A man opens his door to the sound of distress in the middle of a storm. Knocking at his door is a beautiful woman, drenched to the bone and offering, right then and there, to become his wife.
This is a scene from “The Crane Wife,” this year’s fall children’s show. The play opens at 7 p.m. in Verser Theatre, and will be performed by a cast of 18 students.
“‘Tsuru No Ongaeshi’, or The Crane Wife, is based on an ancient Japanese children’s folk tale which has been adapted for the stage,” said Daniel Inouye, assistant professor of theater arts and the show’s director. “Like most folktales, this story has been passed down through generations and cultures in multiple versions. The story’s haunting and cautionary tale deals with the dangers of greed and not appreciating the simple beauty of one’s own life.”
The show, being of Japanese origin, will emulate a Japanese look.
“This production aims to create an enchanting theatrical experience,” Inouye said. “It will have stylized choreography, puppetry, shadow play and a mixture of narrative and theatrical conventions inspired by Japanese culture and aesthetic, as well the Japanese theatre forms Noh and Bunraku. It is unlike any other show Ouachita has produced and will be certain to entertain adults as well as children of all ages.
The people behind this production have made efforts not just to make everything look Japanese, but to make it all visually sharp as well.
“At one point we’ll have a ten foot crane puppet,” said Robby Taylor, sophomore musical theatre major. “Also, one of the guys had to shave off his beard and dye his hair from red to black. He’s unrecognizable.”
By opening night, the cast and crew will have rehearsed for almost an entire month to bring out what they believe to be the best the “The Crane Wife” has to offer.
“Rehearsals for this show started on August 24,” said junior musical theatre major Heather White. “We have been working approximately three hours a night, five nights a week on it since then.”
The cast includes Jacob Sturgeon, Heather White, Betsy Wilson, Chad Burris, Ben Perry and Joe Ochterbeck as the main characters. Lauren Linton, Bethany Gere, Cami Willis, Kendrick Scorza, Ben Stidam and Robby Taylor make up the Village Chorus. Stacy Hawking, Kaylee Nebe, Jordan Miller, Kayla Esmond, Natalie Williams and Caitlin Secrest are all a part of the Crane Dance Chorus.
“It will be a great show,” Taylor said. “I am sure everyone will enjoy it.”
Tickets may be purchased at the JPAC ticket office from 1-5 p.m. and one hour before show times. Each current Ouachita student may recieve one ticket with the showing of their student ID.
