‘A Thousand Cranes’
By Katie Deem
The Theatre Department presents “A Thousand Cranes,” by Kathryn Schultz Miller, in the Multipurpose Room, tenatively on April 27 at 7 p.m. in a "Sneak Peek" performance, and (again tentatively) on April 29 and 30 at 2 p.m in a public performance. The play depicts the life of a 12-year-old girl, Sadako Sasaki, who has “radiation sickness” as a result of the Hiroshima bomb. While preparing for a school race, Sadako falls ill and is diagnosed with leukemia. Her friend Kenji reminds her of a story that, if an ill person folds a thousand origami cranes, the gods will make her well again.
The Theatre Department presents “A Thousand Cranes,” by Kathryn Schultz Miller, in the Multipurpose Room, tenatively on April 27 at 7 p.m. in a "Sneak Peek" performance, and (again tentatively) on April 29 and 30 at 2 p.m in a public performance. The play depicts the life of a 12-year-old girl, Sadako Sasaki, who has “radiation sickness” as a result of the Hiroshima bomb. While preparing for a school race, Sadako falls ill and is diagnosed with leukemia. Her friend Kenji reminds her of a story that, if an ill person folds a thousand origami cranes, the gods will make her well again.
Sadako is inspired to fold them. During this process, the spirit of Sadako’s grandmother, who had died in the bomb attack, visits her. Her grandmother shows her the souls of others who died during the attack. On that journey, Sadako begins to understand the significance of her wish.
Sadako dies before she completes her task. Three hundred and sixty five cranes remained to be folded. Her friends and classmates take up where Sadako left off.
The set style is representational, says director Carson Soelberg, and only the grandmother will display traditional Japanese dress. Other characters, like Kenji and Sadako’s father and mother, will display typical '50s American dress. (Japan was greatly influenced by American culture during this period.) Actors include Caena Stewart as Sadako, Allen Withrow as Sadako’s friend, Melanie McAtee as the grandmother, Mike Webb as Sadako’s father, and Christina Mace as her mother. The crew includes Amanda Parsons as assistant to the director, Holly Pfaff as costume designer, and Patrick Garvey as technical advisor.
“This is a family show," says Soelberg, "for children who can understand" the gravity of nuclear bombing. The department also plans to tour local schools with “A Thousand Cranes.” Soelberg hopes children will come away from the play asking if the bombing of Hiroshima was necessary—asking if it is ever right to drop a nuclear bomb for any reason.
For more information on performance dates, please contact Carson Soelberg, Director of Theatre at 424-8295.
Sadako dies before she completes her task. Three hundred and sixty five cranes remained to be folded. Her friends and classmates take up where Sadako left off.
The set style is representational, says director Carson Soelberg, and only the grandmother will display traditional Japanese dress. Other characters, like Kenji and Sadako’s father and mother, will display typical '50s American dress. (Japan was greatly influenced by American culture during this period.) Actors include Caena Stewart as Sadako, Allen Withrow as Sadako’s friend, Melanie McAtee as the grandmother, Mike Webb as Sadako’s father, and Christina Mace as her mother. The crew includes Amanda Parsons as assistant to the director, Holly Pfaff as costume designer, and Patrick Garvey as technical advisor.
“This is a family show," says Soelberg, "for children who can understand" the gravity of nuclear bombing. The department also plans to tour local schools with “A Thousand Cranes.” Soelberg hopes children will come away from the play asking if the bombing of Hiroshima was necessary—asking if it is ever right to drop a nuclear bomb for any reason.
For more information on performance dates, please contact Carson Soelberg, Director of Theatre at 424-8295.
"This is our cry
This is our prayer
Peace in the World"
Inscription on the base of the Children's Peace Monument, erected by the children of Hiroshima in memory of Sadako Sasaki.
posted by John Hickey at 4/03/2006
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