"Invention and whimsy are characteristic of Lisa Hori-Garcia and Keiko Shimosato Careirro's direction...it's as if the whole theater is moving, and you feel the boy's trek in your bones."
—Lily Janiak, San Francisco Chronicle

Z Space and Word for Word present:

The Strange Library
by Haruki Murakami

Directed by Lisa Hori-Garcia and Keiko Shimosato Carreiro

November 13 through December 8
in Z Below

“...this kind of thing’s going on in libraries everywhere, you know.”

Word for Word transforms Z Below into the macabre imaginings of the celebrated and enigmatic Japanese author Haruki Murakami. In his haunting and atmospheric short story, “The Strange Library,” a lonely boy, a mysterious girl, and a tormented sheep-man plot their escape from a secret, labyrinthian world.

This is the stuff of dreams—or nightmares!

All dates are currently sold out - and after collecting a large number of names, we have closed the waitlist for all dates.

Show Schedule

Previews: Wed 11/13 and Thur 11/14, 7pm, Fri 11/15 8pm
Opening Night: Sat 11/16 8pm
Run of Show: 11/17 - 12/8 | Wed & Thurs 7pm | Fri & Sat 8pm | Sun 2pm (no show on Thanksgiving 11/28).

Please note that this show has art installations and theatrical performance elements in the lobby prior to the show - late comers will miss out on these elements - doors will open one hour before showtime, and there is strictly no late seating for this performance. 

Masked Performances: Wed, 11/27 and Sun, 12/1 (2pm matineé). Masks required for all audience members, bar will not be open.

Thursday 11/21 - Talkback with the SF Library - Join us after the show for a talkback with San Francisco librarians. Libraries are vital to our civic community ecosystem, learn more from those who make these venerable institutions possible.

Sake Tastings Saturday 11/16 (opening) and Sunday 11/24 - Please join us after the show for sake tastings, generously sponsored by Jizake Quest.


Please be aware that third parties have been misrepresenting that they have tickets for sale for The Strange Library. We have only sold tickets for this show at zspace.org through Audience View, our authorized ticketing service. One telltale sign of a fraudulent ticket is any that are delivered through Apple Wallet, which is not currently supported within Audience View. This show is also assigned seating and not general admission. Z Space cannot, unfortunately, accept counterfeit tickets for entry to the event.


Would you consider making a tax-deductible donation today to help support a moving, fun, and most importantly LIVE theater experience for your community?


 

L-to-R: Julie Kuwabara, Jed Parsario. The Sheepman brings the boy his homemade donuts.
Photo by Robbie Sweeny

 

Cast

Julie Kuwabara 
Chuck Lacson
Jed Parsario* 
Vivienne Truong
Ogie Zulueta* 


Crew and Creative Team

Scenic Design: Mikiko Uesugi**
Sound Design / Projections: Lana Palmer
Lighting Design: Jim Cave+
Costume Design: Laura Hazlett
Assistant Costume Design: Armando Breiz
Prop Design: Amy Benjamin
Dramaturgy/Shadow Puppet Design and Fabrication: Ai Ebashi
Girl Puppet & Mask Design and Fabrication: Keiko Shimosato Carreiro
Starling Fabrication: Laura Hazlett
Movement Consultant: Ryan Marchand, Li-Leng Au
Dog Animation: Julian Kenji Carreiro
Lobby Signage Graphic Design: Kaito Uesugi
Immersive Experience Co-creators: Lisa Hori-Garcia+ and Keiko Shimosato Carreiro
Immersive Content & Script Writer/‘How to Use a Western Toilet’ performer: Lisa Hori-Garcia+

Stage Manager: Karen Runk*
Assistant Stage Manager: Tina Mosier
Production Manager: Justin D. Schlegel

Head Electrician: TBD
Scenic Painter: TBD

Production & Promotional Photography: Robbie Sweeny

*Member, Actors’ Equity Association
**Member, United Scenic Artists
+Word for Word Core Company Member

English Translation by Ted Goossen

Copyright (c) Harukimurakami Archival Labyrinth, 2014.
Recited with permission of Harukimurakami Archival Labyrinth


A special thanks to our “book-friends” for their gift of Japanese books to help us realize our vision for transforming Z Below into ‘the Strange Library’: Minako Burrows, Miki Kawashima, Ai Kondo, Kayoko Leong, Meikui Matsushima, Kaoru Kida Mesa, Reiko Okamoto, Naomi Torimoto, and Madoka Webster.

Also a special thanks to bookstores who’ve been our promotional partners for this show: Bookshop West Portal, Bird & Beckett, Green Apple Books, Books Inc., and City Lights Books


For Press Inquiries, please contact Word for Word’s press agent Liam Passmore at Shave and a Haircut, liam@shaveandahaircut.biz.


"Word for Word’s powers of transformation, its essential theatricality, comes through and gratifies..."
—Steven Winn, San Francisco Chronicle

"Word for Word’s wonderful productions make me feel that I am a smarter and better writer than I can possibly be."
—Greg Sarris

“If you’re a short story writer, one of the coolest things that can happen to your work is to have Word for Word translate it to the stage."
—Lily Janiak, San Francisco Chronicle


Word for Word’s 2024 season is generously sponsored by Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria.