THEATRE REVIEW
Emily Padgett and Company (Photo – Jim Cox).
I was fortunate to be on a detailed tour of the Pasadena Playhouse right after the equipment and costumes were delivered for “Waterfall,” and have been excited to see it ever since, and my anticipation was rewarded.
By Carol Edger Germain
I am not a fan of musicals, but a play set in Siam/Thailand and Japan in the 30’s? I was intrigued (also, I have been drawn to the Playhouse consistently since Sheldon Epps became artistic director, and have appreciated his diverse choices, haven’t been disappointed once).
The bare bones of the story is a basic “forbidden love” triangle with a somewhat predictable outcome, but that outline zooms out of the gate at warp speed and explodes in visual splendor while giving us a refresher course in the political turmoil between Siam/Thailand and Japan right before World War II (I’m saying refresher as though I remember that it was something I learned but forgot, but am frankly uncertain if this was ever discussed in my 1960’s world history classes). A Thai diplomat , married to a much younger American wife, is in Thailand and Japan dealing with various aspects of the political upheaval and the pending military conflict. Young Noppon, who is obsessed with America, is immediately smitten with the diplomat’s wife, Katherine, and it seems his fairy godmother intercedes on his behalf, because her husband
(played by Thom Sessa, who in my opinion had one of the most interesting voices in the play) taps Noppon to escort and entertain Katherine while he negotiates a treaty in Japan (there’s a heartwrenching twist at the end, I won’t spoil it).
(L-R) Emily Padgett and Bie Sukrit. (Photo – Jim Cox).
The sets and costumes are gorgeous – such a visually fulfilling feast I want a second round at the visual buffet table! The short piece by the scantily clad Taiko drummers was very well received by the audience, as were all the uniquely costumed dance sequences. It was nonstop perfection with the sets, but of course the real waterfall was the stunner.
Emily Padgett and Bie Sukrit (who is a successful actor and pop star in Thailand) are the star-crossed lovers. Especially impressive is Bie – his heavy native accent enhanced the authenticity of the part of course, but also, every single word he said was 100% understandable, which was critical because of the side monologues peppered throughout the play which filled in the back story for us (and which numerous American singers should study, since so many record indecipherable lyrics).
The other interesting characters in play are J. Elaine Marcos as Katherine’s cynical maid – her lines were sparse but delightfully provided some snippets of comedy; and Lisa Helmi Johansan as Kumiko, one of Noppon’s friends, an American-born Japanese who can’t seem to find her niche in either country..
Although I highly recommend the play, you will definitely be satisfied with the entertainment value (especially if you buy tickets on Goldstar.com), nevertheless I was a little disappointed to read that the original book did not cast Katherine as an American, there was no obsession with America involved, and the heat between the clandestine lovers was more defined, not left at infatuation stage. I surmise that the “I love America” twist was added to cater to American audiences to make us feel connected enough to buy a ticket, and I wouldn’t have faulted it if that had been the true original story, but I’m almost taking it personally that the producers thought it was perhaps necessary to make the play more “relatable” to American audiences rather than respecting our ability to appreciate an exotic story from the 1930’s.
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