“Calligraphy”: A journey into the impact of Eastern and Western culture”

Published online March 17, 2017 on Morganhilllife.com

By Camille Bounds

Celebrated playwright Velina Hasu Houston touches sensitive, insightful subjects with her play “Calligraphy” she brings all too realistically the connection of responsibility of a daughter to a beloved aging mother that is deeply into her Japanese heritage and past. The story of two cousins living an ocean apart – that keep in touch with the power of Skype. Each has a mother ( who are estranged sisters) that has dependency on their daughters.

Noriko, (Emily Kuroda) over the edge in Alzheimer’s – lives with her daughter Hirom in Los Angeles and resides in her delicate, confused mind in another time and place with moments of lucidity.. Natsuko, (Jeanne Sakata) lives in Japan maneuvering her desire to control and live with her Western minded daughter Sayuri (Elizabeth Pan). The cousins try and devise a plan to get their mothers together to resolve their differences. The plot takes the audience to hilarious moments while at times visiting heart wrenching instances. Eamon Jameson (William Thomas Hodgson) plays with a gentle touch the young man that appears in Noriko’s dreams from the past. 

Directed by Leslie Martinson who moves the sensitive story with delicate thoughtfulness. Eric Flatmo’s cleaver simple set is as creative as it can get, you find yourself in Los Angeles on moment and Japan the next and then deep in Noriko’s confused mind in another. Steven B. Mannshardt’s lighting pulls it altogether with just the right shading at the right time.

 For a unique enjoyable evening with a fine cast “Calligraphy” will satisfy..

 Camille Bounds is the theatre and arts editor for Morgan Hill Life and Gilroy Life

“Calligraphy”

Produced by TheatreWorks

Where: Lucie Stern Theatre

  1305 Middlefield Road – Palo Alto

Through: April 2

Running Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes no intermission

Tickets: $31-$86

Information: (650) 463-1960

  or visit www.theatrewworks.org