(from left) Tim Chiou appears as Takashi and James Saito as Koji in playwright Kimber Lee’s tokyo fish story, directed by May Adrales, May 28 – June 26, 2016 at The Old Globe. Photo by Jim Cox.

The Old Globe Theatre of San Diego staged a triumphant production of Kimber Lee’s TOKYO FISH STORY this past summer in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre.  It marks the third production of the play, but is the first to be done in the round and with real sushi.

Master sushi chef Koji built his successful career on respect—for tradition, fine ingredients, and the legends who came before him. But now his restaurant, considered one of the greatest in Tokyo, is losing its customers to newer and flashier places. It’s time for a new generation to take over. Koji’s brilliant protégé Takashi might know how to save the restaurant, if only he could find a way to tell his mentor. Kimber Lee’s beautiful play will take audiences into the mind of the chef-as-artist and bring to vibrant life the sheer exhilaration of creating bite-sized masterpieces. tokyo fish story is a gorgeous meditation on work, legacy, and the art of perfection.

(from left) Tim Chiou appears as Takashi and Raymond Lee as Nobu in playwright Kimber Lee’s tokyo fish story, directed by May Adrales, May 28 – June 26, 2016 at The Old Globe. Photo by Jim Cox.
(from left) James Saito appears as Koji and Tina Chilip as Woman in playwright Kimber Lee’s tokyo fish story, directed by May Adrales, May 28 – June 26, 2016 at The Old Globe. Photo by Jim Cox.
(from left) James Saito appears as Koji, Tim Chiou as Takashi, and Raymond Lee as Nobu in playwright Kimber Lee’s tokyo fish story, directed by May Adrales, May 28 – June 26, 2016 at The Old Globe. Photo by Jim Cox.

This is what critics had to say about the production:

“Immersive—rich in atmosphere and plenty entertaining!”
 —The San Diego Union–Tribune

 

“Vivid Performances! Such a pleasure to watch—the acting is so uniformly fine!” —Talkin’ Broadway

 

“Beautifully executed! Charming and uplifting!”—ArtRocks

 

“Director May Adrales and her crack team create an environment we can totally believe in, even when it’s a dreamscape. Kimber Lee has an excellcent ear for language and its musicality. The characters and their relationships are intriguing and wonderfully portrayed.”
—KSDS Jazz 88

 

tokyo fish story ran from May 28 – June 26, 2016.

play by Kimber Lee
directed by May Adrales

cast: Tina Chillip, Tim Chiou, Raymond Lee, James Saito, and Jon Norman Schneider