Various Emporia by Howard Ho

Finalist, O'Neill National Playwrights Conference, 2017

As Charles and Nancy Unger prepare to perform in a church production of The Mikado, their
daughter Hannah returns from college challenging their use of yellowface. To prove he has no
bigotry, Charles urges Hannah to invite local store owner Mr. Chung to dinner, which turns into
a disaster when the Ungers'...
Finalist, O'Neill National Playwrights Conference, 2017

As Charles and Nancy Unger prepare to perform in a church production of The Mikado, their
daughter Hannah returns from college challenging their use of yellowface. To prove he has no
bigotry, Charles urges Hannah to invite local store owner Mr. Chung to dinner, which turns into
a disaster when the Ungers' estranged adopted Chinese son visits on the same night.
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Various Emporia

Recommended by

  • Shaun Leisher:
    10 Apr. 2021
    “ The tone of this play is wildly, exciting. Such an important issue presented in such a unique way. ”
  • Adam Tran:
    19 May. 2017
    “ I cannot recommend this play enough. This show is a singular story written in a way that underlines a universal truth. Howard Ho tells a tale that sheds light on racial issues that permeate our entire culture. I'll be suggesting this play to every producer I talk to in the near future. ”
  • Eugene O'Neill Theater Center:
    1 May. 2017
    “ It is the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's pleasure to recommend Howard Ho and their play Various Emporia as a finalist for our 2017 National Playwrights Conference. The play rose through a competitive, anonymous, multileveled selection process that took nearly nine months to execute. As one of 55 finalists out of more than 1,300 submissions, the strength of its writing has allowed this work to prosper in such a competitive selection process. Our readers especially responded to the play’s deft maneuvering between the family's dynamics and the way racism pervades their lives. ”

Character Information

Charles Unger, a pastor. Founder of the Sierra Madre Gilbert And Sullivan Players.
Nancy Unger, Charles's wife. Performer in the Sierra Madre Gilbert And Sullivan Players.
Hannah Unger, Charles and Nancy's daughter, a freshman at an East Coast liberal arts college.
Ian Chung, owner of Mr. Chung's Emporium, a local convenience store / dry cleaners / Chinese
take-out / Post Office. Also, Hannah's kung-fu teacher.
Aftermath, rapper and performance artist, also an author of a comic book based on his persona.

  • Nancy Unger
    50s-60s,
    White
    ,
    Female
    Charles’s wife, Hannah and Apollo's mother, charming with a dark side
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Ian Chung
    50s-60s,
    Asian
    ,
    Male
    slight accent, resourceful and wise convenience store owner, has more to him than he initially seems.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Hannah Unger
    19,
    Mixed
    ,
    Female
    A sharp college student, daughter of Nancy and Charles.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American, White
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Charles Unger
    50s-60s,
    White
    ,
    Male
    A good-natured pastor
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Apollo Unger
    30s-40s,
    Asian
    ,
    Male
    The estranged son of Charles and Nancy with a chip on his shoulder
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
    • Gender: 
      Male

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    Santa Monica Playhouse
    ,
    2017
  • Reading
    ,
    The Vagrancy
    ,
    2016
  • Reading
    ,
    East West Players
    ,
    2016

Awards

Finalist
,
ScreenCraft Stage Play Contest
,
ScreenCraft
,
2019
Finalist
,
O'Neill National Playwrights Conference
,
Eugene O'Neill Theater Center
,
2017
Winner
,
David Henry Hwang Writers Institute Playwriting Scholarship
,
East West Players
,
2016