Ballad of Yachiyo (Library Edition Audio CDs)

Product Description The Ballad of Yachiyo is a tale of illicit passion by Guggenheim-winning playwright Philip Kan Gotanda, set in 1919 among the lush cane fields of Hawaii. Inspired by true events in the playwrights family, The Ballad of Yachiyo follows 16-year-old Yachiyo as she reluctantly leaves her impoverished parents to live with sophisticated relatives. Her mother hopes she will learn the Japanese tea ceremony and other refinements that will help attract a wealthy husband. But as Yachiyo acquires civilized graces from her hostess, Okusan, she also struggles with a growing passion for Okusans handsome, dissolute husband. The Ballad of Yachiyo is a gripping story of poetic imagery by one of Americas leading contemporary playwrights. A L.A. Theatre Works full-cast performance featuring: June Angela, Takayo Fischer, Dian Kobayashi, Lane Nishikawa, Sab Shimono, Greg Watanabe and Annie Yee. From the Back Cover The Ballad of Yachiyo is a tale of illicit passion by Guggenheim-winning playwright Philip Kan Gotanda, set in 1919 among the lush cane fields of Hawaii. Inspired by true events in the playwright's family, The Ballad of Yachiyo follows 16-year-old Yachiyo as she reluctantly leaves her impoverished parents to live with sophisticated relatives. Her mother hopes she will learn the Japanese tea ceremony and other refinements that will help attract a wealthy husband. But as Yachiyo acquires civilized graces from her hostess, Okusan, she also struggles with a growing passion for Okusan's handsome, dissolute husband. The Ballad of Yachiyo is a gripping story of poetic imagery by one of America's leading contemporary playwrights. About the Author Over the last two and a half decades, playwright Philip Kan Gotanda has been a major influence in the broadening of our definition of theater in America. In particular, Mr. Gotanda has been a leader in bringing the stories of Asian Americans to the nations stages. Mr. Gotandas play Ballad of Yachiyo was first produced at London's Gate Theatre in co-production with the Royal National Theatre. A collection of his plays is being published by the University of Washington Press. Among his honors and awards are included: the Guggenheim, TCG-NEA, Rockefeller, PEW Charitable Trust, Civil Liberties Public Education Fund, and the Lila Wallace Readers Digest Award.