April 24 to May 12, 2024. A captivating play by acclaimed playwright Rajiv Joseph. Directed by David Hsieh and Julie Beckman, this play is a sequel to Joseph’s Animals Out of Paper (playing on alternate nights) and provides a moving exploration of love, memory, and the enduring impact of handwritten words.
About the Play
In the ghost-filled city of Nagasaki, Japan, the lives of four individuals intersect through a series of heartfelt letters. The play unfolds as we follow the correspondence between:
- Melody Park (played by Mona Leach): A writing teacher who stumbles upon a cache of letters sent by Suresh to her late great-uncle. As she delves into their contents, she discovers a profound connection that transcends time and distance.
- Suresh Thakur (played by Nirvan Patnaik): Picking up where Animals Out of Paper left off, we follow Suresh’s journey from age 18 to 28. A brilliant young man searching for meaning in his life, Suresh’s letters reveal a soulful longing and a deep bond with an enigmatic pen pal.
- Amelia Wren (played by Marianna de Fazio): Suresh’s estranged girlfriend, who receives unexpected letters that force her to confront the past and reconsider the choices she made.
- Father Hashimoto (played by Stephen Sumida): The priest who becomes Suresh’s confidant, Fr Hashimoto provides guidance as Suresh moves through pivotal moment in his life: from confused teen to questing young adult, to a profound thinker longing for forgiveness for his mistakes. Through their letters, Fr. Hashimoto offers solace and insight, while inviting Suresh to spiritual growth
As the letters crisscross continents and decades, secrets are unveiled, emotions are laid bare, and the power of human connection becomes palpable. Through Joseph’s lyrical prose, we witness the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring legacy of handwritten communication.
