The Teahouse of the August Moon (play)
| The Teahouse of the August Moon | |
|---|---|
| Written by |
Vern Sneider (novel) John Patrick (play) |
| Characters | Captain Fisby Sakini Col. Wainright Purdy III Captain McLean Mr. Oshira Lotus Blossom The Daughter's Child Mr. Sumata Mr. Sumata's Father Ancient Man Sergeant Gregovich Villagers |
| Date premiered | 15 October 1953 |
| Place premiered |
Martin Beck Theatre New York City, New York |
| Original language | English |
| Genre | Comedy |
| Setting | Japan |
The Teahouse of the August Moon is a 1953 play written by John Patrick adapted from the 1951 novel by Vern Sneider. The play was later adapted for film in 1956, and the 1970 Broadway musical, Lovely Ladies, Kind Gentlemen.
The play opened on Broadway in October 1953. It was a Broadway hit, running 1027 performances and winning many awards including: the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best American Play of the Year, the Pulitzer Prize in Drama and the Tony Award. The play, well regarded for several decades, came to seem old-fashioned with increased understanding and sensitivity of racial issues. The portrayals of the Okinawa characters in the play were seen as offensive and the generational humor began to lose its impact in the 1970s.
In the aftermath of World War II, the island of Okinawa was occupied by the American military. Captain Fisby, a young army officer, is transferred to a tiny Okinawa island town called Tobiki by his commanding officer, Colonel Purdy. Fisby is tasked with the job of implementing "Plan B". The plan calls for teaching the natives all things American and the first step for Capt. Fisby is to establish a democratically elected mayor, chief of agriculture, chief of police, and president of the Ladies League for Democratic Action. Plan "B" also calls for the building of a schoolhouse (Pentagon shaped), democracy lessons, and establishing capitalism through means left up to the good captain's judgment. A local Tobiki native, Sakini by name, is assigned to act as Fisby's interpreter. Sakini, a Puck-like character, attempts to acquaint Fisby with the local customs as well as guide the audiences through the play, providing both historical and cultural framework through his asides and monologues.
After receiving many gifts from the villagers, including a geisha named Lotus Blossom, Fisby tries to find local products on which to build his capitalist endeavor. He is discouraged when the villagers can not find a market for their handmade products, items like geta (wooden sandals), lacquered bowls, cricket cages, and casas (straw hats). He is also frustrated when the newly elected democratic government votes to build a teahouse (ochaya) for Lotus Blossom with the building supplies designated for his Pentagon-shaped school. Through the villagers, Captain Fisby starts to see the beauty of preserving their culture and a slower way of life. He agrees to build the teahouse and even lands on a moneymaking product – sweet potato brandy. Soon the Cooperative Brewing Company of Tobiki is churning out liquor by the gallon and selling it to all the neighboring military bases.
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