Chinese fables come to life on center stage when the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Acting Troupe presents The Dragon Slayer and Other Timeless Tales of Wisdom at the UH Hilo Performing Arts Center (PAC) on November 20 and 21 at 7 p.m., and a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, November 22.
The stories penned by 98-year-old Shiho S. Nunes, a critically acclaimed writer who hails from Ka’u and Hilo, are told through the various characters, including The Dragon Slayer, The Practical Bride, The Goddess of Mercy, and an assortment of skittish animals.
The Troupe’s actors create stories, perform gymnastics, serve as musicians, and cavort through 13th Century China. Performing will be UH Hilo students Sarah Dunaway, Tiffany Erickson, Sky Flores, Yu Hamaoka, Willyam Hodson, Jay Kayhill, Elijah Livingston, Kekoa Morison, Lazareth Sye, Jianxing Tong, AllyVercruyssen, and Ulu Winchester-Sye. Several UH Hilo graduates return for the performances as well, including Performing Arts majors Alston Albarado and Jessica Takayama Swart, along with Astronomy major Emily Peavy.
Resident designer Ariana Bassett has created scenery that captures the beauty of Chinese art and architecture in both city and rural settings. Art Professor Michael Marshall and his students in 3D Art and University 101 classes have contributed elements to the show, ranging from a dragon’s lair to colorful Beijing-opera monkey king masks and a shimmery bedstead.
Admission is open seating and priced at $12 General, $10 Discount and $5 UH Hilo/Hawai’i CC students (with a valid student ID) and children, up to age 17. To purchase tickets, call the Performing Arts Center Box Office at 932-7490 or order online at artscenter.uhh.hawaii.edu.