THE YELLOW JACKET, Euclid-77th Street Theatre, Directed by Will Rhys

This extraordinary production would never be undertaken by the current management of the Play House. And what a pity. This script by Benrimo et al, was originally done in the 1920's when experimentation in the theatre did not just mean advancing a wierd agenda. This was an American attempt at Chinese Opera, a truly unique theatrical form. While we could not pretend to duplicate the experience of Chinese Opera, we did study films, tracts, etc. and made an honest attempt to make this mysterious and peculiar form accessible to modern audiences. I vividly remember going to a costume fitting with designer Keith Nagy at the Cleveland Opera and I noticed the picture on the left on his desk in a neat little frame. I recognized it as me and asked Keith whether he knew who it was. He shrugged, and when I told him it was in fact your humble servant, Keith was a little annoyed, I think, at being fooled by the photo. I must thank him for the photo as my own copies were damaged in the infamous flood in the basement.

Twelve inch high cork shoes, and four foot flags made the general Tai Fah Minh imposing, but it also took some getting used to. A truly enriching experience. The costumes for the entire production (which included some authentic Chinese Opera silk costumes--the Yellow Jacket of the title was authentic--were all by Estelle Painter and the headdresses were by Eugene Hare.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION COME BACK SOON!!