Theatre Works has taken on a complicated, deep, piece of theater
that could be considered too far out or depressing to be
presented.
Theatre Works has taken on a complicated, deep, piece of theater that could be considered too far out or depressing to be presented.
But, as usual, Robert Kelly with his impeccable direction brings a light to a time and place that, (its hard to believe), many people are not familiar with or for that matter remember. A time before and during China’s Cultural Revolution, when friends, family and leaders turned their world into a time of terror, apprehension, violence and loss of sensibility through fear of loss of power by their leaders
“Red” by playwright by Chay Yew is made up of a small piece of the puzzle that shows a delicately woven plot of how this all came about and the effect it had on the people involved.
The story tells of successful Chinese-American novelist Sonia, who finds she needs a new idea for her next book. She decides to return to China during the Cultural Revolution when she is accidentally drawn to an abandoned Chinese Opera House and faces her past.
Here she meets a Beijing Opera diva Hua, (played by the illustrious Francis Jue) who was involved in the chaos and political turmoil of the Chinese Cultural Revolution, a time when the arts were destroyed by the doctrines of Mao Zedong and his government. Yew’s research shows the appalling end of freedom of expression when artistic censorship was imposed.
It is a lesson that in our day and time should be studied under a microscope. The Cultural Revolution only took three years to destroy and diluted a proud country into one of fear and poverty. This travesty lasted for ten years from 1966 until 1976, until Mao’s death.
Francis Jue is superb as the Beijing Opera diva, Hua Wai Mun. He sings, he floats, he delivers a stunning but difficult performance with marvelous timing displayed in the intricate baton choreography by Jamie H.J. Guan.
Allison Sie as Sonja gives an impressive performance as the writer who for many years has denied her tormented past. She carries her character with charm, humor and dignity through unthinkable, torturous times.
Talented Grace Hsu as Ling plays a many faceted role from a child, to a teen, to a girl on the edge of womanhood. She is delightful, engaging, terrifying and soulful.
For an evening of great, thought provoking theatre and observing people at the top of their profession give great performances, “Red” is the ticket.
Camille Bounds is the entertainment and arts editor for the Western Division of Sunrise Publications.
A Theatre Works “Premiere” production
Where: Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto
When: Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m.; Wednesdays-Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. (no matinee Aug. 17); Sundays 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Through: Aug. 8
Tickets and information: $20-$50
Details: www.theatreworks.org or (650) 903-6000
