Uncle Hideki & the Empty Nest
By Jean Davies Okimoto
September 14 - October 8, 2006
Theatre Off Jackson
|
|
Eloisa Cardona as Helen with
Dennis Kleinsmith as Jack in
ReAct's Uncle Hideki & the
Empty Nest.
Photo: Rick Chinn.
|
|
Herb Tsuchiya as Hideki, Dom
Chan as Rodney and Jamie
Erickson as Mark in a scene
from ReAct's Uncle Hideki
& the Empty Nest.
Photo: Rick Chinn.
|
The Program
|
The Setting
Helen and Jack's condominium, near the Pike Place Market in Seattle.
ACT 1
Scene 1: An afternoon in November 2004.
Scene 2: Just past noon, one month later.
Scene 3: Early Evening, later that same day.
ACT 2
Scene 1: An early morning in January 2005.
Scene 2: A weekend afternoon another month later.
Scene 3: A Wednesday morning in early March.
ACT 3
Scene 1: The following day.
Scene 2: Later that same evening.
Scene 3: The next afternoon.
|
|
Eloisa Cardona, Dom Chan,
Dennis Kleinsmith and Jamie
Erickson in a scene from
ReAct's presentation of Uncle
Hideki & the Empty Nest.
Photo: Rick Chinn.
|
|
Virginia Gabby as Suzanne
with Dennis Kleinsmith and
Eloisa Cardona as Jack and
Helen in ReAct's Uncle Hideki
& the Empty Nest.
Photo: David Hsieh.
|
|
Uncle Hideki & the Empty Nest
This was the World Premiere production of this play.
|
Production Notes
Director's Notes
"Hideki's Journey"
Based on Jean Davies Okimoto’s popular young adult novel, Talent Night, the original play, Uncle Hideki, premiered at the Theatre Off Jackson in 1995. The plot centered around rapper-wannabee Rodney and his older sister Suzanne, as they rivaled to secure their great uncle's inheritance by demonstrating to him they were "traditionally Japanese." Meanwhile, their single-mother, Helen, who taught college art courses, pounded the local craft fair circuit trying to sell her politically-charged Pepsi can slug sculptures. And while the Suyama family seemed to be coming apart...the arrival and actions of the cantankerous narrow-minded Hideki at the end of the play, worked to unite the family.
Eloisa Cardona as Helen and
Dennis Kleinsmith as Jack in
ReAct's Uncle Hideki &
the Empty Nest.
Photo: Rick Chinn.
|
Here in this sequel (as in real life), over a decade has now passed as we re-visit the Suyama clan. After selling the family home on Beacon Hill, Helen has remarried, retired and revitalized her artistic aspirations. The kids have grown, Rodney has come out, another Bush is in the White House, and Uncle Hideki is back for another memorable visit. It has been a fun and interesting challenge working on this gentle new script about retirement, family ties and the power of love. Taking the play from initial development, through several drafts, a staged reading, and additional rewrites throughout the rehearsal process to help refine the production has been a rewarding journey for both Jeanie, myself and the actors and artists involved. May your nest be never empty. We hope you enjoy the show!
--David Hsieh, Director of Uncle Hideki & the Empty Nest
>>ReAct's 2005 Staged Reading
>>ReAct's 2012 Encore Staged Reading
>>Press Release and Publicity Photos
|
ReAct's production of Uncle Hideki & the Empty Nest
was produced by special arrangement with Jean Davies Okimoto.
|
|
Dennis Kleinsmith, Dom Chan,
Jamie Erickson, Herb Tsuchiya
and Eloisa Cardona in a scene
from ReAct's Uncle Hideki
& the Empty Nest.
Photo: Rick Chinn.
|
|
Eloisa Cardona, Dennis Kleinsmith,
Virgina Gabby and Herb Tsuchiya
in ReAct's Uncle Hideki &
the Empty Nest.
Photo: David Hsieh.
|
Special Thanks To...
|
The Cast & Crew for production support and loaned costumes
The Cast of our 2005 staged Reading for development support
Gertrude Chiang & Chu-Shen Tao for loaned set pieces
Lorna Chin for production support
Rick Chinn for photography
The Elliott Bay Book Company for promotional support
JAE Awards & Polly Shigaki for donated supplies
George Paul Glanzman for production support
Vera & Joey Ing for donated rehearsal space
Les Lung for photography
Jean Davies Okimoto for production support
Theatre Off Jackson for loaned set pieces and production support
Herb Tsuchiya for production support
Uwajimaya for donated props
Rick Wong & Rk Productions for photography
|
|
Dom Chan, Herb Tsuchiya
Virginia Gabby and Jamie
Erickson in a scene from
ReAct's Uncle Hideki
& the Empty Nest.
Photo: David Hsieh.
|
|
Virginia Gabby as Suzanne
with Herb Tsuchiya as Hideki
in ReAct's Uncle Hideki
& the Empty Nest.
Photo: Rick Chinn.
|
>>back to top
|
