Pacific Overture-Miyamoto Amon and John Dower November 22, 2004

Free, suggested donation of $10 guarantees a seat. 212-817-8215, or [email protected]

This extraordinary evening celebrating the Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim?s 1976 musical masterpiece, Pacific Overtures will feature a live performance segment from the upcoming production at the Roundabout Theatre, a stunning audio/visual presentation, and a lively discussion between Amon Miyamoto, director of the revival,and Pulitzer Prize-winning historian, Dr. John W. Dower of MIT.

Just like the musical, the evening will explore the cultural interactions and conflicts that resulted from the Opening of Japan by Commodore Perry and his "Black Ships" in 1853. Miyamoto will speak about his unique staging of the show, which won raves when presented in Tokyo, at the Lincoln Center Festival and at the Kennedy Center?s Sondheim Celebration, and he will compare and contrast it with Hal Prince?s 1976 production.

Dr. Dower will present extraordinary artwork from both sides of this historic encounter, based on his and M.I.T.?s ?Black Ships and
Samurai? exhibition and web site. Parts of the exhibition will be displayed in the lobby, and Japan expert and author Dr. Carol Gluck of Columbia University will moderate.