Pan Asian Rep Presents THE SECRET OF O-SONO 3/25-4/5

Pan Asian Repertory Theatre presents the premiere production of THE SECRET OF O-SONO, a ghost story for family audiences, March 25th - April 5th at the West End Theatre (263 W. 86th Street between Broadway & West End Avenue in the Church of St. Paul & St. Andrew, 2nd floor). Inspired by the Japanese folk tale "The Dead Secret," collected by Lafcadio Hearn, THE SECRET OF O-SONO is a new play by Elsa Okon Rael, directed by Ron Nakahara, with Japanese movement consulting by Sachiyo Ito, and original music by Shigeko Suga. The production is the centerpiece of Pan Asian Rep's NEWWORKS 09, a four-week celebration of new plays, solo pieces and music featuring some of the brightest young talent in the Asian-American community and beyond.

THE SECRET OF O-SONO tells the story of a mother's love for her son. So strong, her love allows her to reject death. Elsa Okon Rael's adaptation of the classic Japanese tale is inspired by Japanese haiku and renga verse and theatrical Kabuki and Noh traditions.

Emi F. Jones, a native of Japan with extensive experience in Asian performance, stars as O-Sono. Jones last appeared in Pan Asian Rep's 2008 production of Shogun Macbeth. The cast also includes Pan Asian senior artist Shigeko Suga, Pan Asian veteran actors John Baray, Glenn Kubota, Keoni Scott, Bea Soong, and introduces Chris Doi, Nancy Eng and Yoko Hyun.