|
A suicidally stubborn man who puts career advancement ahead of honor and family reaps a toxic harvest when he goes up against the formidable Judge Bao Zheng in Kennedy Theatre's production of "Judge Bao and the Case of Qin Xianglian." ‘Judge Bao’ a classic
morality taleReview by John Berger
jberger@starbulletin.comThe story, a classic in traditional Chinese theater, is meticulously staged and performed in English on the Kennedy main stage. It stands with such previous triumphs as "Sukeroku: The Flower of Edo," "Umbuik Mudo and the Magic Flute" and "Shajiabang: Spark Amid the Reeds" as a superb theatrical experience for Hawaii residents of all ages and ethnic backgrounds.
The story of Qin Xianglian's search for justice transcends the cultural context of 11th-century China, but the costuming, makeup, set design, stylized performances and the work of the live orchestra are as authentic as six months' intensive training of students will allow. The presentation even follows the Chinese custom of projecting the actors' sung dialogue on screens to both sides of the stage.
The set is gorgeous. The costumes are beautiful. Director Elizabeth Wichmann-Walczak's pacing is perfect -- nothing drags, nothing seems rushed.
We enter the story at midpoint. Ambitious Chen Shimei left Qin Xianglian and their two children at home in a distant village when he went to Beijing to take the government exams. Chen scored tops in the nation and was invited to marry into the imperial family. The proposal was such an tremendous career move that he married the emperor's younger sister without mentioning the wife and children he'd left behind.
Where: University of Hawaii Kennedy Theatre 'Judge Bao and the Case of Qin Xianglian'
When: 8 p.m. today and tomorrow, and 2 p.m. Sunday
Tickets: $15 general; $12 seniors, military and UH staff; $9 non-UH students; $4 UH students with spring ID.
Call: 956-7655
Deserted and without support, Qin Xianglian and the kids became beggars but were unable to keep Chen's parents from starving to death. Now she's brought the kids to Beijing hoping to find some news of him.
Qin Xianglian finds her husband, imperial consort Chen, ensconced in a palace. He refuses to acknowledge her or the children.
Qin Xianglian's plight earns her the support of a sympathetic innkeeper, the hulking gate guard at her husband's palace and a high-ranking government minister. Qin Xianglian's unselfish goodness even melts the heart of a hired killer.
Chen wavers briefly when refusing to acknowledge her but stubbornly refuses every opportunity to do the right thing. By the time Judge Bao enters the picture, Chen has added conspiracy to commit murder to his previous offenses against family, emperor and heaven. Bao is determined to prosecute Chen even though the Dowager Empress refuses to believe that Chen married her daughter under false pretenses.
Two pairs of actors share the role of the virtuous and plucky Qin Xianglian. Megan Evans and the versatile Emi Fujinami perform again tomorrow (Evans in Scenes 1 to 3, and Fujinami in 4 to 6); Cassandra Wormser and Alma Pasic share the role today and on Sunday.
Evans and Fujinami distinguished themselves last Sunday with expressive and compelling portrayals. Student performers can focus so heavily on the physical requirements of such stylized theater that the quality of their characterization suffers, but Evans and Fujinami came through with winning performances; Fujinami, so good in "Summer Festival: A Mirror of Osaka" and "Faust II," lived up to expectations here.
Evans got excellent support from Jennifer Goodlander (the door guard), Khetphet Phagnasay (Prime Minister Wang) and Troy M. Apostol (the innkeeper). Apostol was equally good working with Fujinami in Act 2. Julie A. Iezzi (assassin Han Qi) completed the cast of notable secondary characters with her work opposite Apostol and Fujinami in Scene 5.
Tim Wiler was excellent as the conflicted villain. A scene in which Chen spars verbally with the powerful prime minister Wang feels as fresh and contemporary as the Enron investigations.
Wiler also merits praise for his performance opposite Joshua John Fanene (Judge Bao) in the final scene. (The program notes mention that it has become permissible in recent years to cast women in male roles, but the stature of Fanene and Wiler are important in establishing the powerful presence of the two antagonists.) Hui-mei Chang adds a poignant presence as the princess Chen deceived.
Click for online
calendars and events.
