*Photos by Andrew Manjuck, Alex Goldberg, Wakka Wakka
A darkly comedic puppet musical inspired by true events, MADE IN CHINA is a fantastical exploration of human rights, consumerism and American-Chinese relations as told through the unlikely love story between an odd middle-aged American woman and her Chinese ex-pat neighbor.
Baby pandas, dancing appliances and romping middle-aged lovers populate Wakka Wakka’s universe of tiny-to-huge puppets, belting out original songs. As with climate change in Baby Universe (2010) and the global financial crisis in Saga (2013), the company spins issues of our times into a vastly entertaining tale with surreal dimensions, lots of laughs and powerful take-aways.
Written and directed by Wakka Wakka’s Gwendolyn Warnock and Kirjan Waage, with music and lyrics by composer Yan Li, MADE IN CHINA features 30 puppets, seven puppeteers, music inspired by both American and Chinese traditions, and animated video. A co-production with Nordland Visual Theatre, the MiNensemblet and the Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth College, MADE IN CHINA ran Off-Broadway at 59E59 in January and February, 2017. Since the NYC run, MADE IN CHINA enjoyed a mini-tour of the Northeastern US and is scheduled for a Scandinavian tour in early 2018. For all touring inquiries, please contact booking@wakkawakka.org.
MADE IN CHINA was made possibly by support from the Creative Capital Foundation, the MAP Fund, the New York State Council on the Arts, The Jim Henson Foundation, The Norwegian Arts Council, the Royal Norwegian Consulate of New York, and the Eugene O’Neill Center. For more information and updates, please JOIN OUR MAILING LIST.
A co-production with Nordland Visual Theatre
Contact booking@wakkawakka.org for Press Kit.