2023 Peace on Your Wings (According to Japanese Legend, Anyone Who Folds 1,000 Origami Paper Cranes is Granted One Wish) Aratani TheatreNEW

Peace on your Wings is an Ohana Arts original musical based on the true story of Sadako Sasaki and her one thousand paper cranes, written by Ohana Arts Co-Founders composer Jenny Rubin-Taira and lyricist Laurie Rubin-Taira; directed by Ohana Arts Co-Founder Cari Chung; and choreographed by Dani Hannah Bensky. Set in post-war, 1950s Japan, the musical follows the lives of middle school students in Hiroshima. When one of them falls seriously ill, the children’s lives and their tenuous bonds with each other seem to unravel. But one girl‘s struggle and dreams for a better tomorrow teach the children---and the world---about courage, love, and peace.

According to Japanese legend, anyone who folds 1,000 origami paper cranes is granted one wish. Having survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima at the age of 2, Sadako grew up to be one of the best athletes and most popular students in her middle school. At age 11 she was diagnosed with leukemia, or the “A-bomb disease “ as it was then called, and given just one year to live. Hoping to be cured, Sadako Sasaki and her friends began making hundreds of origami cranes out of needle wrappings, medicine labels, and any other paper they could find. When she reached 1,000, she continued folding for herself and others till she died at age 12.

Sadako has come to symbolize the effects of the peace movement, as her death inspired a youth movement to build the “Children’s Peace Monument” in honor of the child victims. Peace on Your Wings features an all-youth cast, and addresses universal themes present in young people's lives. Peace on Your Wings had its world premiere in 2014 on Oahu at Leeward Community College to a weekend of consistent, sold-out houses and enthusiastic responses from audience members. Since its premiere, the Ohana Arts production of Peace On Your Wings has toured nine U.S. cities, and received many awards and recognitions, including a Certificate of Commendation from the City Council of Honolulu, an award from the United Nations Association of Hawaii, and a proclamation from Mayor Caldwell, who announced August 6th, 2015 as “Peace On Your Wings Day” prior to the opening night performance at Hawaii Theatre. Peace On Your Wings has also been the subject of two mini-documentaries by NHK (Japan’s national news network) and has been featured on KTLA news, Broadway World, Huffington Post, and MidWeek (cover story) amongst others.

This short 1-weekend run at the Aratani Theatre not only coincides with the anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima but will also showcase a newly edited version of the show (with new songs!) that will be taken to Hiroshima in September of 2023 for its exciting Japan premiere.

Event Dates
Saturday, August 5 • 2 pm & 7:30 pm
Sunday, August 6 • 2 pm

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Location
Aratani Theatre, 244 South San Pedro St. Los Angeles, CA 90012