Pan Asian Repertory Theatre , a prominent organization founded by Tisa Chang, the Founding Artistic Director, takes great pride in honoring the life of Toraichi Kono and seeking justice for his unjust treatment.
The National Endowment for the Arts has generously awarded a grant to “MY MAN KONO,” a renowned play written by Philip W. Chung and directed by Jeff Liu.
Chang explains that the play aims to pay tribute to the life of Toraichi Kono, a Japanese émigré who dedicated himself to the American Dream during the silent film era.
However, Mr. Kono’s pursuit of the American Dream unfortunately led him to become a target of anti-Asian hate that continues to resonate in contemporary society.
“MY MAN KONO” takes the audience on a captivating journey through Mr. Kono’s life, spanning from his childhood in Japan to his time in America during the silent film era.
The play takes a dramatic turn when Mr. Kono, once a trusted confidant of the legendary Charlie Chaplin, finds himself entangled in the midst of anti-Japanese hysteria at the onset of World War II. Accused of espionage, Mr. Kono is forced to confront the harsh realities of life as an immigrant in America.
Playwright Chung and Director Liu achieve an extraordinary feat in their portrayal of Mr. Kono’s life. The play delves into the unique experiences of Asian immigrants, providing depth and honor to a man who bravely navigated the challenges and uncertainties of life in 1920’s America.
The playwright and director along with the creators and cast employ a distinctive storytelling approach, presenting the majority of the play through vignettes of Mr. Kono’s daydreams.
The slow-motion movements of the players, muffled sounds, and strobes emulating flashbulbs of paparazzi, projections of cherry blossoms cascading down as the melodic chords of a shamisen play, and a repeated tune hummed by Mr. Kono that his wife sang, are skillfully woven together to illustrate Mr. Kono’s recollections and actively bring his daydreams to life, creating a vivid and immersive experience for the audience. These spellbinding effects demand to be seen to be truly appreciated.
This ingenious technique enables the audience to gain insight into Mr.Kono’s intimate thoughts and emotions. Sheryl Liu (Set Design) Asami Morita (Lighting Design) & Howard Ho (Sound Design) and the entire creative team did a remarkable job.
Cinthia Chen (Projection Design and Kevin Jinghong Zhu helped make the inner thoughts of Toraichi Kono come to life
Beyond its richly captivating narrative written by veteran Playwright, writer and producer Phillip W. Chung (The Golden Hour and Grace & Kim The Spiders From Mars), MY MAN KONO holds immense historical significance as a poignant reflection of the challenges faced by Asian Americans during the post-Pearl Harbor anti-Japanese hysteria.
As Pan Asian Repertory Theatre embarks on it’s 48th milestone season, this thought-provoking play, brilliantly authored by playwright Phillip W. Chung ignites conversations about the enduring issues of representation and cultural comprehension that remain pertinent in our contemporary anti-immigration climate.
The play centers around Mr. Kono, portrayed by the incomparable Brian Lee Huynh (War Horse) a Japanese American interviewee languishing in deportation proceedings. His intrusive thoughts and melancholy reflections in between internment interviews are the central focus of the play.
Like many successful immigrants, Mr. Kono demonstrated a versatile and resourceful nature. An admirable determination to get ahead whatever it took.
Growing up in a small town outside of Hiroshima, he was a dutiful yet impulsive son, a dreamer who aspired to become a pilot and accumulated gambling debts with a local gangster.
To save the family farm of a local girl who would eventually become his love interest and future mother to his two American-born children, Isami perfectly played by Kiyo Takami (Dojoji:The Man Inside the Bell) Mr. Kono devised a remarkable plan.
Toraichi Kono, portrayed by Brian Lee Huynh exudes a quick wit, a profound heart, and unwavering determination that elicited vocal empathy and support from the audience I was a part of.
Mr. Kono’s legal counsel Wayne Collins played by Robert Meksin (Memorial) gave a masterful amalgamation of overworked, pragmatic, and charismatic former ACLU lawyer. The pair formed a compelling team that we follow closely as the interview process unfolds.
The partnership between Mr. Kono and his lawyer is characterized by mutual respect and compassion, and is pivotal to the show’s success.
The meticulously crafted direction by Jeff Liu (Chinglish L.A. Premiere) ensures a perfectly paced and well-executed narrative that showcases this relationship effectively over the two hour play.
