starry

So, last weekend I was in the Twin Cities to see  the Starry River of the Sky play by Stages Theater. They've put on a number of plays based on award winning novels, as their "wall of fame" showcases:

including Where the Mountain Meets the Moon:

Which, if you remember, I was too busy to see. 

However, I did make it to the Starry River of the Sky performance! And, I am so, so glad that I did. 

I was very interested on how the story would translate on stage. Even as a book, Starry River of the Sky is trickier than Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. It asks more from the reader. The themes are deeper and the characters are more subtle. But even though  Starry River of the Sky is a little bit more challenging, my hope is that readers find it that much more rewarding. 

And, the play is that. While the Where the Mountain Meets the Moon play was fun and joyous,  the Starry River of the Sky play was simply beautiful.  You can tell from the first look at the set:

Jeannine Coulombe was able to compress my dense book into a gorgeous, touching and truly moving 90 minute play. I think I like this adaptation even better than the Where the Mountain Meets the Moon adaptation she did earlier--and I didn't think that was possible!

And the acting was amazing. The main character, Rendi, is a hard part to play. At first he's unlikeable, but you slowly learn he's so prickly because he's so wounded inside. And as he heals, he emerges as the hero.  Andrew Moy played him perfectly with the blend of vulnerability and anger with a realistic transformation into compassion.  Peiyi, played by Julia Patterson, was ideally endearing and sweet-- exactly how I pictured her. Mr. Shan (Maxwell Thao), Madame Chang (Naomi Ko), Master Chao (Yen Thao)...everyone brought the characters to life in just the right way.  I was  so incredibly impressed!

Peiyi (Julia Patterson), the toad and Rendi (Andrew Moy)-- after the show!

me and Mr. Shan! (Maxwell Thao)

Meilan (Danielle Wong, who had played Minli in Where the Mountain Meets the Moon!), me and Tiwu (Isabelle Wong)

I've had some bittersweet moments about Starry River of the Sky which has sometimes made me doubt my direction. But when I was watching the story being performed, I almost forgot that I wrote it...and when the play was finished I was so proud that I had.  By putting on this production, Stages Theatre has given me such a lovely gift.

And, I think it'll give you one too. Go see it!

Thank you, Stages Theatre!

on my desk monday

On my desk are some mementos from my weekend in MN, where I saw Starry River of the Sky!

Along with the program and some tickets, there's a special porcelain rabbit bowl signed by all the cast members of the show...which I will tell more of in my next post. All I will say now is that it was truly beautiful and if you are anywhere near the Twin Cities, make the effort to go see it. It will be more than worth it. Really.

and another (yes, another!) one of my books hits the stage!

As if seeing Where the Mountain Meets the Moon onstage wasn't enough, I am so over-the-top-thrilled that Starry River of the Sky has also been adapted for the stage! It premieres TOMORROW at Stages Theatre in Hopkins, MN!

Here's a sneak peak of the set (all photos stolen from the Stages Theatre Facebook page! Hope they don't mind):

doesn't it look great?

as well as Peiyi and Rendi (displaying their mutual dislike!):

It seems hard to believe that I would have two novels adapted for the stage, but it makes more sense  when one realizes that Stages Theatre is the company who first adapted Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. Their script is the one that Wheelock used to put on their show, which I think, in turn inspired places like the Bay Area Children's Theater and others see the book's stage potential. Stages Theatre is truly the visionary and not just in bringing my books to life (which is a feat in itself) but, also by having the courage to take on what others have thought as "ethnic stories" and revealing them as stories to be enjoyed by all.  Having both Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and Starry River of the Sky produced as plays (hopefully to extreme success!) is, as my friend Janet Wong put, "a huge milestone for diversity in children's literature."

So, I am extremely grateful to them! I wasn't able to see the Stages Theater  production  of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (I had a production of my own to attend to), but I'm not missing this one! While I won't be at the premiere tomorrow, I will be at the May 3rd show! Schedule below:

Saturday, May 3rd 2014
Hopkins Jaycees Studio Theatre
1111 Mainstreet
Hopkins, MN 55343

Prior to the 1:00 pm Performance:
12:30 - 1:00 PM: Grace Lin book signing 
1:00 PM: Performance of Starry River of the Sky
2:15-2:45 PM: Talk with audience

Prior to the 7:00 pm Performance:
6:30-7:00 PM: Pre-show reception and Grace Lin book signing
7:00-8:15 PM: Performance of Starry River of the Sky

So, if you are local to the area--please, go see the show! If you aren't local, please spread the word! If it does well, maybe, just like what happened with Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, it'll catch the eye of other places and Starry River of the Sky could be performed in a theater near you! I can dream, anyway...

More info about the show HERE!