A new, old story of California immigration–with music. Discover the complexities of becoming a Californian, through the real-life histories of an African American slave, a Chinese woman, and a Sandwich Islander (Hawaiian). Set during California’s gold rush, the audience will share in dispensing mining-camp justice, discovering first-hand the principles and precedents that make coming to California challenging even today.
PROGRAM INFORMATION
CAST
Ah Toy ~ Gingerlily Lowe
Kanaka Jack ~ Nick Abadilla
Williams ~ Rhys Greene
Taffeta ~ Christina Murguia
Sheriff George ~ Byron Ladue
Ben ~ Kent Brisby
PRODUCTION
Stage Manager ~ Suanne Pauley
Co-Stage Manager ~ Kalí Kamaria
Costumes ~ Cheryl Lindley
Additional Music ~ Stu Shames
Writer/Director ~ Kent Brisby
Advisors
Dr. David M. Kahn, San Jose State University
Brenden Lindsay, Sacramento State University
Michael Yee, CSU-San Marcos
Murray Lee, San Diego Chinese Historical Museum
Charles “Chuck” Ambers, Museum del Rey Moro
Thank You!
Angela Maani, California State Library
Quintinn Holi, The Aloha Show
Chrysanne Lowe, social media
Ilima Martinez, Hui o Hawaii San Diego
Karla Heath, Bishop Museum, Honolulu
Susan Lowe, Chinese translation
Company background
Gingerlily Lowe was recently featured in HALO-HALO and STORIES OF THE SUN CAFE with Asian Story Theater. Other local appearances include the San Diego Zoo, the Old Globe Theatre with Playwright’s Project, Magic Machine, Marquis Public Theater, and many others. She has toured with National Theatre for Children, and appeared at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts in Virginia. Gingerlily is one of the founding producers of Asian Story Theater, and serves as the company’s Education Director.
Nick Abadilla is a relative theater novice, with THE GOLDEN RULE his first on-stage appearance. He previously worked with Mo’olelo Theater as a photographer and graphic designer. He retired in 2021 after nearly forty years in the creative industry, first in graphic design/art direction, then as a professional photographer specializing in commercial assignment, editorial, and custom portraiture (www.nickabadilla.com). Nick now spends his time indulging the local live music scene, playing guitar, sailing, and always on the lookout for creative inspiration.
Rhys Greene is co-founder and Artistic Director of the San Diego Black Ensemble Theatre. He earned his BFA in acting from the California Institute of The Arts, and has been a teaching artist with the La Jolla Playhouse. He has toured for Disney, National Theatre for Children, Traveling Lantern and more, and local appearances include BALLAD OF EMMETT TILL at Ion Theatre and FATHER COMES HOME FROM THE WAR with Intrepid. Mr. Greene is an Associate Artist with the Asian Story Theater and on the board of Chronos Theatre and Teatro Máscara Mágica. He is proud owner of Mr. Green’s Coffee Beans, a small coffee roasting business bringing custom roasted coffee beans from around the world (mrgreenscoffeebeans.com).
Christina Murguia has worked in TV, film & theater. Christina performed in THE PITCH, written by & starring the hilarious Paul Rodriguez at the Lyceum Theater and Los Angeles, as well as several plays by Josefina Lopez. Her most recent film “Made in Mexico” is now streaming on Amazon Prime. She will start filming “Born Again” starring Paul Rodriguez & Felipe Esparza later this month, in a cast also including Edward James Olmos, Danny Trejo & Tony Plana. Christina is a former collegiate stand-out basketball player for SDSU, and also played professional basketball in Switzerland.
Byron Ladue has performed in several productions with Asian Story Theater, most notably as Paul Gauguin in THE MUSICAL PAUL GAUGUIN and PRICK. His lengthy career in San Diego includes shows at the Old Globe, Starlight, and San Diego Rep, including an original Rep show called GOLD that included Whoopi Goldberg when she was still called Caryn. Byron’s ancestors immigrated from Norway and French Canada. His maternal grandfather, Frank Vance was known as the “Wild Rice King” of Minnesota.
Kent Brisby is the author of a dozen musicals, several based on historical figures and events (Paul Gauguin, the Mexican Revolution, blacklisted folksingers The Weavers), and more than 30 shows adapted from world folktales. Writer for net-comedy and two series (local CBS and CW). Recent projects include co-authoring THE PITCH with comedian Paul Rodriguez, and co-authoring STORIES OF THE SUN CAFE from interviews and research in San Diego’s Japanese and Chinese American communities, for Asian Story Theater. Directing credits include shows for the Old Globe Theatre, National Theatre for Children, and San Diego Zoo.
Suanne Pauley is Production Manager for THE GOLDEN RULE, and a founding member of Asian Story Theater. Over the past 25 years she has stage managed nearly two dozen of our in-theatre and touring productions. Ms. Pauley has also served as Prodcution Director for the Sushi Performance Gallery, as Business Manager for the National Theatre for Children, and as Executive Director of San Diego Pride.
Kalí Kamaria is a visual artist and workshop leader with diverse experience in live performance. She has led workshops at schools and libraries in San Diego and Oakland CA. As a photographer and videographer, she has worked with Sweetwater schools and Great White Bear Productions. Theater production includes Asian Story Theater’s WHAT ARE YOU? in 2019. As a performer, Kalí has appeared on stage in more than a dozen AST productions, as well as Polynesian dance with Heali’i’s Polynesian Revue, and Balinese dance and gamelan with Gamelan Puspa Warsa.
RESERVATION LINKS for Special preview events will be announced soon.
San Diego International Fringe Festival, June 6-12, 2022
Mon June 6 @ 6pm, Tue June7 @ 4pm, Thu June 9 @ 7:30pm, Sat June 11 @ 2:30pm, Sun June 12 @ 1pm ~ all seats $1
Create Chula Vista sponsored shows, in collaboration with/at Chula Vista Central Library, June 15 (6pm) and 18 (1 & 3 pm)
