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Philip Kan Gotanda

PHILIP KAN GOTANDA

  (1951 - )
Nationality:    USA
email:    Click here to contact     Website:    Click here

Literary Agent:    The Gersh Agency, NY  

Over the last three decades, playwright Philip Kan Gotanda has been a major influence in the broadening of our definition of Theater in America. Through his plays and advocacy, he has been instrumental in bringing stories of Asians in the United States to mainstream American Theater as well as to Europe and Asia. the creator of one of the largest bodies of Asian American-themed work, his plays are studied and performed at universities and schools across the country. Mr. Gotanda wrote the text and directed the production of Maestro Kent Nagano's MANZaNaR: aN AmericaN STORY, an original symphonic work with narration. His newest work, aFTeR the WaR, recently premiered at the American Conservatory Theatre. aTW chronicles San Francisco's Japantown in the late 40's when Japanese Americans returning from the Internment Camps encountered a flourishing African American jazz scene. a Japanese translation of his play, SISTeRS MaTSUMOTO, opened in Tokyo with the Mingei Geikidan Company. Mr. Gotanda is a respected independent filmmaker; his works are seen in film festivals around the world. His most recent film, LIFe TaSTeS GOOD, was presented at the Sundance Film Festival and is available on DVD. It can be seen on the Independent Film ChAnnel. along with executive producers, Dale Minami and Diane Takei, he is currently developing his newest film with their production company, Joe Ozu Films. Mr. Gotanda holds a law degree from Hastings College of Law, studied pottery in Japan with the late Hiroshi Seto and resides in Berkeley with his actress-producer wife, Diane Takei . His newest collection of plays, NO MORe CHeRRY BLOSSOMS, is published by the University of Washington Press. www.philipkangotandA.com, www.lifetastesgoodmovie.com. (4-2007 Philip Kan Gotanda)

Research:    Member of the Dramatists Guild of America (as at 2015)

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below is a list of Philip Kan Gotanda's plays - click on a Play Title for more information

         5 the Angry Red Drum         After the War         Avocado Kid Or Zen And the Art Of Guacamole         Ballad Of Yachiyo         Bullet Headed Birds         Day Standing On Its Head         Dream Of Kitamura, The         Fish Head Soup         Fist Of Roses, A         Floating Weeds         In the Dominion Of Night         Manzanar: An American Story         Natalie Wood Is Dead         Sisters Matsumoto         Song For A Nisei Fisherman, A         Under the Rainbow         Wash, The         White Male Manifesto         Wind Cries Mary, The         Yankee Dawg, You Die         Yohen

5 the Angry Red Drum

Synopsis:
Set in an apocalyptic world, the play uses mythology, memory, mysticism, fate, and fraternity to address the effects of war and loss on our psyches and culture.
- http://www.aatrevue.com

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Asian American Theater Company, Intersection For The Arts And Campo Santo    -

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
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Genre:
-

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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After the War

Synopsis:
Post World War II, San Francisco JapanTown. American Jazz; No-No Boys; African Americans, Japanese Americans, Russian Jews, poor Whites from Oklahoma mix it up.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Organisations:
American Conservatory Theater

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  5            Female:  4            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Avocado Kid Or Zen And the Art Of Guacamole

Synopsis:
Semi-punk musical, telling the story of the kid of who came aFTeR Momotaro, the Peach Pit Kid.
- http://www.aatrevue.com

Notes:
Music by Philip Kan Gotanda; lyrics by Philip Kan Gotanda; book by Philip Kan Gotanda

1st Produced:
East West Players    1978

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Ballad Of Yachiyo

Ballad Of Yachiyo
the time is 1919, a period of limited prosperity for Japanese families toiling in the sugar cane fields of the Hawaiian islands. Yachiyo, a young peasant girl, is destined for life in the fields and for a marriage to Willie, a lowly worker. Cashing in on an old family dept, she is sent by her parents to board with a pottery artist, Hiro Takamura and his wife, on a distant island where she will learn proper Japanese manners and traditions. the education that she receives is more about life's cruelties than its civilities. Hiro, consumed by bitterness over his father's success, is a perfectionist potter stuck in a loveless marriage. While his wife waits for him to learn to love her, she educates Yachiyo on how to ascend the social ladder and in doing so becomes her confidant. Hiro is inspired by the young visitor and his pottery flourishes as OkUSAn begins to become suspicious of her husband and Yachiyo's growing fascination with him. the story unfolds with Yachiyo's discovery of life's beauties, her sexual awa

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Organisations:
Berkeley Repertory Theater

1st Published:
American Theatre Magazine, NY - February, 1996
Contained in: "Between Worlds Contemporary Asian American Plays" published by Theatre Communications Group 1990   978-1559360043

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Genre:
Drama Historical

Parts:
Male:  4            Female:  4            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Bullet Headed Birds

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
New York    1981

Organisations:
Pan Asian Repertory Theatre

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
-

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Day Standing On Its Head

Synopsis:
Harry Kitamura, a successful law professor, begins to find his life unraveling when he starts researching a paper about his involvement in a campus strike in the early 1970s. Odd characters with violent and overt sexual impulses begin to invade his night dreams, eventually spilling over into his waking life. Soon he is unable to distinguish between the two worlds, sending him on an uncontrollable ride of obsession and ultimate revelation. the 1960s, the Red Guard, Eric Clapton and a Japanese Peggy Lee impersonator all make their presences known in this tale of a heart lost and a heart found.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Organisations:
Manhattan Theater Club

1st Published:
Dramatists Play Service, NY, 1998   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Genre:
Fantasy-Drama Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  5            Female:  3            Other:  flexible casting

Further Reference:
-

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Dream Of Kitamura, The

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
New York    1983

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
in "West Coast Plays 15/16", San Francisco, 1983   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
-

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Fish Head Soup

Synopsis:
Violent family Drama. and yet with hint of comedy. Mat returns home after faking his death. Dream is to make an independent film at any expense.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Brt, Berkeley, Cal.    1989

Organisations:
Berkeley Repertory Theater

1st Published:
in Fish Head Soup and other plays, Theatre Communications Group, NY, 1995   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  2            Other:  -

Further Reference:
http://www2.iath.virginia.edu/sixties/HTML_docs/Resources/Bibliographies/VN_drama_bib.php

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Fist Of Roses, A

Synopsis:
about male violence against Women.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Campo Santo; San Francisco    2003

Organisations:
Campo Santo+Intersection for the Arts.