This adaptation explores the intricate relationship between Kono’s other defining partnership, not with his wife but Charlie Chaplin a brilliantly executed turn by Conlan Ledwith (Unbroken Promises) a renowned Hollywood icon whose roguish and womanizing persona was not widely recognized during that time. Mr. Kono’s primary task was to conceal Chaplin’s carnality from public view.
During the height of his fame in silent film-era Hollywood, Chaplin basked in the adoration he received. However, Chaplin, who valued loyalty and discretion in his sphere of influence, discovered a kindred spirit in Mr. Kono. He and Mr. Kono, a new immigrant, founded a mutually beneficial arrangement that would last decades.
Mr. Kono’s role extended far beyond his duties as Chaplin’s personal assistant, driver, and bodyguard. He also served as a fixer, albeit with a sense of shame, using his pilot’s license to transport young starlets to Mexico for illegal abortions.
His pure dream of becoming a pilot was tarnished by the compromises he was forced to make, which are not glossed over in his struggle.
While Mr. Kono provided invaluable service to Chaplin, his personal life suffered. His involvement in every aspect of Chaplin’s life had its costs, straining his marriage, creating distance between his more culturally conservative wife and negatively impacting her health.
After nearly two decades of unwavering loyalty, this dynamic reached its climax when Chaplin’s major love interest entered the narrative, Paulette Goddard portrayed by Emma Kikue (Love Life) demanding Mr. Kono report to her directly. Mr. Kono’s pride forced him to give Chaplin an ultimatum. Immigrants have historically been “disposable” people. It’s no surprise who Chaplin, ironically, valuing loyalty above all, chooses in the end.
Chaplain’s callous dismissal drives home the point. No one is irreplaceable, particularly immigrants who are commodified, and interchangeable in a larger American society.
My Man Kono highlights the exceptional talent of its cast, many of whom effortlessly assume the roles of numerous characters, like Ms. Kikue who remarkably juggled several parts both principal and secondary.
The narrative captivates with its engaging plot and also seeks to foster profound discussions about representation and cultural comprehension within the arts.
Amidst the backdrop of Mr. Kono’s deposition, we gain insight into the shared aspirations of these two men, united by their unwavering determination to fulfill the “American Dream.”
In his concluding statement, Kono eloquently reflects on his journey through the court deposition, tearfully expressing his loyalty as an American.
He recounts his half-century of hard work in the United States, supporting his family and raising two children, both citizens, one of whom is a U.S. soldier. He professes his love for his country and hopes to be buried next to his wife in Los Angeles. This resonates with the historical Asian American experience of constantly having to prove their loyalty and worth.
This production presents a compelling narrative that explores the story of Mr. Kono through the lens of the American Dream. The play delves into the pursuit of the American Dream, a dream that many ancestors valiantly fought to achieve, yet too many dreams of individuals of color, particularly Asian Americans, were deferred.
In the end, Attorney Collins reflects, “I am simply a good old American boy attempting to do the right thing. If I fail to do it, who will?” Mr. Kono, ever pragmatic, proposes an idea that both utilizes his skills and assists other Japanese detainees in similar situations.
Given the targeting and branding of immigrant communities by our government today, resulting in the separation of families, it is imperative that we all reflect on our core values, “American” values that we say matter to us- family, friends, and helping those in need who require assistance.
Though I was aware of Japanese internment camps in the U.S. , I was previously unaware of Mr. Kono’s personal story until I viewed this remarkable production.
Now, I am inspired by the amazing creatives, cast, and crew to acquire as much knowledge as possible and do what I can to help those targeted unjustly as Mr. Kono’s immigrant story is unfortunately relevant now more than ever.
As Attorney Collins asks, “If we fail to do it? Who will?” A sobering realization while writing this review.-
“In the not-so-distant future, will the National Endowment of the Arts continue to support the production of groundbreaking works that shed light on American injustices, such as MY MAN KONO?”
MY MAN KONO is an absolute must-see for anyone passionate about the history of cinema, the Asian American immigrant experience, or the preservation of the American Dream for all.
Jeff Liu (Director) & Phillip W. Chung (Playwright) “MY MAN KONO”
MY MAN KONO will run from February 6 – March 9, 2025, at the Art-NY Mezzanine Theatre, located at 502 West 53rd Street.
Tickets are available now, to purchase please visit https://ci.ovationtix.com/252/
Run Time: approximately two hours with a 10-minute intermission
