Last weekend, I was invited to take rehearsal photographs of "Fermata," playwright Maria Cheng's sixth full-length play. Grateful for the opportunity to preview the superb performances!
Theater Company of Lafayette and Theatre Esprit Asia (TEA) are co-producing the play, which runs weekends from Friday, Jan. 12 through Sunday, Jan. 28 in Lafayette.
This is the fist collaboration of TEA and Theater Company of Lafayette. "Fermata" is directed by Cecilia Pang, and performed by Maria Cheng, Munam Goodwyn, Lori Hansen, and Samantha Saunders.
Western classical music and three generations of westernized Chinese women are the centerpiece of the play. Cellist Grandma (Lori Hansen) shows signs of dementia while doggedly smoking, practicing tai ji chuan and maintaining her dragon lady fierceness towards her progeny. Her two step-daughters are genius conductor Da Jieh (Maria Cheng), ever haunted by her conductor father's non-support, hasn't conducted for two years; and Shiow May (Munam Goodwyn), who mourns her violin prodigy past which she gave up for the good life and a philandering conductor husband. Granddaughter Sabrina (Samantha Saunders) struggles with her mother Shiow May's disappointment that she chose medicine over a concert pianist career.
"Fermata explores the burden of virtuosity, the politics of art making and the purpose of music, the underlying theme of this dramedy is what price one pays when one does or doesn't follow ones authentic self," writes Cheng, artistic director of TEA, the Southwest's first and only award-winning Asian American theater.
From the upcoming playbill:
Theater Company of Lafayette and Theatre Esprit Asia (TEA) are co-producing the play, which runs weekends from Friday, Jan. 12 through Sunday, Jan. 28 in Lafayette.
This is the fist collaboration of TEA and Theater Company of Lafayette. "Fermata" is directed by Cecilia Pang, and performed by Maria Cheng, Munam Goodwyn, Lori Hansen, and Samantha Saunders.
Western classical music and three generations of westernized Chinese women are the centerpiece of the play. Cellist Grandma (Lori Hansen) shows signs of dementia while doggedly smoking, practicing tai ji chuan and maintaining her dragon lady fierceness towards her progeny. Her two step-daughters are genius conductor Da Jieh (Maria Cheng), ever haunted by her conductor father's non-support, hasn't conducted for two years; and Shiow May (Munam Goodwyn), who mourns her violin prodigy past which she gave up for the good life and a philandering conductor husband. Granddaughter Sabrina (Samantha Saunders) struggles with her mother Shiow May's disappointment that she chose medicine over a concert pianist career.
"Fermata explores the burden of virtuosity, the politics of art making and the purpose of music, the underlying theme of this dramedy is what price one pays when one does or doesn't follow ones authentic self," writes Cheng, artistic director of TEA, the Southwest's first and only award-winning Asian American theater.
From the upcoming playbill:
Three generations of Chinese westernized women, brilliant musicians, of whom two are world class virtuosos and one who gave up a music career to only become a neurosurgeon. They gather to celebrate Grandmas 80th birthday, in Gandolfo, Italy, the Pope's summer home, because Grandma wants to see the Pope before she kicks.
Secrets, jealousies, lost dreams and future hopes collide as the action unfolds with humor and grace in a lush villa, underscored by strains of Bach, Beethoven, Mahler, Johann Strauss, Tchaikovsky, Chinese folk and milonga music of the barrios of Buenos Aires, the Popes favorite music. What is Grandmas secret? Can Da Jieh overcome her ghosts? Will Shiow May face the consequences of her own choices? Can Sabrina forgive her mothers disapproval?
Fermata
January 12-28, 2018
Friday and Saturday 7:30pm | Sunday 2pm
On tour at Theater Company of Lafayette
300 E Simpson St., Lafayette, CO 80026
Call 1-800-838-3006 for tickets or visit the TCL Box Office.