Who can make a living from acting? That’s what Ron Nakahara, director of the new VCU Theatre production, “Metamorphoses,” thought when he was growing up. It was not a career choice, he said. However, that career chose him when he was in his early twenties.
Nakahara, a Hawaiian-born Japanese-American, said he received his calling to the stage during a trip abroad to study in Japan. He was asked by classmates to participate in an original sketch as part of a festival. Since then, he said, it has been his salvation.
Nakahara’s calling has led him all over, including New York University and production companies in Washington, D.C. In addition to being a director, he has appeared in plays and on television.
So what brings Ron Nakahara to Richmond? When the VCU Theatre Department decided to put on the award-winning Mary Zimmerman play, “Metamorphoses,” Ron Nakahara said he received a call from his long time friend David Leong, chair of the theatre department. Little did Nakahara know that his first play in the Richmond area would be nothing like anything he has been a part of in the past.
The greatest challenge for the director did not lie in the actors, production staff, or script. According to Nakahara, those elements were terrific. He said he was pleased with the professionalism of all who were involved and has enjoyed his work here at VCU.
The element that sets this play apart and makes for an especially challenging production is simply part of the set. This particular part of the set happens to be a large pool of water, set in the center of the stage. Nakahara said that the entire play takes place around and even inside the pool.
Nakahara said that the greatest challenge has been adjusting to the difficulties of moving around in water. The timing changes and actors’ range of motion is limited. Considering that this play opens in February, even with the heat on in the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts building, acting right after getting out of a pool would be a challenge for anybody.
“Metamorphoses” changed the way that Nakahara approached the play. Despite the challenging set design, Nakahara had nothing but praise for the cast. He described them as hard working and very professional, but also very fun to work with. Perhaps because the actors are students, he said he found himself teaching as well as directing. This was also a learning experience for him.
Although he read the script, Nakahara never saw the original production of “Metamorphoses” and therefore has no basis of comparison. He said that in a way this gives him a fresh canvas and makes the play his own interpretation, rather than a reproduction of the original.
While staying completely faithful to the script, the wide scope – in relation to stage direction – allows for a completely unique presentation.
Nakahara explained that, like his interpretation of the text, each person in audience would get something different and personal out of the play. Like a mirror, he said, a person could see a part of themselves in it.
“No two people will be touched in the same way.”
“Metamorphoses” is based on the Ancient Transformation Myths of Ovid. The Greek roots of the play lend a classical tone to the theme; but since it has been re-written for a current audience, finding a connection to this play will not be a stretch.
These stories reflect on the human condition and cover themes of greed, love, loss and triumph. VCU theatre’s retelling of them provides modern humor and relevant social commentaries. Nakahara assures that the play will truly be an experience not to be missed.
“If you like theater, this is a play worth seeing,” the director said.
Even if you have novice experience in live theater, it will be exciting to see exactly what this seasoned director and his “terrific cast” have created.