Letter From the Director

When I was approached to direct The Wedding Banquet, I was immediately intrigued. I am a great admirer of Ang Lee's film and thought that it would adapt well as a musical. When I met the creative team Brian Yorkey (Book and Lyrics), Woody Pak (Music), and Welly Yang (the Conceiver), I was truly impressed by their talent and enthusiasm. Unlike most new American musicals, which concentrate on the brash, almost cynical milieu of show business, The Wedding Banquet deals with emotions, acceptance, and Love. There is also the cultural and sexual conflict between the characters that deepens the plot. Young Asians, like so many immigrants to the U.S., want to discard their own culture and adopt American ways. In this musical, as in the movie, when the young protagonists put on their traditional Chinese wedding robes, something amazing happens to them. They realize that they belong to an older, wiser culture, and learn to accept their heritage, even if they are still intent on living their lives their own way. The sexual conundrum is a familiar one to Americans, but here the parents, who may never have experienced such matters, have to learn to accept their son's sexual orientation. To use an overused phrase, love conquers all. If they love their son and they do, they must accept him for who he is. And his partner. We pay a terrible price if we live our lives as a lie. The Wedding Banquet says that we need to move beyond tribalism and accept each other whatever our racial, religious, political, and sexual differences might be. The lyrics, music, and dance enhance and illuminate the story. I, for one, find the journey extremely moving. And witty. I hope you do. John Tillinger Director, The Wedding Banquet July 27, 2003