Photos: Murakami's 'after the quake' at La Jolla

The La Jolla Playhouse is presenting Haruki Murakami's after the quake, a presentation with the Berkeley Repertory Theatre and a Steppenwolf Theatre production. Directed by Frank Galati, it began previews on July 24 and runs through August 26.

"In 1995, Haruki Murakami, one of Japan's most highly-regarded novelists and an international success, returned to his hometown of Kobe after a disastrous earthquake nearly destroyed the entire city. Inspired by this tragedy, Murakami penned after the quake, a collection of short stories, each of which measures the hidden devastation of people after a natural disaster," as described in press notes. Director and adaptor Galati (adaptor/director of the 1991 Tony Award-winning The Grapes of Wrath and director of the Tony Award-winning Ragtime and The Glass Menagerie) has woven two of Murakami's stories into a truly unique theatrical experience, featuring live cello and koto music. His adaptation of after the quake evokes the deepest, most fundamental questions in life: to what extent do we have the ability to ensure our own survival? And can anything be more devastating than the realization that pure randomness or an Act of God can end life?"

The La Jolla Playhouse cast of after the quake includes original actors Aiko Nakasone (Sayoko), Andrew Pang (Katagiri/Takatsuki), Keong Sim (Narrator/Frog) and Hanson Tse (Junpei). 

Ticket prices range from $28 to $60 and can be purchased by calling 858-550-1010, online at www.lajollaplayhouse.org or at the theatre box office.

Photos by Kevin Berne

 
Andrew Pang and Keong Sim

Aika Nakasone, Kayla Lauren Mei Mi Tucker, Hanson Tse and Keong Sim (background)

Hanson Tse and Aiko Nakasone

Hanson Tse (front), Kayla Lauren Mei Mi Tucker and Aiko Nakasone

Hanson Tse and Kayla Lauren Mei Mi Tucker

Aiko Nakasone, Hanson Tse, Keong Sim and Andrew Pang

Andrew Pang

Keong Sim

Keong Sim and Andrew Pang

Aiko Nakasone and Hanson Tse