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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