The Return of the Shogun

by Keenya Jackson

Saleem, (13) and his mother Amina are working hard to navigate life after the death of Saleem’s step-father. Saleem’s biological father uses this as an opportunity to build a relationship with his only son. Saleem has to discover who he is, what it means to be a man and if he wants a relationship with a man who he assumed had abandoned him.

Saleem, (13) and his mother Amina are working hard to navigate life...

Saleem, (13) and his mother Amina are working hard to navigate life after the death of Saleem’s step-father. Saleem’s biological father uses this as an opportunity to build a relationship with his only son. Saleem has to discover who he is, what it means to be a man and if he wants a relationship with a man who he assumed had abandoned him.

Saleem, (13) and his mother Amina are working hard to navigate life after the death of Saleem’s step-father. Saleem’s biological father uses this as a chance to build a relationship with his only son. Saleem struggles to discover who he is and if he wants a relationship with a man who abandoned him.

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The Return of the Shogun

Recommended by

  • Playwrights Foundation: The Return of the Shogun by Keenya Jackson
    “

    The community of National Committee readers for the 46th Bay Area Playwrights Festival advanced THE RETURN OF THE SHOGUN as a Semi-Finalist at Playwrights Foundation. We were engaged as Saleem grieves his step-dad who encouraged him in martial arts and the complications of reconnecting with his bio dad. We were drawn in by this magical realism story of family repairing relationships and their mental health, as Saleem's parents learn to embrace who he is. We hope this play is considered for further development and investigation, and finds dedicated collaborators in this play’s journey towards...

    The community of National Committee readers for the 46th Bay Area Playwrights Festival advanced THE RETURN OF THE SHOGUN as a Semi-Finalist at Playwrights Foundation. We were engaged as Saleem grieves his step-dad who encouraged him in martial arts and the complications of reconnecting with his bio dad. We were drawn in by this magical realism story of family repairing relationships and their mental health, as Saleem's parents learn to embrace who he is. We hope this play is considered for further development and investigation, and finds dedicated collaborators in this play’s journey towards production. #BAPF46

    read more
    ”
  • Lee R. Lawing: The Return of the Shogun by Keenya Jackson
    “

    Toxic masculinity is always such hard topic to read about, but this one provides such heart with Saleem that you can feel the rage building up for that need to end some of this toxicity which is his mom's new boyfriend. This play made me so tense and the characters were all believable which shows a very good writer at work.

    Toxic masculinity is always such hard topic to read about, but this one provides such heart with Saleem that you can feel the rage building up for that need to end some of this toxicity which is his mom's new boyfriend. This play made me so tense and the characters were all believable which shows a very good writer at work.

    ”
  • Cheryl Bear: The Return of the Shogun by Keenya Jackson
    “

    An incredibly moving and powerful play about a boy who stands with sheer bravery to protect his mother. Beautiful!

    An incredibly moving and powerful play about a boy who stands with sheer bravery to protect his mother. Beautiful!

    ”
View all 5 recommendations

Awards

  • Bay Area Play Festival
    Playwrights Foundation
    Semi-Finalist
    2023