“The Orphan of Zhao” is an ancient Chinese story that has undergone numerous iterations through the centuries.<\/p>\n
American Conservatory Theater is presenting a new adaptation by James Fenton under the direction of Carey Perloff, artistic director.<\/p>\n
Sometimes called the Chinese “Hamlet,” this tale of revenge is full of deadly sacrifices as one character after another kills himself or is killed.<\/p>\n
It all starts in the royal court where the dissolute emperor (Paolo Montalban) and one of his top advisers, the villainous Tu’an Gu (Stan Egi), shoot arrows into the crowd below just for sport.<\/p>\n
Three other advisers, led by Zhao Dun (Nick Gabriel), object. Realizing their lives are imperiled, two of them leave, but Zhao bravely stays. After Tu’an Gu falsely accuses him of being a traitor, he is forced to kill himself.<\/p>\n
In the meantime, Tu’an Gu has arranged to have all 300 of Zhao’s male relatives killed so that no one can avenge Zhao’s death. Zhao’s wife, the emperor’s daughter (Marie-France Arcilla), gives birth to a son that she reluctantly entrusts to a country doctor, Cheng Ying (BD Wong). He tells Tu’an Gu that his own newborn son is Zhao’s son. Tu’an Gu cruelly kills the baby.<\/p>\n
All that takes place in Act 1. In Act 2, 18 years have passed and Zhao’s son, Cheng Bo (Daisuke Tsuji), a.ka. the orphan of Zhao, is now a young man who believes he is the natural son of Cheng Ying and the adoptive son of Tu’an Gu. He eventually learns the truth and avenges his father’s death while restoring righteousness to the empire.<\/p>\n
Not many characters are left alive by the final curtain, but justice has been served according to custom.<\/p>\n
Although the story sounds complicated, it’s easy to follow in Perloff’s direction of an excellent ensemble cast on Daniel Ostling’s set with its bamboo scaffolding. The production is enriched by Byron Au Yong’s music, Linda Cho’s sumptuous costumes, Lap Chi Chu’s lighting and Jake Rodriguez’s sound.<\/p>\n
It’s an intriguing theatrical work that continues at the Geary Theater, 415 Mason St., San Francisco, through June 29. For tickets and information, call (415) 749-2228 or visit www.act-sf.org.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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