American Spies at NextStop Theatre

American Spies

NextStop Theatre
269 Sunset Business Park Herndon

The Hub Theatre (in 2019 residency at NextStop Theatre) presents American Spies and Other Homegrown Fables by Sam Hamashima, directed by Kathryn Chase Bryer. News travels across the Pacific on Dec. 7 resulting in foolhardy claims of Japanese sympathizers. As calls for war perpetrate a nation, The Ishii Family undertakes radical assimilation to calm the local police and fearful neighbors. Mixing family testimony and cartoon charm, the Japanese Americans' response to national disaster develops into a sparkling fable on what it means to be family.

Thru - Aug 4, 2019

Fridays: 8:00pm

Saturdays: 2:00pm & 8:00pm

Sundays: 2:00pm

Box Office: 703-481-5930

www.thehubtheatre.org/americanspies

American Spies Reviews

Average Rating based on 4 reviews

Highly Recommended
Recommended
Somewhat Recommended
Not Recommended

Washington Post - Somewhat Recommended

"...The magical cartoonish-surreal quality wobbles, too. The buzzards stalking the household ought to inspire a shiver of dread, but the actors in capes and giant bird masks feel terribly earthbound and on-the-nose as predatory symbols of bigotry. An American policeman with a Keystone Kops mustache comes across as a punchless caricature, the earnest "issei" (first-generation immigrant) parents are blandly rendered, and the intended evocation of a culture under siege doesn't come into sharp focus."

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- Nelson Pressley

MD Theatre Guide - Recommended

"...Written by Sam Hamashima and directed by Kathryn Chase Bryer, this world premiere production features a talented cast and a number of memorable performances. Venna (Paper Crane) embodies wisdom and compassion in her interactions with Kwalick (George), who in turn is particularly adept at communicating his character’s sincerity and youthful naivete. Kashner delivers a superb rendering of the sociopathic neighbor Diane, and Reid’s (Maneki Neko) occasional humor provides the audience with welcome comic relief. Fellow Japanese immigrant Ms. Nakayama (KyoSin Kang) serves as the unwavering voice of outrage at the Ishii’s willingness to capitulate to the outside world’s fear and bigotry."

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- Jeannette Mulherin

DCTheatreScene - Highly Recommended

"...The Hub Theatre's rendition, directed by Kathryn Chase Bryer, is the first full production of a play by Sam Hamashima. He describes his work as "the collision between his queer identity and his Japanese-American identity." American Spies is surefooted in its exploration of its characters' multifaceted identities, and it treats the Ishiis with care, making time for moments of softness, humor, and love within the family while their world falls to pieces around them."

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- Hannah Berk

BroadwayWorld - Recommended

"...Despite certain production elements, The Hub Theatre's American Spies and Other Homegrown Fables is able to capture some powerful moments and sheds light on the story of Japanese Americans during World War II which needs to be told more both on and off stage."

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- Hannah Wing

American Spies Photo Gallery

American Spies at NextStop Theatre

American Spies

American Spies Reviews

Washington Post - Somewhat Recommended

MD Theatre Guide - Recommended

DCTheatreScene - Highly Recommended

BroadwayWorld - Recommended

American Spies Photo Gallery

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