SUMO
New York Premiere
SUMO
By Lisa Sanaye Dring
A co-production of Ma-Yi Theater Company and La Jolla Playhouse
Directed by Ralph B. Peña
Entrenched in an elite sumo training facility in Tokyo, six men practice, eat, love, play, and ultimately fight. Step into the sacred world of sumo wrestling, with the New York premiere of Lisa Sanaye Dring’s mesmerizing new drama, SUMO. Akio arrives as an angry, ambitious 18-year-old with a lot to learn. Expecting validation, dominance, and fame, and desperate to move up the ranks, he slams headlong into his fellow wrestlers. With sponsorship money at stake, their bodies on the line, and their futures at risk, the wrestlers struggle to carve themselves—and one another—into the men they dream of being. SUMO is a thrilling new play set in an elite and rarely explored world. Obie Award winner Ralph B. Peña directs this powerhouse drama. SUMO features live taiko drumming by Shih-Wei Wu.
PRODUCTION DETAILS.
Dive Deeper
Access the SUMO Playbill here.
Curious to learn more, before or after the show? Take the SUMO 101 quiz before or after the show, for a brief review of some sumo basics. Dive deeper into the world of Sumo in the SUMO Study Guide, which covers Sumo terminology, moves, FAQs, and more.
Listen to the SUMO Preshow Playlist to get in the mood for the show!
Watch DISCOVER SUMO, our new series exploring the physicality, tradition, and humanity behind sumo wrestling and the groundbreaking play SUMO.
Read the BIPOC Critics Lab piece by Katsuto Sakogashira: Achieving a Balance Between Tradition and Stage Practicality, Wilson Chin and Mariko Ohigashi on Their Designs for SUMO.
Content and Production Effect Warning
Production effects and content sensitivities vary from person to person, and we encourage you to contact us ([email protected] or 212.967.7555) if you have questions about any production. SUMO contains haze, fog, loud noises, strobing, and flashing lights.
Audience members are invited to explore the Social Narrative Guide. This resource is designed to assist audiences in preparing for their visit to our theater and the upcoming performance.
Cast.
Kris Bona
Kannushi 2
KRIS BONA he/they (Kannushi 2). Off-Broadway debut! National Tour: Spamilton (First National). Regional: 54 Below, Bat Out of Hell (Las Vegas), SUMO (La Jolla Playhouse), Disney’s Mulan (Tuacahn), Miss Saigon, Fun Home, Grease, Mamma Mia. International: Disney Cruise Line. BFA, AMDA. Endless love and thanks to FSE, DA/BM, Mama, Papa, and Brett! @krisbonafide
Red Concepción
Fumio
RED CONCEPCIÓN (Fumio). Broadway: Chicago (Amos Hart). Touring/Regional: Miss Saigon (The Engineer; US National and UK/Ireland Tours), Les Miserablés (Thenardiér, The Muny). TV: “Law & Order.” Before moving westward, Concepción’s body of work spanned over 15 years in his home country, the Philippines: Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (Adam/Felicia; Manila and Singapore), Equus (Alan Strang) Annie (Rooster), and more. @red_concepcion
Akira Fukui
Understudy Akio/Fumio/Kannushi 3
AKIRA FUKUI (Understudy Akio/Fumio/Kannushi 3). Public debut. Select NYC: A 24-Decade History of Popular Music (St. Ann’s Warehouse), As You Like It (Oliver), Queen Anne (SheNYC), It's All About Lorrie (ATA), Chase: What Matters Most (Dixon Place). A very deep bow to everyone who made this dream a reality.
Michael Hisamoto
So
MICHAEL HISAMOTO he/him/his (So). The Public: Debut! Regional: Hold These Truths, Yellow Face, Allegiance, A Christmas Carol, Stage Kiss, Orlando, Fast Company, SUMO, Charlotte’s Web. Hisamoto is also a producer, director, and playwright. He serves on the board of the Seven Devils Playwright’s Conference and as faculty at Boston University. BFA: Boston University. MFA: Brown/Trinity Rep. michaelhisamoto.com
Ahmad Kamal
Ren
AHMAD KAMAL (Ren). Regional: Babbitt, Everybody, Richard III (Shakespeare Theatre Company); Gloria, Kiss (Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company); Holiday (Arena Stage); 4,380 Nights (Signature Theatre); The Return (Mosaic Theatre Company); Selling Kabul (Northlight Theatre), Baba, The Handless King (Amphibian Stage). Helen Hayes nomination for Best Supporting Actor in Gloria. BFA, University of Virginia; MA, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. @king_o_egypt.
