The San Fernando Valley Chapter of the JACL is presenting a concert reading of the internationally acclaimed playwright Velina Hasu Houston’s play “Tea” on Sunday, June 8, at 2 p.m. at the San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center.
The play brings together four Japanese brides who reside in Kansas in 1968 after the suicide of a fifth member of their group. While cleaning their deceased friend’s house and chatting over tea, the spirit of their friend leads them into a discussion of the tension in their lives in search of common ground and a pathway for their future passage.
Houston has written over 30 plays. “Tea” has been produced at such venues as the Manhattan Theater Club, Smithsonian Institution, NHK (Japan nationwide), and Los Angeles Theater Center. Her plays have also been performed in China, Singapore, Australia and Malaysia.
Following the reading, Houston will be present to take questions and offer her comments.
The SFVJACC is located at 12953 Branford St., Pacoima. For reservations and ticket information, contact Nancy Gohata at yaiko16@verizon.net or (818) 371-8013. Suggested donation: $15, payable to SFVJACL.
Bentos will be available after the performance for $10. Order deadline is Sunday, June 1.