Theater: (Legend of) The White Snake Now Playing At San Diego's Old Globe Theater

The Old Globe Theater in San Diego California, is bringing a Chinese folktale to the stage! The White Snake, also known as Legend of The White Snake and Madame White Snake, (originally White Lady or White Maiden) is now considered one of China's Four Great Folktales and this production is reported to be a visual feast (something the photos show beautifully as well). The reviews are glowing and promise that the production will endear audiences of all ages to this popular Chinese fairy tale.

Summary:

Tony Award winner Mary Zimmerman creates an enchanting theatrical spectacle with live music and sumptuous visuals. In this visionary staging of a classic Chinese fable, a gentle serpent transforms into a beautiful woman. She falls in love with a dashing young man and decides to stay human forever, until a wicked monk discovers her true identity and vows to destroy her. The White Snake is an unforgettable theatrical event for all ages that NPR called “strikingly beautiful.” The New York Times proclaimed that Zimmerman “creates richly imagistic works—her eye refines and refinishes, drawing ever-sharper pictures from the texts she theatricalizes.”

From La Jolla Light:

Charm is all over The Old Globe Theare’s production of the Chinese fable “The White Snake,” directed by Tony Award-winner Mary Zimmerman. Globe’s artistic director Barry Edelstein accurately summed up her talents when he called her a practitioner of the stage director’s art at the highest level. 

Zimmerman’s proficiency with staging fables, myths and ancient tales is why “The White Snake” resonates with audience members from beginning to end. Costumed musicians who take their place before the stage lead off this joyous journey.
High on a mountaintop, two kindred spirits have had enough of their boring lifestyle and commands from Fa Hai, the wicked holy man. Having studied ancient traditions, the two have the ability to transform themselves from snakes into women, which makes White Snake (Amy Kim Waschke) and Green Snake (Tanya Thai McBride) ready to seek an adventure. They talk about listening to music, socializing with people and maybe even falling in love, as they make their way down the mountain. 

The exquisite set changes from designer Daniel Ostling include transporting the women through a stage-sized cloth that represents the clouds they fly through. Arriving at their destination they find a world full of color, beautiful costumes, Chinese paintings and lanterns.

   

(Read the rest of the review HERE)

If you're interested in going “The White Snake” currently runs matinees, evenings through April 26, 2015 at The Old Globe Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park, San Diego. Tickets from $29 at (619) 234-5623 or theoldglobe.org