Z Space and Word for Word present:
The Strange Library
by Haruki Murakami
Directed by Lisa Hori-Garcia and Keiko Shimosato Carreiro
November 13 through December 8
in Z Below
“...this kind of thing’s going on in libraries everywhere, you know.”
Word for Word transforms Z Below into the macabre imaginings of the celebrated and enigmatic Japanese author Haruki Murakami. In
his haunting and atmospheric short story, “The Strange Library,” a lonely boy, a mysterious girl, and a tormented sheep-man plot their escape from a secret, labyrinthian world.
This is the stuff of dreams—or nightmares!
Show Schedule
Previews: Wed 11/13 and Thur 11/14, 7pm, Fri 11/15 8pm
Opening Night: Sat 11/16 8pm
Run of Show: 11/17 - 12/8 | Wed & Thurs 7pm | Fri & Sat 8pm | Sun 2pm (no show on Thanksgiving 11/28).
Masked Performances: Wed, 11/27 and Sun, 12/1. Masks required for all audience members, bar will not be open.
Thursday 11/21 - Talkback with the SF Library - Join us after the show for a talkback with San Francisco librarians. Libraries are vital to our civic community ecosystem, learn more from those who make these venerable institutions possible.
Sake Tastings Saturday 11/16 (opening) and Sunday 11/24 - Please join us after the show for sake tastings, generously sponsored by Jizake Quest.
Would you consider making a tax-deductible donation today to help support a moving, fun, and most importantly LIVE theater experience for your community?
L-to-R: Julie Kuwabara, Jed Parsario. The Sheepman brings the boy his homemade donuts.
Photo by Robbie Sweeny
Cast
Julie Kuwabara
Chuck Lacson
Jed Parsario*
Vivienne Truong
Ogie Zulueta*
Crew and Creative Team
Stage Manager: Karen Runk*
Assistant Stage Manager: Tina Mosier
Production Manager: Justin D. Schlegel
Scenic Design: Mikiko Uesugi**
Sound Design / Projections: Lana Palmer
Lighting Design: Jim Cave
Costume Design: Laura Hazlett
Assistant Costume Design: Armando Breiz
Prop Design: Amy Benjamin
Dramaturgy/Shadow Puppet Design and Fabrication: Ai Ebashi
Girl Puppet & Masks Fabrication: Keiko Shimosato Carreiro
Starling Fabrication: Laura Hazlett
Movement Consultant: Ryan Marchand, Li-Leng Au
Dog Animation: Julian Kenji Carreiro
Lobby Signage Graphic Design: Kaito Uesugi
Experiential Text Composition: Lisa Hori-Garcia
*Member, Actors’ Equity Association
**Member, United Scenic Artists
English Translation by Ted Goossen
Copyright (c) Harukimurakami Archival Labyrinth, 2014.
Recited with permission of Harukimurakami Archival Labyrinth
A special thanks to our “book-friends” for their gift of Japanese books to help us realize our vision for transforming Z Below into ‘the Strange Library’: Minako Burrows, Miki Kawashima, Ai Kondo, Kayoko Leong, Meikui Matsushima, Kaoru Kida Mesa, Reiko Okamoto, Naomi Torimoto, and Madoka Webster.
Also a special thanks to bookstores who’ve been our promotional partners for this show: Bookshop West Portal, Bird & Beckett, Green Apple Books, Books Inc., and City Lights Books
For Press Inquiries, please contact Word for Word’s press agent Liam Passmore at Shave and a Haircut, liam@shaveandahaircut.biz.
"Word for Word’s powers of transformation, its essential theatricality, comes through and gratifies..."
—Steven Winn, San Francisco Chronicle
"Word for Word’s wonderful productions make me feel that I am a smarter and better writer than I can possibly be."
—Greg Sarris
“If you’re a short story writer, one of the coolest things that can happen to your work is to have Word for Word translate it to the stage."
—Lily Janiak, San Francisco Chronicle
