Year of the Deer

  • March 22nd, 1968 - March 30th, 1968
  • Campus Theatre
  • Drama
  • Classic Dramatic Series
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Childrens Oriental Show Features 'Butterly Dance'

— Fullerton College Hornet  - Staff Writer - Friday, March 22nd, 1968
'DEER' SCENE - Hamiko, played by Susan Kirlin, is telling Captain Kebiishi, Bill Roberts, the imperial tax collector, the story concerning the many misfortunes that have befallen the villagers. Left to right, Jimmu, played by Mike Cabler and Kyogenu, David Wiley. "Year of the Deer" opens tonight in the Campus Theatre at 7:30 p.m. and runs tommorow and next Saturday.

Year of the Deer," FJC Theatre Arts Dept. Children's Theatre production, opens tonight at 7:30 in the Campus Theatre.

The plot revolves around Sakura Matsuyama, played by Judy Miyake, and Jimmu Fujiwara, played by Mike Cabler. Sakura's father, Yoshi, played by Walter LaFontaine, and Jimmu's mother, Hamiko, played by Susan Kirlin, placed a few obstacles in the way of the young people sharing the love they feel for one another.

Amaterasu Omikami, the goddess of the sun played by Linda Schoner, comes back to earth to help Sakura and Jimmu. At the climax of the play, Amaterasu offers Sakura and Jimmu a choice of the paths which they will follow for the rest of their lives.

Captain Kebiishi, the scheming imperial tax collector played by Bill Roberts, and Kyogen, the practical joker of the village of Usaki played by David Wiley, furnish most of the "fun and games."

Don Cohen, presently a student at UCLA, has created many special effects for this production. A recent graduate of FJC, Don has returned to work on this show.

DRAGON DANCE

Wendy McCue, FJC drama student, has designed and "directed construction of colorful and authentic costumes. The greatest variation will be seen in the costumes of the people of the Imperial Court and the "fresh from the rice paddy" clothing of the villagers.

The kimonos worn in the "Butterfly Dance" will be highlighted by authentic hairstyles worn by Japanese classical dancers.

The dances, choreographed by Judy Miyake, present classical Japanese dancing plus the modern dance form. The "Dragon Dance" in the classical style presents the story behind the legend of Amaterasu Omikami. The dragon god tried to capture the sun goddess and hide her in a cave on the other side of the ocean after the first inhabitants of Nippon (Japan) appeared on the island. But Amaterasu's son, Ninigi, drove the dragon god off, thus saving both the sun goddess and the newly born nation.

The "Butterfly Dance," again in the classical style, represents a dance that would be presented in the Court of the Imperial Palace. And the "Deer Dance" is done in modern dance form, and is the turning point of the story, showing the tenderness, grace, beauty and love of the two deer.

"Year of the Deer" will also be presented on the Saturdays, March 23 and 30 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.There will be another performance Friday, March 29, at 7:30 p.m. All performances will be in the Campus Theatre.

FJC students, holding ASB cards, plus faculty, administrators, and non-classified personnel may pick up their free reserved seat tickets in the Theatre Arts Office, room 1316. General admission is 75 cents for children and adults, with special group rates upon request.