Article by May Zhou for ChinaDaily
The Big Swim was developed by the Asia Society Texas Center and the Houston Grand Opera, says Michael Buening, director of the Asia Society Texas’ performing arts and culture department.
“We hoped to develop an annual Lunar New Year-themed piece for families,” says Buening. “We want it to be the Nutcracker of the Lunar New Year, something that families across Houston can attend every year to celebrate the holiday together.”
The classical ballet The Nutcracker is performed in over a hundred US cities during the Christmas season…
A shadow puppet theater was set up to entertain children before the show. People tried their hand at calligraphy, such as writing words related to the New Year.
A tiger and a dragon also entered the grand hall to sing and welcome the audience into the “emperor’s palace” to watch the great race portrayed in the opera.
The Big Swim was written by Melisa Tien, a playwright and opera librettist based in New York, with the music composed by Meilina Tsui from Orlando, Florida.
Article for AsiaSociety.org
The one-act The Big Swim takes the audience on an unforgettable adventure, inviting them to become part of the story in a high-energy performance blurring the lines between guest and performer. The libretto reimagines the classic Chinese fable of the Great Race among the 12 zodiac animals, with the cast welcoming and greeting the audience as the collective Jade Emperor.
Building on the success of last year’s sold-out weekend, the celebration was preceded each day by an exciting array of activities including shadow puppet and traditional brush calligraphy demonstrations, and Singaporean coffee from Kopi Cowboy.
Families were filled with joy and excitement throughout the weekend, ushering in the Year of the Horse with new insights, unforgettable memories, and a renewed appreciation for the beauty and meaning of the Lunar New Year.