“People, live on though thousands of miles apart the moon is with us” excerpt from Water Melody—Birth of Songs by Su Shi (1037-1101)
Since ancient times the moon has been an object of fascination. It’s shifting shades, sometimes teary, sometimes shy, give birth to legends that pass down from generation to generation.
When Neil Armstrong took his first walk on the moon for the world to see, the Chinese legends of the man, woman, rabbit and tree live on. Our mind accepts these two seemingly contradictory realities because one cannot live without the other.
Neil Armstrong landed on the moon in the lunar module. Chang’er arrived by floating. Wu Gan the wood cutter was blown there, and Jade Rabbit was installed by the Goddess of Mercy. The moon seems to be a place of reflection for its oddball residents: Chang’er’s choice of drinking the elixir, Wu Gan’s aspiration to greatness, Jade Rabbit’s selfless determination, Osmanthus tree’s resilience, and Neil Armstrong’s attempt to revisit that one great moment in his life, only to find that moment no longer exists. Legends are the human condition told with imagination. They are the wisdom that our ancestors passed down to us. Use it, and more comes out.
the moon a round a half a slice a silver star dust a shower glitter on the ground gather them it's already midnight
The play-movie had two public screenings on September 11 & 12, 2021 during the San Francisco Autumn Moon Festival; and a YouTube premiered on September 21, the actual date of the Mid Autumn Festival. To minimize the players’ (ages 11 to 16) exposure to COVID, actors wore masks the entire time for rehearsals and filming.
Terrence Lew as Neil Armstrong 
Nola Jensenko as Chang’er 
Margaret Chan as Jade Rabbit 
Victor Li as Wu Gan 
Joyce Tang as Hou Yi 
Tiffany Li as FengMeng 
Carmen Chen as Fox 
Emily Chen as Monkey 
Enkhtsatsralt Enkhjargal as Master 
Grace Lang as Osmanthus Tree 
Blossom Brewer as Peasant 
Brianna Lim as Festival Girl 
Pat Nishimoto as Goddess of Mercy 
Kelly Zhen as Immortal 
Andre Ye as Golden Boy
Audience Comments:
“Neil Armstrong at the Moon Palace” is another successful performance that engages the fun and enthusiasm of youth. ~Alex Benedict
It’s a lovely little play, and well staged!
I like the attack on over-sized portions and ideas…and the clarity of the children’s delivery of language. ~ Sydney Clemens
…very cute and very well done, thanks for making me laugh… ~ Bill Kwong
