Flushing Town Hall welcomes Chinese Theatre Works to its stage for this family-friendly performance featuring traditional budaixi-style puppetry and live music. Both performances will be followed by hands-on workshops for children. Lunar New Year, the most important traditional festival in Asian cultures, marks the start of a new year following the moon cycle. Each year is represented by one of twelve zodiac animals and 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit, commencing January 22. The Rabbit is known to be the luckiest out of all twelve zodiac animals, symbolizing such character traits as creativity, compassion, and sensitivity. “Hao Bang Ah!” is a common Chinese expression meaning “Great!” or “Well done!” Each year, Chinese Theatre Works celebrates the Lunar New Year season with an original “budaixi,” which is a traditional Chinese glove-puppet production that features the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac. This year’s show stars the Rabbit, who will preside over a jolly selection of wild puppet skits, dances, popular songs, and well-known Chinese sayings that celebrate the wit and wisdom of the zodiac animals. Special guests include the Jade Rabbit on the Moon and other all-star members of the zodiac puppet ensemble. Sing-alongs, games, and hands-on post-show demonstrations will make the Chinese bilingual cultural experience accessible to even the youngest audience members.
