31 Asian American Plays in 31 Days
#21 ALOHA LAS VEGAS
Edward Sakamoto is one of Hawai’i’s most popular playwrights. His skillfully constructed depictions of “local life” and command of stylized narrative devices have earned him recognition and acclaim both in the Islands and elsewhere in the U.S. He is probably the most under-appreciated author in the Asian American theatre canon, with a large repertoire of plays that have been sadly under-produced across the nation, despite the large number of Hawaiians who’ve come to the mainland from the islands.
In ALOHA, Wally Fukuda lives in the Liliha district of Honolulu. He’s a recently retired baker still recovering from his wife’s death. His friend Harry, visiting from Las Vegas, tries to persuade him to sell his house, make the move, and enjoy a new life. In spite of his love for Hawaii’s fresh air and beaches, Wally warms to the idea. But when he seeks approval from his married son and unmarried daughter, one is opposed to the whole idea. The ensuing debate over the relative merits (and demerits) of each location, embodied in the dynamics of a quick-changing contemporary local family, makes for great comedy–spiced with a strong dose of thought-provoking realism.
Kumu Kahua Theatre 1992 (h/t to Daniel Akiyama)
September 18, 1992, by Kumu Kahua at Tenney Theatre, St. Andrew’s Cathedral
Directed by James A. Nakamoto
Gracie: Nan Asuncion
Wally Fukuda: Larry Fukumoto
Harry: Dennis Ihara
June Fukuda: Karen Yamamoto Hackler
Alvin Kawabata: Dann Seki
Butch Fukuda: Byron J. Ono
Deedee Fukuda: Meredith Rose Hill
September 18, 1992, by Kumu Kahua at Tenney Theatre, St. Andrew’s Cathedral
Directed by James A. Nakamoto
Gracie: Nan Asuncion
Wally Fukuda: Larry Fukumoto
Harry: Dennis Ihara
June Fukuda: Karen Yamamoto Hackler
Alvin Kawabata: Dann Seki
Butch Fukuda: Byron J. Ono
Deedee Fukuda: Meredith Rose Hill
Photo is from Kumu Kahua’s 2002 revival, with Nara Cardenas, Janice Morimoto, Dann Seki, Salli Morita, Tony Solis, Allan Okubo, Eric Mita
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