Earl T. Kim
Shinta
EARL T. KIM (Shinta) is an international actor, storyteller, and performance artist making his NYC theater debut with Sumo at The Public. In addition to theater, he is known for his roles in video games like Norio in Ghost of Tsushima and Takamori Saigo in Rise of the Ronin. Training: MFA (East 15), BFA (Naropa University). twitch.tv/earlofsammitch
Hank Lin
Understudy Mitsuo/Ren/Shinta/Kannushi 2
HANK LIN (Understudy Mitsuo/Ren/Shinta/Kannushi 2). Film/TV: Late Night, “Law & Order: SVU,” “Fantasmas,” “The Crowded Room,” “Let the Right One In,” “Pose,” “Bull.” Graduated from Brandeis University. Instagram: dastardly_chits
Haowen Luo 罗浩闻
Understudy So/Kannushi 1
HAOWEN LUO 罗浩闻 (Understudy So/Kannushi 1), an actor and producer from Qingdao, China, is thrilled to make his debut at The Public in Sumo as an understudy. A recent Occidental College graduate, Luo appeared in Antigone, The Receptionist, A Dream Play, and Scenes from Metamorphoses. Guided by his love for theater, he aims to bridge cultures through storytelling.
David Shih
Mitsuo
DAVID SHIH (Mitsuo). The Public: Awake and Sing!, The Tempest, 365 Days/365 Plays. Broadway: Life of Pi. Off-Broadway: ONCE UPON A (korean) TIME, Gnit, Henry VI, KPOP, Somebody’s Daughter. Regional: The Far Country, Kim’s Convenience, The Paper Dreams of Harry Chin. Film: Eighth Grade, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Saving Face. TV: “Billions,” “Iron Fist,” “The Path.”
Scott Keiji Takeda
Akio
SCOTT KEIJI TAKEDA (Akio). The Public and NYC debut. Regional: SUMO (World Premiere, La Jolla Playhouse), Pacific Overtures, Next to Normal, Valley of the Heart, The Great Leap. Film: No No Girl, Carrie Pilby, MDMA, Evergreen. TV: “Huge in France,” “Grey's Anatomy,” “Made for Love.” Takeda thanks his family and friends for their endless love, support, and encouragement.
Paco Tolson
Kannushi 1
PACO TOLSON he/him (Kannushi 1) has developed work with Ma-Yi Theater for over 17 years including The Children of Vonderly, Rescue Me, and Soul Samurai. Lortel Nominations: Lead Performance (Fiasco’s Knight of the Burning Pestle) and Featured Actor (Vietgone at Manhattan Theatre Club). Film/TV: “Billions,” “Search Party,” “Law & Order: Organized Crime,” “Prodigal Son,” “The Good Fight.”
Viet Vo
Kannushi 3
VIET VO (Kannushi 3). Public Debut! Originally from Hawaii. Off-Broadway: Romeo and Bernadette, Fishing for Wives. Regional: Vietgone (three productions) and Gold Mountain the Musical. TV/Film: Cupids (Tribeca Film Festival), “Law & Order: SVU,” “The Blacklist,” “Tales of the City,” “Manifest, “Lost.” Huge Mahalo nui loa cast and crew. To my Parents and family, love you. 사랑해요, Binsu
Creative.
Playwright
Director and Ma-Yi Theater Company Producing Artistic Director
Scenic Design
Costume Design
Lighting Design
Sound Design and Music Composition
Hair, Wig, and Make-Up Design
Projection Design
Prop Design
Taiko Drum Composition and Performance
Sumo Consultant and Co-Fight Director
Co-Fight and Intimacy Direction
Production Stage Manager
Stage Manager
Press.
Playbill
READ MORE
MEDIA.
SUMO Production Photos by Joan Marcus
SUMO Rehearsal Photos by Joan Marcus
