Pigs from the Sea - A Review

                   “Pigs from the Sea”

                                                    a musical event



On June 26th, 2005 - at the Marsee Auditorium in Torrance, California - I had the good fortune of spending an enjoyable evening watching a very entertaining stage musical.  Even though Torrance California is a long way from Broadway in New York City, this was a first class production from top to bottom.

The Musical 

Lets get one thing cleared up right at the start - the title of the musical “Pigs From The Sea”.  I want to assure you that this is not some Sci-Fi monster flick about a heard of giant, mutant, aquatic swine that comes ashore and starts chomping down on Okinawans.   No, not at all.  This is the very poignant story of a culture that was almost eradicated simply due to the fact that it was in the wrong place at the wrong time.  A true story that helps show - no matter what culture we are part of - at the core we are all human beings that respect and care for each other.

I would say that anyone here in the States, who is a fan of the musical theater, would enjoy this production… well, except for the fact that you probably won’t understand what anyone is saying in the musical.  Come to think about it, you probably won’t understand any of the singing in the musical either.  That is, unless you speak Japanese.  Dancing?  Now there is something you probably won’t have any trouble with no matter what language you speak.

The language situation was addressed very effectively though.  You see, this is the only stage musical I’ve ever seen or heard of that used subtitles.  That’s right, subtitles.  At the top of the stage, on the outside of the curtain, was a small rectangular screen on which was displayed the English translation of what was being said on stage.  I have to say that it worked pretty good.

Even though this is an Okinawan production of a Okinawan story, I feel the musical itself would be right at home on Broadway.  The music, the acting, the singing, the choreography; were all of high quality and all in the typical style of an American Broadway musical.  But this is about where  the typical part ends with this musical.  In fact, the whole time I was writing this review I kept thinking, why am I even bothering.  There are not many people that are going to get the opportunity to even see it.  I do believe the performance I saw was only the eighth time the musical has been performed.  Currently, I’m not sure if another performance is even scheduled.  But then I realized this is exactly why I wanted to write about it. 

 I do believe that Pigs from the Sea is a very good example of where “art” serves mankind on a more profound level than just entertainment.   This is what I would call a story driven musical.  In  a general way of thinking, I feel that in most musicals the story is used to serve the artist endeavor as a whole.  A good story is a must for a good  musical but people go to musicals to hear the music, see the dancing and be mesmerized by breathtaking scenery - the story being just the frame on which the tapestry is hung – so to speak.





 

The Story Behind the Musical

During WWII, Okinawa suffered massive damage. The number of pigs, which was their main source of food, had decreased to a dangerous level. After the war, 7 men stood up to help Okinawa and planned to ship pigs from US to Okinawa.

An old 16mm film and an antique camera were found at a home in Hawaii. What is on the film? Those films were presented to the public in Honolulu. It was a footage from 50 years ago which documented the action taken by several men to save Okinawa.

Many lives, properties and livestock were lost in the line of fire. The pigs, which supported the
lives of the Okinawans decreased; and if no action were taken the pigs would disappear from the island of Okinawa! The Okinawans who lived in Hawaii, found out about their homeland, and came up with a plan to save their family and friends... to ship pigs to Okinawa from the United States.

They worked hard to collect the donation to purchase the pigs, and planned to sail the sea to Okinawa. They were able to collect $50,000 to purchase 550 white pigs. With the help of the US Military, the 7 men and 23 sailors left the port for a 3,000-mile journey across the Pacific Ocean.

The journey was planned to be about 2 weeks, but the ship encountered many incidents during the trip. The 7 men were discouraged by the harsh incidents that fell upon them, but they stood strong for one reason. To save their family and their friends back in Okinawa."  - From Magicbell


The Heart of the Musical
To me, this is where the musical “Pigs from the Sea” shines out and sets its star in the firmament for all to gaze upon.  For it is not just mere entertainment, it is a celebration of the cultural heritage of Okinawa.  One that was almost lost to the world.  This musical also serves to help keep alive and introduce to the youngest descendants of that beautiful island, the music and dances of it’s cultural history. 

In this, Pigs from the Sea separates itself apart and almost rises above the other commercial minded productions; creating a sensation that is present at every performance.  If one takes the time and pays attention they will be able to feel that sensation.  In the anticipation of the crowded lobby before the performance, in the attentive silence of the audience during the performance and in the exhilaration of the crowd as it leaves the theater; one can feel an
underlying rhythmic pulse.  The underlying rhythmic pulse of a culture sustained; a people surviving amidst overwhelming trials and tribulations.  A pulse that shows the heart of the Okinawan culture still beats strongly... and this musical serves to carry the torch, showing the world that it is still a vibrant part of the world today.

