The Great Race-
The Story of the Chinese Zodiac

Written and Directed by Reiko Ho 

World Premiere, 2024 NEA Grant Recipient

date. April - November 2024 (Hawaii Premiere and Statewide Tour)

        January- March 2026 (National Tour)

for. Honolulu Theatre for Youth

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Playwright/Director – Reiko Ho

Scenic and Lighting Design - Chesley Cannon

Costume Design – Iris Kim

Prop Design - Eric West, Chesley Cannon

Sound Design- Mattea Mazzella

Stage Manager- Sarah Danvers

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THE ENSEMBLE

Serina Dunham

Matt Mazzella

Hermenigildo Tesoro, Jr.

Eun Ho Lee (Spring 2024)

Emily Wright (Fall 2024/ Spring 2026)

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Commissioned by Honolulu Theatre for Youth. 

Join characters, Po Po and Kung Kung, as they celebrate Chinese New Year by making dumplings and sharing the story of The Great Race with their grandkids, Freddie and Ivy.

 

The show weaves a family celebration with a re-telling of one of the most beloved tales in Chinese folklore-- the origin story of the Chinese Zodiac. The show features traditional Chinese movement, music, and martial arts.

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Playwrightʻs note: 

Storytelling (Pingshu)  is an important part of Chinese culture and a means of keeping traditions alive. Celebrating Chinese New Year, watching lion dances, eating traditional foods and listening to stories are all memorable parts of growing up in Hawaii. As a fourth generation Chinese American, born and raised in Hawaii, stories like THE GREAT RACE are part of my childhood memories and the legacy left by my Chinese great grandparents who immigrated to Hawai‘i to work on plantations.  

 

I hope this play is not only how I pass on this story to a new generation, but part of the healing we are still doing after the terrible Asian-hate during the pandemic.  The Chinese in America have a complicated and often dark history.  Growing up in Hawai’i has taught me that healing starts with aloha and delight in one another’s cultures.  

Stories connect us all.  

 

This story celebrates being Chinese. 

I tell it with joy and aloha.

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The production is available for national touring for the 2025-2026 Season-- for more information on national  touring, contact: Holden& Arts  

https://www.holdenarts.org/thegreatrace

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photo credit: Chesley Cannon