In about 15 hours, Beiwai's production of Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" will open on the main stage at Beijing Foreign Studies University (June 15). I am too tired and too close to it to say anything terribly objective or terribly cogent at the moment. If you are in reasonably metro-transportation distance, please come and see for yourself; it is free.
Frankly, I don't know what you will see if you come. This is new territory for me; never have I presented a show to an audience when I am absolutely certain it is not yet ready for an audience. But there are extended moments--perhaps, in kinder truth, two full acts out of the 4--when I get excited at rehearsals.
I have yet to "see" the full 4 Acts in sequence, much less a basic run-through on the stage we will tread so soon. It was directed and rehearsed in a basement rec room and several 'stolen' classrooms. We finally got a full day on the big stage today; tomorrow we will have it all day, leading up to the opening performance that night!
However, this I can promise you: a goodly portion of this production of Arthur Miller's"The Crucible" is stirring, thrilling, heartbreaking, and does his genius proud. So, come see us or wish us well. June 15 - June 19.
