DEAR YOKO at Santa Monica Playhouse
Dates: 11/9/2019
📍 Theatre: Santa Monica Playhouse
1211 4th Street
santa monica, CA 90404
Phone: 310.394.9779
Tickets: free
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Asian-American Stand Up Comedienne Anzu Lawson, who plays Ashley Kim on NBCs CHICAGO MED in her first one woman show called DEAR YOKO, in which she bares her heart, breast and soul revealing a personal history of non-acceptance as an Asian woman and how her struggle with depression got turned around when she was asked to study and embody Yoko Ono. A woman she too, was also taught to misunderstand and under estimate.During her 80-minute Dear Yoko; One Woman Show, directed by Jessica Lynn Johnson, Anzu not only portrayed Ono with her signature dialect, hat and sunglasses, but also legendary rock musicians she met while touring as a J-POP artist, agents and entertainment moguls who brought on the need for the #MeToo movement, and others who assisted her in turning her life around and accepting herself as the woman and artist she really was meant to be. And that road was never easy but so worth the journey. DEAR YOKO is an extraordinary and emotionally-charged personal story that spans two continents and how she found in Yoko Ono an example of an extraordinary Asian woman of accomplishment, who ultimately shows Anzu how to finally live her life authentically, against her Tiger moms conditioning. Anzus totally absorbing tale will have you hooked from start to finish, often feeling as if you are really watching Yoko Ono onstage as well as many of the other characters shared with us. Not to be missed! This show will have you on a roller coaster ride from tears to laughter and beyond leaving you with golden nuggets of wisdom to take with you on your own life path, as soon as you walk out of the theatre.Nicole Force of The Examiner - "Anzu Lawson is a consummate and multi-talented performer who represents the new triple threat in Hollywood -singer, actress and stand-up comedian. Anzu Lawson is an entertainment force who consistently delivers, regardless of the genre."The BFF features locally based artists performing original shows and hosting workshops that touch on a diverse range of subjects and themes from political to personal, love and loss, to sensuality and spirit, hierarchy and hope.The BFF aims to celebrate the range and depth of the human condition and the idea that theatre arts experiences are vital, transformative, and must be available for all. Tickets don't go live until September 10 Participation in all BFF events are FREE but reservations are required. To book tickets or reserve your place in a workshop call the Box Office at 310-394-9779 ext 1 or email us at theatre@santamonicaplayhouse.com.When emailing please include the name of the show you want to see, how many seats to hold, your full name and contact phone number. Thank you. Jessica Lynn Johnson is a published playwright, recipient of BEST NATIONAL SOLO ARTIST AWARD, Board Member of the LA Women's Theatre Festival, Director for Whitefire Theatre's SOLOFEST, and Founder & CEO of Soaring Solo LLC. Jessica works as a full time Director & Developer of solo theatre having aided in the development of over 75 solo shows (and still going strong). As a performer, Jessica has "edu-tained" international audiences touring her own 25 character one person shows ZE and OBLIVIOUS TO EVERYONE for over 13 years. Over the years, Jessica's projects have taken home awards such as TOP OF FRINGE, HFF ENCORE PRODUCER AWARDS, TVOLUTION BEST SOLO PERFORMANCE, LARRY CORNWALL AWARD FOR MUSICAL EXCELLENCE & several other accolades. Jessica was most recently nominated Female Director of Distinction in Theatre by Girl Trip LLC at the 2018 Hollywood Fringe Festival.
Ages: 15 and older
Ages: 15 and older
News About DEAR YOKO at Santa Monica Playhouse
HOW TO BE AN ENDING Starts June 1 At Hudson Guild Theatre
May 17, 2023 How to Be an Ending witten and performed by Elena Rosa and directed and developed by Jessica Lynn Johnson will be presented at Hudson Guild Theatre (6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90038) as part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival.
Debut Comedy THE RUB written and performed by Anzu Lawson announced at Whitefire Solofest 2023
January 10, 2023 Anzu Lawson gears up to debut and perform her 2nd One Woman Show The Rub inspired by her 30 minute single camera comedy pilot “The Rub” about her life as a stand-up comic who secretly pays her bills by being every Asian mother's worst nightmare… a masseuse.
NATURALLY TAN Opening May 14 At ARTSpace Black Box Theatre
April 07, 2022 Told through the bold perspective of a vivacious drag queen named Tanvi, Naturally Tan follows Tanya Thomas' desperation to fit in as a minority in Singapore and her search for acceptance in America. Fueled by assimilation pains, Tanya delves into the heart of colorism that plagues the Asian diaspora, the complexities of racial identity, and the consequences of damaging beauty standards. Will Tanya hide behind her insecurities forever or will she embody her worth as a woman of color, mother, and artist?
REDEEMher Begins This November At Santa Monica Playhouse
October 01, 2021 Following a successful run at the Hollywood Fringe Festival, REDEEMher comes to the Binge Free Festival at Santa Monica Playhouse on the Festival's closing night.
WORTH IT to be Presented at Santa Monica Playhouse
September 30, 2021 Worth It follows Casey, a talented songstress, who's content to sing back-up when life beckons her to take the lead! Raised to think penny-pinching is practical, her stinginess is spilling into unexpected areas of her life.
LADY LIBERTEASE Comes to Santa Monica Playhouse
September 13, 2021 Lady LiberTease, a hit at August's Hollywood Fringe Festival, is back for a single performance at the Binge Free Festival at Santa Monica Playhouse.
LADY LIBERTEASE Will Be Performed at Broadwater Black Box Next Week
August 01, 2021 The production was written and performed by Kirsten Laurel Caplan. Directed and developed by Jessica Lynn Johnson. Produced by Living Up to Your Laurels and Soaring Solo Studios.
WORTH IT! Comes to Broadwater Black Box Next Month
July 24, 2021 Worth It follows Casey Dawning, a talented songstress, who's content to sing back-up when life beckons her to take the lead! Raised to think penny-pinching is practical, her stinginess is spilling into unexpected areas of her life. When Casey stumbles into a 'Bank of the Future', with vaults filled with conscientious cabaret singers instead of cash, she begins to question whether her self-worth is at the root of her net worth.
THE BOOK THAT WON'T CLOSE Comes to Broadwater Black Box Next Month
July 18, 2021 The Book That Won't Close: Confessions of a Love Addict will be performed in front of live audiences at Broadwater Black Box. It will also be livestreamed, so there will be that option for online audiences as well.
YES? NO? MAYBE SO? to be Presented in August at Broadwater Black Box
July 02, 2021 Catherine is a professional musician. One day, she goes to see a medical specialist to address a physical issue that affects her performance. Instead of comforting treatment, she experiences sexual harassment. What to do now? Turn him in to the authorities? Shrug it off?
VERSATILE Will Be Performed at the Broadwater Black Box in August
June 18, 2021 Versatile has been selected previously for the 2020 Black Voices Theatre Festival, the Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival's Hot Off the Press event (2020), the Whitefire Theatre's SoloFest 2021 (the largest solo performance festival on the West Coast), and was designated a Spotlight Production at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.
DEAR YOKO Opens At Whitefire Theatre On February 2
December 05, 2019 Following successful 2019 engagements at the Whitefire Theatre and Santa Monica Playhouse, the acclaimed show Dear Yoko returns to the Whitefire Theatre for a single performance as part of the Whitefire's Solofest 2020. Anzu Lawson (who plays Ashley Kim on NBC's Chicago Med) is an Asian-American actress who grew up in Southern California in a broken family.About the Theatre
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