WORLD PREMIERE - AUGUST 2011
EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle had its world premiere at the Edinburgh International Festival in August of 2011. Arguably the most important festival in the world, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle sold out all six of its shows at the grandiose Kings Theatre and received critical acclaim from reviewers. It was a thrilling culmination of years of hard work by the entire team.

Based on the incredible exposure provided by the Edinburgh premiere, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle expects to confirm major touring destinations in the 2012-2013 season for US and international venues.

In January 2010, a "sneak preview" performance run was presented during The Public Theater's "Under the Radar" Festival at the Ohio Theater, NYC. The eighteen show engagement was sold out one week prior to the first performance. Presenters included the Asia Society, Baryshnikov Arts Center and Pamela Lubell.




PROJECT TIMELINE

  • May 2004 - Mr. Earnhart travels to Japan to discuss project and secure rights to novel from Mr. Murakami

  • September 2004 – June 2005 - Mr. Earnhart writes adaptation while living in Kamakura, Japan

  • June 2005 – June 2006 - Script work, shooting of multimedia materials in Tokyo, creation of promotional dvd, auditions, and several return trips to Japan to foster relationships in Tokyo theater community

  • Summer 2006 - Mr. Earnhart attends Edward Albee playwright residency

  • Winter 2006 - Greg Pierce brought on to collaborate on a new script

  • October 2007 - 2-week technological workshop at 3-Legged Dog, NYC

  • January 2008 - 2-week workshop and presentation at 3-Legged Dog during ISPA and APAP conventions; invitation by ISPA to “Pitch Session”

  • April 2008 - 3-week workshop in Tokyo with 15 Japanese actors and translator Keiko Tsuneda with Earnhart and puppet director Tom Lee

  • August 2008 - 3-week workshop and presentations at Asia Society, NYC

  • Spring 2009 - Fund raising, generation of final script

  • Fall 2009 - Casting, final rehearsals and residency at Baryshnikov Arts Center

  • January 2010 - "Sneak Preview" production at the Ohio Theater, NYC, as part of The Public Theater's "Under The Radar" Festival

  • Fall 2010-Spring 2011 - dramaturgy, rehearsals and design adjustments in preparation for upcoming World Premiere

  • August 2011 - official "World Premiere" at Edinburgh International Festival

  • 2012 - 2013 - potential US and international touring engagements

Link to our supporters:

This engagement is supported by Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation through USArtists International in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.