Naomi Iizuka Sounds the Alarm in Beautiful New Poetic Drama

by Mary Lou Herlihy

Naomi Iizuka’s “Garuda’s Wing” takes us to Borneo, teaming with ghosts, orchids, and orangutans. She beckons us to stop long enough to see the unique beauty of the land—and the devastating results of ongoing ecological warfare.

Original, humorous, mysterious. Stand out performances. Stunning visuals. Director Margo Hall brilliantly creates dreams, visions, and ghosts that guide us through the story.

Joan Osato’s magnificent projections are both lush and dire. One split-second image of an orangutan ripped from its habitat grabs hold of my psyche.

As 60 years pass, we witness the coming of corporate upheaval and destruction to one sacred spot in Kalimantan, Borneo. First, there’s a scientist’s rough jungle camp. Then an upscale eco-lodge appears in the same jungle place. Finally in 2058, we are whisked to a skyscraper on a now denuded landscape.

In her jungle camp, primate researcher Ellen Sewell (precise Nora el Samahy) works tirelessly to save Borneo’s endangered orangutans—called the “Man in the Jungle.” Ellen asserts, “Humans are weak. They do all kinds of terrible things.” She’s witty and weary, preferring animals to people. She knows that the destruction of habitat means extinction—for all living things.

Surrounded by orange and black butterflies, Michael Suarez (earthy Juan Amador), a photojournalist, enters in silhouette. Against a tangle of lush green jungle, Ellen takes Michael into the treacherous swamps. At camp, she cradles his body and picks his hair for bugs, like primates—a moment of tenderness.

Breathtaking images of orchids and other plants, emerge as Ellen holds up specimens and points out their unique qualities. Michael asks about the smallest of plants, Garuda’s Wing, described as “named after the ancient god, part man, part bird. The movement of his wings is so powerful, it can stop the spinning of the earth.”

An explorer-botanist named Julia Barrett (spellbinding Catherine Castellanos) appears and commands the stage with restrained force. Attired in muddy boots and camouflage, Castellanos uses hushed tones, taking us into her confidence.

She tells the gripping story of Alfred Russel Wallace, an impoverished contemporary of Charles Darwin.  Julia is searching for Wallace’s lost botanical journal, her holy grail, which leads her to mortal danger. Castellanos’ superb performance makes Julia’s ghost the pivot point of the jungle saga—we hang on her every word.

Decades later, the land where we first met Ellen is now a posh eco-lodge developed by Alice Wilson-Lee (enigmatic Mia Tagano). Tagano makes her a dangerous overseer, as she pretends to treasure Ellen’s memory.

Ellen’s daughter, sophisticated philanthropist Diah Imazumi (animated Kina Kantor) becomes increasingly uncomfortable when Alice unearths dark secrets. Their confrontation exposes the hypocrisy of wealthy environmentalists with hidden motives.

Fast forward to 2058, a nightmarish view of skyscrapers in a decimated landscape. Grace Kibawa (versatile Jeunée Simon) works for Big Pharma and believes her work is beneficial. But an elderly Stranger (Amador) enables Grace, the naive executive, to see all that has been lost.

Iizuka and Hall deliver urgent warnings of a world gone mad. The humor, beauty, and mystery of “Garuda’s Wing” invite us to open our eyes long enough to see the truth. Step into the jungles of Borneo for an amazing trip.

“Garuda’s Wing” by Naomi Iizuka, directed by Margo Hall, scenic design by Tanya Orellana, video design by Joan Osato, with Play On! Shakespeare, at Magic Theatre, San Francisco. Info: magictheatre.org – to June 23, 2024.

Cast: Juan Amador, Catherine Castellanos, Nora El Samahy, Kina Kantor, Jeunée Simon, and Mia Tagano.

Banner photo: Catherine Castellanos. Photos by Jay Yamada