by Kirby Lindsay Laney, posted 7 January 2016
Living in Seattle, we have access to great theater, thanks to people like David Hsieh and ReAct Theatre. In Fremont, we benefit as well, thanks to venues like West of Lenin – and ReAct.
This month, from January 8th to January 31st, ReAct Theatre will present a special 25th Anniversary staging of the acclaimed play, ‘Prelude To A Kiss,’ written by Craig Lucas. This entertaining, poignant and thoughtful romantic fable will be told by a company known, for 20+ years, for producing quality, multi-ethnic theater.
Due to the unexpected cancellation of this month’s booking at West of Lenin (WofL), and the venue ReAct originally had scheduled falling through, audiences have a chance to see a modern classic, starring a talented cast, capably directed, right at the Center of the Universe.
A Multi-Ethnic ‘Prelude…’
‘Prelude…’ principally involves three characters (Peter, Rita and the Old Man,) but the play calls in another three major characters, and an ensemble, that takes the cast number up to 13 actors total. It is a large cast for the intimate space of WofL, but as director, Hsieh brings a sure and steady hand to what is sure to be another ReAct triumph.
“I like theater that enlightens and entertains,” Hsieh explained, “this is a highly entertaining show to watch and enjoy. Watch Peter meet and fall in love, and then deal with this unimaginable tragedy. Look at how the world can change in the moment of a kiss…”
Hsieh founded ReAct in 1993, and he has nearly as long a history with ‘Prelude…’ During its inaugural season, in 1994, ReAct staged ‘Prelude…’, and found its first sold out show, so they gave it a second run in 1995. (This production, at WofL, can be extended, if needed.)
ReAct has become known for its re-take of mainstream plays. They stage these works using what Hsieh called ‘color sensitive casting.’ Rather than color-blind casting, they produce works with deliberately diverse casts that broaden the boundaries of the traditional casting, while often deepening the content. For ‘Prelude…,’ Hsieh took a play traditionally cast with all-white actors and cast parts with actors of many races, always considering the play, the roles and the meaning to the audience.
This expands the pool of talent from which Hsieh can draw. For this production of ‘Prelude…,’ former Black Arts/West Artistic Director Tee Dennard, an African-American, is cast as The Old Man. Unlike with color-blind casting, Hsieh also cast an African-American actress as his daughter, to avoid distractions for the audience – and, again, to broaden the talent pool in local theater. Both roles traditionally went to white actors, although audiences unfamiliar with the play may never even realize the change.
Hsieh began ReAct to create more opportunities for all actors, regardless of race, gender, age, orientation or experience. In the early 1990s, he found few opportunities available for Asian actors, like himself, in traditional theater. With ReAct, he has turned his own attention towards directing, and found himself able to cast, and bring to audiences, previously overlooked talent in Seattle theater.
“I know I’ve done my job when people leave a play thinking ‘That is how it was written’,” Hsieh said, “When people who know the play leave having seen something new.”
‘Something For Everyone’
“There are so many aspects of what is happening in this show,” Hsieh observed of ‘Prelude…’, “it’s certainly a delight of a show to work on. It has something for everyone.”
According to Hsieh, Lucas wrote ‘Prelude…’ during the height of the AIDS crisis. The playwright had lost his partner, and he wrote this dramatic, and surprisingly supernatural, story about how people change, how people die, “but the love is always there,” Hsieh explained. As theater critic James Herbert observed on ‘Prelude…,’ “when it premiered in 1990, it was widely presumed to be an oblique response to the ravages of AIDS. Long removed from that time, it becomes a broader commentary on eternal topics like the limits of love and the meaning of commitment.”
The play also gives voice to childhood fears, still persisting into adulthood, of living, aging, losing and dying. While it shows a whirlwind romance, a storybook wedding, and a kiss that suddenly changes everything, it also takes a deeper, thought-provoking look at what life means, for a woman, a man, and those at different times in life. This is a solemn, yet comedic, and well-rounded play – being produced by a deft, experienced theater company.
A Long Lived Theater Company
‘Prelude…’ is the 54th main stage production by ReAct (the Repertory Actors Theatre). For over twenty years, ReAct has dexterously expanded and condensed, and stayed alive, while many others theater companies have vanished. Some seasons, ReAct has been able to produce six plays – while for others, they’ve done one.
This year, ReAct will have three productions – with the next one also coming to WofL. This summer, Hsieh looks forward to producing the Seattle premiere of ‘The Aliens,’ by Annie Baker. “It’s a charming little play, set around the 4th of July,” Hsieh explained. The play has a grunge-rock feel, but focuses on friendships and, according to Hsieh, “the universal experience of what it means to be alive.”
ReAct has managed to survive longer than many other theater companies, and Hsieh says his plan for the future, “depends on when you ask me.” He’s very proud of how ReAct has been a stepping stone. “We give opportunities to young talent,” he said, “I think that’s important. There are careers that started with us. Friendships. Families.” He admitted that he hasn’t enjoyed the financial challenges, he has relished seeing people he’s coached go off and do their own thing.
Before Its Sold-Out
Step inside WofL, without leaving the comfort of Fremont, and check out ReAct, director Hsieh and this well-crafted production of an established theater classic. Purchase tickets to ‘Prelude To A Kiss,’ through Brown Paper Tickets now, before they sell out this time.
“With all the media attention on racial justice and equality,” Hsieh observed about ReAct’s multi-ethnic take on this play, “we’ve been doing this for decades.” Get a new, deeper appreciation for all of humanity with this poignant and powerful work, at WofL.
Related Articles
- Draper & Rengli Bring ‘4 Beers’ To ‘Christmas B-Sides’
- by Kirby Lindsay Laney, December 16, 2015
- WofL Gets ‘Snowglobed’ / ‘For Christmas’ By Its Own Rachel Delmar
- by Kirby Lindsay Laney, November 27, 2015
- Walker & Epstein Discuss ‘Master Harold… And The Boys’
- by Kirby Lindsay, March 22, 2013
©2016 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.