Unrivaled
Reviewed by Dana Martin
Boston Court and Playwrights Arena
Through April 23
RECOMMENDED
Playwright Rosie Narasaki knows that some things never change. Unrivaled, a world premiere co-production of Playwrights Arena and Boston Court, is Narasaki’s contemporary take on an imagined ancient rivalry between two of Japan’s most legendary female poets who traverse the wilds of love, friendship and betrayal.
Kyoto, Japan, one thousand years ago. The Empress Teishi (Cindy Nguyen) loves a good poem and stacks her court with wordsmiths. The Empress has amassed a group of ladies-in-waiting who also happen to be poets and writers. Among them is her best friend Sei Shōnagon (Chelsea Yakura-Kurtz), author of The Pillow Talk, as well as her newest lady-in-waiting, Murasaki Shikibu (Katie Kitani), a lyrical phenom who’s currently writing The Tale of Genji. Both women authored some of the most celebrated and enduring works of Japanese literature, but at court they use their poetry as a tool for expression, propaganda and amusement. Murasaki makes a great impression on Teishi, who longs for authentic friendships. Sei views Murasaki as a threat to her own popularity at court and her friendship with Teishi. She’s jealous of Murasaki’s blossoming relationship with the treacherous Michinaga (David Huynh), Sei’s former lover and Teishi’s ousted uncle who intends to usurp the regency. When Murasaki ultimately falls in love with him, the women’s rivalry runs the gauntlet.
Chelsea Yakura-Kurtz’ Sei Shōnagon is pushy, headstrong and condescending, never revealing any underlying vulnerability. Katie Kitani’s Murasaki is straightforward, stalwart and one-dimensional. David Huynh’s Michinaga is the least developed character and blends into the background. Cindy Nguyen shines as Empress Teishi, the story’s excitable narrator and ingenue.
Expertly directed by Margaret Shigeko Starbuck, the production is rich and fully realized. Costume designer Jana Ai Morimoto blends 11th century Japan with hints of contemporary style, adding an edgy, timeless texture to the story. Yuki Izumihara’s scenic design is sparse yet effective, with multilevel platforms and a screen in the center representing various bedrooms and palace locations. Henry Tran’s lighting design is warm and understated and Alyssa Ishii’s sound design adds another subtle layer of complexity, with sounds that ease scenes into transition and frequent bursts of contemporary music.
The play adopts a generally light, often comedic tone despite the severity of some of its events — thus dissipating the emotional impact of the story’s outcome. Impending political upheaval is treated lightly and frivolously while chatty, girlish gossip takes focus. The bright, accomplished women have little agency over their own lives and yet their focus is on whether or not they belong. Murasaki’s romantic relationship with Michinaga distracts from the potency of the main storyline and often dovetails into melodrama.
Unrivaled is a lovely story about female friendships and perceived competition within them. Narasaki blends a contemporary outlook with ancient personas, synthesizing historical fact, ancient legend and a healthy dose of imagination to portray a compelling rivalry between two 11th century Japanese female poets who likely never even knew each other at all.
Boston Court, 70 N Mentor Ave., Pasadena; Mon., Thurs., Fri.; 8 p.m.; Sat.- Sun. 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.; through April 23. BostonCourtPasadena.org or 626.683.6801. Running time: 90 minutes with no intermission.
