Details

An isolated Japan, swathed in honour and protected by invincible gods, has a very rude awakening in 1853 by western war ships. A lowly fisherman is sent to insist they turn back only to kick start a chain of events that lead to drastic social change. Pulling on Japanese art forms such as Kabuki and Butoh, Pacific Overtures is an epic tale of how the child becomes the master... Welcome to Japan! A co-production between the Donmar and Chicago Shakespeare Theater

Cast/Performers

Jerome Pradon (Shogun's Mother/French Admiral), Cornell John (Warrior/Russian Admiral), Richard Henders (Manjiro/Dutch Admiral), Teddy Kempner (2nd Counsellor/Madam/British Admiral), Togo Igawa (Lord Abe/Old Man), Ian McLarnon (3rd Counsellor/American Admiral), Mo Zainal (Tamate/Boy), Richard Manera (Lion Dancer/Commodore Perry), Joseph Anthony Foronda (Reciter/Shogun), Kevin Gudahl (Kayama)

Creatives/Company

Music: Stephen Sondheim
Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim
Book by: John Weidman
Corporate Sponsor: Bloomberg
Director(s): Gary Griffin, Thomas Murray (music), Mark Warman (production musical director)
Design: Daniel Ostling
Costume: Mara Blumenfeld
Lighting: Hugh Vanstone
Sound: Nick Lidster
Other: James Stenborg (orchestration)