Travel to a mythical island where NO grown-up are allowed!
Fred Rohan-Vargas has joined forces with June Rachelson-Ospa and Jay Griggs to turn his children's story into a joyous musical with lessons to learn.
Dance, sing, learn important life-lessons, share experiences; all on the island of YAKI-YIM BAMBOO.
YAKI-YIM BAMBOO takes place on a magical island designed for kids of the Caribbean... where adults are not allowed ... and is magically set so it cannot be found. The musical centers on one young man about to enter adolescence. He knows his time on "the island" is coming to an end and he must grow-up. This opens the door for questions about what it means to be responsible and "mature."
This interactive piece (get ready to dance the limbo!) has played in numerous organizations including performances at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and the United Nations International School (which featured Rebecca Hoffman, Dustin Hoffman's daughter), Creative Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey and The St. Louis Black Repertory Company in Missouri. Yaki Yim Bamboo, the musical, based on the play, is coming to the New York off-Broadway theatre scene.
The creative team reads like a Who's Who of New York's independent theatre scene: Fred Rohan-Vargas, Librettist/Executive Producer; June Rachelson-Ospa, Lyricist; Jay Griggs, Composer; Alex Acevedo, Director/Choreographer; Noriko Sunamoto, music Director; Maya Graffagna, Costume Designer; and introducing Kingsborough College student, Naomi Ricketts as the first production assistant.
The legendary 13th Street Repertory theater will host a limited three-month run of Fred Vargas's infectiously entertaining work. Run, don't walk, to buy tickets for you and your favorite young person (or two or three).
Performances: March 18 @ 11am; April 2, 23, 24, 30 @ 1pm & 29 @ 11am; May 7,14,15, 21, 22 @ 1pm & 20, 27 @ 11am; June 3 @ 11am & 4, 5, 11, 12 @ 1pm. Visit www.yakiyimbamboo.com for more information.
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