DEAR YOKO at Santa Monica Playhouse

Asian-American Stand Up Comedienne Anzu Lawson, who plays Ashley Kim on NBCs CHICAGO MED in her first one woman show called DEAR YOKO, in which she bares her heart, breast and soul revealing a personal history of non-acceptance as an Asian woman and how her struggle with depression got turned around when she was asked to study and embody Yoko Ono. A woman she too, was also taught to misunderstand and under estimate.During her 80-minute Dear Yoko; One Woman Show, directed by Jessica Lynn Johnson, Anzu not only portrayed Ono with her signature dialect, hat and sunglasses, but also legendary rock musicians she met while touring as a J-POP artist, agents and entertainment moguls who brought on the need for the #MeToo movement, and others who assisted her in turning her life around and accepting herself as the woman and artist she really was meant to be. And that road was never easy but so worth the journey. DEAR YOKO is an extraordinary and emotionally-charged personal story that spans two continents and how she found in Yoko Ono an example of an extraordinary Asian woman of accomplishment, who ultimately shows Anzu how to finally live her life authentically, against her Tiger moms conditioning. Anzus totally absorbing tale will have you hooked from start to finish, often feeling as if you are really watching Yoko Ono onstage as well as many of the other characters shared with us. Not to be missed! This show will have you on a roller coaster ride from tears to laughter and beyond leaving you with golden nuggets of wisdom to take with you on your own life path, as soon as you walk out of the theatre.Nicole Force of The Examiner - "Anzu Lawson is a consummate and multi-talented performer who represents the new triple threat in Hollywood -singer, actress and stand-up comedian. Anzu Lawson is an entertainment force who consistently delivers, regardless of the genre."The BFF features locally based artists performing original shows and hosting workshops that touch on a diverse range of subjects and themes from political to personal, love and loss, to sensuality and spirit, hierarchy and hope.The BFF aims to celebrate the range and depth of the human condition and the idea that theatre arts experiences are vital, transformative, and must be available for all. Tickets don't go live until September 10 Participation in all BFF events are FREE but reservations are required. To book tickets or reserve your place in a workshop call the Box Office at 310-394-9779 ext 1 or email us at theatre@santamonicaplayhouse.com.When emailing please include the name of the show you want to see, how many seats to hold, your full name and contact phone number. Thank you. Jessica Lynn Johnson is a published playwright, recipient of BEST NATIONAL SOLO ARTIST AWARD, Board Member of the LA Women's Theatre Festival, Director for Whitefire Theatre's SOLOFEST, and Founder & CEO of Soaring Solo LLC. Jessica works as a full time Director & Developer of solo theatre having aided in the development of over 75 solo shows (and still going strong). As a performer, Jessica has "edu-tained" international audiences touring her own 25 character one person shows ZE and OBLIVIOUS TO EVERYONE for over 13 years. Over the years, Jessica's projects have taken home awards such as TOP OF FRINGE, HFF ENCORE PRODUCER AWARDS, TVOLUTION BEST SOLO PERFORMANCE, LARRY CORNWALL AWARD FOR MUSICAL EXCELLENCE & several other accolades. Jessica was most recently nominated Female Director of Distinction in Theatre by Girl Trip LLC at the 2018 Hollywood Fringe Festival.
Ages: 15 and older