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  5            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Floating Weeds

Synopsis:
Down and out, decide rescuing lost dogs is the best way to make money.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Campo Santo; San Francisco    2003

Organisations:
Campo Santo+Intersection for the Arts.

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  2            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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In the Dominion Of Night

Synopsis:
Full length spoken word play performed by the playwright himself with his band, the NeW ORIeNTaLS, a jazz combo made up of La jazz musicians: Dan Kuramoto, Danny Yamamoto; Taiji Miyagawa.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
East West Players, La In Los Angeles    1994

Organisations:
east West Players

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Genre:
Spoken word with live music, full length

Parts:
Male:  1            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Manzanar: An American Story

Synopsis:
Maestro Kent Nagano original Symphonic piece with spoken text. Mr. Gotanda wrote the text and directed.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Royce Hall, Ucla, Los Angeles    2005

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Symphonic with spoken text

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Natalie Wood Is Dead

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    2001

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
One act

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Sisters Matsumoto

Synopsis:
3 Sisters return to their California Farm after the end of World War II. Before the war, the Matsumoto sisters were wealthy and mingled with upper crust white society. Now, with no money to protect them from anti-Japanese sentiment, the sisters must figure out how to rebuild their lives without the prior privilege.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Song For A Nisei Fisherman, A

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Los Angeles    1982

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
in Fish Head Soup and other plays, Theatre Communications Group, NY, 1995   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
-

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Under the Rainbow

Synopsis:
Two One acts: Natalie Wood Is Dead; White Manifesto.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Organisations:
Asian American Theater Company

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Satire-Drama One act

Parts:
Male:  1            Female:  2            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Wash, The

Synopsis:
Nobu Matsumoto has separated from his wife Masi at her request, though both of them are in their sixties. Nobu's newfound bachelor life is regularly interrupted by Masi who comes by to pick up and drop off Nobu's weekly laundry as part of the duties she still feels a Japanese wife owes to her husband. their two daughters have opposing feelings about the breakup; Marsha, the more traditional of the daughters, wants to reunite her parents, but not even Nobu and Masi's nostalgia for their courtship in a World War II Japanese-American internment camp can bring them back together again. the other daughter, Judy, who's been estranged from her Father since marrying a black American, has been supportive of her mother's attempt at freedom. It is not until Masi tentatively begins a relationship with Sadao, a widower, that the severity of Nobu's traditional values reveals itself; he is inconsolable, obstinate and reclusive, leaving Kiyoko, a widowed restaurant owner who has fallen in love with him, unable to break down

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Los Angeles    1985

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
in "Between Worlds", Theatre Communications Group, New York, 1990   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  5            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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White Male Manifesto

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    2001

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
One act

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Wind Cries Mary, The

Synopsis:
Loosely based on Hedda Gabler, the WIND CRIeS MaRY is set on a college campus in the late '60s. amidst the turbulent anti-war demonstrations and beginnings of Asian-American identity politics, we follow an extraordinary young woman, eiko Hanabi, through the course of several days' events which in the end will alter her life forever. eiko finds herself caught between life choices made during a different political and racial climate, and a newer emergent model that promises more freedom and choice. eiko is a woman caught on the cusp of a world changing from Oriental to Asian American.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
San Jose, California    2002

Organisations:
San Jose Repertory Theater

1st Published:
Dramatists Play Service, NY, 2003   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  2            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Yankee Dawg, You Die

Synopsis:
Bradley Yamashita is one of the new breed of Asian-American actors. Highly political and outspoken, he will only take on acting roles that are dignified and unstereotypic. He has recently starred in a small independent film that is the darling of the art crowd, and he arrives in Hollywood full of himself and his politics. Vincent Chang is a survivor. He cut his teeth on the old "Chop Suey" circuit as a hoofer and went on to star in feature films, even garnering an Oscar nomination in the 1950s. Now, though still regal and debonair, Vincent is forced into taking often stereotypic and undignified roles. Through a series of quick-moving scenes, we follow the two men as they meet, form a tenuous friendship and together do battle amidst the often humorous and at times ruthless backdrop of the Hollywood film world. While maintaining the portrayal of integrity as all important, Bradley must face the reality of the same lack of work for Asian actors as Vincent faced in the early days of film. Vincent also teaches Bra

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Berkeley Repertory Theater, San Francisco    1986

Organisations:
Berkeley Repertory Theater

1st Published:
Dramatists Play Service, NY, 1989   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Comedy-Drama Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Yohen

Synopsis:
Set in California in 1986, Yohen is about James, an African American ex-GI, and Sumi, his Japanese wife. after 30 years of marriage, Sumi re-evaluates the relationship and separates from James. attempting to reconnect, the couple must face their differences and look back before they can move ahead. Yohen is a Japanese pottery term that refers to irregular color mixing which takes place in the kiln. the results are as unpredictable as the evolution of a marriage. In the end, it is up to the viewer to decide whether or not the creation has been made more beautiful by the imperfection.
Press Release

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
West End Theatre, NY    2006

Organisations:
Pan Asian Repertory Theatre

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  1            Female:  1            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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