Pacific Playwrights Festival

Staged readings:

Dr. Silver—Friday, May 5 at 1:00 p.m.

created by Anika and Britta Johnson, music and lyrics by Anika and Britta Johnson, book by Nick Green

The day has come. It is time for Dr. Silver and his followers to drink the divine tonic and join the heavenly orchestra. But in order for his congregants to face the end, they must first think back to how it all began.

Chapters of a Floating Life—Friday, May 5 at 4:00 p.m.

by Clarence Coo

In 1940s New York City, two couples from China struggle to make ends meet. Uptown, Shen Fu and Yun long for their former lives as an academic and writer. Downtown, Tom and Elsie toil in their tiny restaurant. Chance meetings bring them together—and unlock the possibility of new beginnings.

A Small Man—Friday, May 5 at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, May 6 at 8:00 p.m.; Sunday, May 7 at 2:30 p.m.

by Noa Gardner

Mother and Son spend every night playing cards and telling Hawaiian stories about the world’s creation. Better those stories than their own, which are more complex…and challenging. But without facing their past, they’re stuck without a future.

Crasiss—Saturday, May 6 at 10:30 a.m.

by Bleu Beckford-Burrell

In New Market, Jamaica, stood a house on the hill. There, lived Granny and her five grandkids. In Granny’s house, there was something to fear. The kids are now grown and far away, but something still remains in the shadows.

Galilee, 34—Sunday, May 7 at 10:30 a.m.

by Eleanor Burgess

With Yeshua dead, his disciples are determined to keep spreading his message. The only trouble is the Roman Empire might want them dead. And they don’t have a leader. And they can’t quite agree on what Yeshua’s message was…

World Premiere Productions:

Coleman ’72

Friday, May 5 at 7:45 p.m.; Saturday, May 6 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.; Sunday, May 7 at 2:00 p.m.

by Charlie Oh

directed by Chay Yew

Jenn, Michelle and Joey look back at the summer of 1972, when their Korean American family piled into the Buick for an All-American road trip—spontaneously orchestrated by their father.  From Milwaukee to Los Angeles and back again, they hit the open plains, stocked with kimchi, banchan and lemon drops, rickety Coleman camper in tow.  But Korean parents and American kids hold conflicting ideas of what they’re looking for and the real purpose of their journey comes to light.  A funny and touching world premiere by an exciting new voice.

avaaz

Saturday, May 6 at 2:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; Sunday, May 7 at 2:00 p.m.

written and performed by Michael Shayan

directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel

Meet Roya, our fabulous hostess, as she welcomes you into her home to celebrate Nowruz, the Iranian New Year. She’s preparing a feast, but the main attraction is Roya sharing her great American journey from Tehran to “Tehran-geles,” California. Get ready for the time of your life with this hilarious and deeply personal tribute to the playwright’s mother, deliciously portrayed by the person who knows her best—her son.  Traditions, humor and passionate storytelling transform this tale of family bonds into an unforgettable theatre event.