31 Asian American Plays in 31 Days
#15 The Wash, by Philip Kan Gotanda
Masi Matsumoto has been separated from her husband, Nobu, for more than a year, but she still returns weekly to pick up and deliver his laundry, while Nobu refuses to believe their marriage is over. One daughter hopes for reconciliation; the other estranged from her father since her marriage to a black man, encourages her mother’s move towards freedom. Nobu is engaged in a growing friendship with restaurant owner Kiyoko, but when he discovers that Masi has tentatively begun a relationship with another man, Sadao, Nobu’s pride is battered, and he becomes reclusive and obstinate. Finally, Masi asks Nobu for a divorce, and at the end of the play, Nobu is alone trying to figure out what his life has become, and how to restore relationships with his daughters.
One of the finest Asian American plays from the second wave of Asian American writers, THE WASH has done well in every venue that it’s played and is yet another piece that’s ripe for revival. Gotanda has even done versions of his play with other ethnic groups (a 2012 version with Jamaicans).
Originally workshopped at the Mark Taper Forum (1985). Directed by Barbara Damashek. With Mako, Shizuko Hoshi, Kim Miyori, Rosalind Chao, June Kim, Sab Shimono, Momo Yashima and Daniel Kuramoto.
Photo taken from the Mark Taper 1991 production. With L- R, Jodi Long, Suzi Hoshi, Sab Shimono, Carol Honda, James Saito, Nobu MsCarthy, George Takei and Diane Tanaka. The NY production that was also directed by Sharon Ott, in part moved from Manhattan Theater Club (1990) with the above cast with the exception of James Saito who substituted for Marshall Factora. I suggest you not post a pic unless you know who is in it.
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