Forgiveness photo: Jack Vartoogian

Performing Arts WORLD PREMIERE FORGIVENESS THURSDAY-SATURDAY, MARCH 9-11, 2000, THURSDAY AND SATURDAY, 8 PM; FRIDAY, 9:30 PM $18 ($15 WALKER MEMBERS) AUDITORIUM

The backdrop is memories: a pain-filled 20th century of inter-Asian conflict marked by war and peace, unspeakable atrocities, and the dream of a united Asia. Conceived and directed by Chinese theatrical innovator Chen Shi-Zheng in collaboration with Noh master Akira Matsui and composer Eve Beglarian, Forgiveness explores inter-Asian history and possible paths toward reconciliation. Alternately emotional and athletic, serious and hopeful, this new work draws from time-honored Asian art forms to create a compelling contemporary theatrical experience, featuring a remarkable company of traditional master artists from China, Japan, Korea, and the United States. Forgiveness, Shi-Zheng's first work since his adaptation of Peony Pavilion, the hit of the 1999 Lincoln Center Festival, is inspired, in part, by the classic Chinese opera Fa Zi Du (The Punishment of Zi Du). A conversation with the artists immediately follows the Thursday and Saturday performances.


THE RESIDENCY ACTIVITIES AND PERFORMANCES ARE PRESENTED BY WALKER ART CENTER PERFORMING ARTS AND EDUCATION/COMMUNITY PROGRAMS DEPARTMENTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH ASIAN AMERICAN RENAISSANCE, CAAM, INTERMEDIA ARTS, MINNESOTA DANCE ALLIANCE, THE KOREAN-AMERICAN TODAY AND TOMORROW CENTER, AND THEATER MU.

FORGIVENESS WAS CO-COMMISSIONED BY THE WALKER ART CENTER, ASIA SOCIETY (NYC), HEBBEL THEATRE (BERLIN), FESTIVAL D'AUTOMNE (PARIS), THE FLYNN THEATRE (VERMONT), AND UNIVERSITY MUSICAL SOCIETY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, AND WAS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY A GRANT FROM THE MEET THE COMPOSER/INTERNATIONAL CREATIVE COLLABORATIONS PROGRAM, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FORD FOUNDATION. ADDITIONAL FUNDS PROVIDED BY THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS AND THE BUSH FOUNDATION.