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Behind The Scenes:
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October 2004 Newsletter : : Behind The Scenes : : Meet The Artist : : FAQ


Behind the Scenes: The Wedding Banquet - An Update!

Second Generation's (2g) musical adaptation of Ang Lee's hit film The Wedding Banquet tells a tale that traverses different racial, generational, and sexual cultures. Through the media of film, Ang Lee was able to take the audience on an intimate journey, making each transition and relationship accessible to the audience. The limits of the stage no doubts make it very challenging for such intimacy. All the same, director John Tillinger is confident that the musical will take the audience on an enchanting ride; just as Ang Lee did in the movie. "People can express themselves through dance and song in a way that they couldn't in the movie," John explains. "Because we get to expound on a theme during the course of a song," Welly Yang, founder and artistic director of 2g adds.

The show will open in Taipei in just two weeks. How is it looking you wonder? Well, according to Welly, who will starr in the role of Wei-Tung, The Wedding Banquet "is the most ambitious project 2g has ever taken on, and it's the piece [he] is most proud of. [The show] is funny as hell and poignant as hell." And why shouldn't it be? It's hard to imagine anything otherwise, with a team of such immense talent and experience behind the scene. Along with Tony-nominated director John Tillinger, 2g has recruited award-winning costume designer Carrie Robbins, set designer James Noone, and internationally recognized choreographer Sergio Trujillo to bring the script and music to stage.

Only teamwork can accomplish a task of this caliber. While each component carries much importance on its own, everyone must ultimately work together to ensure there is harmony in style, setting, and color, and that none impedes on the movements needed for the story to be told. After all, "…the appearance of any element depends on its place and function in the pattern of the whole." (Rudolph Arnheim Art and Visual Perception) For example, in designing the costumes, Carrie has the challenge of finding ways to marry the traditional Chinese style with "the somewhat tacky, yet wonderful style that is American." As an example, Carrie explained her vision of actors in sheer Tai Chi uniforms dancing on a roof at sunset against a Manhattan skyline. Before her designs go to shop, Carrie must consult with Sergio to make sure the costumes will not limit the actors in doing the movements that he demands. And of course, with James to make sure that in fact there will be a rooftop where the sheerness of her design can be highlighted.

Welly has nothing but praises for this team. "Sergio has done some absolutely brilliant work. He's a genius." Welly says. "Tillinger has done great work with getting the comedy and the pathos out of every scene. There are moments in the show that are just magnificent, things you've never seen before in theater."

Not convinced yet that this is a show worth seeing? Check out what Playbill and Newsweek have to say!