UF’s School of Theatre and Dance will debut its adapted version of "The Golden Dragon," a production in which six actors play the full cast, tonight at 7:30.
In this nonlinear story, the actors will transform into different characters on the stage, delivering lines from a new scene as they switch roles.
"It’s written for many characters who have to change roles very quickly and adapt to all different kind of ages and genders," said professor Ralf Remshardt, the play’s director. "This is not a realist play, it’s a surrealistic play."
Although "surrealistic," the play takes its audience through real issues. Set in a Pan-Asian restaurant, "The Golden Dragon" follows the lives of five immigrant cooks as they touch on topics ranging from relationship problems to gender roles.
The play is centered on a cook who not only struggles with the issues attached to being an illegal immigrant, but also suffers terrible toothaches while serving meals.
The show, which originated in 2009 from a German playwright, had its U.S. start in Washington, D.C. in 2011. The initial U.S. play only included five actors. Professor Remshardt added a sixth actor, the Foley Artist, into the play. The actor will serve as a commentator and sound effects artist during the show’s events.
Ernest Briggs, an actor who will play three different roles during the show, hopes the audience will gain more than just a few hours of entertainment.
In a short period of time, the play will try to answer as many questions about life as it can, he said.
He wishes the play would spark discussion the audience may not have thought about prior to watching it.
"It touches on a lot of issues on gender, gender roles, race, race stereotypes, issues of work, and issues of immigration amongst many other things," the 31-year-old UF master’s candidate said.
"The Golden Dragon" serves as a reminder about the prejudice and subconscious racism that’s still present today toward Asian immigrants, said Mallory Steffes, a 21-year-old UF theatre performance senior and one of the play’s actors.
Steffes plays three roles: a young Chinese man, the man in the striped shirt and the Barbie-F----r.
The play is different in its surreal, experimental and slightly dark story than past UF productions, Steffes said.
"The audience should expect to be really shocked. This isn’t a play that makes sense, nor is it a play that ends happily," Steffes said. "Also, if they are anything like me, they might leave craving Chinese takeout."
The UF School of Theatre and Dance will debut its version of "The Golden Dragon" at 7:30 p.m. tonight. The actors will transform into different characters while on stage.
