Pictured: Dean Santiago, Scott Hanada, and Sharon Pasia

Nothing Without a Company in association with Aloha Center Chicago has announced the production team and casting for the Chicago premiere of “Pakalolo Sweet,” written by Hannah Ii-Epstein, and directed by Rachel Slavick, with Lanialoha Lee as Cultural Specialist & Music Director.

“Pakalolo Sweet” is the second in Ii-Epstein’s drug trilogy, and the prequel to “Not One Batu,” which had its Chicago premiere in June 2018. The cast of “Pakalolo Sweet” includes

The cast will feature Dean Santiago as Junior Boy, Sharon Pasia as Nani, Victoria Wang as Kahe, Jae Renfrow as Pops, and Scott Hanada reprising his role from Not One Batu as Papa aka Uncle Makana.

The production team includes Christopher Sylvie (Asst. Director), Rosemary Vigil (Stage Manager), Mark Bracken (Scenic/Props/Sound Designer), Bobby Wilhelmson (Violence Choreographer), Satoe Schechner (Costume Designer) and Anna Rose Ii-Epstein (Producing Director).

(from the press release): Meet Junior Boy, a young man who comes from a lineage of pakalolo (cannabis) growers on the North Shore of O’ahu. He is proudly expecting a baby with his girlfriend, Nani. At home he talks story with his girlfriend, best friend, and grandfather during a night of karaoke, beer, and weed. What happens next is unexpected and heartbreaking as we witness Junior Boy’s struggle to do what he believes is best for his ‘ohana.

“Pakalolo Sweet” runs September 13 to October 5th in The Coach House at Berger Park Cultural Center, 6205 N Sheridan Rd., Chicago. For more info visit NothingWithoutaCompany.org.