2004 Staged Readings
December 4, 2004 GUEST OF A FEW DAYS by Mohsen Yalfani
June 15, 2004 The Gempei War: A Cycle of Noh Plays adapted for the modern stage by Kyle Gorden
May 2, 2004 36 Views by Naomi Iizuka
December 4, 2004 :
GUEST OF A FEW DAYS by Mohsen Yalfani
Translated from the original Farsi by Ahmad Houshmand
Directed by Stuart Carden
Featuring: Vincent Mahler, Bettina Rousos, and Madrid St. Angelo
The Chicago Cultural Center The Studio Theatre 77 E. Randolph St., Chicago 6:30 pm
Political idealism, personal desire, and economic pragmatism all wrestle in Mohsen Yalfani’s Guest of a Few Days. Two friends, separated by divergent paths, and the woman who binds them, re-unite in post-revolutionary Iran. A love triangle ensues amidst painful truths and political fall-out, as dreams are re-kindled and ridiculed.
Followed by a Q & A session with artistic director Jamil Khoury.
Sponsored by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs as part of the city’s first ever Saving Face Festival. The Saving Face Theatre Council of Chicago is a collaborative network comprised of not-for-profit theatre companies presenting diverse Asian-American experiences through the mediums of theatre and performance. Founding members include: dueEast Theatre, Mango Tribe, Pintig Cultural Group, Rasaka Theatre Company, Silk Road Theatre Project, Stir-Friday Night!, and Tea Company.
June 15, 2004:
THE GEMPEI WAR: A Cycle of Noh Plays adapted for the modern stage by Kyle Gorden
Directed by Julieanne Ehre
Featuring: Jameela Aghili, Ambra Anie, Gordon Chow, Mary Ann de la Cruz, James Foster, Vincent Mahler, Soo Jin Park, Marc Rita, and Michelle Williams
Dramaturg: Kyle Gorden
Hosted by The Consulate General of Japan at Chicago.
Japan Information Center 737 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1000, Chicago 7:00 pm
The Gempei War: A Cycle of Noh Plays investigates the messy aftermath of war, as told in three classic Japanese plays. Tomoe tells the story of a female samurai, unable to forgive her master’s final betrayal. In Atsumori, a war-weary samurai is changed forever after being forced to kill a young musician. And in Ataka, a great general is brought to self-degradation by his brother’s paranoia. Long overlooked in the cannon of classic theatre, these ancient but timeless texts are given new life by a vigorous adaptation for the modern stage.
Followed by a Q & A session with adaptor/translator Kyle Gorden.
May 2, 2004:
36 VIEWS by Naomi Iizuka
Directed by Geoffrey Scott
Featuring Ambra Anie, Robyn Coffin, Mary Ann de la Cruz, James Foster, Bill Hoffman, Vincent Mahler, and Sin Joo Park
Dramaturg: Kyle Gorden
The Chicago Temple First United Methodist Church 77 W. Washington St., Chicago Dixon Chapel 12:30 pm
In a series of 36 interlocking scenes, Naomi Iizuka’s new play explores the relationship between the imaginary and the real. Iizuka’s story unfolds into a progression of visual symbols, objects, and human relationships that reveal the power of perception. Set in the Asian art world, the story focuses on the discovery of a one-of-a-kind Japanese pillow book, a diary of a court lady, that turns the academic field of Asian antiquity upside down. As scholars, art dealers and reporters clamor over the finding, we realize that everything is not as it seems.
Followed by a Q & A session with playwright Naomi Iizuka.
Presented as part of Asian-American Heritage Month.