Photo Flash: Pan Asian Repertory's 37th Season Benefit Dinner

PAN ASIAN REPERTORY THEATRE celebrated the start of its 37th season with a benefit dinner held Thursday, November 7 at the Golden Unicorn (18 E Broadway at Catherine Street) in Chinatown. Scroll down for photos from the event!

PAN ASIAN REP saluted Ming Cho Lee, one of the foremost set designers in America today whose awards include the National Medal of Arts, the highest national award given in the arts; the Mayor's Award for Arts and Culture; a Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre; Outer Critic's Circle; and Drama Desk Awards. He has taught for more than 40 years at the Yale Drama School, nurturing generations of students who have gone on to award-winning design careers. The company also saluted Elizabeth R. OuYang and OCA-NY, for activism on behalf of Private Danny Chen. OuYang has served as President of OCA-New York for the last four years. With 27 years experience as a civil rights attorney, her expertise is in immigration, voter rights protection, and combating hate crimes. Founded in 1976, the New York Chapter of OCA is one of over 100 chapters and affiliates across the country dedicated to advancing the social, political and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans in the United States. The evening was emceed by veteran artist, Ron Nakahara, director of PAN ASIAN's spring production, the comedy FISHING FOR WIVES.

The evening's entertainment included Hula dances and songs helmed by Marina Celander, as well as photo tributes and remembrances of past productions.

The evening opened at 6pm with cocktail hour and appetizers, and continues with traditional Chinese banquet and presentation to salutees. It benefited PAN ASIAN REPERTORY's 37th milestone season that will focus on migration and social justice, and include the world premiere production, FISHING FOR WIVES by Edward Sakamoto, which is set in Hawaii in 1913, to be presented April 2014, and special performances of NO-NO BOY adapted from the John Okada novel, written by Ken Narasaki. Pan Asian's season will also include Staged Readings open to the public: KALAUPAPA (Nov 12 at 7pm) by Jon Shirota, about a family struggling to survive in the Hawaiian leper colony, and SAIGON SISTERS (Nov 15 at 7pm) by Daniel Le, inspired by Chekhov's masterpiece, and set in 1950's Vietnam. More information on 37th season programs at www.panasianrep.org.

PAN ASIAN REPERTORY THEATRE, the most veteran Asian American theatre company on the East Coast, is dedicated to providing a professional forum to Asian American and minority artists, celebrating their talent and creativity. Founded 37-years ago and led by Tisa Chang, PAN ASIAN REP, which was called "a stage for all the world of Asian-Americans" by Mel Gussow of The New York Times, has opened doors for many who enjoy careers in film, television and on Broadway. Daniel Dae Kim, Lucy Liu, David Henry Hwang and Philip Kan Gotanda are several actors and playwrights who have collaborated with Pan Asian Rep over the years. The company has been invited to many international theater festivals including Edinburgh, Singapore, Cairo and Johannesburg. It was the first professional theater from the United States to be requested at the Havana Theatre Festival in 2003. Variety Magazine notes "....the aesthetic mission and professional chops of the Pan Asian Repertory Theater are admirable.

Photo Credit: Corky Lee

Tisa Chang, salutee Ming Cho Lee, Betsy Lee and presenter Tina Chen

Beverly Okada, niece of NO-NO BOY author John Okada, and Michael Sharp

Hula Dancer Anne Matematico, Emcee Ron Nakahara, Musician Claudia Goddard, and Hula Dancer Marina Celander

Pan Asian Repertory Theatre Board of Trustees David L Fung, his wife, Lisa Fung, Tisa Chang, Chris Wu and Andrew Buchta

Salutees June Jee (of OCA-NY), Pan Asian Rep APD Tisa Chang, salutee Elizabeth R. OuYang, and Chi Loek (of OCA-NY)

Lily Fan, Wally Wong and Linda Lew Woo

Muzaffar Chishti of 21st C ILGWU Heritage Fund and Ravi Rajan, Board Chair of 4As