" Jukai" at the Actor's Theatre Santa Cruz

It won't be around very long, only for another two days, so make up your mind quickly, there's no time to lose! (see schedule) Naim and Grace took me to see this play, a collaboration of Santa Cruz born Ailin Conant (writer, director), Watsonville Taiko's artistic director Ikuyo Conant (choreographer and musical director), and the young, talented, international cast of Theatre Témoin. The title of the play, Jukai ("Sea of Trees"), refers to the Aokigahara forest at the base of Mount Fuji. " Folk tales and legends tell of demons, ghosts, and goblins haunting the forest..." which also holds the sinister distinction of being "the world’s second most popular suicide location after San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge." Despite the dark tale and gloomy setting, which makes us fear for the lives of our protagonists, the play is also very funny. In particular Marc-Andre Charron and Julia Yevnine as lovingly bickering couple show great talent for comedy and perfect timing. Catch it while you can!