In Closing
Like I said earlier, most of you probably won’t ever get the chance to see Pigs from the Sea.  Heck, you will probably never even hear of it again.  But for those of you who do get a chance to see it; if you are of Okinawan decent I would say that this musical is a must see, if you are not but you like musical theater; “Pigs from the Sea” will provide you with a very enjoyable evening.

Jim

Before the Curtain 

You can be fairly certain of the importance a show carries when upon opening the program he first things you read is a greeting from the Governor of the State of California.  On the next page is a congratulatory address from the Governor of Okinawa; followed by a full page statement from the Consul General of Japan and another from the Consulate General of the United States of America. This is what I saw upon opening the program for Pigs from the Sea. 

I immediately had the impression that this evening was going to be on a little different plane than your average musical.   Somehow, I don’t think anyone in attendance that night was too concerned about which way Ebert and Roeper’s thumbs were pointing in reference to this show.

Unlike most musical theater; the festivities this night started before the Curtain even went up.  The MC’s for the pre-show portion of the event  were Tamlyn Tomita and Shinyu Tawada; English: Tamlyn - Japanese: Shinyu.  In a very entertaining way, they did a great job in setting the importance of this event for the Okinawan community of California.  

Continuing in the un-Broadway like manner, this evenings events started out with an invocation by Rev. Shinsei Hokama and was followed by several special guests introductions.  Then the Honorable Family members of the men responsible for making the voyage in 1948 to Okinawa were recognized. Finishing with greetings from several of the local Okinawan and Japanese dignitaries and Colonel William Davis, president of the MacArthur Foundation.

Now to me, the most untypical Broadway occurrence of the evening was that, before all of this, the first thing on the agenda was the singing of the National Anthem.  I mean, here I am seated in a theater with over two thousand Japanese Americans, most of Okinawan decent, and the first thing they think to do is sing The Star Spangled Banner.  I have to say, I was really touched by this.

From what I learned earlier, this was the first time the Okinawan community of America has ever officially gathered together in celebration of their ethnic heritage... and the first thing they think to do is sing the Star Spangled Banner.  To me, this is the epitome of being truly American.

But then came the part I almost took exception to.  Ayako Kawana, a very famous Japanese singer, was going to sing the National Anthem.  As she walked out on stage the first thought that shot through my mind was, “Hey, wait a minute.  She’s Japanese, she can’t sing our National Anthem.”  I then promptly told myself to shut up and just let her sing.

Even though it was obvious English is not Ayako’s native language and the music was not arranged in the familiar military style we are use to hearing it in, Ms. Kawana did a splendid job.  As an American citizen, I personally would like to express my appreciation to Ayako Kawana for the sincere and respectful manner in which she sang our National Anthem.

Buy the end of her performance, I was not only proud to be an American, I found myself proud to be part of human race as a whole.  At that moment, in a theater with over two thousand people that, in a way, seemed foreign to me even though most of us were of the same nationality - I realized all of us on the face of the planet are the same.  No matter how many different varieties there might be, we are all just people.

Pigs Quiz:  What do you get when you take

Answer:

 

I have to say; when I first saw Mr. Takei performing the part of General MacArthur, it was during rehearsal and he didn’t have on his costume or make-up.  I though to myself that this isn’t going to work.  Sure, George is a fine and gifted actor but he is Asian and the General wasn’t.  You can’t just act your way out of that.

*Then enters Miss Sunshine with Magic Hands.*

I do believe Mr. Takei was even concerned about the ethic dilemma until he saw himself in the mirror after Ms. Turner worked her magic.  In the Green Room before the performance he was heard to comment that as he was standing in front of the mirror he felt like he was George, but this strange looking Caucasian guy was looking back at him.  A few minutes later I heard him remark, “I’m starting to feel Caucasian.”  When I heard that I just looked down at the floor and thought, “Sure Mr. Sulu - whatever it takes to play the part.

Quest Artist

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Comments

[air yeezy]

I really enjoyed to read your post, looks like you gays had terrific time. I also a love to sail in beautiful places, this summer we took a vacation to Alaska and sailed there in Icy waters, that was wonderful experience.