South Bay Musical Theatre Proudly Presents by Naomi Iizuka
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South Bay Musical Theatre proudly presents ANON(YMOUS) by Naomi Iizuka based on Homer’s The Odyssey Directed by Vinh G. Nguyen A special Readers’ Theatre presentation streamed live via Zoom on March 26, 2021 Produced through special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc. | www.playscripts.com 1 Director’s Note Welcome! n the 8th century BCE, the great Greek n the middle of our tarting from our very first rehearsal, experience as part Ipoet Homer wrote The Odyssey. It depicted Itwo-week rehearsal SAnon(ymous) has been a production like no of Anon(ymous) the post-Trojan War homecoming journey process, news of the other. The company was asked to share their exemplifies that. of the hero Odyssesus, King of Ithaca, and tragic shooting in stories of immigration and ancestry. It was Certainly, the past his many epic adventures along the way. In Atlanta that took deeply moving to hear the company members year has allowed us 2006, playwright Naomi Iizuka wrote her own the lives of six Asian relate their journey and their connection to time to further reflect, adaptation of ancient Greek myth. But instead American women hit their legacy. develop policies, of a king, her new play Anon(ymous) centered us. Like the rest of the Asian American Pacific expand relationships, and foster creative on the displacement of a lowly, nameless, Islander (AAPI) community, I was devastated, heatre is a space to build empathy and collaboration. present-day refugee and his search for the angry, and disappointed. However, I was Tcommunity, and as such, we strive for all meaning of home in America. The continuous reminded of the immense privilege and op- to feel that they belong—both in our virtual e are grateful for the ongoing support success of Iizuka’s Anon(ymous) since its portunity I have to tell programs and in person at the Saratoga Wof our donors and members because premiere is a testament to both stories, stories like Civic Theater. We are hopeful that everyone’s support from our community allows us the the enduring themes of Anon(ymous), that ability to develop diverse Homer’s classic tale celebrate, sup- stories—stories that are and the profound port, and uplift needed now more than relevance of Iizuka’s voices of mem- ever. Generating empathy, modern master- bers of the AAPI kindness, and compassion piece. and other marginal- benefits a thriving theatre ized communities. - as well as the community merica is a country of at large. Aimmigrants. And that, s assistant director Cordelia in itself, is a celebration. Our diverse ethnic ALarsen so eloquently put it: or this production, we experiences, combined with our mutual “We are not limited to just our trauma. It is Fencourage our commu- respect and empathy for one another consti- not our whole identity; we deserve to have nity to donate in support of tute a mixing bowl of cultures and art. As a our joy and our hopes and our passions the Asian American Women first-generation, Vietnamese American im- celebrated and uplifted and centered in the Artists’ Association (aawaa. migrant and having been on the creative team conversations as well!” net). Their mission is to for two previous productions of this show, advance the visibility and Anon(ymous) holds a great significance to me. hank you for supporting our show, for cel- recognition of Asian Ameri- With the help of a new, talented cast and a Tebrating the art we make, and for keeping can women in the arts. dedicated creative team, I was eager to revisit us in the conversations as we all take action to Let us continue to nurture this story to further examine The Odyssey’s create a better future. diverse voices sharing their age-old themes of self-identity, family love, stories! and homecoming (and homefinding) through In solidarity and with gratitude, the vividly-powerful script of this contempo- Vinh G. Nguyen In kindness, rary adaptation. Director Sara K. Dean Asian-American history SBMT Executive Director 2 3 Cast of Characters Synopsis of Scenes Anon(ymous) will be presented without an intermission. Anon .................................................................................................. Romelo Urbi Nemasani ..................................................................................Jennifer C. Maggio Our story takes place on a journey: ...at a Beach �������������������������������Calista, Anon Naja ....................................................................................................Julia Wright ...in a Sewing Factory ����������������Nemasani, Yuri Mackus, Sen. Laius, Helen, Sewing Ladies Ali / Ignacio ........................................................................................Aly Suleman ...at an Indian Restaurant ����������Nasareen, Anon, Ali, Ritu Ritu / Sewing Lady 1 .........................................................................Devaki Ektare ...in a Tunnel, atop a Train ����������Anon, Pascal Nasreen / Sewing Lady 2 ...................................................................Krithi Sundar ...in a Butcher Shop �������������������Zyclos, Zyclos’ Bird, Pascal, Anon Calista / Sewing Lady 3 .................................................................. Jillian A. Smith ...in a Desert, at Night ����������������Belen, Anon, Ignacio, Strygal Mackus .............................................................................. Benjamin Rafael Garcia The Chorus of Refugees and Naja are featured throughout. Senator Laius / Zyclo ..................................................................... Ray D’Ambroiso Helen Laius ..................................................................................Elizabeth Geurts The entire play takes place in one day when Anon arrives at the Indian restaurant and tells Pascal .............................................................................Sarah Masare Devulapalli his story to Nasreen, Ali, and Ruti through a series of vignettes. Through his flashbacks, we Belen..................................................................................Delaney Quinn Bantillo witness Anon’s journey as he escapes from his war-torn homeland, gets separated from his Strygal .................................................................................................. Tim Garcia mother at sea, is adopted by the Nice American Family, but runs away in search of his mom. Serza .................................................................................................Diane Thorne Meanwhile, Anon’s mother, Nemasani, also makes it to America and establishes herself working in the sewing factory for Mr. Yuri Mackus. Celebrating our 58th season! OUR MISSION FOR COMMUNITY, INCLUSIVITY, AND ACCOUNTABILITY: South Bay Musical Theatre a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization We are a diverse group of theatre makers P.O. Box 700215, San Jose, CA 95170 408-266-4734 working to identify and re-envision the www.SouthBayMT.com theatre experience by more accurately reflecting the diverse community that we Noteworthy Entertainment serve. South Bay Musical Theatre acknowledges the unhealthy history of implicit bias in theatre, and is committed to creating content that is OUR COMPANY MISSION: South Bay Musical Theatre strives to provide representative of our community and also educates our audience. We hold high-quality entertainment by bringing together a diverse group of ourselves accountable at every level, including the board of directors, staff, participants in an inclusive, collaborative, and nurturing environment. artists, and volunteers to include, uplift, and amplify underrepresented and As we share our passion for Theatre Arts, we endeavor to leave a lasting, misrepresented voices. Respectful representation inspires and ripples out positive impression upon our community. into meaningful and necessary change. 4 5 Production Staff Join us after the show Auditions Coordinator ..............................................................................Kim Beals Anon(ymous) Box Office, House Manager, Volunteer Coordinator ...........................Diane Hughes Post-Performance Party Communications Assistant .................................................................Kama Belloni Costume Designer ............................................................................Y. Sharon Peng a special Talkback session with the cast and staff Director; Casting Director ................................................................Vinh G. Nguyen Assistant Director ........................................................................Cordelia Larsen Dramaturg ..........................................................................................Wynne Chan Facilities Director ...........................................................................Jeffrey P. Henson Graphics, Marketing, Program, Video, Web Manager ..........................Doug Hughes Producer; Tech Coordinator ..................................................................Sara K. Dean Props Designer ............................................................................ Barbara Heninger Technology Director .........................................................................Dan Singletary Sound Effects ..................................................................................FreeSound.com Stage Manager ................................................................................. Skyler Riordan Acknowledgments Sound effects courtesy of Freesound.com. Community Outreach SBMT encourages our patrons, company members, and community to stand against hate. The resources