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Masthead
A CurtainUp Review
Soul of Shaolin
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The Order of Shaolin Ch'an, founded in 520 C.E. by the Indian monk Tamo, is a branch of Ch'an (Zen) Buddhism dedicated to the study of nature and humanity's place in our world. Through the physical study of martial arts we learn to extinguish our egos, through the study of nature we seek understanding of the unity of all life, and through meditative practices we strive to maximize the potential of each individual. —from the Shaolin Temple website
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Scene from Soul of Shaolin
(Photo: Joan Marcus) |
This co-production between the Nederlander Worldwide Productions, LLC and Eastern Shanghai International Culture Film & Television Group entwines a simple but impassioned story line with the visceral thrills of the martial arts as taught and practiced by the legendary Shaolin monks. Set in ancient China during a time of war, the story begins with the separation of a mother from her infant son as she attempts to hide him along with a piece of identifying jade from marauding war lords. The story then picks up with the growth and progress of Hui Guang, from childhood to manhood after he is found and cared for by the Shaolin monks. Hui Guang is taken as a disciple by a one-armed monk who teaches him the disciplines of the martial arts. The value that the monks place on spiritual development is also dramatically integrated into the action and becomes a key to Hui Guang's enlightenment.
Three performers play Hui Guang: Zhang Zhigang, as the boy; Dong Yingbo, as the teenager; Yu Fei, as the young man. Each is given unique opportunities to demonstrate his strength and proficiency.
It won't be telling too much to say the life long search for Hui Guang by his mother is woven into the story. As the mother, expressively performed by Li Lin demonstrates her mastery of Shaolin Kung Foo's more graceful movements, we know she is no pushover. She fends off the contingent of warlords and later holds her own when attacked by a group of bullies in a village square. (Li Lin will be alternating the role with Wang Yazhi).
While the performers make abundant use of whips, sw rds, blades of various shapes, chains, poles and sticks during confrontations with "the bad guys," many of the show's most exciting and amusing aspects come with the training of the young men being schooled in Shaolin Kung Foo. It's fun to watc them as they hone their skills amid playful antics. Laughs come as a student proudly shows how he can get a yellow rice bowl to stick to his abdomen and not be pulled off of him. The simple chore of sweeping the floor opens up infinite possibilities for a contingent of students holding brooms, as does any object or action that can be deployed for martial use.
Contortion, acrobatics, dance, and tumbling are generously infused into the action. However, under the direction and choreographic ingenuity of Liu Tongbiao, the pure artistry and mastery of the moves of the Shaolin Temple Wushu Martial Artists are always at the fore. This is demonstrated in a thrilling scene in which Hui Guang must prove his mastery of Shaolin Kung Foo by challenging and defeating each monk in the temple in order to be set free and return with his mother to his family. For the record, Hui Guang is reunited with his mother and the plot is resolved with commensurate emotional displays by all the principal characters. Exceptional turns are given by Zhang Zhigang, as the Master, and Bai Guojun, as the Abbot.
The settings include the outskirts of a village, a town square, the grounds and interior of the Shaolin temple and even an abstracted place of meditation, All are the beautiful evocations of Xie Tommie, enhanced by Song Tianjiao's lighting. The tasteful costumes are designed by Huang Gengying.
Soul of Shaolin marks the first time a production from the People's Republic of China has appeared on Broadway. I can't think of a better way to celebrate the Lunar New Year (the year of the Ox) than with this extraordinary and agile company of 30 Chinese Nationals.
Attesting to the family-friendly nature of the show, my companions for the evening were my daughter-in-law and Ben my five year-old grandson. Although Ben was attentive throughout, he was not as demonstrative as others in his appreciation. It was only after he hit the street and began to defy gravity by leaping into the air with a kick did I surmise that he grasped the subtext. I'll take that as a favorable review.
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Soul of Shaolin Directed & Choreographed by Liu Tongbiao Cast: Yu Fei, Dong Yingbo, Wang Sen, Zhang Zhigang, Bai Guojun, Wang Yazhi, Li Lin, Jia Honglei, Pan Fuynag, Li Guanghui, Dong Xingfeng, Lu Shilei, Zhang Xinbo, Xia Haojie, Li Panpan, Wang Yanshuang, Shi Zhendong, Liu Weidong, Cai Kehe, Yang Wei, Yang, Xianyu, Sun Shengli, Dong Junpeng, An Pukang, Wang Xiaogang, Hou Yanjie, Tian Yinan, Wang Feihu, Liu Wancheng, Shang Yaofei. Stage Design: Xie Tongmiao Costume Design: Huang Gengying Lighting Design: Song Tianjiao Sound Designers: Wu Feifei, Keith Caggiano Martial Arts Directors: Jiang Dongxu, Zhu Huayin Running Time: 1 hour 45 minutes including intermission Marquis Theatre, 1535 Broadway (212) – 239 – 6200 Tickets: ($95, $75, $50.) Student rush tickets will be available for $30 day of the show. Performances: Monday at 8 PM, Tuesday at 7 PM, Wednesday at 2 & 8 PM, Thursday and Friday at 8 PM, Saturday at 2 & 8 PM. Opened 01/15/09 Ends limited engagement 01/25/09 Review by Simon Saltzman based on preview performance 01/13/09 |
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