自來到歌劇院工作，就想讓歌劇院的夏季系列成為全家搶灘的季節。於是先以「音樂劇在臺中」讓不分年齡的朋友都願意來歌劇院看演出，從令人驚豔的日、韓音樂劇、到創下票房紀錄的《一個美國人在巴黎》，我們接續打造「夏日放／FUN時光」（Summer Fun Time），讓全家可以一起「攻佔」歌劇院欣賞演出、參與展演活動。但，得先說，這不是「親子系列」節目，而是家裡每一個人都能在這「夏日放／FUN時光」系列裡找到屬於自己的品味、喜愛風格的演出與活動！

先從每年都帶給大家新劇場概念的「新藝計畫」說起，今年我們以「肢體劇場」為題，這可不是「默劇演出」！肢體劇場有很多定義與流派，最基本、共通的是沒有文本、語言（可以有聲音），以身體與媒材的互動表達心理、或社會議題。今年唯一的國外節目頭蓋骨合作社《骨裡古怪1.0》（Kallo Collective Only Bones 1.0）以單一演員，從腳指頭開始，慢慢向上展開「肢體敘事」的各種表情；國內唯一入選的失序場《非常態運動—失序邊境》，是一群非常年輕的創作者在疫情期間發想的創作：失去重力平衡的蹺蹺板，肢體如何抗拒牽引，找到常態的可能──這，是我們在疫情期間的課題，不是嗎？

今年的兩件新舞作《愛麗絲》、《阿忠與我》，前者從兔子洞探訪奇幻未知，後者透過身體的差異性探問人權；不同的肢體美學，卻都撼動我們對舞蹈內涵的感性與知性。從外亞維儂藝術節到法國世界偶戲節的布袋戲《孟婆・湯》，讓我們看到操偶師與偶同步細膩的臉部、肢體神情，動人的人偶一體早超過小小的布袋偶。從高雄到臺北，大批粉絲跟者南北跑的胡撇仔戲《鞍馬天狗》，讓我們看到「台式寶塚」的強大魅惑力道！跨界視覺藝術家／導演Ballboss將耳熟能詳的歌劇《糖果屋》，從父母子女不同的價值觀點出發，重新提問「什麼才是愛？」

音樂劇，當然沒缺席！以百老匯音樂劇製作的規格，籌備兩年，歷經四次中英文線上線下讀劇試演，未演已口碑四溢的《熱帶天使》終將首演！另一齣在外百老匯音樂劇界被暱稱為長壽的LPC──《I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change》，夾著今年春天在臺北連續售罄33場紀錄，將成為「夏日放／FUN時光」的壓軸。

2020與2021年的國外節目因疫情多半缺席，卻讓我們意外看到更多國人的創意。今夏的「夏日放／FUN時光」正是國人展演大放異彩的一季！

Since I started working at the National Taichung Theater, it has been my desire that the NTT Signature series for the summer season would see families coming into our venues seizing the best seats in the house. We first launched the annual Oh! NTT Musicals, welcoming friends of all ages to enjoy rich offerings – from Japanese and Korean original musicals to the record-breaking An American in Paris: The Musical. In addition, we devised other Summer Fun Time programs, encouraging the entire family to “take over” the NTT, where everyone can delight in something. But I must make it clear: these are not “family-fun” programs but truly a “Summer Fun Time” in which every family member can pick out something that suits his or her individual taste and style!

Let’s start with the NTT Emerging Artists Project. For 2021, we focus on the theme of “physical theater,” but please don’t confuse this only with “mime”! Broadly defined, physical theater has many schools of practitioners. On the most fundamental level, this genre does not involve text or language (though sounds are permitted) but rather utilizes the interaction of body, media and physical objects to express emotions or address social themes. Our sole imported program this year is Kallo Collective’s Only Bones 1.0 featuring a single performer who narrates his story, expressing himself from his toes to every inch of his body. We also present Taiwan’s own Order from Chaos in Helter Skelter – Tilted Border, a work developed during the pandemic that challenges the human body in manipulating an off-center seesaw. But isn’t that a metaphor for the pandemic experience? Aren’t we all searching for normality under extreme circumstances?

This year we also present two new dance works: ALICE and The Center. While the former explores fantasy and the unknown as one journeys into the proverbial rabbit hole, the latter engages in a discussion of equality and inequality. Although physical aesthetics may be different, they inspire us both to think and feel, arousing our intellect while plumbing the depths of our hearts. From its success in Festival OFF d’Avignon to Festival Mondial des Théâtres de Marionnettes in France, Taiwan’s own Soup of Reincarnation provides a rare opportunity for us to appreciate the delicate nuances of facial expression and physical dexterity, as if puppets and puppeteers have melded into one. From Kaohsiung to Taipei, avid fans travel across the island following Kurama Tengu that fuses the essence of traditional opera and modern theater, bearing testament to the amazing appeal of Taiwanese-style revue à la Takarazuka! Award-winning interdisciplinary artist Ballboss directs the popular Humperdinck opera Hänsel und Gretel, deconstructing it from the perspectives of both parents and children while redefining the meaning of love.

We would remiss if we didn’t offer a musical every summer! Following the Broadway production process, having gone through two years of development and four bilingual (online and in-person) readings and workshops, Tropical Angels has already garnered so much positive word of mouth even before its world premiere! Another musical – I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change – has already enjoyed longstanding success Off-Broadway. Having gained its own acronym worldwide, LPC will grace our Summer Fun Time stage following its 33-show, sold-out run in Taipei last spring, marking the grand finale of our season.

The pandemic warranted the cancellation of most of our international programs originally scheduled for 2020 and 2021. The flipside of the coin, however, has blessed us with more opportunities to marvel at the creativity of our own artists. Summer Fun Time 2021 will be a season bursting in technicolor that celebrates Taiwanese artistry!