I arrived in LA the day before the US mainland premiere performance of the musical, Pigs From The Sea. Michelle, who is a good friend of mine and the assistant producer for the show, invited me to attend the event weeks earlier. I was elated when things worked out to where I was able to go. During the subsequent weeks I learned that there was to be a rehearsal on this day. Being a performing artist myself I was thrilled when Michelle arranged for me to attend the rehearsal. I like watching rehearsals probably more than I do the performance because I get to see how everything gets put together.
The theater where the performance was to take place was not available for the rehearsal so it was being held in a small basketball gymnasium. Small being the operative word here. The building was only big enough for the basketball court with about four feet around the perimeter for folding chairs. But this served nicely for the purposes of this rehearsal.
From my conversations with Michelle I knew this was a totally Okinawan production and the main part of the cast and crew was going to be coming from Okinawa. I also knew that Americans were largely responsible for bringing the musical to the US and a portion of the cast would be local. So, I also figured there would be a large American presence. What my mind didn’t snap to was the fact that these would probably be Okinawan Americans.
Since Michelle was involved with the dance part of the rehearsal; the Event Advisor of the show was kind enough to give me a ride to the gymnasium. He was a very nice man who spoke enough English for us to have a little conversation on the way over. As we got out of the car and started to walk to the entrance of the gym he made the comment, in an almost forewarning tone of voice, that this place was going to be full of Okinawans - boy, was he right.
As we entered the gym I never felt more Caucasian. There were Okinawan’s all over the place; not a set of round eyes to be seen and my ears only hearing the Japanese language spoken. As I was introduced, people were bowing and calling me Jim-san. I was a bit overwhelmed - to say the least - and said to myself, “Toto, we’re not in Texas anymore.” (Sometimes I call myself Toto. It’s just this little Wizard Of Oz thing I have.) After a few seconds though, I adjusted to the situation and started to enjoy the wonderful, warm hearted people that made up this gathering.
A cacophony of sights and sounds surrounded me as I faced the gym floor. Dancers working out last minute dance steps, actors trying to find their spots, the show’s music blaring through the speakers. Since the rehearsal was on a bare basketball court, with no props or stage settings and everyone dressed casually, I couldn’t tell what was going on. But the director; who was standing against the wall at center court, waving her arms and giving out last minute instruction, seemed to have a clear vision as to what she wanted to see.
There was a sense of urgency in the air as
this was the last rehearsal in which to tie up loose ends, but the director
seemed to be in control of all the different things going on in front of
her. Next to her was the composer, who
was seated on the floor. Countless large
manuscript pages of the musical score were strewn out in front of him as he
feverishly flipped through the pages. On
the other side, with his eye on both the composer and the director, was the
sound guy who expertly manipulated the sound equipment in accordance with their
needs.
I was standing there only a minute or so when I saw Michelle approaching from across the floor. It was good to see her smiling face. After a few seconds of chatting she lead me over to the wall where the director was standing. There were chairs lined up against the wall and we sat down about ten feet away from the director - which placed us right in the middle of the action. Best seat in the house I would say… or maybe I should say best seat in the gym. At that point, most of the chairs were empty. Michelle then needed to leave in order to attend to her duties, but that was alright. I was comfortable enough and being so close to the director and composer, I was able to get very good view of the inner working of the musical.
As I sat there, other people started making their way over to the area where I was seated. Pretty soon all the chairs were occupied and people were standing in front of me. With everyone watching the rehearsal on the floor all I could see was backsides and couldn’t tell who was who in front of me. But I did enjoying watching everyone socializing, even though I couldn’t understand a word they were saying. By the way they were bowing and greeting each other I figured that I was now right in the big middle of the area where all the important people of the event were gathering.
Then amidst the short staccato cadences of the Japanese language I heard the well rounded, lyrical English phrasing of a veteran stage actor. I immediately started looking around. I didn’t see any veteran English stage actors, but once again I heard English being spoken. My ears then figured out the voice was coming from the gentlemen standing in front me. As I leaned slightly to the side, so as to get a better look at him, I was instantly “beamed up” straight to “Trekie” heaven. Mr. Sulu, from the original Star Trek series, was standing not four feet in front of me. I knew George Takei was going to perform in the musical but I never thought I would be mingling in the same circle of people with him.
That’s also when I noticed the camera man. He was positioned about ten feet directly on the other side of Mr. Sulu from me (Oh Sorry!, Mr. Takei) and had the camera pointed at George… which meant I would be visible in the background of the shot. The very last thing I had intended was to be part of The Making of Pig From The Sea DVD, but there I was. With the way everyone was bunched up in the sidelines of the basketball court, I knew if I were to get up and leave it would probably only draw attention to myself.
So I just sat. I sat straight up in my chair, as if I was exactly where I was suppose to be, acting like I understood everything going on around me. In my mind though, the only thing I could see was a family sitting in their living room some where in Okinawa, gathered around the television, watching The Making of Pigs From The Sea DVD when one of the kids stands, points to the TV, and says in Japanese, “Hey, what’s that big, goofy looking Texan doing sitting there in the middle of everything.” I have to tell you, I tried real hard to look as Japanese as I could… but somehow I don’t feel I was very successful.
Things then went from the uncomfortable to the surreal when it came time for Mr. Takei to rehearse his part in the musical, which I found out was that of General MacArthur. Once I realized this I thought it to be a brilliant casting call. His English stage voice should fit very nicely in that part. But as Mr. Takei’s scene progressed I found something to be a little askew, at least in my mind.
If you will remember from the television show Star Trek, Mr. Takei has a very definitive Asian look about him – which is probably due to the fact that he is Asian. Now also remember, none of the actors had on their make up or costumes and they were performing on a bare basketball gym speaking in Japanese. With all of this, I was having a little problem latching on to what was actually suppose to be happening.
So, I found myself watching a very Asian looking fellow, speaking English with the well rounded lyrical stage voice, while my mind was seeing Mr. Sulu playing General MacArthur talking to Captain Kirk on the main deck of the Enterprise. (My mind does tend to enhance and exaggerate the visual information it receives. But you know what… I have found that with a mind like mine, I don’t really need to use drugs.)
This was only the beginning of a weekend full of great memories that I will cherish the rest of my life. Later that evening was a supper where the cast and all the dignitaries gathered to celebrate the upcoming musical performance. Sunday afternoon I was able to attend the dress rehearsal. After that I had the privilege of being able to hang out in the Green Room before the performance. Then there was the actual performance Sunday evening and the cast party afterward. I made a lot of new acquaintances and hopefully some friendships that will last the rest of my life.
Upon my return home that Sunday night, as I trudged through the airport leaden with luggage, I was totally immersed in the memories of my first encounter with the City of Angels. But, I have to say, I did find on thing a little strange over there. Something was wrong with the weather. I mean, here it was the last week of June and their high temperatures were only in the 70’s; a nice dry seventy, with lows in the sixties at night. What’s up with that?
After a slight jerk, the parking garage elevator stopped and the doors opened. As I stepped out the hot, humid, 90 degree Texas summertime heat hit me full in the face. What a shock. When I finally started breathing again I just sighed and said to myself, “Yep Toto, we’re back in Texas.”
All in all, I found the experience of immersing myself in the wonderful Okinawan culture for the weekend a very rewarding personal experience. I want to express my appreciation to the Los Angeles Okinawan community for allowing me to enter their world for a little while and making me feel as if I were part of the family… something that has left me willing to say that I would be proud to be an Okinawan any day.
Go to:
Nihongo and Me
“Pigs from the Sea” A Review
My Close Encounter of an Alluring Kind
You are reading; Memories of a Wonderful Weekend
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