Okinawan association’s centennial celebration

to culminate with musical King Sho Hashi –

Dynamic Ryukyu, Aug. 28

 

Cultural News, 2009 August Issue

 

 

Actor Nobuyuki Kano plays the title role of King Sho Hashi.

 

    As part of the Okinawa Association of America, Inc’s (OAA) 100th anniversary

celebrations, acclaimed stage director and producer Daiichi Hirata and his 50-

member troupe from Okinawa will bring King Sho Hashi – Dynamic Ryukyu,

a musical about the legend of Okinawa’s most revered king to the Redondo Beach

Performing Arts Center on Friday, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance,

$40 at the door. For tickets, call the OAA at (310) 532-1929.

 

    The musical, presented in English and Japanese, a contemporary dance epic

on the life of King Sho Hashi, the rular who united the Ryukyu Kingdom, at the

beginning of the 14th century. He built the Shuri Castle, an architectural symbol

of Okinawa, and developed commercial trade with China and other nations in

Southeast Asia. This relationship enabled Okinawa to become a prosperous nation.

 

     By recreating the historical story through the musical performance, Hirata

intends to convey King Sho Hashi's vision in long term to the next generations to

come.

 

    Despite the swine flue pandemic which initially prevented Hirata and his troupe

from traveling to the U.S., they are defying the warning and will come to Los Angeles.

The majority of the performers are school-aged boys and girls. In addition, the troupe

will include dancers from Hawaii, artists deeply involved in the topic of Okinawa

immigration, as well as professional performers and artist in Okinawa.

 

    The 20 members of the Los Angeles chapter of Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko

and 15 local children will also participate in the production. The program blends

Shishi lion dance, traditional Ryukyu dance, Eisa dance, modern dance, and music.

 

    During the past ten years, Hirata has worked with 30,000 children in Okinawa

through his program which teaches them about ancient Okinawan history through

music and dance.

 

     The anniversary festival which is to take place from Aug. 27 through Aug. 30 will

culminate with this musical event at the 1,500-seat theater in Redondo Beach.