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Sumo

SUMO

DISCOVER SUMO | Episode 1: Physicality
Anspacher February 20 - March 23, 2025 Two hours and 20 minutes, including one intermission

New York Premiere 

SUMO 
By Lisa Sanaye Dring  
A co-production of Ma-Yi Theater Company and La Jolla Playhouse  
Directed by Ralph B. Peña 

Entrenched in an elite sumo training facility in Tokyo, six men practice, eat, love, play, and ultimately fight. Step into the sacred world of sumo wrestling, with the New York premiere of Lisa Sanaye Dring’s mesmerizing new drama, SUMO. Akio arrives as an angry, ambitious 18-year-old with a lot to learn. Expecting validation, dominance, and fame, and desperate to move up the ranks, he slams headlong into his fellow wrestlers. With sponsorship money at stake, their bodies on the line, and their futures at risk, the wrestlers struggle to carve themselves—and one another—into the men they dream of being.SUMO is a thrilling new play set in an elite and rarely explored world. Obie Award winner Ralph B. Peña directs this powerhouse drama. SUMO features live taiko drumming by Shih-Wei Wu.

CALENDAR.

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Tickets

Tickets are $93* 
Side seats are $65*
Public Supporter and Partner tickets are $73

*The listed ticket price includes a $10 per ticket service fee. When purchasing at the Taub Box Office, the service fee is waived. Fee is waived for Public Theater Supporters & Partners tickets.

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Take advantage of Priority Access periods, savings on tickets, and a host of other benefits. At the same time, you'll be providing vital support in the creation of the art, music, and theater available in your 24/25 season. Join in today.

Accessible Performances
  • Sunday, March 9, 1:00PM: Spanish Open Captioned Performance
  • Saturday, March 15, 1:00PM: Open Captioned Performance
  • Sunday, March 16, 1:00PM: Audio Described Performance
  • Thursday, March 20, 7:00PM: American Sign Language Interpreted Performance
  • Saturday, March 22, 1:00PM: Traditional Chinese Open Captioned Performance [3 月 22 日星期六下午 1:00 有繁體中文字幕]
  • Sunday, March 23, 1:00PM: Mask Required Performance

Learn more about Accessibility Services for People with Disabilities. If you have additional questions, need assistance or an accommodation, please feel free to speak to a member of our staff at any point during your visit or contact us at [email protected].

Join Team Public

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Community Performance and Post Show Conversations

Masculinity, Physicality, and its Political Impacts: Join us on March 7 at 7:00 PM for AANHPI Community Night. We invite all Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities to join for a special evening of connection and celebration. The performance will be followed by a post-show panel in the theater, featuring Playwright Lisa Sanaye Dring, Sumo Consultant and Co-Fight Director James Yaegashi, and Assemblymember of District 40 Ron Kim. Following the panel, join us for a reception on the Levin Mezzanine with light refreshments. Email [email protected] to learn more.

Sumo in Art: On March 15 at 1:00 PM, join us for a performance of SUMO, and stay after for a post-show panel in the theater discussing how sumo has been featured in art throughout history. Speakers will be announced at a later date.



PRODUCTION DETAILS.

Dive Deeper

Curious to learn more, before or after the show? Dive deeper into the world of Sumo in the SUMO Study Guide, which covers Sumo terminology, moves, FAQs, and more. 

Watch DISCOVER SUMO, our new series exploring the physicality, tradition, and humanity behind sumo wrestling and the groundbreaking play SUMO. 

 

Content and Production Effect Warning

Production effects and content sensitivities vary from person to person, and we encourage you to contact us ([email protected] or 212.967.7555) if you have questions about any production. SUMO contains haze, fog, and strobing lights. 

Audience members are invited to explore the Social Narrative Guide. This resource is designed to assist audiences in preparing for their visit to our theater and the upcoming performance.

Cast.

Image of Kris Bona

Kris Bona

Kannushi 2

KRIS BONA he/they (Kannushi 2). Off-Broadway debut! National Tour: Spamilton (First National). Regional: 54 Below, Bat Out of Hell (Las Vegas), SUMO (La Jolla Playhouse), Disney’s Mulan (Tuacahn), Miss Saigon, Fun Home, Grease, Mamma Mia. International: Disney Cruise Line. BFA, AMDA. Endless love and thanks to FSE, DA/BM, Mama, Papa, and Brett! @krisbonafide

Image of Red Concepción

Red Concepción

Fumio

RED CONCEPCIÓN (Fumio). Broadway: Chicago (Amos Hart). Touring/Regional: Miss Saigon (The Engineer; US National and UK/Ireland Tours), Les Miserablés (Thenardiér, The Muny). TV: “Law & Order.” Before moving westward, Concepción’s body of work spanned over 15 years in his home country, the Philippines: Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (Adam/Felicia; Manila and Singapore), Equus (Alan Strang) Annie (Rooster), and more. @red_concepcion

Image of Akira Fukui

Akira Fukui

Understudy So/Kannushi 1

AKIRA FUKUI (Understudy So/Kannushi 1). Public debut. Select NYC: A 24-Decade History of Popular Music (St. Ann’s Warehouse), As You Like It (Oliver), Queen Anne (SheNYC), It's All About Lorrie (ATA), Chase: What Matters Most (Dixon Place). A very deep bow to everyone who made this dream a reality.

