Theatre III’s Child’s Play series returns June 13 with “The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac”, a collaboration with the Acton Chinese Language School (ACLS) that brings together AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) artists, cultural consultants, and local arts practitioners from across the region.
The play, written by Hawaii-based playwright Reiko Ho, follows grandparents Kung Kung and Po Po as they teach their grandchildren the origin story of the Chinese zodiac. When the Jade Emperor decrees a race to determine which twelve animals will mark the passage of time, the story comes alive with Chinese music, martial arts, and Lion Dance woven into the telling. With just four actors, it’s packed with what director Ruth Bendig calls “theater magic, exciting action, and fun surprises.”
Ho, who is also a fourth-degree black belt in Hapkido and the artistic associate at Honolulu Theatre for Youth (HTY), originally wrote and directed the play for HTY’s 2023–24 season, where it received a National Endowment for the Arts grant. The Theatre III production marks its New England premiere.
Bendig found Ho’s script through a connection to the Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis, where Ho’s earlier work had been staged. “This is an exciting and meaningful story,” Bendig said. “And it gives us an opportunity to work with a team of incredible artists.”
In her search for local collaborators, Bendig reached out to Ally Lee, the principal of ACLS. Lee connected Bendig with cultural experts who could bring authenticity to every element of the show. Narcyz Latecki, who runs Athletic Balance in Acton and teaches martial arts, is the production’s martial arts consultant. Fen Chai is lending her expertise as a Chinese opera performer. Kai Chao serves as assistant director and choreographer, working to blend martial arts, opera, and dance into movement that’s both culturally grounded and adapted to the performers’ abilities.
“This is the first time ACLS has collaborated with Theatre III on a stage production,” Lee said, “but we have a strong history of partnering with the community.” She pointed to ACLS’s co-hosting of a combined anniversary and Chinese New Year performance with the Town of Acton, and the school’s ongoing work with the Conservation Commission to build the China Trail Garden at the Acton Arboretum. “When Ruth reached out about collaborating on a production centered on Asian culture, we were immediately excited.”
Bendig emphasized that the collaboration goes well beyond working with consultants. The cast of four — Kimber Lynn Drake and Cherry Lynn Zinger as the grandparents, Joy Ma and Daina August as the grandchildren — is made up entirely of AAPI performers.
The creative team, from set designer Nala Wu (whose own grandparents live in Hawaii — the set is modeled on their backyard) to music consultant Poliana Yee, reflects the same commitment. Karla Goo Lang, a local performer from Honolulu, is helping to make sure Hawaiian cultural elements are handled with care.
“It’s been exciting to see it grow from an initial idea into a fully realized production, bringing together a diverse group of talented individuals,” Lee said. “Over the past twenty years, Acton’s Asian community has grown significantly. We hope to see more collaborative arts events like this to celebrate that diversity.”
The production is recommended for preschool through early elementary aged children, though Bendig says it’s entertaining for older kids and adults too. “When we choose a script, we know whole families come to the theater,” she said. “We want to make sure everyone is entertained.”
All performances will be “relaxed”. House lights won’t go fully dark, sound effects are kept gentle, and a chill-out space in the lobby will offer a live feed of the show for anyone who needs a break. Theatre III has also recently completed construction of a lift for audience members with mobility challenges and renovated its bathroom with an accessible stall.
Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door and went on sale in mid-May. Performances run Saturday, June 13 and Saturday, June 20 at 11 a.m., and Sunday, June 14 and Sunday, June 21 at 2 p.m. Tickets are expected to sell fast, based on the success of last year’s Child’s Play production of Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
The production is supported by grants from five local cultural councils: Acton-Boxborough, Concord, Littleton, Harvard, and Westford.
For more information and tickets, visit theatre3.org.
Jen Lewy is a local author and parent.
