| If you are familiar with the trickster Anansi the Spider in African folktales, you know and understand the Coyote energy. This powerful character in Native American stories is both playful and cunning, even dangerous. Arena Stage's latest production Coyote Builds North America captures all of this.
"The character of Coyote - the Trickster, Imitator, First Born, Old Man, First Creator, Transformer - is as old as man himself. He is found all over the world in many cultures; in Alaska, he is Raven, the god who steals the moon and stars; in China, he is Monkey; in our culture he might be Pan," said Molly Smith, Arena Stage's Artistic Director. "These stories take us back thousands of years to the wellspring of humanity's creation. These stories live somewhere inside all of us, in our DNA - we will all recognize them when we hear them.
Telling Coyote's story is Tanto Cardinal, a prominent Native American screen actress whose credits include {Dances with Wolves} and {Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.} She effectively weaves the stories of this complex character and kept the audience at rapt attention waiting for Coyote's next antics. Capturing the playful, brash and wild energy of Coyote are Yvonne Cuturan and Jason Hartley, members of the Washington Ballet. The six musicians also fall victim to the Coyote energy, and they too are incorporated at different points throughout the piece.
Coyote Builds North America runs through April 15, 2001 on the Kreeger Stage. Tickets range from $27-$45. Call 202-488-3300. |