Image of Michael Hisamoto

Michael Hisamoto

So

MICHAEL HISAMOTO he/him/his (So). The Public: Debut! Regional: Hold These Truths, Yellow Face, Allegiance, A Christmas Carol, Stage Kiss, Orlando, Fast Company, SUMO, Charlotte’s Web. Hisamoto is also a producer, director, and playwright. He serves on the board of the Seven Devils Playwright’s Conference and as faculty at Boston University. BFA: Boston University. MFA: Brown/Trinity Rep. michaelhisamoto.com

Image of Ahmad Kamal

Ahmad Kamal

Ren

AHMAD KAMAL (Ren). Regional: Babbitt, Everybody, Richard III (Shakespeare Theatre Company); Gloria, Kiss (Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company); Holiday (Arena Stage); 4,380 Nights (Signature Theatre); The Return (Mosaic Theatre Company); Selling Kabul (Northlight Theatre), Baba, The Handless King (Amphibian Stage). Helen Hayes nomination for Best Supporting Actor in Gloria. BFA, University of Virginia; MA, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. @king_o_egypt.

Image of Earl T. Kim

Earl T. Kim

Shinta

EARL T. KIM (Shinta) is an international actor, storyteller, and performance artist making his NYC theater debut with Sumo at The Public. In addition to theater, he is known for his roles in video games like Norio in Ghost of Tsushima and Takamori Saigo in Rise of the Ronin. Training: MFA (East 15), BFA (Naropa University). twitch.tv/earlofsammitch

Image of Hank Lin

Hank Lin

Understudy Mitsuo/Ren/Shinta/Kannushi 2

HANK LIN (Understudy Mitsuo/Ren/Shinta/Kannushi 2). Film/TV: Late Night, “Law & Order: SVU,” “Fantasmas,” “The Crowded Room,” “Let the Right One In,” “Pose,” “Bull.” Graduated from Brandeis University. Instagram: dastardly_chits

Image of Haowen Luo 罗浩闻

Haowen Luo 罗浩闻

Understudy Akio/Fumio/Kannushi 3

HAOWEN LUO 罗浩闻 (Understudy Akio/Fumio/Kannushi 3), an actor and producer from Qingdao, China, is thrilled to make his debut at The Public in Sumo as an understudy. A recent Occidental College graduate, Luo appeared in Antigone, The Receptionist, A Dream Play, and Scenes from Metamorphoses. Guided by his love for theater, he aims to bridge cultures through storytelling.

Image of David Shih

David Shih

Mitsuo

DAVID SHIH (Mitsuo). The Public: Awake and Sing!, The Tempest, 365 Days/365 Plays. Broadway: Life of Pi. Off-Broadway: ONCE UPON A (korean) TIME, Gnit, Henry VI, KPOP, Somebody’s Daughter. Regional: The Far Country, Kim’s Convenience, The Paper Dreams of Harry Chin. Film: Eighth Grade, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Saving Face. TV: “Billions,” “Iron Fist,” “The Path.”

Image of Scott Keiji Takeda

Scott Keiji Takeda

Akio

SCOTT KEIJI TAKEDA (Akio). The Public and NYC debut. Regional: SUMO (World Premiere, La Jolla Playhouse), Pacific Overtures, Next to Normal, Valley of the Heart, The Great Leap. Film: No No Girl, Carrie Pilby, MDMA, Evergreen. TV: “Huge in France,” “Grey's Anatomy,” “Made for Love.” Takeda thanks his family and friends for their endless love, support, and encouragement.

Image of Paco Tolson

Paco Tolson

Kannushi 1

PACO TOLSON he/him (Kannushi 1) has developed work with Ma-Yi Theater for over 17 years including The Children of Vonderly, Rescue Me, and Soul Samurai. Lortel Nominations: Lead Performance (Fiasco’s Knight of the Burning Pestle) and Featured Actor (Vietgone at Manhattan Theatre Club). Film/TV: “Billions,” “Search Party,” “Law & Order: Organized Crime,” “Prodigal Son,” “The Good Fight.” 

Image of Viet Vo

Viet Vo

Kannushi 3

VIET VO (Kannushi 3). Public Debut! Originally from Hawaii. Off-Broadway: Romeo and Bernadette, Fishing for Wives. Regional: Vietgone (three productions) and Gold Mountain the Musical. TV/Film: Cupids (Tribeca Film Festival), “Law & Order: SVU,” “The Blacklist,” “Tales of the City,” “Manifest, “Lost.” Huge Mahalo nui loa cast and crew. To my Parents and family, love you. 사랑해요, Binsu

Creative.

Lisa Sanaye Dring
Playwright
Ralph B. Peña
Director and Ma-Yi Theater Company Producing Artistic Director
Wilson Chin
Scenic Design
Mariko Ohigashi
Costume Design
Paul Whitaker
Lighting Design
Fabian Obispo
Sound Design and Music Composition
Alberto “Albee” Alvarado
Hair, Wig, and Make-Up Design
Hana S. Kim
Projection Design
Thomas Jenkeleit
Prop Design
Shih-Wei Wu
Taiko Drum Composition and Performance
James Yaegashi
Sumo Consultant and Co-Fight Director
Chelsea Pace
Co-Fight and Intimacy Direction
Alyssa K. Howard
Production Stage Manager
Taeuk Kang
Stage Manager

Press.

SUMO brings Japan’s national sport to the stage in New York premiere

Rebel Yellow

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