UNRIVALED

MAR 16 - APR 23

A Co-Production With PlaywrightS’ Arena

By Rosie Narasaki
Directed by Margaret Shigeko Starbuck
World Premiere Production

11th century Ladies-in-Waiting Murasaki Shikibu and Sei Shonagon are, to this day, two of Japan’s most beloved writers. 

They also kind of hated each other. 

This play is about friendship, heartbreak, and what it means to be a female artist. Perhaps most of all, it’s about how no matter how much things change, the more they stay the same… even after a thousand years.

THE CREATIVE TEAM

Scenic Designer: Yuki Izumihara
Costume Designer: Jana Ai Morimoto
Lighting Designer: Henry Tran
Sound Designer: Alyssa Ishii
Casting Director: Fran de Leon
Production Stage Manager: Letitia Chang
Research Dramaturg: Lynne K. Miyake

 

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UNRIVALED IS A CO-PRODUCTION WITH PLAYWRIGHTS’ ARENA

ILLUMINATIONS

Sun, Mar 26: Post-show discussion on Playwriting
Sun, Apr 2: Post-show discussion on Acting
Thu, Apr 13: Post-show discussion on Design
Sat, Apr 15: Post-show discussion on Acting
Sun, Apr 16: Post-show discussion on Theme
Sat, Apr 22: Post-show discussion on Directing

SPECIAL PERFORMANCES

Mon, Apr 3: Pay What You Choose
Thu, Apr 6: AAPI Affinity Night
Sat, Apr 8, 2pm: Community Matinée (all tickets $5)
Sat, Apr 15: Student Night

ENGAGEMENT EVENTS

Unrivaled: Sneak Peek
Thu, Feb 9, 7pm
Altadena Public Library, 600 E. Mariposa St in Altadena

At a special sneak peek event hosted by the Altadena Library on February 9th, members of the public will have the opportunity to participate in a table read of the Unrivaled script and speak to Director Margaret Shigeko Starbuck about the play and the design process for the full production.

Then & Now
Sun, Apr 9, 4pm
Boston Court Pasadena

This special engagement event will feature readings from Murasaki Shikibu’s The Tale of Genji and Sei Shonagon’s The Pillow Book to provide a deeper understanding of the real Murasaki and Sei, and the brilliance and legacy of their writing. These excerpts will be paired with readings by contemporary AAPI poets writing in Los Angeles today to honor the legacy of poetry from the Heian Period all the way to 2023 Los Angeles.

BECAUSE COVID-19 IS STILL A THING
  • All patrons, regardless of vaccination status, will be required to wear a N-95, KN-95 or surgical mask fully covering their nose and mouth at all times while inside the theater. No cloth masks or bandanas will be permitted.
  • While full vaccination is no longer required, it is highly recommended.
  • If at any time prior to your performance, you are not feeling well, are unable to meet our mask policy, or feel uncomfortable attending, please stay home and contact the box office. We will happily exchange your tickets for another performance or offer a full refund.

 

Rhythms of the Village Band

FEB 11, 8PM

Music Style: World

An exciting evening of Nigerian Highlife Fusion music, comprised of traditional rhythms that inspired reggae, calypso, and Afro beat.

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NT Live: Much Ado About Nothing

FEB 10, 7:30PM & FEB 12, 2PM

'Katherine Parkinson and John Heffernan are a blast in this luxuriously eccentric take on Shakespeare's romcom' (Time Out)

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Explore

Rhythms of the...
FEB 11, 8PM

NT Live: Much ...
FEB 10, 7:30PM & FEB 12, 2PM

Nolan Shaheed ...
FEB 25, 8PM

Danbi Um
MAR 3, 8PM

Brightwork New...
MAR 18, 8PM

Red Eye 2 Toky...
APR 1, 8PM

Sords/Walz/Dur...
APR 14, 8PM

Oakwood Brass ...
APR 21, 8PM

UNRIVALED
MAR 16 - APR 23

Patrick Galvin
APR 28, 8PM

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Nolan Shaheed Quintet

FEB 25, 8PM

Music style: Jazz

Local Jazz legend Nolan Shaheed joins his brilliant trumpet stylings with his dedicated band of great musicians to share a program of hot Jazz.

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Danbi Um

MAR 3, 8PM

Music Style: Classical

Duo Danbi Um (violin) and Amy Yang (piano) perform a program of classical and modern pieces including Smetana's "From My Homeland," Bloch's second violin sonata, Grieg's second violin sonata, and Hubay's Scènes de la Csárda, 'Maros vize'.

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Brightwork Newmusic

MAR 18, 8PM

Music Style: New Music

Brightwork Ensemble members Shalini Vijayan (violin), Brian Walsh (clarinet), and Aron Kallay (piano) tackle one of the 20th century's most iconic works, Bela Bartok's “Contrasts”, in addition to other favorite trios from the present and recent past.

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Red Eye 2 Tokyo

APR 1, 8PM

Music Style: Jazz & World

An evening of adventurous music that blends the dynamic sounds of Japanese folk instruments with jazz. Ranging from the meditative Zen flute solo (shakuhachi) to taiko/drum kit battle, the ensemble continues to bring new sonic expression that challenges and honors their individual cultures and traditions.

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Sords/Walz/Durkovic Trio

APR 14, 8PM

Music Style: Classical

Andrew Sords (violin), John Walz (cello), and Timothy Durkovic (piano) return to Boston Court with a dazzling program that includes works by Brahms, Robert and Clara Schumann, and Mendelssohn.

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Oakwood Brass Chamber Ensemble

APR 21, 8PM

Music Style: Classical

Oakwood Brass brings to Boston Court a unique blend of music for brass quintet, featuring brilliant Renaissance fanfares, luxurious Argentinian tangos, flourishing Spanish marches, and lyrical Russian romanticism.

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Patrick Galvin

APR 28, 8PM

Music Style: Classical

Bay Area violinist Patrick Galvin makes his live Boston Court debut with a program of works for solo violin by composers including J.S. Bach, Eugene Ysaÿe, Florence Price, Grazyna Bacewicz, and selections from “Six Tasty Caprices” by Korine Fujiwara.

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Gloria Cheng

APR 29, 8PM

Music Style: Classical

The Grammy and Emmy Award-winning pianist performs works by Thomas Adès, Zhou Long, Phyllis Chen, four-hands works by David Lang (joined by David Kaplan), and John Adams’s monumental minimalist masterpiece, the rarely performed “Phrygian Gates.”

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