The Language Archive
by Julia Cho
directed by Wynne Chan
August 11 – September 3
Looking to brush up your Esperanto? This summer’s production offers theatergoers a rare chance to learn a phrase or two of that little-used international tongue. The lesson comes from George, a scholar of the dead or dying languages of far-off cultures but at a loss for words in his own time and place, especially the vocabulary of the heart… During the show, George gives the audience a short lesson in Esperanto. He runs through verb tenses for “I love.” His pronunciation is good, his comprehension is not.
Director Wynne Chan is no stranger to the intricacies of language. She grew up speaking Cantonese and English, and while fluent in both, still struggles to translate between the two languages because the cultural context is so different. “‘I love you’ technically exists in both languages, but in Cantonese, it’s a concept, not a phrase you’d directly say to a loved one,” she said. “This play explores communication and language, and how, sometimes, two people who love each other lack the words to tell the other what they need to hear.”
Performances
Single tickets are $30. Seniors and students save 10%. Performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2pm Buy tickets online by clicking the button, or by calling 510-232-4031.
We have a special “pay-what-you-can” performance on Thursday August 17th.
Friday August 25th is a special AAPI (Asian and Pacific Islander) night. All are welcome. We encourage folks with AAPI backgrounds to come see the show and experience it together as a community.
Meet the Cast
Aus (they/them) is a Bay Area-raised Pilipinx artist. They have worked with The Peripatetic Players, Plethos Productions, Berkeley Playhouse, and now, Masquers Playhouse. When Aus is not enjoying a sweet treat, they love to dance. Music artists that they are currently listening to are Fujii Kaze and Aya Nakamura. To their darling friends who always support them, Y’all have my heart!
Sam is a Filipina American actress, writer and singer based in Oakland. After a seven-year acting break, Sam made her Bay Area theatre debut in January 2023 for Town Hall Theatre’s production of Nanay, a new work that examines Filipino culture, sisterhood and healing from loss. Since returning to the stage, Sam has appeared in a staged reading of Starlight (Town Hall Theatre) and is scheduled to appear in Cinderella (Berkeley Playhouse) later this Fall. Sam is thrilled to make her Masquers debut!
Sarah worked for Salesforce and badged into “The Tower” in downtown San Francisco for several years before taking time off which led to her eventually taking acting, singing and dance classes. She recently played the role of Dionyza and others in Theatre Rhinoceros' 2023 take on Pericles by William Shakespeare as well as Janette in GUMIHO by Nina Ki, also a Theatre Rhinoceros production. She has completed filming for a handful of short films this year as well and will be playing Huck in The Fantasticks at Castro Valley’s Chanticleers Theatre in the Fall.
Pauli is privileged to make her Masquers debut with this important work and incredible cast/creatives! Pauli has worked with over a dozen Bay Area theatre companies, three dance companies, sang on two original cast recordings (Min Kahng, Bay Area Children’s Theatre, TBA award recipient), and has performed at Davies Symphony Hall, SF War Memorial Opera House, and YBCA. Offstage, Pauli has been spotted playing an ice cream addict, the coolest Aunty, a medical epidemiologist, and Asst. Prof. at UCSF. May we all open our hearts to deep, vulnerable connections. #NoBakahHoles #MirNeGlessala
Joseph is honored to be among the talented cast and crew of The Language Archive, his first production with Masquers Playhouse. A San Francisco native, he has performed throughout the Bay Area and most recently appeared as Jack in Aunt Jack (New Conservatory Theatre Center). Other cherished experiences include playing Chin in Flower Drum Song (Palo Alto Players), Ba in Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (Bay Area Children's Theatre), Jacob in La Cage aux Folles (Bay Area Musicals) and Bobby in Company (City College of San Francisco). He shares his home with his 17 year old cat Malcolm.
Will is a Bay Area based actor and theater artist. He is thrilled to be making his Masquers debut! Recent credits include Wayne Hopkins in Puffs (Palo Alto Players), Woody in Six Degrees of Separation (Chanticleers Theatre), Daniel Cavanaugh in Chinglish (Plethos Productions) and Wridget in An Invitation Out (Quantum Dragon Theatre). Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, he holds degrees in Drama and Psychology from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Much love to his friends and family!
Note that the part of George will be played by Will Livingston from August 17th through August 20th.