Ballad of Yachiyo

A tale of illicit passion by Guggenheim-winning playwright Philip Kan Gotanda, set in 1919 among the lush cane fields of Hawaii. Inspired by true events in the playwright's family, The Ballad of Yachiyo follows 16-year-old Yachiyo as she reluctantly leaves her impoverished parents to live with sophisticated relatives. Her mother hopes she will learn the Japanese tea ceremony and other refinements that will help attract a wealthy husband. But as Yachiyo acquires civilized graces from her hostess, Okusan, she also struggles with a growing passion for Okusan's handsome and dissolute husband.

An L.A. Theatre Works full cast performance featuring:

June Angela as Yachiyo Takayo Fischer as Okusan Dian Kobayashi as Mama Lane Nishikawa as Hiro Takamura Sab Shimono as Papa Greg Watanabe as Willie Higa Annie Yee as Osugi Chong

Original music by Dan Kuramoto.

Directed by Philip Kan Gotanda. Recorded before a live audience at the DoubleTree Suites, Santa Monica in November of 1996.

© 2009 L.A. Theatre Works (Audiobook): 9781580816243

Release date

Audiobook: December 7, 2009