By John Patrick
The Americans
Captain Fisby 20-40 A less than fully successful officer, so far
Colonel Purdy 45-60 Trying to keep things in order
Captain McLean 20-40 An analyst sent to check up on Fisby
Sergeant Gregovich 30-50 Assistant to Colonel Purdy
The Okinawans
Sakini 30-60 Native Interpreter (and part time narrator)
Lotus Blossum Female, 20-35 Geisha
Mr. Omura Male, 30-50 Mayor of Tobiki
Mr. Seiko Male, 20-40 Chief of Agriculture
Mr. Hokaida Male, 30-50 Chief of Police
Miss Higa Jiga Female, any age President of Tobiki Ladies’ League for Democratic Action
Mr. Oshira Male, 50-70 Villager, Sakini’s English teacher
Mr. Sumata Male, 20-40 Village carpenter
Other Male Villagers 20-70 need at least 3
Female Villagers 20-70 need at least 4
Native children 12-18 need at least 2
Please note, of the Okinawans only Sakini and Mr. Oshira speak English, the other only speak in their “native tongue.”
The Story:
The teahouse of the August Moon follows the career of an Army of Occupation officer stationed in Tobiki, a remote town in Okinawa. His duty is to teach Democracy to the natives, and there is a stern but somewhat overwhelmed Colonel breathing down his neck to insure the strict enforcement of the Manual of Occupation. However, the young officer has not prepared himself for the ingenious charm and wisdom of the people. Within a matter of days he finds himself the owner of a Grade A geisha girl; the materials sent him for the construction of a school are being used to build a teahouse, and his plans for the natives to sell their traditional hand-made crafts as souvenirs to the soldiers and sailors are failing. His solution to these problems is a bit unorthodox, but the Colonel’s reaction is not. The final resolution is unexpected, but ultimately satisfactory to all.
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