Be Like Water (2008) is a play written by Dan Kwong, originally produced at East West Players, in association with Cedar Grove OnStage. The play received its world premiere in Los Angeles on September 17, 2008, directed by Chris Tashima, at East West Players' David Henry Hwang Theater at the Union Center for the Arts in Los Angeles.Be Like Water on EWP site The story follows a young Asian American girl in 1970s Chicago, who is visited by the Ghost of Bruce Lee.
Play summary Tracy Fong is a 13-year-old ass-kicking, gung-fu fanatic tomboy, challenged by school bullies, airhead rivals, and a mother who just wants her to be a "normal girl." When bad goes to worse, the Ghost of Bruce Lee appears to teach her the true meaning of strength and the true power of water. on Playbill site
Characters Tracy Fong 13, Chinese Japanese American. Tomboy-ish, tough, quick-tempered, defiant. Ghost of Bruce Lee 32, Tracy's mentor, Chinese American. The greatest martial artist in the world. Cocky, intense, philosophical yet funny. Kimiko Fong 38, Tracy's mother, Japanese American. Elegant, tightly-wound, upper-class roots, can go from cheery to icy in a flash. Frank Fong 35, Tracy's father, Chinese American. Easy going working-class guy, droll sense of humor, not easily angered. Bruce Lee 13, Tracy's best friend, Chinese American. Scrawny, nerdy, acerbic wit, great disco-dancer. An unapologetic oddball. Jeremy Morton 14, School bully, Caucasian. Working-class, tough, angry. Tina Kawai MacDonald 13, Tracy's classmate, Hapa (Japanese Caucasian). Pretty, fashionable dresser, highly groomed, rather superficial. Two Hooded-Ninjas Companions of the Ghost in his Nether-world domain.
World Premiere company East West Players, Los Angeles, California; Opened September 17, 2009; Closed October 12, 2009
Original Los Angeles cast (in order of appearance) Ghost of Bruce Lee – Cesar Cipriano Tracy – Saya Tomioka Bruce Lee – Shawn Huang Jeremy – Jonathan Decker Frank – Michael Sun Lee Kimiko – Pam Hayashida Tina – Ariel Rivera Hooded Ninjas – Michael Sun Lee, Pam Hayashida, Ariel Rivera, Jonathan Decker
Los Angeles production staff Director – Chris Tashima Martial Arts Choreographers – Diana Lee Inosanto & Ron Balicki Dance Choreographer – Blythe Matsui Set Designer – Akeime Mitterlehner Costume designer – Naomi Yoshida Lighting designer – Jose Lopez Sound Designer/Music Composition – Dave Iwataki Projection Designer – Alexander Gao Property Master – Ken Takemoto Hair, Makeup & Mask Design – Alyssa Ravenwood Stage Manager – Ondina V. Dominguez
Reviews 9/19/08 review by F. Kathleen Foley for Los Angeles Times 9/19/08 review by Cristofer Gross on theatertimes.org 10/03/08 review by Lynda Lin for Pacific Citizen 10/17/08 review by William Hong on Asia Pacific Arts (UCLA Asia Institute) Oct. '08 review by Edward Pollard for Black Belt (magazine)
Awards 2009 Backstage Garland's Critics List (Jennie Webb):Garland Critics List on Back Stage site - 3/13/09 CHOREOGRAPHY – Ron Balicki, Diana Lee Inosanto, and Blythe Matsui SOUND DESIGN – Dave Iwataki
See also
Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey
References
External links Playwright Dan Kwong's website