free play reading of my man kono

Heard from Phil Chung, who informs me of a free reading of his new play this Thursday, March 19 at the Democracy Forum of the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy in Los Angeles. The play is based on the life of Toraichi Kono, who worked as Charlie Chaplin's personal valet for two decades before being arrested as an enemy spy during the anti-Japanese hysteria of World War II. Here are the details:

EAST WEST PLAYERS and THE JAPANESE AMERICAN NATIONAL MUSEUM
present a FREE reading of
MY MAN KONO

A new play by Philip W. Chung
Directed by Jeff Liu
With: Matt Braaten, Paul Byrne, Elizabeth Ho, Jennifer Holloway, Jun Kim, Michael Krawic, Tohoru Masamune & Donovan Oakleaf

Based on the life of Toraichi Kono who worked as movie star Charlie Chaplin's personal valet for two decades before being arrested as an enemy spy during the anti-Japanese hysteria of World War II. MY MAN KONO is the second place winner in EWP's Pacific Century Playwriting Competition.

Thurs., March 19, 2009
7:30 PM
FREE ADMISSION

Democracy Forum of the National Center for the Preservation of Democracy
(right across the way from the Japanese American National Museum)
111 N. Central Ave.
Los Angeles, CA
(In Little Tokyo on the corner of Central and First)

PLUS: The world-famous KOGI BBQ TRUCK is usually parked in front of JANM on Thurs. from 5-8 Pm. Check their schedule next week to see if they'll be out there on the reading date and if so, come out early and check it out: http://kogibbq.com/about/

For more info on the reading and all the plays in the Pacific Century Reading Festival, go to:
www.eastwestplayers.org/arts_education/literary_competitions.htm

For more info on Toraichi Kono:
www.myspace.com/toraichikono
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrhqD0bwt0Y

My Man Kono was the second place winner in East West Players' Pacific Century Playwriting Competition. I wrote about this project last summer, back when it was a reader of just the first act. This time it's the full play. And yes, you read that right -- the world-famous Kogi truck will be parked on its usual Thursday evening stop in front of the Japanese American National Museum. Bulgogi tacos and a historical play. Not a bad way to spend a Thursday evening.