So Long Little Tokyo

So Long Little Tokyo cover art

Full-length drama

So Long Little Tokyo

Set in the Little Tokyo district of Los Angeles during World War II, So Long, Little Tokyoexplores the unlikely bond between two families—one Black, newly arrived from theSouth seeking opportunity in the war effort, and one…

Running time90 to 95 min
Cast17 or more actorsMostly female cast
SetOne main setLights do the rest
LicenseFrom $399 a yearNo approval wait
ForHigh school
Content advisory: This play includes a character’s death by suicide, which happens offstage. We recommend reading the full script before casting and letting your school counselor know about the topic, so support is ready for your cast and audience. In the U.S., the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available by call or text.
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Change lines, roles and genders without asking

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Billed once for a full year. Nothing auto-renews. No approval wait: your scripts are ready the minute you check out. Paying by purchase order? We take POs.

Full-Length Solo
$399 / year
Just this play. Unlimited performances and script printing.
Best value
Full-Length Flex
$599 / year
This play plus every full-length we publish, with new titles monthly. Only $200 more.
Llama Plan
$799 / year
Every one-act and full-length, plus Dramallama U curriculum.

The story

Set in the Little Tokyo district of Los Angeles during World War II, So Long, Little Tokyoexplores the unlikely bond between two families—one Black, newly arrived from theSouth seeking opportunity in the war effort, and one Japanese-American, facing theimpending trauma of forced internment. Through the eyes of their children—Ruby, a sharpand spiritually attuned 14-year-old girl, and Haruka, a proud, imaginative teenager trainingto be a samurai—the play captures a deeply personal tale of prejudice, resilience, andunexpected friendship. Their innocent search for a rumored hidden treasure becomes apowerful metaphor for the dignity and history being stripped from one family and the hopeand healing sought by another.As tensions rise outside and within their shared space, the children wrestle with inheritedhatred, imagined loyalties, and the grief of loss—of a brother, a homeland, a father’s pride.The adults—Wilhelmina and Hank Sr., working-class parents facing structural racism, andKichio, Haruka’s older brother burdened by the collapse of his family’s dreams—struggleto preserve normalcy amid chaos. When tragedy strikes, it is the children who show thegreatest capacity for understanding and unity. Deeply moving and richly layered, this playis a poignant meditation on the cost of war, the weight of identity, and the healing powerof chosen family.

Producing it

Cast17 actors, and the ensemble can grow as large as you like. As written, 12 female and 5 male roles. You can change lines, roles and genders to fit your students.
SetOne apartment room is home base; other places suggested.
TechPlan for 1940s period costumes, a simple apartment and tailor-shop set, split-stage lighting for simultaneous scenes, and a few sound cues like street jazz, a siren and factory machinery. A prop pistol and one offstage gunshot; check your district prop policy.
For your scene-stealersRich, grounded roles across several families, with strong monologues, a moving speech of identity, a storytelling showcase, and parallel prayers for two young women.

Quick answers

Can I change lines or genders?Yes. Change lines, roles and genders to fit your students. You never have to ask.
Can we take it to competition?Yes. Competition rights are in every plan, with no extra fee and no approval to request.
Can my school pay with a PO?Yes. Request an invoice at checkout. Your access is set up as soon as the PO arrives.
Read it tonight. Cast it tomorrow.
80% of the script is free. Licensing takes two minutes and needs no approval.