Review Fix chats with playwright Fred Rohan-Vargas, who discusses his production’s run at the 13 Street Repertory Company in New York City.
About Yaki Yim Bamboo The Musical:
YAKI YIM BAMBOO THE MUSICAL is a children’s play that was performed with music. It was commissioned by The Sandy Ground Historical Society on Staten Island and later performed at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture for the kids in Harlem.
In 1984 a class of middle school students from United Nations International School presented the play with actor Dustin Hoffman’s daughter, Rebecca Hoffman, playing one of the lead roles.
Eventually, the play was performed by two professional children’s theaters, Creative Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey and The St. Louis Black Repertory Company in Missouri, for two of their consecutive seasons.
Review Fix: What was the inspiration for this project?
Fred Vargas: A few years ago, my cousin was asked by The Sandy Ground Historical Society on Staten Island if she could present a children’s play that reflected her Caribbean culture. Immediately, she contacted me because of my work with kids when I lived in the U.S. Virgin Islands. I wrote my first play called “Why de Donkey So Stubborn†for the children there, since there were no West Indian plays that covered their heritage. Also, thanks to John Patrick (author of the movie “Three Coins in the Fountain’) and a resident of St. Thomas, I was encouraged to continue writing plays. So, I took the challenge of writing one with music. I called it “The Island of Yaki Yim Bamboo†which is what our musical is based on.
Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?
Vargas: I don’t particularly have one type of process. However, I jot a few things here and there and when I’m ready to go were no one has ever dare to go before, I start to write feverishly until, I’m finished my first draft and then do rewrites before putting the script away. Then again, I just might work out the concept in my head for several weeks, months before hitting the blank sheet and hope it comes out the way I envisioned it.
Review Fix: What makes this different or special?
Vargas: As a teacher once for the New York City Department of Education, I enjoyed seeing the wow effect from my students. Although, they didn’t say, Wow!†literally, you can tell it was there when you imparted knowledge they never heard or experienced before. I like to think theatre is a good way of reaching them. It’s magic and that’s what makes me excited.
Review Fix: How does it feel to be a part of something like this?
Vargas: Wow! Oops! Did I say that? Over the years and I mean YEARS, I realized I’m nothing more than an educator and a pretty good story teller. I enjoy reaching out to people, adding something to their lives. And as far as children, I see myself as being playful and ridiculous and most importantly their reservoir that quenches their thirst, whether it be for their heads, their hearts or spirits, it doesn’t matter.
Review Fix: What did you learn about yourself through this process?
Vargas: As a producer/playwright, I had no choice. I opened Pandora’s box once I signed, pretty much, my life away, with contracts, publicity and my will to my backers. But it’s all good. I wouldn’t have gone this far, if I didn’t believe the potential of this musical.
Review Fix: What are your ultimate goals for this production and for the future?
Vargas: When I used the word potential, I’m thinking of how “Yaki Yim Bamboo the Musical†could become it’s own commercial entity or brand, something like Dora the Explorer. I’m already thinking of stories to write about on Yaki Yim Bamboo. Something, like a series.
Review Fix: What do you think your audiences will enjoy the most?
Vargas: Children love to interact. Unlike adults who prefer to be voyeurs, children basically see only one dimension which they’re in. That’s because they like to play and interactive theatre allows them to do it. In “Yaki Yim Bamboo the Musical†there’s no invisible line of separation. My Gard, mon! Get ya boo-dee up and dance! Sing if you like to do dat too. ‘Cause awl ah we is here to bacchanal and have fun. That’s what the kids will enjoy the most.
Review Fix: What’s next?
Vargas: After this production at 13th Street Repertory Company, who by the way have been a jewel to us, we’d like to take the production on the road to schools and other places of venue.
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