Yuri Speaks Out

This play is about the inspirational Civil Rights activist Yuri Kochiyama. Unfortunately, the telling focuses more on the maudlin aspects of her life than the inspirational. I left with only a brief overview of her activist work, with the highlight being holding the head of Malcolm X in her lap after he was shot. I would have much preferred to hear about the speeches she made to rally support for what she believed in, or her fight for Japanese-American reparations for internment. The script is clumsy and the performance is full of nervous giggles and awkward transitions. From her post-show speech, it is obvious that the actress is inspired by this woman and her work. This piece fails to pass that inspiration on.... full review