When Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club was released in 1989, it became one of the first few novels to paint an authentic and poignant story of Chinese emigrants to the United States—from their struggles to their success and everything in between. The main characters may be Chinese, but the universal theme of one’s ardent search for love and acceptance resonates with anyone who has found herself in an environment other than the one she has grown accustomed to.
In the book, we get to know four women from China who are in the midst of settling in their new home of San Francisco in 1949. They begin meeting to share laughs over bites of dim sum, play the Chinese game mahjong and swap stories of lost dreams and hope. They call themselves the Joy Luck Club. Forty years later, the tradition continues with their four American-born daughters with whom they have turbulent relationships.
The Washington Post gave the novel a glowing review, calling it “a stunning literary achievement” while The New York Times dubbed it “a jewel of a book.” It was not long before it was adapted into a feature film in 1993 which was also warmly received. The novel was also adapted into a play, by Susan Kim, which premiered at the renowned Pan Asian Repertory Theatre in New York and was later staged in Los Angeles too at East West Players.
Now, in time for the Chinese New Year, Repertory Philippines has announced that they will be staging the play in the country for the first time. Still to make use of Susan Kim’s adaptation of the book, the play will be directed by Anton Juan, who was the artistic director of the recent staging of The Threepenny Opera for the World Theater Project.
The Joy Luck Club will star theater vets Rebecca Chuansu, Pinky Marquez, Frances Makil and Jay Glorioso; as well as rising theater stars Ana Abad Santos, Jenny Jamora, Cris Villonco and Lily Chu. It is definitely a powerhouse cast that will bring to life the touching stories of the Chinese women depicted in the book.
Repertory associate artistic director Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo says,”It’s a great way for families, friends and couples to celebrate Chinese New Year. The show will be great for Valentine’s dates as well.”The Joy Luck Club will run Feb. 4 until Feb. 20 at Onstage Theater in Greenbelt 1 Mall, Makati City.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(OCIE Feb 4-10, 2011 RedCarpet pg. 2)
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