Words matter.  Formalities matter.  Commitments matter.

Wise words firmly stated by Jen Alison Lewis as Maryanne in Brandon Zang’s Nüwa in Fairyland, an insightful coming of age tale that crosses imagination with a number of interweaving elements in order to bring consolation and understanding in the face of change.    

Directed sensitively by Carla Mirabel Rodriguez, Chuang Stage continues Brandon Zang’s Nüwa in Fairyland live and in person at The Boston Center for the Arts Plaza Black Box Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts through Saturday, June 1.  This world premiere, semi-interactive, and bilingual play-within-a-play runs 100 minutes with no intermission.  Pay-as-you-are tickets are available.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

Nüwa in Fairyland is primarily centered on the relationship between good natured, competitive, and playful Benji depicted by Trevyn Wong in an impressive and charismatic performance and Jen Alison Lewis as Maryanne, Benji’s protective and steadfast adopted mother.  Benji is starting to question his heritage beyond what he knows of his adopted life in America after seeing a documentary on China and Maryanne immediately feels anxious and uneasy.  Meanwhile, Bowen Huang movingly depicts a mystical creature frantically searching for a missing child.  There may be a connection here, but Nüwa in Fairyland explores a broader vision and branches out into fascinating territory and parallels that interweave imagination, reality and a certain Shakespearean play in order to cope with what is next.

Navigating its various settings with precision while making the most of its theatrical space, Qingan Zhang’s ethereal and floral scenic design is highlighted by splendid translucent imagery and a sense of immersion due to Anna Drummond’s soothing and atmospheric sound design and Ashley Yung’s ambient lighting.  From feathers to crowns to capes to embroidered armor, Sandra Zhihan Jia’s costumes blend the fanciful with the contemporary while infusing a traditional Shakespearean influence. 

This capable cast has very good camaraderie and comedic timing as they find nuances not necessarily in the script which enhance certain sweet moments within the production.   A gleeful glance, an awkward gesture, and a delayed pause help to strengthen the bond within this small cast.  Henry Dolgoff as chatty and anxious Damian share several of these moments infatuated with Wong in an array of awkward and mixed signals.  Matt Goldstein as stern yet supportive Mr. Bailey and Lewis as Maryanne both share some soulful moments with Wong as Benji struggles with where he belongs.

However, Bowen Huang shines as stunning Nüwa in an intense, sage and sympathetic performance.  Spoken in both Chinese and English, Huang is expressive, passionate, brave, and empowered with a wonderful charisma and zealousness convincingly drawing others to her plight in an unfamiliar place.   The cast collectively explores the bonds of love in a thought provoking and multi-layered journey while both Huang and Lewis uniquely and beautifully discover the unforeseen and unyielding expectations of motherhood.

Directed sensitively by Carla Mirabel Rodriguez, Chuang Stage presents Brandon Zang’s Nüwa in Fairyland live and in person at The Boston Center for Arts Plaza Black Box Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts through Saturday, June 1.  This world premiere, semi-interactive, and bilingual play-within-a-play runs 100 minutes with no intermission.  Pay-as-you-are tickets are available.  Click here for more information and for tickets.