To coincide with Asian-American Heritage Month in May, Landmark on Main is bringing the traditional Chinese art of shadow puppetry to the Jeanne Rimsky Theater for a special children’s show at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 6 that is engaging and fun for all ages.
Tiger Tales is an artful fusion of traditional Chinese and contemporary Western shadow theater techniques.
A wise old rabbit recounts stories from her eventful life to her young granddaughter, including how she came to be the Prime Minister to Tiger, the ever-hungry jungle king.
Four linked tales, using a live storyteller and images based on antique Chinese leather shadow figures, trace Tiger’s sudden rise and disastrous fall and impart humorous lessons on survival for the small and powerless in today’s modern jungle.
This original production had its premiere in 2002 and has been featured at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, DALA Theater Festival in Korea, and Shanghai First International Puppetry Festival in China.
As a special bonus, the puppeteers will be available after the performance for a Q&A with audience members.
Children will have an opportunity see the workings of these intricate and delicate works of art, and learn how they make their magic.
Chinese Theatre Works is a non-profit organization whose extensive catalogue of original theatrical productions stretches the boundaries of traditional and modern genres of performance and creates connections across continents and ages.
Preserving and nurturing the Chinese classic performing arts — opera, puppetry, dance and music — these shows feature some of the finest classically trained Chinese performing artists.
For more information on Chinese Theatre Works, go to chinesetheatreworks.org.
Tickets for Chinese Theatre Works’ Tiger Tales Shadow Puppet Show are available through Landmark’s Box Office, 516-767-6444 and online at www.landmarkonmainstreet.org.
All seats are $10 (Friends $7).
The show is suitable for all ages; best for children ages 4-10.
The performance lasts approximately one hour.
Landmark Kids series is sponsored by PM Pediatrics and receives funding through a New York State Legislative grant.
