IN THE TOMB OF TEN THOUSAND CALENDARS at Moving Arts Theatre
Reviewed by Amalisha HuEck
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
he question is: What comes next when we die? What is the afterlife like? What is the ‘Epic’ standpoint of this story?
When the heavy door screakily and very slowly opens, we find ourselves ninety feet underground, where four thousand years ago an emperor was laid to rest deep in his mysterious home. He has to lay here, in his beautiful flowery tomb, and be looked after for 57 days. The Wanli emperor emperor’s tomb is the setting of the name is In the Tomb of Ten Thousand Calendars.
The story is told in three parts, exposing the painful changes in the everchanging, bloody history of China. We see that knowledge is not inherited, but it has to be learned. And the constant change cannot be avoided-however painful … it is the only way to the higher worlds. We learn that the important parts of life on earth are four things: customs, habits, ideas, and cultures.
The World Premiere, In The Tomb of Ten Thousand Calendars, presented by Moving Arts, the story goes into China’s dynasty in 1620, in its first part, and it gives us the view of strict rules, which made people dull and foolish. The second part is during 1966 and its Cultural Revolution, when men were easily made into prisoners, because their expertise would make them an enemy, and they would be judged by justice of people. And the third part is today’s present time, where the family of three (father, mother and son) visits the tomb, and the challenging relationship between father and son is revealed.
Written by Stephen Dierkes and produced by Darin Anthony & Dana Schwartz, ‘In The Tomb of Ten Thousand Calendars’ is directed by Jeff Liu.
Amazing production! Great actors! Their talents are memorable and deeply enjoyable. Elaine Kao, West Liang, Jonathan Cheung, and Wayne Lee. I am truly thrilled by how many incredible talents are in our city!
The rest of Creatives are Justin Huen (production, majestic and serene scenic and lighting), Kyle Cunanan (sound & video design), JJ Javier for well-made and elaborate costume designs, and Dana Schwartz for props. Marketing Coordinator is Eric Pargac. Public Relations is in care of Anita Lee. Production stage manager is Joy Diaz and Production intern is Enrico Echiverri.
Produced by Moving Arts Theater, the show runs from August 29th through September 2nd at 3191 Casitas Avenue, LA, CA 90039. You have one more weekend to catch this unusual, wonderful performances which are on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Monday at 8 PM and Sunday at 4 PM. Tickets are $33 ($15 for Students every performance) Premium tickets are $44 with PWYC on Mondays. The show has no intermission.
For tickets call 323-472-5646 or go to info@movingarts.org