Stage Review
'Sayonara' struggles for stage presence

By Joseph T. Rozmiarek
Advertiser Theater Critic

•	'Sayonara' • Richardson Theatre, Fort Shafter • 7:30 pm, today and tomorrow • $12-$15 general; $6-$8 children • 438-4480

Many people are familiar with the James Michener novel or the movie starring Marlon Brando. But the musical theater version seems never to have put down strong roots. The production by Army Community Theatre clearly suffers from systemic wilt.

The failed love stories of American GIs and Japanese girls in post-war Japan are, at best, sentimental and bittersweet. At their worst, they're fatalistic and stuck in the bigotry and narrow world view of the 1950s.

The music by George Fischoff and lyrics by Hy Gilbert fail to produce familiar melodies or a lasting impression. "Born to Fly" is a poor introduction to "Ace" Gruver, hotshot Air Force pilot and the show's reluctant hero. "So Near, Yet So Far" is a properly lukewarm description of his listless relationship with a general's daughter. And the Takarazuka production numbers all sound like Las Vegas showroom parodies.

Successful musical moments are small and fleeting. Stefanie Okuda's opening notes on "Song of the Seasons" offer the first hope for a reason to stay in the theater, and Sherry Wong's lovely sadness in "Where You Go" is a reward for having endured the entire show. The stretch in between is unremarkable.

Okuda plays the Japanese wife of an American private who is not allowed to return with him to America. Wong plays Hana-ogi, the head showgirl in Takarazuka, a performing institution that idealizes its women — especially those that play men's parts. Risking career failure to date anyone, she gives herself to Gruver-san, knowing it can only be temporary.

While Kris Caffield conveys the earnest innocence necessary for the American private, Dawe Glover never fully gets into the role as Major Gruver. Part of the problem comes from the script.

Gruver's initial prejudice against the Japanese suffers an instant reverse the moment he is struck by the image of Hana-ogi crossing a bridge in her severely tailored man's suit and high heels. It's difficult to take seriously a male love interest based on radical flip-flops and a fascination with cross-dressing.

Worse, the character never gets much beyond steadfast thickheadedness.

Unfortunately, Glover doesn't sing well enough for us to overlook the character flaws.

But the production looks good. Costumes appear authentic, and the showgirls have the necessary glitz. Only the general's daughter suffers from unnatural aluminum hair. Derek Daniels' choreography has the right idea, and Glenn Cannon's staging favors orderly lines for the full-cast scenes. Tom Giza's colorful sets change quickly.

Lina Doo's orchestra has a passable sound, but many of the lyrics are lost in the large theater. Only Glover's body mike seems to work over the accompaniment.

"Sayonara" offers an exotic setting but lacks many of the makings of successful musical theater.