'Sumo' sets complete Off-Broadway cast

The New York premiere of Lisa Sanaye Dring's play comes to The Public Theater in February following its world premiere at La Jolla Playhouse in fall 2023.

The Public Theater has named the complete cast for its New York-premiere production of Sumo 相撲, running from February 20 to March 23. Opening night is March 5.

The complete cast of Sumo includes Kris Bona as Kannushi 2, Red Concepción as Fumio, Michael Hisamoto as So, Ahmad Kamal as Ren, Earl T. Kim as Shinta, David Shih as Mitsuo, Scott Keiji Takeda as Akio, Paco Tolson as Kannushi 1, and Viet Vo as Kannushi 3. Akira Fukui, Hank Lin, and Haowen Luo 罗浩闻 are understudies.

Written by Lisa Sanaye Dring and directed by Ralph B. Peña, Sumo follows Akio as he arrives at an elite training facility in Tokyo for sumo wrestlers, where he and the other trainees strive to move up the ranks — crashing up against each other in the process — and learn new skills as they shape their ideal selves. Sponsorship money, their bodies, and their futures depend on it.

“Lisa Sanaye Dring’s Sumo takes us into the hypermasculine yet deeply spiritual world of sumo wrestling to reveal new facets of this revered sport,” Peña said in a statement. “I’m excited to be part of bringing this unique story to life — one that explores strength, identity, and tradition in a way we’ve never seen on stage before.”

The Sumo creative team also includes scenic designer Wilson Chin, costume designer Mariko Ohigashi, lighting designer Paul Whitaker, sound designer and composer Fabian Obispo, hair and wig designer Alberto “Albee” Alvarado, projection designer Hana S. Kim, prop designer Thomas Jenkeleit, taiko drum composer Shih-Wei Carrasco Wu, sumo consultant and co-fight director James Yaegashi, co-fight and intimacy director Chelsea Pace, and dramaturg Amrita Ramanan.

Sumo comes off Broadway following a 2023 world premiere at California's La Jolla Playhouse. It is a co-production of the Public and Ma-Yi Theater Company.

Check back for information on Sumo tickets on New York Theatre Guide.

Photo credit: David Shih, Ryan Nebreja, and Kris Bona in Sumo at La Jolla Playhouse. (Photo by Rich Soublet II)