鈥淭he Orphan鈥檚 Revenge,鈥 the AATP鈥檚 hip hop version of the legendary Chinese opera 鈥淭he Orphan of Chao,鈥 will run April 18-20, at Thrust Theatre, 2314 S. Floyd St.
Often called the 鈥淐hinese Hamlet,鈥 the original opera revolves around an orphan who vows revenge after he discovers his adopted father is responsible for his birth family鈥檚 demise.
Written in the 13th century, several adaptations of the play have premiered throughout the years in countries across the world. In 鈥淭he Orphan鈥檚 Revenge,鈥 the AATP incorporates hip hop and tells the story from the African American perspective. The AATP first performed the piece as a 鈥渉ip hopera鈥 in 2011 at the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival and the national Black Festival in Winston-Salem, N.C.
The 2014 production is part of a cultural exchange program with the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in Singapore headed by Wen Hai Ma. The performances and trip are sponsored by several organizations and individuals including the Center for Asian Democracy, Carla Wallace, Connie Shumake and the Office of the Vice President for Community Engagement.
Students will give a preview of 鈥淭he Orphan鈥檚 Revenge鈥 in Louisville before traveling from April 29-May 7 to perform the show in Singapore.
Tickets are $10. All proceeds support the AATP cultural exchange trip to Singapore. Show times are 8 p.m., April 18 and 19, and 3 p.m., April 20. For more information or to reserve tickets, call 502-852-8443.
