This was my first experience with TigerLion Arts the company behind this singular theatrical experience. The Buddha Prince tells the biography of the 14th Dalai Lama from his discovery as a toddler to his exile in India. I was familiar with the basics of his life having seen Martin Scorsese’s film Kundun several years ago. But prior knowledge is not needed as the company does an excellent job of walking you through his life. Filled with all manner of theatrical expression from music, masks, puppets, and dance we are guided by the Dalai Lama himself around Washburn Fair Oaks Park located directly across from The Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA). It’s a unique way to stage a play, but then this is a unique play. It’s enriched by the surroundings and by the physical experience of symbolically traveling with the 14th Dalai Lama through his life’s journey. It’s educational, inspirational, and entertaining, everything you could ask for from a show.
The story is told by the 14th Dalai Lama played by Jay Ramos, to a reporter played by Winifred Froelich. As he tells her the story of his life, we move to various stations throughout the park and see those portions of his life acted out. The Dalai Lama is portrayed at different ages by Clay Man Soo and Tenzin Namgyal. Each time the Dalai Lama moves, we as an audience move with the performers. Traveling from the present day home of the Dalai Lama, to the village he was born in, on to the palace at Lhasa, to his visit to China, back to Lhasa, then on his journey to flee Tibet, then ending back where we began. As the cast and audience move through the park, musicians led by Tenzin Ngawang play Tibetan instruments while singers and dancers perform and guide the group. The music is beautiful and exotic, something different than we are used to hearing in Western culture. I found the sounds and the visuals of the dancers, costumes, and props completely engrossing.
Some tips about attending and making the experience the best it can be. Online when you order your tickets, you can opt for a $12.00 food item, Tibetan Momos (Tibetan Dumplings from Amazing Momo). They’re delicious and I highly recommend sampling them. Helpful hint, order them prior to the shows beginning, they will be served after the shows conclusion and expect to wait around for your order to be filled as they prepare them so they are hot and fresh. Bring a chair or blanket, they do have little folding camping chairs you can use, and they work fine, but you might want something a little more robust, if so bring it. Wear comfortable shoes, you will be walking, it’s not a lot, but there are mild inclines and you’ll want to be comfortable. As you arrive at each station sit as close as you can, but I also recommend noticing where instruments are set up and sitting a little ways away from them so that the dialogue and singing isn’t overwhelmed by the music. I highly recommend this experience to learn more about the 14th Dalai Lama and the Tibetan culture. Go in open to all the sites and sounds, not just the story. Allow yourself to broaden your focus beyond the story to be aware of your environment, the natural world all around you is a part of this event and contributes to the whole.
For more information about The Buddha Prince which runs through July 9th and to purchase tickets go to http://www.buddhaprince.org/ To learn more about the current state of Tibet and what you can do to support Tibetans go to https://tibetaction.net/
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