Families are complicated. Many times we are closest to those we choose to share our burdens rather than the people biology have given us for family. The bonds between parent and child are influenced by so much more than the desire to be close. The Joy Luck Club at Tacoma Little Theatre explores family and culture through the stories of three generations of women. 

Originally a novel by Amy Tan, The Joy Luck Club is adapted and directed by David Hsieh who created and directed the show just over a decade ago. There are more than 100 characters, which creates a special challenge in casting. With 16 actors portraying the many characters, choices in costuming were critical. Instead of using costume changes to show different days, costumes were used to depict the era. Each of the main characters wore the same costume throughout the majority of the play to help the audience differentiate which character they were seeing. 

Staging was another challenging aspect to the show. TLT's set was simple and functional yet elegant. A backlit scrim wall created a space to enhance the story telling as the characters remembered times past. The memories and stories from the past that were shared did not all take place as silhouettes with many occurring as scenes on stage. Movement was used to try to create interest in a play that was largely made of monologues. 

The largest challenge was the ratio of monologues to dialogue. Monologues do not have the benefit of action (or interaction) to aid the actor in keeping the audience interested. The talent of the actor is laid bare for the audience to pick apart. Ruth Yeo (as Waverly) and Amanda Oliva (as Rose) portrayed their characters with a compellingly natural affect. Their monologues never seemed forced or rote but contained such an easiness that it seemed as the audience was involved in a conversation instead of spectating an account of some event.

Intermixed throughout the performance were scenes that revealed more about the characters as secrets and guilt was shared. The audience learns about the wishes that each of the main characters had for themselves, their parents, and their children. The characters learn that sometimes their wishes are realized in ways they never expected. The younger generation becomes more aware of the heritage and develop a greater appreciation for those who came before.

While the true depth of the story can't be seen until well into the second act, the theme of hope weaves its way throughout the different tales. The younger women begin to see "the East is where things begin" and start to understand more about themselves and their culture. As their understanding grows they gain perspective in their present and begin to carry with them hopes for their future just as their mothers and grandmothers had before.

TACOMA LITTLE THEATRE, THE JOY LUCK CLUB, FRIDAY, MARCH 15-SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 7:30 P.M. FRIDAY-SATURDAY, 2 P.M., SUNDAY, $12.50-$24.50, 210 N. I ST., TACOMA, 253.272.2481

LINK: The story behind Tacoma Little Theatre's production of The Joy Luck Club