2008 Staged Readings
December 6 & 7, 2008 Into the Numbers by Christopher Chen
October 11 & November 1, 2008 Gilgamesh by Yusef Komunyakaa with Chad Gracia
April 12 & 13, 2008 Cleveland Raining by Sung Rno
Into the Numbers by Christopher Chen
Directed by Joanie Schultz
Featuring: Brent T. Barnes, Yosh Hayashi, Erik Kaiko, Devorah Richards, and Jennifer Shin as Iris Chang
Silk Road Theatre Project at The Historic Chicago Temple Building, 77 West Washington St., Pierce Hall, Chicago
Saturday, December 6 at 8pm & Sunday, December 7 at 1pm.In 2004, Iris Chang, famed author of The Rape of Nanking, a chronicle of one of the worst atrocities of the 20th Century, committed suicide at the age of 36. Structured as an interview gone awry, Into the Numbers explores the philosophical and psychological implications of researching genocide, as well as the toll media saturation plays in the process. What begins as a standard lecture and interview soon descends into a surreal nightmare. Ghosts from Chang’s research appear and characters shift personas, as the celebrated author tries desperately to find order in the midst of mental chaos.
Followed by a Q & A session with playwright Christopher Chen.
Gilgamesh by Yusef Komunyakaa with Chad Gracia
Directed by Jennifer Shook
Featuring: Minita Gandhi, Josh Hoover, Matt Fletcher, Tanya Chu McBride, Gabe Ruiz, Jenn SavaRyan, Isaac Sernoffsky, and Dwight Sora
Music direction by Robert Steel
Visual design by Allie Herryman
The Oriental Institute of The University of Chicago, 1155 East 58th St., Chicago
Saturday, October 11 at 2:00pm
Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E Chicago Ave, Chicago
Saturday, November 1 at 6:00pm
The great Mesopotamian epic, the veritable ur-tale, is re-imagined as a powerful verse play by Pulitzer Prize–winning poet and New York University professor Yusef Komunyakaa in collaboration with dramaturg Chad Gracia. Infused with powerful drama and human longing, the play captures historical narrative through a contemporary yet seemingly timeless lens.Followed by a Q & A session with playwright Yusef Komunyakaa and dramaturg Chad Gracia.
Presented in partnership with the Chicago Humanities Festival and the Poetry Foundation.
Cleveland Raining by Sung Rno
Directed by Joanie Schultz
Featuring: Danny Bernardo, Gordon Chow, Ed Flynn, Denice Lee, and Tiffany Villarin
Silk Road Theatre Project at The Historic Chicago Temple Building, 77 West Washington St., Pierce Hall, Chicago
Saturday, April 12 at 8:00pm & Sunday, April 13 at 2:00pmThe adult children of Korean immigrants, Jimmy and his younger sister Mari live in Ohio, but it might as well be the edge of the world. Jimmy has dreams of an apocalyptic flood, so he finds an old VW bug and hires a mechanic, Mick, to create an ark that runs off of emotional loss. Mari is a medical student who wants to understand why her father left without a word, and why she likes to burn medical books. She befriends an injured motorcyclist, Storm, who talks tough but has a feel for the weather. As the rain falls, Jimmy and Mari discover the art of their family’s past, even as the water washes over their hidden histories.
Followed by a Q & A session with playwright Sung Rno.