CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET a musical adaptation of the New York Times best selling novel, 'Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet' by Jamie Ford.
Book by Lainie Sakakura, Music and Lyrics by Paul Fujimoto. In development since 2015 including two NYC 29 hr AEA Readings most recently directed by Ms Sakakura and co-produced by the 5th Avenue Theatre, Ann Ramsey-Jenkins, Abingdon Theatre Company.
Recipient of the 2015 Joe A. Callaway Award Outstanding Choreography for the Off Broadway show, RED EYE OF LOVE in collaboration with co-choreographer Alex Sanchez, directed by Ted Sperling. Recipient of the 2002 Joseph Jefferson Award Best Choreography for DAMN YANKEES, Marriott Theatre in collaboration with director/co-choreographer David H. Bell. Nominated for the 2003 Joseph Jefferson Award Best Choreography for HOT MIKADO, directed by David H. Bell.
Dance Reconstruction for the 1999 Best Musical Tony Award winning show, FOSSE. Over a five year period worked countless hours with Gwen Verdon, Chet Walker, Bill Hastings, Brad Musgrove to meticulously recreate over 70 Bob Fosse numbers. In 2005, Ms Sakakura was honored to recreate BIG SPENDER from the musical SWEET CHARITY featuring Chita Rivera and Ann Reinking for Cy Coleman's Memorial at the Broadway's Majestic Theatre.
Ms Sakakura started as a concert dancer, training with San Francisco Ballet 9 years before joining BALLET HISPANICO at 18 years old. In 1994 Sakakura became the second Asian Rockette following Setsuko Maruhashi hired in 1985. Always one to love the creative process and working on shows from scratch, Ms Sakakura worked on dozens of original musicals over the years including Jimmy Buffett and Herman Wouk's DON'T STOP THE CARNIVAL, Paul Blake's ROMAN HOLIDAY, and performed in the original cast of 6 Broadway shows: FOSSE (on stage dance captain, dance reconstruction, and featured in the duet FROM THIS MOMENT ON with Andy Blankenbuehler); CHITA RIVERA THE DANCER'S LIFE; FLOWER DRUM SONG (2002 revival); Tommy Tune's THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE GOES PUBLIC; THE KING AND I (1996 revival and the 2015 revival). Original company of the premiere of ARMIDA at the Metropolitan Opera starring Renee Fleming. Recorded on 4 Broadway cast albums including 2015 Grammy Nominated, THE KING AND I.
Extensive teaching career includes: American Ballet Theatre, Broadway Dance Center, CAP21, Jacob's Pillow, Joffrey Ballet, LINES Dance Center, New York University Tisch - New Studio on Broadway (Adjunct Professor), NJ Ballet, Pace University (Adjunct Professor), Steps NYC, The Verdon Fosse Legacy LLC, University of the Arts. Private programs include SAKACHEZ & UWSDance.com
2020 Goodspeed Musicals Johnny Mercer Writers Colony.