The Orphan of Zhao 趙氏孤兒
“… nonstop instrumental effects.”
—David C. Nichols, Los Angeles Times
“… a complex and evocative score.”
—Leo Stutzin, Huffington Post
The Orphan of Zhao (趙氏孤兒) is a classic Chinese epic about revenge and self-sacrifice. Composer Byron Au Yong created an original score for the U.S. production, based on an English adaptation by journalist and poet James Fenton. Music included three ensemble numbers and six solos, as well as numerous musical transitions for the 25 scenes.
Program (scroll inside frame)
Performance Guide (scroll inside frame)
Score (scroll inside frame)
Creative Team
Carey Perloff, director
Byron Au Yong, composer and music director
Stephen Buescher, movement director
Daniel Ostling, scenic designer
Lap Chi Chu, lighting designer
Jake Rodriguez, sound designer
Linda Cho, costume designer
Jonathan Rider, fight director
Michael Paller, dramaturg
Janet Foster, CSA, casting
Dolore Duran-Cefalu, vocal coach
Details
Duration: 2 hours
Cast: 12 actors, 2 musicians
Instrumentation
voices
violin
cello
xun (clay flute)
kubing (bamboo mouth harp)
percussion: cymbals, drums, gongs, water
soundtrack
Performances
June 4 – 29, 2014
American Conservatory Theater, San Francisco CA
July 8 – August 3, 2014
La Jolla Playhouse, San Diego CA
Awards
2014 Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle Nomination for Original Music
2014 Craig Noel Award Nomination for Original Score
Cast
Marie-France Arcilla
Stan Egi
Philip Estrera
Nick Gabriel
Cindy Im
Orville Mendoza
Paolo Montalban
Brian Rivera
Sab Shimono
Julyana Soelistyo
Daisuke Tsuji
BD Wong
Musicians
Philip Estrera, violin
Jessica Ivry, cello
+ members of the cast
Press Quotes
“... quite enjoyable, most notably the original score by Byron Au Yong and played by an onstage cellist and violinist augmented by cast members on percussion and unusual instruments (like water bowls).” Chad Jones, San Francisco Chronicle
“... nonstop instrumental effects, Zhao calls for and receives heightened stylistic attack from its players.” David C. Nichols, Los Angeles Times
“... a haunting mix of strings, gongs, percussion and even tones summoned from bowls of water.” James Hebert, The San Diego Union-Tribune
“Au Yong’s original music goes in surprising directions and tonalities.” Jeff Smith, San Diego Reader