Be Like Water (2008) is a play written by Dan Kwong, originally produced at East West Players, in association with Cedar Grove OnStage. The play received its world premiere in Los Angeles on September 17, 2008, directed by Chris Tashima, at East West Players' David Henry Hwang Theater at the Union Center for the Arts in Los Angeles. The story follows a young Asian American girl in 1970s Chicago, who is visited by the Ghost of Bruce Lee.
Tracy Fong is a 13-year-old ass-kicking, gung-fu fanatic tomboy, challenged by school bullies, airhead rivals, and a mother who just wants her to be a "normal girl." When bad goes to worse, the Ghost of Bruce Lee appears to teach her the true meaning of strength and the true power of water.
Tracy Fong
13, Chinese Japanese American. Tomboy-ish, tough, quick-tempered, defiant.
Ghost of Bruce Lee
32, Tracy's mentor, Chinese American. The greatest martial artist in the world. Cocky, intense, philosophical yet funny.
Kimiko Fong
38, Tracy's mother, Japanese American. Elegant, tightly-wound, upper-class roots, can go from cheery to icy in a flash.
Frank Fong
35, Tracy's father, Chinese American. Easy going working-class guy, droll sense of humor, not easily angered.
Bruce Lee
13, Tracy's best friend, Chinese American. Scrawny, nerdy, acerbic wit, great disco-dancer. An unapologetic oddball.
Jeremy Morton
14, School bully, Caucasian. Working-class, tough, angry.
Tina Kawai MacDonald
13, Tracy's classmate, Hapa (Japanese Caucasian). Pretty, fashionable dresser, highly groomed, rather superficial.
Two Hooded-Ninjas
Companions of the Ghost in his Nether-world domain.
East West Players, Los Angeles, CA; Opened September 17, 2009; Closed October 12, 2009
(in order of appearance)
Ghost of Bruce Lee – Cesar Cipriano
Tracy – Saya Tomioka
Bruce Lee – Shawn Huang
Jeremy – Jonathan Decker
Frank – Michael Sun Lee
Kimiko – Pam Hayashida
Tina – Ariel Rivera
Hooded Ninjas – Michael Sun Lee, Pam Hayashida, Ariel Rivera, Jonathan Decker
Director – Chris Tashima
Martial Arts Choreographers – Diana Lee Inosanto & Ron Balicki
Dance Choreographer – Blythe Matsui
Set Designer – Akeime Mitterlehner
Costume designer – Naomi Yoshida
Lighting designer – Jose Lopez
Sound Designer/Music Composition – Dave Iwataki
Projection Designer – Alexander Gao
Property Master – Ken Takemoto
Hair, Makeup & Mask Design – Alyssa Ravenwood
Stage Manager – Ondina V. Dominguez
9/19/08 review by F. Kathleen Foley for Los Angeles Times
9/19/08 review by Cristofer Gross on theatertimes.org
10/01/08 review by Jennie Webb for Backstage
10/02/08 review by Bill Raden for LA Weekly
10/02/08 review by Jana J. Monji for Pasadena Weekly
10/03/08 review by Lynda Lin for Pacific Citizen
10/08/08 review on 'view from a loft' artist's blog
10/17/08 review by William Hong on Asia Pacific Arts (UCLA Asia Institute)
Oct. '08 review by Edward Pollard for Black Belt (magazine)
2009 Backstage Garland's Critics List (Jennie Webb):CHOREOGRAPHY – Ron Balicki, Diana Lee Inosanto, and Blythe Matsui
SOUND DESIGN – Dave Iwataki
