Synchronicity's new show is an imaginative, inspiring children’s book that soars from the page to the stage. “Where the Mountain Meets the Moon,” based on the youth novel of the same name by Grace Lin and adapted for the stage by Jeannine Coulombe, opens Friday, January 26 and performs through February 18, 2024. This production will span four weeks across the Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival. On February 10, 2024, the Year of the Dragon begins. The Dragon is a powerful and auspicious creature in Chinese mythology, representing courage, creativity, and innovation. This show is a perfect way to celebrate the Lunar New Year, for all audiences.
About The Show:
Young Minli lives with her parents near Fruitless Mountain, surviving on the meager fare they can produce. Inspired by the rich tales her father tells (and by magical goldfish), Minli determines she will find the Old Man of the Moon who, it is said, knows the secret of good fortune. On her quest she encounters royalty, dragons, and several more stories, from which she learns what true good fortune really is. Based on the 2010 Newbery Honors book, this “fantasy crossed with Chinese folklore” production is a beautifully-told Wizard of Oz riff with a huge heart. Best for ages 5+.
Community Partners for this show include East by SouthEast, a networking organization supporting and developing local Asian artists of Atlanta; and the Atlanta Chinese Dance Company. Additionally, Community Partner Center for Puppetry Arts will provide an on-site Puppet Factory at Synchronicity every Saturday, where audiences can make their own dragon puppets.
Directed by award-winning Justin Anderson, and assistant directed by Frances Chang, this project boasts an acting and design team that is primarily AAPI artists, including Kate Hoang (sound), Sophie Im (set), Kerry Lee (Chinese movement), Kari Twyman (movement); and actors Toru Shimoji, Kristina Jin, Willie Frierson, Jr, Joseph Yang, Charlene Hong White, Kevin Huang Qian, Nancy Nguyen, and Crystal Lo. Additional artists include Chris Hecke, Elisabeth Cooper (lights), Jonida Beqo (costumes), and Jackie Lenz (stage management).
Review:
Katie, Johnny and I celebrated the Year of the Dragon by seeing "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon" at the Horizon Theatre. Skilled at combining storytelling with humor and physical acting, the cast of nine local Asian artists brought Grace Lin's beloved book to life. The serene, Asian screen sets created a beautiful backdrop for the great choreography from the Atlanta Chinese Dance Company, which also included some very exciting fight scenes! We particularly loved the flying dragons zipping around waving their tails and the graceful white fan clouds floating under Minli as she rode the Black Dragon through the air. Speaking of Minli, Kristina Jin was delightful in every way! She was an absolute joy to watch perform as was Willie Frierson as the Black Dragon.
There are only 2 more weekends to see this show. We absolutely loved it and wholeheartedly recommend this show for your family!
Showtimes: January 26- February 18
Fridays at 7pm
Saturdays at 1 and 4:30pm
Sundays at 2 and 5:30pm
*Each Friday is PJs & Play – where children wear pajamas, have milk and cookies, and watch the show.
*Each Sunday at 5:30 is Pay-What-You-Can - PWYC tickets are only available at the Box Office starting one hour before showtime
*Each Saturday at 3pm, Center for Puppetry Arts Puppet Factory – Make-a-dragon puppet workshop
Run time: An hour and 20 minutes with a 15-minute intermission
Age recommendation: 5+. This play has a couple of small moments of peril. It is highly theatrical and incorporates puppets, dance, masks, and more.
Location:
Synchronicity Theatre (Midtown, Peachtree Pointe)
1545 Peachtree Street, Suite 102
Atlanta, GA 30309
Tickets:
Order online synchrotheatre.com or call (404) 484 - 8636.
Safety:
Synchronicity Theatre remains committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all attendees. Stringent health and safety protocols are in place to ensure a secure and enjoyable experience for our valued audience members.
