See what's coming 'Next!': 'Pacific Overtures' in San Francisco

Kunoichi Productions, in partnership with Brava! For Woman in the Arts and the Theatre of Yugen, is presenting Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman's ''Pacific Overtures'' from May 30 to June 15 at the Brava Theatre Center, 2781 24th St, San Francisco. It's being directed by Nick Ishimaru.

Has anyone here seen any of their productions? Kunoichi says it produces bold, innovative theater with Japanese aesthetics.

For me, seeing ''Pacific Overtures'' in San Francisco would be a full-circle moment. In 1976, after ''Pacific Overtures'' closed on Broadway, it played L.A. and S.F. (at the Curran). I was a kid and it was the first professional Broadway show I ever saw, and it introduced me to theater and Sondheim.

I hope Kunoishi is NOT doing the 2017 John Doyle version from Classic Stage Co. It cut the show to a 90-minute one-act & dropped ''Chrysanthemum Tea.'' But since the Kunoichi cast numbers 10 (plus 2 swings), which is about how many were in Doyle's revival, my hopes probably will be dashed.

I've seen other revivals: York Theatre, New National Theatre of Tokyo, Roundabout. But nothing will ever compare to Hal Prince's priceless original.

https://www.kunoichiproductions.org/

Scarywarhol said: "I feel like I still haven't really seen the show is that I was so dispirited by John Doyle's condensed production"



I feel the same way. I would love for Lincoln Center to put on a top rate production. This show feels so under seen.

The recent Signature production in VA looked pretty good.

I did see the Signature production and it was so wonderful, especially after the disappointment of the John Doyle production, despite the obvious talent in it. Signature’s production utilized its thrust stage configuration and budget constraints for maximum effect with incredible design and great use of the versatile cast.

I would love to see a large-scale production featuring an all- or mostly-Asian team. Give this show the treatment it deserves! I’ve seen the video of the glorious original production, and I’d love to see something like that live.

Wayman_Wong said: "Kunoichi Productions, in partnership with Brava! For Woman in the Arts and the Theatre of Yugen, is presenting Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman's ''Pacific Overtures'' from May 30 to June 15 at the Brava Theatre Center, 2781 24th St, San Francisco. It's being directed by Nick Ishimaru.

Has anyone here seen any of their productions? Kunoichi says it produces bold, innovative theater with Japanese aesthetics.


Kunoichi is brand new, I think this is their first show.

Update: Piano_Dan, a musical director who posts on All That Chat, assures me that Kunoichi Productions is doing the full-length version of ''Pacific Overtures'' and NOT cutting ''Chrysanthemum Tea.'' Yay! Piano_Dan says he's not associated with this show, but knows the director, musical director and some of the actors and can recommend their work. Below is a link to photos from their show.

By the way, this ''Pacific Overtures'' is doing a one-night-only preview Thursday (May 29) at 7:30 p.m.; all tickets are only $17.75. It opens Friday (May 30) with its regular prices.

https://www.facebook.com/KunoichiProductions/posts/pfbid0mmVbpi2eWA64RDXRD2DrTD6FrVXN8a9ogu3oLZCahPSWWQL6yarFkMVTdcdv1eiql

Updated On: 5/27/25 at 01:24 PM