Ohio Theatre has adapted Murakami’s THE WIND-UP BIRD CHRONICLE for the stage (photo by Ralph Ford)
Ohio Theatre
66 Wooster St.
Through January 30
Tickets: $18
212-966-4844
www.windupbc.com
www.sohothinktank.org
Bestselling Japanese author Haruki Murakami, whose short stories appear regularly in the New Yorker and who has written such beloved novels as SPUTNIK SWEETHEART, HARD-BOILED WONDERLAND AND THE END OF THE WORLD, and SOUTH OF THE BORDER, WEST OF THE SUN, has been very cautious about allowing his work to be adapted for the screen. Kazuki Omori turned Murakami’s debut novel, HEAR THE WIND SING, into a 1980 drama; his short story “Tony Takatani” became a compelling 2004 film by Jun Ichikawa; and Robert Logevall directed a screen version of the short story ALL GOD’S CHILDREN CAN DANCE, starring Joan Chen. (Tran Anh Hung is currently in postproduction on NORWEGIAN WOOD.) However, there have been several short films made from his stories, as well as some notable stage adaptations, including Simon McBurney’s dazzling multimedia production, THE ELEPHANT VANISHES, a highlight of the 2004 Lincoln Center Festival, and the Steppenwolf Theater productions of KAFKA ON THE SHORE and AFTER THE QUAKE.
Now SoHo’s Ohio Theatre is attempting the seemingly impossible, adapting Murakami’s remarkable breakthrough novel, the dense and rewarding WIND-UP BIRD CHRONICLE, into a multimedia stage presentation with music, dance video, puppets, and other intriguing elements. Stephen Earnhart and Greg Pierce’s production runs through January 30; tickets are $18 and going fast for this sneak peek at a work-in-progress scheduled to debut at the Baryshnikov Arts Center in March 2011.