The 2011-2012 season lineup includes two premiere works by Asian American playwrights: Four Destinies by Katie Hae Leo and A. Rey Pamatmat’s Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them. Mu Daiko celebrates 15 years of taiko drumming in the Twin Cities with a special anniversary concert to kick off the group’s Minnesota tour. To close out the mainstage season, Mu will present the Tony Award-winning Stephen Sondheim musical Into the Woods, re-imagined from an Asian American perspective.
MAIN STAGE SEASON
The classic tension between free will and destiny underscores this potent satire of adoption in America. Destiny Jones is a Korean adoptee raised in Minnesota. But Destiny Jones is also an African American adoptee, a Guatemalan-born adoptee, and an adopted Caucasian boy. Four different actors portray the same titular character on the same day with the same family. To further complicate things, a playwright named Katie Leo keeps interrupting, and she really wants to make sure she represents every adoptee ever born, as well as give all of her characters exactly what they want. What happens when the four Destinies do get what they want? In this exploration of fate, DNA, arrival stories, and the families that love them, the answers are never simple.
Contains some strong language and adult situations. Recommended for ages 13+
MU DAIKO 15th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT AND TOUR
February 10 - March 4
with special guests Hanayui, Yoshikazu Fujimoto, Tiffany Tamaribuchi, and Megan Chao Smith
February 10 - March 4
with special guests Hanayui, Yoshikazu Fujimoto, Tiffany Tamaribuchi, and Megan Chao Smith
Mu Daiko celebrates 15 years of taiko with its biggest performance yet. Kicking off its three-week Minnesota tour, the Twin Cities-based drum ensemble brings its signature blend of tradition and innovation to the Ordway with familiar favorites and original compositions. During the second week of performances, Mu Daiko will share the stage with special guest artists that exemplify the unique power of women in both American and Japanese taiko.
HANAYUI was formed by the original founders and performers of legendary Japanese taiko ensemble KODO. These three top female artists, joined by Odaiko soloist, Yoshikazu Fujimoto are considered among the best in Japanese taiko. HANAYUI presents a ground-breaking combination of song, dance, and drumming as visually striking as it is musical. Joining them are Tiffany Tamaribuchi, one of the nation’s leading forces in North American taiko, and recent Minnesota transplant and Mu Daiko collaborator Megan Chao Smith.
Appropriate for all ages. Contains loud noises.
HANAYUI was formed by the original founders and performers of legendary Japanese taiko ensemble KODO. These three top female artists, joined by Odaiko soloist, Yoshikazu Fujimoto are considered among the best in Japanese taiko. HANAYUI presents a ground-breaking combination of song, dance, and drumming as visually striking as it is musical. Joining them are Tiffany Tamaribuchi, one of the nation’s leading forces in North American taiko, and recent Minnesota transplant and Mu Daiko collaborator Megan Chao Smith.
Appropriate for all ages. Contains loud noises.
Three kids — Kenny (Alex Galick), his sister Edith (Isabella Dawis), and their friend Benji (Matthew Cerar) — are all but abandoned on a farm in remote Middle America. With little adult supervision, they feed and care for each other, making up the rules as they go. But when Kenny’s relationship with Benji becomes more than friendship, and Edith shoots something she really shouldn’t shoot, the formerly indifferent outside world comes barging in whether they want it to or not.
Contains strong language and sexual content. Recommended for ages 13+. Special programs and events for Edith include: • A community forum entitled Before ‘It Gets Better’: Supporting LGBTQI Youth will be held at Augsburg College on Sunday, February 26 at 1:00 pm. Click HERE to reserve your free ticket for the forum and for more details. • Sunday, March 18 - 2:00 pm performance will be audio-described. • Lavender Magazine’s “Night at the Theater”- March 22 at 7:30 pm. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres, and non-alcoholic drinks will be provided beginning at 6:30 pm in the Mixed Blood Theatre lobby. • Post-show discussions will be held after the 2:00 pm performances on Sunday afternoons March 18 and 25.
Contains strong language and sexual content. Recommended for ages 13+. Special programs and events for Edith include: • A community forum entitled Before ‘It Gets Better’: Supporting LGBTQI Youth will be held at Augsburg College on Sunday, February 26 at 1:00 pm. Click HERE to reserve your free ticket for the forum and for more details. • Sunday, March 18 - 2:00 pm performance will be audio-described. • Lavender Magazine’s “Night at the Theater”- March 22 at 7:30 pm. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres, and non-alcoholic drinks will be provided beginning at 6:30 pm in the Mixed Blood Theatre lobby. • Post-show discussions will be held after the 2:00 pm performances on Sunday afternoons March 18 and 25.
INTO THE WOODS
July 20 - August 5
music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
book by James Lapine
directed by Rick Shiomi
music direction by Denise Prosek
July 20 - August 5
music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
book by James Lapine
directed by Rick Shiomi
music direction by Denise Prosek
Mu dives further into its Asian American musical theater initiative with this Tony Award winner that turns classic fairytales on their heads. A baker and his wife seek to break a witch’s evil curse, sending them on a raucous journey through the woods where they cross paths with Cinderella, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, and Jack and his beanstalk. But in this story, happily ever after is not always what it seems.
In a Mu-inspired twist on this favorite musical, the casting, costumes, and staging are re-imagined from an Asian American perspective, giving even the show’s most seasoned fans something new to enjoy.
Featuring: Randy Reyes, Sheena Janson, Katie Bradley, Sara Ochs, Suzie Juul, Eric Sharp, Alex Galick, and Maxwell Thao.
Appropriate for ages 9+.
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