NOW PLAYING: Vintage Theatre Presents THE JOY LUCK CLUB - Thru 5/20

Vintage Theatre presents THE JOY LUCK CLUB (Based on the novel by Amy Tan, and adapted by Susan Kim) playing now through May 20th. This drama tells the stories of four Chinese-immigrant women and their American-born daughters. Each of the four Chinese women has her own view of the world based on her experiences in China and wants to share that vision with her daughter. The daughters try to understand and appreciate their mothers' pasts, adapt to the American way of life, and win their mothers' acceptance.

Based on the book by the same name, the title comes from the club formed in China by one of the mothers, Suyuan Woo, in order to lift her friends' spirits and distract them from their problems during the Japanese invasion. At club meetings, they play the Chinese game of mahjong for money while feasting on a variety of foods.  Suyuan continued the club when she came to the United States—hoping to bring luck to her family and friends and finding joy in that hope.

The outstanding cast includes The Mothers: Donna Hansen (Suyuan Woo), Kim Yan (An-Mei Hsu), Tria Xiong* (Lindo Jong) and Janell Kim (Ying-Ying St. Clair); The Daughters: Samantha Yon (Jing-Mei Woo), Jennifer So (Rose Hsu Jordan), Michelle Yung Hurtubise (Waverly Jong) and Ulcca Joshi Hansen (Lena St. Clair).

The ensemble, under the direction of Craig A. Bond includes Maria Cheng, Charlie Chiv (appears courtesy of Actors' Equity), Paolo Dizon, Catherine Huh, Andrew Hunter, John Katona, Dat Le aka: Lee, Dorothy Lee, Heather Papazian, Melinda Piche, Arlene Rapal, Ben Sisaengrat, Lianna Sisaengrat, Lilly Triavita and Peter Trinh. 

Amy Tan wrote The Joy Luck Club to try to understand her own relationship with her mother. Tan's Chinese parents wanted Americanized children but expected them to think like Chinese. Tan found this particularly difficult as an adolescent. While the generational differences were like those experienced by other mothers and daughters, the cultural distinctions added another dimension. Thus, Tan wrote not only to sort out her cultural heritage but to learn how she and her mother could get along better.

Join Vintage Theatre for THE JOY LUCK CLUB telling their stories now through May 20th at their new location 1468 Dayton Street in Aurora, CO. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. For tickets of more information, contact Vintage Theatre at 303-839-1361 or online at www.vintagetheatre.com. 

PHOTO CREDIT: Ellen Nelson