S.A.M. I Am
By Garrett H. Omata
Northwest Premiere
November 11 - 21, 1999
Langston Hughes Cultural Arts Center
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Colleen Parker as Jackie and
Kathy Hsieh as Betty in the
telephone dating scene from
ReAct's S.A.M. I Am.
Photo: David Hsieh.
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ShawnJ West as Norman and
Eddie Mui as John in a scene
from Act II of ReAct's
S.A.M. I Am.
Photo: David Hsieh.
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The Program
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The Setting
The Present. Various locations in Los Angeles, including
an Italian Restaurant, Betty & Jackie's Apartment, John & Lohman's Apartment, and a TV Station.
ACT 1: Sir, You're No Sam Shepard
ACT 2: The Blue Skies Generation
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S.A.M. I Am
was first produced at East West Players, in Los Angeles, California on January 19, 1995.
The play was developed in a workshop with the David Henry Hwang Writer's Institute.
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Production Notes
Program Notes
Eddie Mui remembering the playwright...
Garrett H. Omata was a man of
very few words...at least in person. When it came
down to putting it on paper...well, that was different.
He will always be remembered to me as a true "gentle"
young man with a kind soul and warm friendly smile.
I remember him laughing a lot and enjoying the
silly times that we shared during the first few
drafts of S.A.M.I Am in 1992 all the way
to the world premiere in 1995. He wouldn't say
much, but he would always laugh. His laughter
would fill the room with ease and comfort that
made you fell like you belonged there with him,
just hangin' out. I recall him him tellin' me
that he couldn't see anyone else playing Lohman
Chin. I told him, "I don't think anyone else is
dumb enough too." We laughed. I could always make
him laugh. I remember him telling me that's because
he understood my humor. I told him that's because
he understood me. He replied, "No I don't...everything
you say is stupid." We laughed again.
Tony Lee as Lohman, Eddie Mui
as John and ShawnJ West as
Norman in the opening scene from
ReAct's S.A.M. I Am.
Photo: David Hsieh.
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This play is a true reflection of who Garrett
was: all the things that were going on inside
his head during his last few years; a young man
searching for something that would make him feel
complete and connected. I know he loved to write.
To dream. To touch people through his words, and
stories that would make you laugh or maybe even
cry. The bottom line is that he wanted to affect
you. But probably more so, he wanted to be touched
by others. I really don't know what he was going
through during the last days of his life, but
I do know that being at his funeral...he was loved
by hundreds.
I dedicate this production to you, my friend.
May you rest in peace and I am thankful for all
your support and for allowing me to have made
you laugh. I miss you.
--Forever,
--Eddie Mui, November 1, 1999
>>Purchase Posters & Memorabilia
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ReAct's presentation of S.A.M. I Am
was produced by special permission by Harvey and Carole Omata.
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Tony Lee as Lohman and
Kathy Hsieh as Betty in
a scene from ReAct's
S.A.M. I Am.
Photo: David Hsieh.
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Kim Anh Yanda-Cannon as Geraldine
with Eddie Mui as John in
ReAct's S.A.M. I Am.
Photo: David Hsieh.
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Special Thanks To...
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The Cast & Crew for production support
Andrew Chin for donated props
Robin Dawn for loaned props
The Elliott Bay Book Company for promotional support
George Paul Glanzman for loaned set pieces, props and production support
Kathy Hsieh for loaned props
T.J. Langley for donated props
Langston Hughes Cultural Arts Center for loaned set pieces and props
Michael Miller for prop support
Colleen Parker for donated graphic design services and loaned and donated props
Pleasant Garden Restaurant for loaned props
Gina Scherr for loaned lighting equipment
Seattle Shakespeare Festival for loaned set pieces
Larry Tazuma for donated props
ShawnJ West for donated props
The Northwest Asian American Theatre for loaned set pieces
Rick Wong and Rk Productions for videography
Hai Yanda for loaned props
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Eddie Mui as John and Tony
Lee as Lohman in a scene from
ReAct's S.A.M. I Am.
Photo: David Hsieh.
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Gordon Hendrickson as Brad
in ReAct's S.A.M. I Am.
Photo: David Hsieh.
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