“Journey to the West” (2013)

adapted by Mary Zimmerman

and directed by Diane Fetterly

Journey to the West is a wonderful adventure story about a quest for something very important. It is very funny and ultimately very moving. Tripitaka, the Monk journeys from China to India in search of sacred Buddhist scriptures. He travels with three companions–the mischievous, boastful Monkey King; Bajie, the Pig, a babyish incarnation of appetite & lust; and Wujing, the River Spirit, who brings courage & strength to the Monk’s aid. The 16th century novel on which the play is based is a classic in China, and the characters have become favorites of the Chinese. They appear in comic books, TV cartoons, and ads for Chinese beer. The author, Mary Zimmerman, says of this show, “The play is full of beauty. It is very funny, and its lessons are important to many people in the world.”

JOURNEY TO THE WEST

Director	Diane Fetterly
Music Director and Composer	Tynowyn Woolman
Scenic, Costume, and Properties Designer	Teresa Shea
Lighting Designer	Tim Dugan
Choreographer	Michael Baranowski
Hair and Make-up Designer	Sara Quay
Technical Director	Tom Taylor
Sound Engineer	Chris Christensen
Stage Manager	Jessica Guise
Assistant Stage Manager	Andrew Diederich

 

THE CAST

The Goddesses

Jade Empress, Queen of Heaven	Kim Wellman
Lady Bodhisattva, Guanyin	Trish Adair
Moksa, Guanyin’s Disciple	Xochitl Husted
Tathagata Buddha of the Ultimate Bliss	Allison Chan

The Pilgrims

Sun Wukong, The Monkey King	Michael Baranowski
Tripitaka, The Monk	Danny McCammon
Bajie, The Pig	Brett Torgrimson
Wujing, Sha Monk	Kate Tobie

The Ensemble

(in order of appearance)

Lisa Moon	Aneka Qing Mei Torgrimson
Jake Dabis	Eric Tomb
Ty Baldwin	Hock G. Tjoa
Dinah Smith	Vann Dart
Maxwell Freedman	Ava Pritchett
Erin Commiskey	Olivia Pritchett
Virgil Wong

The Orchestra of Heaven and Earth

Music Director and Composer	Tynowyn Woolman
Musician	Lisa Strozzi Stine
Musician	Joe Fajen