Book of Tink

"Book of Tink" is a dramatic and musical text written by noted playwright Erik Ehn. An original score was written by Director/Composer Josh Chambers. Erik Ehn currently serves as the dean of the school of theater at California Institute of the Arts. Josh Chambers, a founding member of the Fovea FloodsTheater Company based in New York [http://www.foveafloods.com/] , directed and composed music for the most recent production of Book of Tink at California Institute of the Arts in the Spring of 2005.

Understanding "Tink"

"Book of Tink" is a re-interpretation of the classic children's novel Peter Pan and Wendy by JM Barrie. In Ehn's poetically stylized interpretation, the Book of Revelation and the novel Peter Pan and Wendy are woven together. The fantasy characters from Barrie's 1904 novel are dramatically re-imagined by Ehn. Peter Pan, Captain Hook, The Lost Boys, The Mermaid Prostitutes, The Darling Children: Wendy, John, Michael, and the Darling's dog Nana are all reincarnated into the story along with a chorus of fairies led by the notorious Tinkerbell, and an oversized baby becomes a symbol of innocence in the play. Ehn attempts to illustrate the 'savagery of innocence' in "Tink". The character of Wendy is written as a manipulative, controlling, and ultimately lethal player in the story. She sews Peter into reality threatening the existence of Never Never Land, referred to as Maybe Land initially in the play. Peter and the Lost Boys are a fraternity of corrupt juveniles susceptible to Wendy's powers. The mermaid prostitutes act as sirens as they sing some of the most important lyrics of the play. The dog Nana is an essential part of the story, as she narrates a majority of the key story elements. The chorus of fairies serve as a driving force in the plot of the play with Tinkerbell as their rebellious leader.The complicated, poetic language used by Ehn makes "Book of Tink" an extremely dense text.Still unpublished, "Book of Tink" is continuing to pursue future productions after its two successful mountings at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY as well as its most recent production in the Walt Disney Modular Theater at California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA.