatory; an intensive six week conservatory
dedicated to training those who wish to pursue a life in the theater.
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