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

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 5/25/25 at 10:51pm

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]

Posted: 5/26/25 at 12:14am

I would almost try to time a trip to catch this, but the reason that I feel like I still haven't really seen the show is that I was so dispirited by John Doyle's condensed production (despite my admiration for much of its cast). So finding out which version of the show they're using is pretty important to me as well...

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 5/26/25 at 1:26am

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.

[Kad]

Posted: 5/26/25 at 9:19am

I love Pacific Overtures and I too really disliked Doyle’s production, which managed to mangle just about everything about the show.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 5/26/25 at 9:36am

The recent Signature production in VA looked pretty good. 

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 5/26/25 at 12:10pm

I wish I could've seen Signature's acclaimed 2023 revival of ''Pacific Overtures.'' It was directed by Ethan Heard, the theater's associate artistic director, who led a primarily Asian-American creative team and an all-Asian-American cast. Quite a contrast to Signature's first revival of ''Pacific Overtures'' in 2005, which featured a Caucasian cast!

Anyway, a Signature video (below) reveals how the 2023 staging incorporated a giant Taiko drum, plus kabuki techniques and samurai sword fights, and turned a rotating turntable into the island of Japan. John Weidman did a talkback at the Signature, which can be found on YouTube, and raved about this production. And, as opposed to the Doyle version, which dumped ''Chrysanthemum Tea,'' Weidman said Signature's ''Chrysanthemum Tea'' was the funniest version that he'd ever seen. (For anyone who's NEVER seen the original 1976 Broadway show, it was filmed for Japanese TV, and it, too, can be found on YouTube.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic2s8eRKP7w

Updated On: 5/26/25 at 12:10 PM

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 5/26/25 at 2:20pm

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.

[Kad]

Posted: 5/26/25 at 5:06pm

I’m glad that recording of the original production exists. I recall reading somewhere- perhaps even on this board years ago- that a remaster or rerelease was impossible, either due to rights issues or the original tapes being lost. 

But yes, the piece was written to be a grand kabuki production, and anything less than that seems to undercut it substantially. 

[ChairinMain]

Posted: 5/27/25 at 1:18am

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.

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 5/27/25 at 3:26am

A Google search brought up Lily Janiak's S.F. Chronicle review of Kunoichi Productions' first in-person production, in association with the Theatre of Yugen. It was the world premiere of Ai Aida's ''Never Mind,'' in December 2022. The Chronicle rating featured the Little Man staring at the stage.

https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/theater/new-company-brings-ancient-aesthetics-modern-twist-in-kunoichi-productions-never-mind

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 5/27/25 at 1:24pm

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