Near Dawn

Zoe Wang's "Near Dawn" was a haunting, unexpected delight. I didn't know what to expect going into it, and quickly became engrossed in the overlapping, time-leaping narratives of the narrator (played with facile skill by Chengqi Wang). The spare set and playful, creative use of light and sound helped immerse us into the narrator's experience - to sense and feel the passing of time. It complemented the story well - evocative of another time and place and culture. I felt I learned something about a moment in Chinese culture and history. ... full review

I learned more about a time in Chinese history that I was previously unaware of and that alone proves that it was an effective show. Chengqi has no problem being sensitive to emotion and bringing out a youthful curiousity to his young boy character. ... full review

A SURREAL AND STUNNING PARABLE OF POLITICAL BLINDNESS ... full review

A beautiful meditation on family, love, life, and death, conveyed through a powerful, understated, and moving performance. Fascinating cultural exploration and narrative framing. Great use of minimal props, costumes, and sets. Smart lighting and use of darkness to establish the nighttime setting. Solid writing throughout. ... full review