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' estranged adopted Chinese son visits on the same...

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: Various Emporia by Howard Ho
    “

    The tone of this play is wildly, exciting. Such an important issue presented in such a unique way.

    The tone of this play is wildly, exciting. Such an important issue presented in such a unique way.

    ”
  • Adam Tran: Various Emporia by Howard Ho
    “

    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.

    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: Various Emporia by Howard Ho
    “

    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.

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

Development History

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

Awards

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