Christian Frey
b. 1949, New York, NY
Pacific Overtures, 1976
Black and white photograph
Courtesy Asian/Pacific/American Institute at New York University

In the original Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim’s Pacific Overtures, artist Larry Hama appeared in two roles. The play, a story of Japan’s westernization in the 1850s, was nominated for 10 Tony Awards despite only running for six months. The production was staged in a classic Kabuki style with men also playing women’s parts.Christian Frey, a regular at the Basement Workshop in its later years, photographed Larry Hama backstage as he applied his stage make-up. Concurrent to the Broadway run, renowned Japanese actor, Mako, who was cast in the lead role, led acting workshops at Basement.