Actor J. Elijah Cho brings one-man show to St. Petersburg’s Freefall Theatre

J. Elijah Cho, a Los Angeles-based writer and actor who hails from Tampa, returns to the bay area to present a one-man show at Freefall Theatre in St. Petersburg. Cho will give five performances from Sept. 15-18 as part of Freefall’s Tandem series.

In his original comedy “Mr. Yunioshi,” Cho explores Mickey Rooney’s portrayal of Mr. Yunioshi in the film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” Rooney’s performance is regarded as one of the most egregious examples of yellowface in the movies. Cho explores the questions of whether actors should have the opportunity to play any role, what compels actors to take on roles they shouldn’t be playing and if there could have been a “right” way to perform it.

The show was awarded best solo show at the Hollywood Fringe Festival.

Cho played Wonderboy in two seasons of the AMC television series “Halt and Catch Fire.” He has a degree in theater performance from the University of South Florida and has performed in Tampa at Jobsite Theater, Stageworks Theatre and Tampa Repertory Theatre.

If you go

“Mr. Yunioshi.” $20-$35. Sept. 15-18. Freefall Theatre, 6099 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-498-5205. freefalltheatre.com.