Lexington Children’s Theatre to present ‘Shoyu Tell’

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ/Press Release) – “There’s magic in this play,” explains Sam Hamashima, playwright of Lexington Children’s Theatre (LCT)’s upcoming world premiere of Shoyu Tell. “There’s this everyday magic quality that I really wanted to hold onto. And I wanted to remind us that around us, every day, is magic.” 

Shoyu Tell is a play celebrating the everyday magic found in things like good food, new friendships, and the family traditions we pass down through generations – all told through the story of one young boy bringing his lunch to school.

For Hamashima, the story is something that they are personally familiar with.

“Growing up in North Carolina, there weren’t many people with my background, who looked like me. (I’m Japanese.) And I remember going to school with lunch – and to me it was just my lunch – and people being fascinated by it, because it was different. At the beginning, I didn’t want people to give me attention. And then I started realizing that the questions they were asking weren’t negative, they were just people being really curious. And I decided to own that, and say, ‘Yeah, this is my lunch, and I think it’s pretty awesome. And I want to share it with you,’ said Hamashima. “And so, this play is in direct conversation with my own childhood. I have had a very similar experience to the protagonist in this story. And I wanted to write something for the kids that are like me, who are in school and might feel a little isolated or a little different.”

Shoyu Tell follows Lucas, a Japanese American boy, who brings a lunch box full sushi made by his mother to the first day of school. The title is a play on words, combining shoyu, the Japanese word for soy sauce, and the elementary school “Show and Tell” activity.

“I really wanted to write something that celebrated my community, and that wasn’t talking about our hardships or moments of prejudice. I wanted it to be like a bento box, talking about the joy of food. Because I think that’s something, cross-culturally, we can all relate to. We all have a specific food in mind that we celebrate,” says Hamashima.

Along with Hamashima, the design team responsible for bringing this world premiere play to life for the first time has been exploring ways to bring that feeling of magic and celebration to the stage.

Maranda DeBusk, the show’s Lighting Designer, says, “Everyday magic to me is those little things that happen during a day that make you smile. These moments shine out in the midst of everyday living. So, in the lighting of the show, those everyday magic moments have a bit of brightness to them. A little pop of color. Something that just says ‘hey, I’m a special thing’ in the slightest, small smile sort of way.” 

There is also an element of honoring Japanese culture and traditions, especially as the show’s setting shifts from the “real world” of Lucas’s school to a magical spirit world where the possibilities are endless.

Audrey Reed, the show’s Costume Designer, explains, “For the world of costumes, there’s several elements of tradition. The most noticeable will be Reiko, the ancestor. She’s in a traditional kimono with a pair of tabi sock and has a hair ornament called a Kazashi. Emily, Lucas’s mother, will also have some pieces that relate back to what might be seen in Japan today.”

As audiences join LCT to watch this show at the theatre or online, Hamashima hopes they will take with them a spirit of curiosity and celebration.

“I hope people expand on their curiosities. I think this show is offering questions and a door opening to learn about things that you might not have learned at home or in everyday life. And I wanted to give permission, and say that it’s okay to learn more,” said Hamashima. “Also, for my Asian brothers and sisters out there, I want them to see how awesome they are. And how, people are going to ask questions because you’re awesome. It’s not because you’re ‘weird’ or anything, it’s because you’re special.”

“I just think we need to air on the side of brightness right now,” Hamashima adds. “And brightness towards each other. And if we don’t understand something, let’s learn about it.”

The first shows will debut Saturday, Oct. 2 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. The 7 p.m. show will be a Pay What You Will performance. A third show is set for Sunday, Oct. 3 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children.