East West Players Presents The Nisei Widows Club

By Sara Stokoe

As the fourth production in the 37th Anniversary Season of the East West Players Theatre Company, “The Nisei Widows Club” is set to be a huge hit!

This play explores the traditions, loves, losses and lives of Nisei women (second generation Japanese American women). Many of these women were small children and teenagers interned in relocation camps during World War II.

As serious as that sounds, this is surprisingly a comedy about a group of widows living in Los Angeles who form a support group for bereaving spouses. One night, their weekly meeting is crashed by unexpected guests, and all hell breaks lose.

Behind the laughter however, there is a serious element to this production as it “gives a voice to an older, and often under-represented, community and allows them to share a different and sometimes private part of their lives with their families and younger generations,” says Tim Dang, the play’s award winning artistic director.

This play looks like it will be especially fun for L.A. residents as there are many local references and a very familiar culture presented.

The cast for “The Nisei Widows Club” includes Takayo Fischer, Emily Kuroda, June Kyoko Lu, Robert Lee, Jeanne Sakata, Sab Shimono and Michael Yama. Members of the Japanese American community will also be acting alongside the professional actors as members of the club to give the play a true authentic feel.

All performances will be taking place in the David Henry Hwang Theater at the Union Center for the Arts located in Little Tokyo at 120 Judge John Aiso St., between Temple and First streets.

Opening night is May 14, 2003, and there will be a gala reception with the director, cast and crew. Tickets for this special evening are $55.

The play will be closing on June 8, 2003 and regular performances are Thursday through Sunday. Tickets are $30 for the orchestra and $25 for the balcony. Tickets can be purchased Monday through Friday from 11 am – 5 pm by calling (213) 625-7000 x20.

Check back with APA for a review of the play and interviews with the cast and crew in an upcoming issue!