SEATTLE--Momoko Iko’s touching drama Gold Watch, opening Fri. May 8 at Theatre Off Jackson, is an end and a beginning for the NW Asian American Theatre company. It is the end of their 25th anniversary season, and the beginning of new artistic director Chil Kong’s association with the company.

The play takes place at the dawn of WW2 in a Japanese-American farming community in Pasco, Washington, and examines one family’s struggles to maintain both their farm and family unity while facing the possibility of forced evacuation.

The play is directed by Cyndi Mastel Rokicki, with Kong serving as the production’s dramaturge. The cast includes Stan Asis, Vera Wong, David Kobayashi, Andy Lew, and Masumi Hayashi-Smith.

Performances are Thurs.-Sat. evenings at 8 PM, Sun. at 2 PM through June 7. Theatre Off Jackson is in the International district at 409 7th Ave S, off Jackson. For tickets ($8-$12) call (206) 340-1049.

--David-Edward Hughes
Seattle Correspondent