The Rooming House is Calling the Shots * * *

Few people know the post-war history of Japanese-Americans and African-Americans in San Francisco. The Fillmore had once been Japan Town, but, when the Japanese were removed to detention camps during the war, blacks, mostly from the South, moved in to work in war industries and in the shipyards. Then, after the war, the Japanese-Americans came back but were not welcomed, while the African-Americans lost their jobs to returning white servicemen. Eventually, much of the Fillmore was razed for urban development. This is the historical backdrop to Philip Kan Gotanda's 'After the War' at A.C.T.

How is the show? Well, to begin with, the set is amazing -- Donald Eastman's circa-1948 San Francisco rooming house in the Fillmore District revolves 360 degrees on stage, as the house lights land on various characters residing in each room, each of whom has a story to tell. Actors run down stairs and up fire escapes as one scene ends, the house revolves, and another scene begins. The set is a tour de force.

So, 'After the War' is fantastic, right? Well, it's going to be. Right now it feels a little like watching As The World Turns. The scenes change so fast that few characters have any time to connect with each other, especially in the critical relationship between Chet, the Japanese-American trumpeter, who runs the rooming house, and Earl, his African-American roomer and friend. It's as if the rooming house is directing the play, showing itself off to the detriment of the plot.

But this is the kind of thing that happens in World Premieres. It will all change as everyone gets more familiar with his role and they simplify characters and tell the rooming house to chill a bit. 'After the War' is going to be great, but it isn't yet. I'd think about getting tickets for the end of the run.

Now, then ratings: The Great Plotnik Theater Awards Division awards 'After the War' a star for the set, a star for the story and a star for Mr. Oji. Three stars, but it shoulda been more. Woulda been more. Will be more.