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News Releases 
"When I was a boy, my father had a special dream. Then it became mine." -Moon Shadow, Dragonwings 
For Immediate Release: August 3, 2001
Minneapolis, MN - The Children's Theatre Company continues its 2001-2002 fall repertory with the regional premiere of Dragonwings. Written and adapted by Laurence Yep, the production is directed by CTC Artistic Director Peter C. Brosius, with choreography by David Furumoto, set design by Joe Dodd, costume design by Helen Q. Huang, lighting design by Beverly Emmons, sound design and music composed by Victor Zupanc, fight direction by Ted Sharon, shadow puppet design by Anthony White, and video sequences by Martin Gwinup.
Dragonwings is a glorious story about the bond between father and son, and the beauty of a world filled with dragons and dreams. Set in San Francisco in the early 1900s, it is also the story of the cruelty, intolerance, and unexpected kindnesses that inevitably await immigrants coming to America.
When Windrider has his son, Moon Shadow, join him in "the land of the Golden Mountain," it is not to rejoice in the success of their new life, but rather to toil in a laundry. It is back-breaking, soul-sapping drudgery, and yet, they are not broken. Instead, they nurture their hope for a better life, and their personal dream to build an aeroplane. As father and son hold fast to their customs, they also strain to navigate the terrain of a new culture. Myth stands silhouetted against reality, and out of the steam rising over their labor, a dream is realized - a flying machine. And, for a moment they actually soar above the earth.
"I am drawn to this play for so many reasons," says CTC artistic director and Dragonwings director, Peter C. Brosius. Having always been interested in telling personal stories drawn from the global community, Brosius believes that this story about one family, is also an opportunity to explore the spirit and power of Chinese culture. Brosius continues, "We hope that Dragonwings will not only entertain, but also foster conversation about how we deal with immigrant people, from the specific restrictions that once applied to the Chinese community to the challenges facing contemporary immigrant groups today."
Laurence Yep was born and raised in San Francisco, California. His adaptation of Dragonwings was performed at Lincoln Center and Kennedy Center. He has also taught Asian-American Studies at the University of California at Berkeley and Santa Barbara, and in 1990 was the recipient of an NEA fellowship in fiction. His many novels include The Serpent's Children, Mountain Light, Dragon's Gate, also a Newbery Honor Book, Child of the Owl, Sea Glass, and Thief of Hearts. Director Peter C. Brosius has served as CTC's artistic director since July 1997. At CTC, he has directed numerous regional and world premieres including last season's Mississippi Panorama, Dr. Seuss' Green Eggs and Ham & Garrison Keillor's The Old Man Who Loved Cheese, A Village Fable, Whale, Afternoon of the Elves, and Boundless Grace. Choreographer David Furumoto is considered a leading American authority on kabuki theatre. Furumoto has studied in Japan at the National Theatre of Japan's kabuki training program and privately with Japanese master teachers in kabuki and kyogen. He has worked on productions of Dragonwings at other regional theaters including Berkeley Repertory and Alliance Theatre Company and he wrote and directed CTC's '98-'99 tour Wondrous Tales of Old Japan.
Scenic designer Joe Dodd has designed sets for three of CTC's Midwest tours including last season's Lyle the Crocodile, as well as A Village Fable. Award winning costume designer Helen Huang studied theatre design at the Central Academy of Dram in Beijing China before receiving her Masters degree in costume design from the University of Missouri. Lighting designer Beverly Emmons received a Tony® for her work on Amadeus in 1980 as well as an OBIE and two BESSIEs for her many productions on and off Broadway. Sound designer/composer Victor Zupanc has been the Resident Music Director at CTC since 1989. His composing credits for CTC include Whale, Afternoon of the Elves, The Miser, The Wizard of Oz, The Prince and the Pauper, Amazing Grace, Ramona Quimby, Not Without Laughter, and The Invisible Man. Fight director Ted Sharon is an assistant professor at Salem State College who has worked on productions at the Boston Lyric Opera, The California Shakespeare Festival, and the Dueling Arts International in Taiwan. Shadow puppet master Anthony White has studied the art and craft of shadows at the Minneapolis College or Arts and Design, the California College of Arts & Crafts, and Institute of American Indian Arts. He has been a member of CTC's resident staff since 1990. The video sequences are designed by Martin Gwinup, a professor of Theatre at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus.
Dragonwings is performed by a 19-member cast including guest artists and student actors. Windrider is played by Stan Egi who has performed on stage at regional theaters as well as Off-Broadway. His television credits include Jag and Law & Order, and his film credits include Rising Sun, Boys on the Side, and Gung Ho. Les J.N. Mau has appeared in Dragonwings three times before at the Lincoln Center Institute with the Kennedy Center, Syracuse Stage and the Fulton Opera. At CTC he plays Uncle Bright Star and the voice of the Dragon King. Minneapolis actor Marcus Quioniones plays Moon Shadow. He has performed in numerous dance and theater productions in Minnesota including CTC's 1998-99 tour Wonderous Tales of Old Japan. The Dragon King and the Monkey King are played by Ova Saopeng, in his first production at CTC. Black Dog is played by Ben V. Gonio in his first appearance at CTC. He has been in numerous regional productions including Miss Saigon at Theatre Under the Stars and The King and I at Bremerton Theatre. Minnesota actress Cathleen Fuller plays Miss Whitlaw. Fuller has worked at Park Square Theater, Pillsbury House Theatre, the Minnesota Opera, Old Log Theater, and Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, among others. Mr. Alger is played by Peter Colburn who has toured and performed in many different areas of the country over the past 21 years. Local credits include Tony and Tina's Wedding and Dial M for Murder. Tom is played by Tyson Lietz, a student actor who has taken part in our Theatre Arts Training program and performed in CTC productions of The Hobbit, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and Pinocchio.
Dragonwings, which runs in repertory with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, opens September 7 and runs through October 21, 2001. Preview performances are Tuesday, September 4, Wednesday, September 5, and Thursday, September 6. Ticket prices are $9-22 for children, seniors, and students, and $15-28 for adults. Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more. For more information, call the CTC Ticket Office at (612) 874-0400 or visit us online at www.childrenstheatre.org. The Children's Theatre Company is located at 2400 Third Avenue South in Minneapolis.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and CTC will host the PAY WHAT YOU CAN performance of Dragonwings on Tuesday, October 2 at 7:30PM. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, September 25, one week prior to the performance.
The Children's Theatre Company is nationally and internationally acclaimed as America's flagship theatre for young people and families. Each year, CTC's public performances, school matinees, regional tour performances, and Theatre Arts Training programs serve over 340,000 people.
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