A deadly affair. A mysterious murder. A crisis of faith. New York stories of lust, greed, faith, loss and redemption are explored in this musical libretto. Based on short stories by the groundbreaking Japanese writer Ryunosuke Akutagawa, this unique theatre piece takes us from ancient Japan to modern day New York City with three tales that are sensual, suspenseful, and inspiring.  “Kesa and Morito” tells the tale of two lovers who secretly plot to kill each other. “R shomon” takes the story that inspired the classic Japanese film “Rashomon” and transforms it to a gritty, jazzy tale of 1950’s New York.  “Glory Day” transports us to 21st Century New York, where a priest struggles with his loss of faith. Michael John LaChiusa transformed these stories into a compelling musical journey exploring the themes of power, perception and the truth.

The Cast:
Martha Omiyo Kight - Scott Martin - Martin Lehman - Joshua James - Maggie Hollinbeck

Maggie Hollinbeck - Kesa, The Wife, An Actress
Maggie thanks you for coming out and supporting local arts! Maggie is incredibly proud to be a founding member of Artistic Differences. Previous credits with AD include Falsettos (Trina), HAiR (director), bare (Claire), and Assassins (musical director). Other credits include Angels In America Part I: Millennium Approaches (Harper) with Lambda Players, Sweeney Todd (Beggar Woman) and Into the Woods (Baker's Wife) with Runaway Stage Productions. A former member of Equity Actors' Association, Maggie worked out of New York and Los Angeles for several years before returning to school for her second career, as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Maggie would like to thank Eric for his love and support.

Joshua James - The Thief, A Reporter
This is Joshua's 3rd show with Artistic Differences, and he's so excited to be working with such a talented cast of performers. You may have seen him as Lucas in bare and Leon Czolgosz in Assassins, with Artistic Differences. Other favorite roles include, The Emcee in Cabaret, Chad in All Shook Up, Billy in Anything Goes, Spider in Jekyll and Hyde and Simon in Jesus Christ Superstar, with Runaway Stage Productions. Joshua has been nominated for 3 SARTA Elly Awards, and was recognized in SN&R as a Young Talent in Sacramento Theatre for 2008. He would like to send his love to his wonderful family, friends and Goober, and thank them for their undying love and support!

Martha Omiyo Kight - The Medium, Aunt Monica
Martha is delighted to return to Artistic Differences again after the wonderful experience of Assassins. She has worked in Sacramento for the past three decades in such productions as Angels In America (Hannah/Rabbi Chemolwicz/Henry/Ethel Rosenberg), Our Town (The Stage Manager), Urinetown - The Musical, The Women, I Remember Mama, Top Girls, Woody Guthrie's American Song... For three years she has worked at the beautiful Murphys Creek Theatre in Murphys, CA, performing in The Importance of Being Earnest (Lady Bracknell), The Merry Wives of Windsor (Mistress Quickly), Humble Boy, Twelfth Night, and As You Like It, as well as serving stints as Props Master, Costumer and Production Manager there. Martha is a founding member of Synergy Stage, with whom she acted, directed, costumed, built many props and designed graphics. Other favorite roles are Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, Linda Loman in Death of a Salesman, Rosemary Sidney in Picnic, Emma Goldman in Ragtime, and Gurley: the Two Lives of Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, in which she originated the title role of the play. Martha has been nominated for multiple Elly Awards and received two.

Martin Lehman - Morito, The Husband, A CPA
Martin is thrilled to be working with Artistic Differences once again having just finished playing The Proprietor in Assassins. Martin is a 2006 graduate of the University of the Pacific where he just recently returned to play Prison Director Frank in the Pacific Opera production of Die Fledermaus. Other favorite roles at include John Wilkes Booth (Assassins), Baron Gondremark (La Vie Parissiene), Philip (Heart's Desire), Officer Lockstock (Urinetown), Roy Mannering (Middle-Aged White Guys), Georges (La Cage Aux Folles), Father (Children of Eden), Tevye (Fiddler on the Roof). Martin would like to thank Artistic Differences for this wonderful opportunity and his beautiful, understanding wife for putting up with him being gone 16 hours a day pursuing his passion.

Scott Martin - The Janitor, A Priest
Scott last appeared with Artistic Differences as a somewhat different Priest in the exciting Northern California premiere of bare. Previously, he enjoyed a series of roles at Woodland Opera House, including a Wrangler in The Will Rogers Follies, Perchik in Fiddler On the Roof, Rene Flambeau in Babes In Arms, Mother's Younger Brother in Ragtime, Dauntless in Once Upon A Mattress, and most recently as Padre in Man of La Mancha (Chesley Award). Other favorites include Anatoly in Chess, The Baker in Into the Woods, and Matt Mulligan in Sac State's historic revival of Rodgers and Hart's “lost” musical, Jumbo. This one's for his own personal Wunder, who taught him to believe in miracles.

See What I Wanna See gets 5 stars in the Sacramento News & Review!

"Just when you think Artistic Differences can’t possibly maintain their doubly high standard of difficult material and fantastic productions, along comes See What I Wanna See."
-Kel Munger, SN&R 4.09.09