The Piano is a fantasy-adventure theatrical play written by Clara Hsu for the students of Clarion Summer Theater, 2020. The play is based on Clara’s knowledge and experience as a child growing up in her father’s piano factory in Hong Kong.
Players ages 10 to 16 met frequently on zoom to rehearse. They learned to act, dance and sing. Then each player was filmed individually at Clarion Performing Arts Center. The footage was creatively edited together by Brent Benaway. We’re proud to present to you “The Piano 2020 — a Play Movie”
The Piano is produced as a testament of tenacity and creativity of the human spirit. It was so for Mr. Ma, the piano manufacturer. It is so today, for all of us in the time of Coronavirus.
Clara Hsu’s first poetic play, Love on the Magpie Bridge, was written for the players of Clarion Performing Arts Center’s Summer Theater, 2019. Based on a Chinese legend known in the celebration of Qixi (Night of Sevens) festival, the play incorporated an ancient poem, a popular folk song, an art song and many classical and folk tunes played on the guzheng by David Wong. With an intergenerational cast the play was performed on August 5, 7 and 11 to the delight of the San Francisco Bay Area community. This year, Night of Sevens falls on August 25. Let us celebrate the festival of women, domestic skills and Mother Nature by watching together this fun and magical play on Youtube!
Welcome to my office at Mission Pie. The address: 2901 Mission Street, San Francisco. I’m there almost every Monday, and sometimes on other days too. If you’re a regular as I am, I’m sure we’ve met each other at one time or another. But I’m not here to tell you how great their pies are (they have great pies) and how bright and airy the place that makes it very suitable for writers because you can experience that for yourself. I want to tell you a personal connection that happened years ago.
The day after 9/11 in 2001 I sent out an invitation to my Clarion mailing list to attend a candlelight vigil on Friday. Many people came. After poetry and music we lit the candles and walked around the block in Chinatown. Then with a prayer and blessing we dispersed. I did not know most of the people who attended that night but we all felt we needed to have each other.
About a year ago when I went to Mission Pie the owner came up to me.
“I’m Karen. I met you at Clarion’s candlelight vigil. It was a beautiful experience that I’ll never forget.”
And now I am in her care, eating her wonderful pies, drinking her teas, claiming a space to further my poetry.
