"Tokyo Fish Story" Serves The Old Globe

​Once again, The Old Globe Theatre brings an innovative play to life, with Tokyo Fish Story, directed by May Adrales. Revolving around the world of culinary rivalry and sushi mastery, Tokyo Fish Story finds old-school chef Koji struggling with keeping business in his once thriving Tokyo sushi restaurant. His business takes a hit when a new trendy sushi restaurant opens up near him, taking away his clientele. Unfortunately, Koji is unwilling to budge on his traditional culinary practices and continues to uphold the old ways. His protégé Takashi has been under his instruction for years and brings the intricate and beautiful style of preparing sushi to another level. Unwilling to let go of what once was, Koji doubts his abilities to transform the restaurant. Through heavy back story about tradition and honor, Takashi begins to understand why Koji is having a difficult time moving into the future.

Written by playwright Kimber Lee, the drama Tokyo Fish Story is a relatively new production. It was only previously performed in March of 2015 in South Coast Repertory. Kimber Lee is a newer face to the playwriting world, gaining significant recognition recently in 2014 by winning the Ruby Prize as well as several other recognitions. Other plays written by Lee include Fight, Brownsville Song (b-side for tray), and Different Words for the Same Thing.

Director May Adrales is a freelance director as well as teacher, creatively working at theatres all over the country. Adrales’ main focus is directing newer plays and has an extensive history working on Off-Broadway productions. She is also on faculty at Yale School of Drama and Brown University.

Adrales’ cast includes five strong actors and actresses whom bring to life Lee’s beautiful, dramatic story in a masterful way. Actor James Saito plays the lead, sushi chef Koji. A Los Angeles native, Saito has enjoyed a successful career on the stage as well as on camera. He has starred in not one, but two Broadway productions including Golden Child and The King and I. Koji’s young protégé, Takashi, is played by actor Tom Chiou, who also acts on stage and in front of the camera. This production will be Chiou’s Old Globe debut, and he is thrilled to be a part of the production.

Comic relief character, Nobu who is the young hip-hop lover, is played by Raymond Lee. He has appeared on several popular television shows like Modern Family and Scandal. On stage, Lee has performed in several productions, including Vietgone, directed by none other than May Adrales. The supporting cast include Tina Chilip and Jon Norman Schneider.

Come watch this dramatic tale about hard work and perfection as it rolls into San Diego from May 28th-June 26th. Opening night is Thursday, June 2nd at 8pm at the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre at Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Tickets can be purchased at The Old Globe. The performance run time is 90 minutes with no intermission. The production has strong language so discretion for younger audience members is suggested.