Luo Shen will appeal primarily to a specialized audience — namely, those fluent in Mandarin. But an overhead translation in English is available, and there are certainly compensations for the outsider, who finds himself immersed in an exotic world.
Written and directed by Joanna Chan, Luo Shen is a historical drama dealing with the fortunes of a mighty Chinese dynasty. It takes place around 200 A.D., China's golden age, when the country was first united. Its leaders were warriors who were also brilliant poets and philosophers.
Against this background, a tale of star-crossed lovers unfolds. Cao Zhi, the favored son of General Cao Cao, falls in love with Zhen Mi, the captive widow of a rival warlord. She is given as spoils of war not to Cao Zhi but to his elder brother. Thus a Romeo and Juliet story plays out, with its inevitably tragic ending. But Chinese writers differ from Shakespeare in that Cao Zhi, a poet, immortalizes his love as the river goddess. Legend has it that Zhen Mi was the inspiration for the real-life Cao Zhi's "Ode to the Nymph of the River Luo."
Chan, artistic director and co-founder of Yangtze Rep, gives the play a lyrical interpretation through dialogue, narration, and dance. She employs a minimum of props and set pieces — possibly limited by budget and Theater for the New City's pocket-size stage — but her principal actors, all of whom have had notable careers in China, compensate. And Harrison HouJian Xu's costumes are lavish and presumably authentic to the era.
Although the production is slow getting off the ground and generally slow-moving, the plight of the lovers is ultimately heart-rending. William YueKun Wu and YiLing Li are particularly appealing in the lead roles, with YiLing Li moving like a graceful swan through her dances.
Presented by Yangtze Repertory Theatre of America at Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave., NYC. June 8-25. Thu.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m. (718) 263-8829 or www.yangtze-rep-theatre.org.
