Featuring

Cheryl Hamada as Sumi	Ernest Perry, Jr. as James

November 20-23, 2008 at North Central College in Naperville

September 18 – Nov 2, 2008 at The Historic Chicago Temple Building

The Midwest premiere

Yohen

By Philip Kan Gotanda   bio

Directed by Steve Scott    bio

A divorced Japanese woman and an African American GI meet in post-World War II Japan and fall in love. After decades of struggle, they have found an accepting Los Angeles suburb to call home – but their peaceful world is changing. More than a study of clashing cultures, Yohen is the poetic, resonant story of two partners who discover that intimate relationships change with environments – and love, however time-tested, is never constant.

For Performances at North
Central College in Naperville,
November 20-24, 2008

Performances at North Central College
Thursday, November 20 at 8:00pm
Friday, November 21 at 8:00pm
Saturday, November 22 at 2:00pm
Saturday, November 22 at 8:00pm
Sunday, November 23 at 2:00pm

For Performances at North
Central College in Naperville,
November 20-24, 2008

"There's no easy answers in relationships undergoing change, and Yohen's peeping-through-the-blinds view of this one, created by Hamada and Perry's full investment in their characters, is ultimately both devastatingly truthful and naturally etched." Three Stars - RECOMMENDED
--Megan Powell, Time Out Chicago

"an intimate emotional rendering...vivid and filled with character...Cheryl Hamada (Sumi) and Ernest Perry Jr. (James) deliver engaging performances with compelling chemistry...Lee Keenan creates splendid authenticity and subtle depth with his excellent set design and Robert Steel's original composition and sound design is truly lovely and evocative...Don't miss this charmingly bittersweet personal portrait." 3 1/2 Stars
--Venus Zarris, Chicago Stage Review

"Gotanda expertly orchestrates Sumi and James's verbal dances to gradually unveil their flawed, complex characters...Ernest Perry Jr. and Cheryl Hamada transcend...lovingly exposing the tragedy of a good marriage gone wrong." RECOMMENDED
--Laura Molzahm, Chicago Reader

"For its tenth show, the Silk Road Theatre Project has collaborated with the Goodman Theatre to present Philip Kan Gotanda's beautiful and powerful love story, Yohen, directed by the acclaimed and charming Steve Scott...Yohen is filled with emotion, love and the balance between need and rational thinking...Their love is so pure, innocent and strong that none of the hysteria and racism they generate both in Japan with Sumi's family or in America has any meaning." THREE STARS
--Ruth Smerling, Steadstyle Chicago

"Yohen is a poignant and truthful love story...marvelously performed by Cheryl Hamada and Ernest Perry, Jr." RECOMMENDED
--ChicagoCritic.com

For Performances at North
Central College in Naperville,
November 20-24, 2008

All photos by Michael Brosilow of Cheryl Hamada and Ernest Perry, Jr. in Silk Road Theatre Project's production of Philip Kan Gotanda's Yohen, Directed by Steve Scott.

Blog
The Silk Road Theatre Project blog includes thoughts from the artistic staff and production notes. Read Online.

Sojourns TV Show
In-depth discussion with SRTP artists, hosted by Artistic Director Jamil Khoury and Executive Director Malik Gillani. All airings on CAN-TV Channel 21.

Episode 1
Guest Philip Kan Gotanda Airs Sun., Oct. 19th, 7:30pm, and Thu., Oct. 23rd, 10:30pm.

Episode 2
Guests Cheryl Hamada and Ernest Perry, Jr. Airs Sun., Oct. 26th, 7:30pm, and Thu., Oct. 30th, 10:30pm.

Sojourns Magazine
Mailed in print form to SRTP subscribers and donors, Sojourns Magazine includes a column by Artistic Director Jamil Khoury and thought-provoking articles by the literary staff, in an attractive and accessible format.

Volume I, Issue I
"A Voice of One's Own," "James, Sumi, and the American Experience," and "Up Close and Personal" with Philip Kan Gotanda.
Read Online

Sojourns Podcast
Brief discussions of Silk Road Theatre Project, Philip Kan Gotanda, and Yohen by Artistic Director Jamil Khoury. Subscribe via iTunes.

Episode 1
About SRTP
iTunes | Direct Download

Episode 2
About Philip Kan Gotanda
iTunes | Direct Download

Episode 3
About Yohen, Part 1
iTunes | Direct Download

Episode 4
About Yohen, Part 2
iTunes | Direct Download