e-mail this page
Printer Friendly Version

Puppets bring 18th century drama to life

Students Michael LaPlante (left) and Michael Halvea work with the puppet “Kuheiji” for the upcoming production of The Love Suicides at Sonezaki.

A rare college production of the Japanese classic The Love Suicides at Sonezaki featuring life-sized puppets opens Friday, April 14 at 8 p.m. in the University Theatre. Performances continue at 2 and 8 p.m. on April 15, at 6:30 p.m. on April 19, at 8 p.m. on April 20-22 and at 2 p.m. on April 23.

A special benefit dress rehearsal performance for the Sacramento State Friends of the Library will be held on April 13 at 7 p.m.

The Love Suicides at Sonezaki, first performed in Kyoto in 1703, is the work of Chikamatsu Monzaemon, considered by many to be the “Japanese Shakespeare” and the greatest dramatist in Japanese literature. The tragic story of a simple shop clerk in love with a courtesan, The Love Suicides at Sonezaki was written specifically for the bunraku, or puppet theatre, a form of Japanese classical theater in which puppeteers operate on stage with dialogue coming from just off stage.

Richard Bay, noted professor of puppetry in the Department of Theatre and Dance, designed the life-size puppets and will direct the production, which also will include Chinese shadow puppets, contemporary dance styles, and traditional and modern Asian music. Bay, who said it is unusual for a college to tackle such an ambitious production as The Love Suicides at Sonezaki, has been honored for his creative puppet designs and productions using puppets on stage.

Tickets are $15 general, $12 for students, faculty and staff, and $10 for senior citizens and high school students and are available at the Sacramento State Ticket Office at 278-4323 or at Tickets.com.

Tickets for the Friends of the Library benefit performance are $30 and are available at 278-5954. The benefit also will feature a silent auction with items such as still life giclee prints titled "Books and Peaches" by artist and Sacramento State alum Jian Wang, and a print titled "Life on the River" by alum Greg Kondos and donated by the University Library Gallery and the Alumni Association. Proceeds will benefit the University Library.