Zak Berkman and Lisa Portes created a New Works Lab at People's Light called The Kiln, offering the gift of a five-day workshop of my script earlier this month. This development process was informative, encouraging, and provided the opportunity to rewrite, test musical ideas, and hear feedback from collaborators and audience. The talented cast of the workshop was Sean-Joseph Choo, JaBen Early, Jonah Ho`okano, Narea Kang, and Anna Takayo Walden.
And here's a little blurb about the play:
SONG OF THE EXILE
By Seema Sueko, Adapted from the novel by Kiana Davenport
Set in a jazz night club, music and love propel Keo and Sunny from Honolulu, across Europe and Asia, and into the whirlwind of World War II. This epic tale begins in 1930s Hawaii Territory and culminates in the 1960s State of Hawaii. Lives and nations are transformed in this play with music, heartache, ho`opa`i, and renewal.
