Photo courtesy Playwrights’ Arena
Boston Court presents the world premiere of Rosie Narasaki’s latest play, “Unrivaled,” a co-production with Playwrights’ Arena, directed by Margaret Shigeko Starbuck. The play will be on stage through April 23, 2023.
“Unrivaled” tells the story of two of Japan’s most beloved writers, 11th century ladies-in-waiting Murasaki Shikibu and Sei Shonagon, who are known for their epic rivalry. Despite their animosity towards each other, the play explores their friendship, heartbreak, and what it means to be a female artist. The play also touches on how things do not change as much as they stay the same, even after a thousand years.
The show features a talented cast, including David Huynh, Katie Kitani, Cindy Nguyen, and Chelsea Yakura-Kurtz. The creative team includes Yuki Izumihara as the scenic designer, Jana Ai Morimoto as the costume designer, Harry Tran as the lighting designer, Alyssa Ishii as the sound designer, and Fran de Leon as the casting director.
Narasaki is a Los Angeles-based playwright and actor. Her acting highlights include In “Love and Warcraft” and “Two Mile Hollow” with Artists at Play, as well as a pre-Greta Gerwig turn as Amy in Playwright’s Arena’s multicultural transposition of “Little Women.”
The showtimes are as follows: Monday (April 3, 10, 17) at 8 p.m.; Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Saturday (April 8) and Sunday at 2 p.m. There will be post-show discussions on various topics, including playwriting, acting, design, and directing. Special performances include Pay What You Choose night, Asian American and Pacific Islander Affinity Night, a community matinee, and Student Night.
Boston Court Pasadena is located at 70 N. Mentor Ave. in Pasadena. Tickets can be purchased by calling (626) 683-6801 or emailing boxoffice@bostoncourtpasadena.org. For more information, visit their website at https://bostoncourtpasadena.org/events/unrivaled/.
