“Pacific Overtures” will be presented at Chromolume Theatre, 5429 W. Washington Blvd. in Los Angeles, from Dec. 1 to 17.
Set in 1853 Japan, this musical, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by John Weidman, follows the difficult Westernization of Japan, told from the point of view of the Japanese. In particular, the story focuses on the lives of two friends caught in the change.
This is the first production of “Pacific Overtures” presented in Los Angeles since 1998. It is directed by James Esposito with musical direction by Daniel Yokomizo and choreography by Michael Marchak.
The cast: Paul Wong (Reciter), Cesar Cipriano (Kayama), Daryl Leonardo (Manjiro), Marcel Licera (Lord Abe/Old Man), Pete Villavicencio Jeensalute (Mother/American Admiral), Daniel Koh (Madam/British Admiral), John Michael Sala (Warrior/Russian Admiral), Julia May Wong (Tamate/Young Boy), Gibran Mahmud (Fisherman/Dutch Admiral), and Kevin Matsumoto (Commodore Perry/French Admiral), with Reuben Uy as understudy.
Showtimes: Friday and Saturday, Dec. 1-2, at 8 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 3, at 2 and 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, Dec. 8-9, at 8 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 10, at 2 and 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, Dec. 15-16, at 8 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 17, at 2 and 7 p.m.
Tickets are $30 each. Limited sets available at the door. Box office and lobby open 45 minutes prior to showtime. For more information, visit www.crtheatre.com/pacific.html.