People born between 1981 and 1991 in Taiwan are colloquially referred to as the "strawberry generation."
The analogy, which draws a parallel between youngsters brought up with economic security and strawberries grown in a greenhouse, suggests that young people are less equipped to deal with pressure than their ancestors, who endured greater economic hardships. Those who hold this view believe that a comfortable upbringing leads to maladjusted children who are unable to hold down a job or appreciate the value of hard work, or community spirit later in life.
A local troupe, Creative Mist Body (嵐創作體) -- mainly composed of members of this supposedly work-shy, materialistic group -- is putting on a production of composer Stephen Sondheim and director and author James Lapine's Into the Woods beginning tonight.
The musical, which is to be performed in English, combines the classic fairy tales of Jack and the Beanstalk,Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Little Red Riding Hood and carries a stark message: greed and gluttony are destructive traits whereas family and community values are constructive.
The Broadway hit, which first took to the stage in 1987, tells the tale of a baker and his wife who have been cursed by a witch so they are unable to have children. All is not lost, though, as the spell can be broken. The baker and his wife must bring the witch a milk-white cow and a blood-red cape among other gifts.
After a few botched attempts and some overt moralizing, the couple is able to perform the tasks necessary to break the spell.
The tale doesn't end on this happy note, however, as there is a twist involving a giant's wife who returns to exact revenge on the other characters. The moral being: only by banding together can they defeat her.
Into the Woods is at the Arts Dance Theater, Taipei National University of the Arts, 1, Xueyuan Rd, Peitou, Taipei (
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