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| Japanese actor Taku Hirai will play "Osaki-san", the valet of William Gillette for over 40 years. The play is part of the Immigrant Artists series at Russell Library. |
Russell Library and The East Haddam Stage Company will
present a new one-man drama on the life of Yukitaka Osaki, the Japanese valet
of actor William Gillette, featuring New York-based Japanese actor Taku Hirai
on December 16, 2018 at 2:00pm in the Hubbard Room. This presentation will be
the last in a series sponsored by the Middletown Commission on the Arts
entitled, “Immigrant Artists”.
Osaki-San and his older brother came to visit the US
from Japan in 1888. His brother Yukio returned to Japan, where he went on to
become the mayor of Tokyo. He was behind the famous gift of cherry trees to
Washington D.C. Yukitaka, however, decided to stay. He became the quiet soul
who worked beside the actor William Gillette for almost forty years as valet,
secretary, confidante and friend.
Playwright and director Kandie Carle has developed
several plays for the East Haddam Stage Company. She does extensive research,
incorporating many details into the plays. Her one-woman show, “The Victorian
Lady” is renowned for historical accuracy. She is the Artistic Director of the East Haddam Stage Company.
Established
in 2002, EHSCO’s mission is Minimal Set, Maximum Connection, focusing on
intimate live theatre presentations around New England and beyond. As resident theatre
company at Gillette Castle State Park, EHSCO has offered 10 years of outdoor
summer theatre to the visitors of the park. Find out more about the company at www.EHSCO.org
Taku Hirai has acted in films and stage. He is known
for Valedictorian
(2015), Film 101 (2005) and Dance Mania
Fantastic (2005).
