Kumu Kahua Theatre Presents SHOYU ON RICE, Now thru 9/24

The 44th season at Kumu Kahua Theatre opens with a play by Scot Izuka: Shoyu on Rice. The show is the anticipated sequel to Mr. Izuka's show, Mainland Education, produced by Kumu Kahua Theatre in 2009.

Synopsis: in the mid-1980s, boys attending a Catholic all-boys high school deal with their use of pidgin English when a substitute teacher from Kansas takes over their classroom. Meanwhile, the substitute struggles to learn local ways in both the classroom and the home of her Japanese-American fiancés parents.

"While much has changed in the last thirty years, the desire to fit in and be understood has not," says director Reiko Ho. "I watch my teenaged son navigate the pull of peer pressure just like the characters in our play. Everyone wants to be validated and accepted, and like our characters learn, sometimes validation starts when we learn to accept ourselves for exactly who we are."

Tickets for performances can be purchased with a credit card by calling 536-4441, or by visiting our box office at 46 Merchant Street (corner of Bethel and Merchant streets, downtown) between 11am and 3pm Monday through Friday. Tickets can also be purchased at KumuKahua.org.

Show dates:

Thursday, Friday & Saturday 8pm: August 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30; September 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 2014

Sundays 2pm: August 22, 31; September 7, 14, *24, 2014

*American Sign Language Interpretation upon request

The show's director, Reiko Ho, also directed the 43rd season opener at Kumu Kahua Theatre, Will the Real Charlie Chan Please Stand Up? This production features seven cast members: Jim Aina, Kimo Albarado, Bronte Amoy, Joanna Mills, Kat Nakano, Ryan 'Okinaka and Shawn Vasconcelles.

Pictured: Joanna Mills, Kimo Albarado, Bronte Amoy and Shawn Vasconcelles.