Closing the 50th anniversary season is 36 Views, Naomi Iizuka’s intelligent, intricate, and imaginative look into the world of art and relationships. It plays in the Severson Theatre in Santa Maria Sept. 11 – 28.
36 Views examines the meaning of truth in art and the heart. An apparently ancient manuscript – a priceless Japanese pillow book – has been discovered and the search for authenticity becomes an exotic game of greed, sensuality, and shifting perceptions. Multiple layers of deception are slowly uncovered within 36 scenes as sometimes shocking revelations are made along the way.
Director Risa Brainin said that in this day and age when just about anything can be manipulated to look real, the play’s core of trust and authenticity rings loud. Resonating for Brainin today is our obsession with social media and reality shows. “Is this a real account of our lives?” Brainin said. “What does ‘real’ mean? The play poses so many questions about authenticity, which I think is great for our time.” She hopes that the plays will raise important questions and engage people in dialogue about what is authentic and what is not. Who is authentic and who is not. And, how can we tell the difference?
“How you discern the truth is very tricky,” Iizuki told AsiaSource.org. “I guess I would say that the real thing exists, but it is elusive and hard to pin down. And on some level, I think the play suggests that you need to take a leap of faith in discerning the truth in both art and love.” 36 Views is part cultural identity, creativity, art history, the relationship between art and commerce, and making moral choices. It is romance, mystery, and con game.
The cast features Andrew Philpot* as Darius Wheeler, Jully Lee as Setsuko Hearn, George Walker as John Bell, Leah Anderson* as Claire Tsong, Karin Hendricks as Elizabeth Newman-Orr, and Peter S. Hadres* as Owen Matthiassen.
The creative team includes Elisabeth Rebel, Composer; DeAnne Kennedy, Scenic Designer; Robin Newell, Costume Designer; Michael Klaers, Lighting Designer; Andrew Mark Wilhelm, Sound Designer; Adam Flemming, Projection Designer; and Suzanne Tyler*, Production Stage Manager.
*Member, Actors’ Equity Association