Centerstage opens the noir detective thriller Yellow Fever
by Rick Shiomi Friday, May 20. This one is set right here in our beloved Pacific
Northwest, and told through the lens of the Japanese and Chinese immigrant
communities in the 1970s. From the press release: “The shadows of the
internment camps linger over a vibrant community as it fights to establish
itself just a few decades after losing so much. In
the midst of it all is detective Sam Shikaze, a nisei private
eye...and he’s got a story to tell.
“The show brings exciting new talent to Centerstage, along with a
few familiar faces. Tim Takechi, last seen in our livestreamed 2020 venture Theatre
Magic, portrays our iconic private eye, Sam Shikaze, who’s every bit as
hardboiled and cynical as a good noir detective should be. Takechi has been
recognized for his work all around the Puget Sound area, and was recently seen in
Lakewood Playhouse’s A Christmas Carol …. His easy style and comedic
timing are an ideal match for our hero. Portraying Rosie, a café owner and
mother-like figure to Sam, is Aya Hashiguchi, well known in the South Sound as
one of the co-founders and owners of Dukesbay Productions, which provides a
space for small theatres to produce their shows. Dukesbay also mounts their own
shows throughout the year, including their recent God Said This, which
also featured the multitalented Hashiguchi onstage. She is also an active member
of the Centerstage Advisory Board. Annamaria Guerzon, last seen as both an
actor and playwright in Centerstage’s afternoons of New Works, First
Impressions, appears as the determined young reporter Nancy Wing. Guerzon
is a bright young talent at the very start of her career, and she is one to
watch. Van Lang Pham plays Chuck Chan, a lawyer and friend of Sam. His resume
includes the critically acclaimed Washer/Dryer at SIS Productions and
Pratidhwani in 2019. Minki Bai portrays Captain Kadota, a member of the police
force torn between his loyalties to his community and his brothers on the
force. Bai has appeared with Jet City Improv productions in Seattle, as well as
other local theatres. Graham Arthur Blair is Sargent MacKenzie, a member of the
local police who has it in for Sam and doesn’t make a secret of it. Kadota’s
supervisor, Superintendent Jameson, is played by Danny Lacker, a local
performer who has performed with multiple Puget Sound Theatres, (and made it to
Hollywood on American Idol when he was in High School!). Travis Martinez
plays the mysterious Goldberg, a man deeply interested in Japanese culture, who
seeks to ingratiate himself with the locals in the International District.
Finally, Keith Ordonez, recently of First Impressions, is our swing for
the show.
Yellow Fever is directed by Mimi Katano. Katano is the Executive Artistic
Director of Youth Theatre Northwest, with a long list of directing credits to
her name and many theatre professionals who consider her their primary mentor.
During the many years I was The News Tribune and Weekly Volcano
theater critic I often reviewed shows at Centerstage. Their shows were always
excellent. For people in Olympia and Tacoma it might be a little off the beaten
path, but it is well worth the drive.
RUN
DATES: May 20th through June 12th
TIMES:
Fridays – 7:30 pm;
Saturdays
–7:30 pm;
Sundays
– 2:00 pm
TICKET
PRICES:
$32 for adults; $28 for seniors/military;
$15 for ages 18 – 23;
$12
ages 17 & under. Per ticket Facility Use Fees apply.
Tickets
available online at www.CenterstageTheatre.com
or
by phone: (253) 661-1444
LOCATION: Knutzen Family
Theatre, 3200 SW Dash Point Rd, Federal Way, WA
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