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HELD OVER DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND!
November 5th through December 12th

(L. to R.) Daniel Akiyama gets a "scarecut" from Dann Seki as Kumu Kahua Theatre presents Voices from Okinawa by Jon Shirota.

Voices from Okinawa
by Jon Shirota

(L. to R.) Tyler Tanabe, Dann Seki, and Valerie Falle in Kumu Kahua Theatre's production of Voices from Okinawa by Jon Shirota.

(L. to R.) Julia Nakamoto, Tyler Tanabe, and Yumi Nakama in Kumu Kahua Theatre's production of Voices from Okinawa by Jon Shirota.

(L. to R.) Aya Ohara, Stu Hirayama, Julia Nakamoto, and Dann Seki TRY to learn their lessons in Kumu Kahua Theatre's production of Voices from Okinawa by Jon Shirota.

Photos by Firebird Photography

Voices from Okinawa

Originally produced last year by the East West Players in Los Angeles, Voices From Okinawa tells the story of Kama Hutchins, an American of Okinawan ancestry who teaches English to local Okinawans. He eschews traditional ESL teaching methods to have his students relate personal stories to the class. As the tales are told, the attitudes of the young students toward the American soldiers stationed on the island, change. (For years, Okinawans have protested the U.S. presence, citing crime, rape and the destruction of Okinawan culture.) From his students, as well as from his shaman great-aunt, Kama learns a great deal about his own cultural heritage. The drama blends with comedy as Kama is compelled to defend his teaching methods to the school principal.

The Los Angeles Times said in January 2008:

“Throughout his life, author and playwright Jon Shirota has been exploring the meaning of identity. The 80-year-old's newest work examines the relationship between U.S. and Okinawan culture in a present-day setting that evokes several parallels with the current war in Iraq.”

The playwright's father left Okinawa in 1907, along with three brothers, and became a pineapple grower on Maui. The brothers eventually returned to Okinawa, but Shirota's family remained.

Click here for more about the playwright.

Reiko Ho will direct the production, with set design by Chesley Cannon; Assistant Director/Stage manager is Katherine Aumer; Lighting Desgin is by Daniel Sakimura; Costumes by Toby Rinaldi; and Choreography by Yukie Shiroma.

The Cast is made up of Kumu veterans: Stu Hirayama, Tyler Tanabe, Julia Nakamoto, Valerie Falle, Daniel Akiyama, and Dann Seki. And Kumu newcomers; Yumi Nakama and Aya Ohara.

Thursday, Friday & Saturday 8pm: November 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 27, 28; December 3, 4, 5, 11, 12, 2009

(No show Thursday, November 26, because of Thanksgiving)

*American Sign Language Interpretation available