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By Leonard Novarro
Special to ASIA
What was more important than watching the most talked-about football game – the San Diego Chargers versus the Pittsburgh Steelers – since last year's Super Bowl?
The Harvest Moon Festival and fundraiser on behalf of San Diego's most enduring Asian theatrical group, the Asian American Repertory Theatre (AART).
Some 300 patrons of the arts gathered to do just that on Sunday, Oct. 8, at Jasmine Restaurant in San Diego's Kearny Mesa. They came to hear about the coming AART theatrical season, dine on good food, listen to music and, above all, drink in some of the inspiration that has marked so many things AART does.
The highlight of the evening was the preview of a new play, House of Chaos, by Velina Hasu Houston, who told the audience, "There is an Asian experience we need to bring to the stage. Our stories are just as much a part of the fabric of this country as our European ancestors," As such, AART does not shy away from "writing about the Asian American experience," she said.
The play will have its world premiere in April 2007 in San Diego, under the auspices of AART.
Since 2000, Houston has had world premieres of six different plays, including Ikebana (Living Flowers), Shedding the Tiger, and Amazing Grace.
House of Chaos will be directed by Peter Cirino.
The event also paid tribute to longtime AART board member, Peter Darwin Chu and his wife, Andrea, both of whom have devoted countless hours to AART and its events.
In his closing remarks, Louie Nguyen, AART board president, invited more people to get involved with AART. "Apply for staff or board, get involved in our productions through acting, set design, makeup, and, of course, volunteers are always welcome," he said
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