Live theater at Gillette Castle in April

Actor Taku Hirai embodies Yukitaka Osaki, the right-hand man of William Gillette.

Submitted by the Friends of Gillette Castle State Park

In the 1900s, a striking castle perched above the Connecticut River was the retirement home of one of American theater’s early giants William Gillette. On the lush riverfront just below the castle was the home of Yukitaka Osaki, the right-hand man and trusted companion to the theatrical icon.

This month, the poignant true story of Yukitaka Osaki will be brought to life when the original play “Osaki-san, William Gillette’s Gentleman Valet” is performed at Gillette Castle. The intimate performance for 48 ticket holders will be staged inside the main living area of Gillette Castle.

“This is a perfect setting,” said playwright and producer Kandie Carle of the East Haddam Stage Company. “It is the exact historic environment where Yukitaka Osaki and William Gillette actually conversed on a daily basis.”

This one-man show features actor Taku Hirai as an elderly Osaki who elegantly and concisely reviews the highs and lows of his fascinating life over the course of a 60-minute performance.

Osaki came to America as a young man in the late 1880s and rose from humble cabin-boy to become the right-hand man to the most famous actor of the time.  After Gillette’s death in 1937, Osaki continued to abide for several more years on the riverfront at the home that Gillette gifted for his use.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to host this play at Gillette Castle,” said Lynn Wilkinson, President of the Friends of Gillette Castle, the organization sponsoring this event. “The story of Yukitaka Osaki is fascinating, uplifting and inspiring.  His life is a powerful local example to better understand the experience of early Japanese immigrants to America.”

Proceeds from the performance will benefit the non-profit Friends of Gillette Castle State Park. They are currently working with a consortium of local and national organizations to establish a partnership with the Department of Energy and Environmental Preservation to preserve and restore the Osaki home. In 2025, Friends’ member Gail Hanson helped fund a new roof on the building, which will help ensure the structure is sound until these discussions are complete.

Performances will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings and 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays between April 23 and May 2. The final matinee performance, on May 2, will include a post-performance discussion with actor Taku Hirai and playwright Kandie Carle. Tickets are $40-$50 and may be obtained through the website for the Friends of Gillette Castle State Park at www.gillettecastlefriends.org.

Except for these performances, the mansion will be closed until it opens on May 23 for the summer season. The park itself at 67 River Road in East Haddam remains open year-round and visitors may stroll about the grounds to enjoy the glorious scenery, river views, and the exterior of the Osaki home on the riverbanks by the Chester-Hadlyme ferry. 

Gillette was the first actor to become internationally famous for his performances as Sherlock Holmes. The Hartford native died in 1937 after a long theatrical career. The State of Connecticut eventually took over ownership of his home and surrounding estate.

Those interested in volunteering with Friends or sponsoring the performance may visit www.gillettecastlefriends.org for details or direct their questions to gillettecastlevolunteers@gmail.com or 860-222-7850.

The mission of the Friends of Gillette Castle State Park is to promote and preserve William Gillette's legacy, and support DEEP in the conservation of park grounds and the restoration of Gillette Castle.  Memberships help finance engaging activities at Gillette Castle as well as park and structural improvements that preserve the estate and Gillette's legacy.