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A scene from "Blood": from left, Sohee Park, Alexa Hamilton, Miho Ando in bed, Kazumi Aihara, and Saki Miata. (Photo by Ed Krieger)
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In 1980s, nearly 2,000 people died of AIDS in Japan because of contaminated bloods were imported from the U.S. and these bloods were used for blood transfusions of hemophiliac patients.
Based on this medical scandal in modern Japan, seasoned scrip writer Robert Allan Ackerman creates "Blood," a political thriller with music at The Complex, 6476 Santa Monica Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90038, which runs through April 3.
"Blood" was crystallized with Ackerman's knowledge about Japanese performing arts and his researches on the HIV-contaminated blood transfusion scandal, and his creations on the stage to fill the gaps between Americans' general notions on Japan and the realities.
"Blood" was originally written by Ackerman in 1980s in Japan to be a teleplay of Fuji Television, one of Japan's major networks, but never be materialized. In 2015 when Ackerman was conducting a workshop for the actors of newly formed Garage company in Hollywood, the company members learned about "Blood" and decided to bring it to a full-scale production.
"Blood"
Written and directed by Robert Allan Ackerman
Original music and songs by Nick Ackerman and Chris Cester
Starring:
Toshi Toda as Dr. Kazama, Head of the AIDS Research Committee
Alexa Hamilton as Julie, American journalist who uncovers contaminated bloods were imported from the U.S.
Sohee Park as Yoji Kurosawa, investigative lawyer who files a lawsuit against a pharmaceutical company and the Japanese government. In this play, Kurosawa is set as a Korean Japanese who uses Japanese name instead of real Korean name.
Miho Ando as Koyo Ninomiya, children contaminated with HIV-blood. Koyo Ninomiya is a fictitious name after Ryuhei Kawada who is a hemophiliac patient and currently a member of Japan's House of Councilors.
Friday at 8 pm, Saturday at 8 pm, Sunday at 3 pm
Review
Feb. 26 -28, March 4
Performance
March 5-6
March 11-13
March 18 - 20
March 25 - 27
April 1 -3
Tickets: $30 for Friday and Saturday, $25 for Sunday, $20 for preview
The Complex
6476 Santa Monica Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 909038
