Sunday, March 11, 2012

Have You Heard About SHINSAI?

Today, March 11, 2012, is the one-year anniversary of Japan's devastating earthquake, tsunami and subsequent nuclear disaster. To mark this date and "to demonstrate the potential of human beings and the theater to overcome adversity as well as the primordial power of expression on stage," theater artists from around the world have been invited to join "SHINSAI: THEATERS FOR JAPAN."


Under the umbrella of the SHINSAI project, theaters across the US will perform plays and songs specifically created for this event. Artists who have contributed their work to SHINSAI include Edward Albee, Philip Kan Gotanda, Richard Greenberg, John Guare, Oriza Hirata, Naomi Iizuka, John Kander, Shoji Kokami, Tony Kushner, Toshiki Okada, Suzan-Lori Parks, Yoji Sakate, Kumiko Shinohara, Stephen Sondheim, Toshiro Suzue, John Weidman and Doug Wright.

In New York, the Atlantic Theater Company, Lincoln Center Theater, Manhattan Theatre Club, New York Theatre Workshop, The Play Company, Playwrights Horizons and The Public Theater will join forces to present two performances, directed by Tony winner Bartlett Sher, today at the Great Hall at Cooper Union. Patti LuPone, Sab Shimono, Richard Thomas, Ann Harada, Paolo Montalban, Jennifer Lim and Mary Beth Hurt are included on the roster of artists performing. A piece of Stephen Sondheim's and John Weidman's "Pacific Overtures" has been specially revised for this event.

There is a video here with messages from some of America's leading actors about the project and how to donate to the Japan Playwrights Association in honor of SHINSAI, or you can visit this page to see videos of rehearsal and information about other performances. If you're ready to donate, click here and find the big red button.

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