A Fractured Mirror: Moving Arts Unveils ‘In the Tomb of Ten Thousand Calendars’

Ninety feet underground, an epic new play explores the thin line between honoring history and burying it forever.

A Subterranean Journey Through Time

Ninety feet below the earth’s surface, in the silent, subterranean tomb of the Wanli Emperor, the weight of centuries begins to press in,. This is the setting for Moving Arts’ upcoming production, “In the Tomb of Ten Thousand Calendars,” an audacious new play by Stephen Dierkes, directed by Jeff Liu, and produced by Darin Anthony and Dana Schwartz. Opening August 29, the narrative serves as an epic exploration of change told through three distinct snapshots of history: the stultification of dynastic China in 1620, the fervent idealism of the 1966 Cultural Revolution, and the complex globalist power struggles of 2026,.

Reflecting the “Fractured Mirror” of Modern America

Reflecting the “Fractured Mirror” of Modern America While the play is rooted in China’s past, it acts as a “fractured mirror” designed to reflect contemporary American social and political issues. The production draws direct parallels to modern-day battles over historical monuments, the destruction of statues, and the “overthrow of expertise”. This historical snapshot of a revolution attempting to wipe out its own past reflects today’s heated debates regarding what history we choose to preserve and what we choose to bury,. These heavy themes are grounded in personal stories—including a Noble Consort yearning for burial with her love and an immigrant father trying to connect with his Americanized son—brought to life by a versatile cast featuring Jonathan Cheung, Elaine Kao, Wayne Lee, and West Liang.

The Cast

The Creative Team

The technical world of the Wanli Emperor’s tomb is brought to life by a dedicated creative team, featuring scenic and lighting design by Justin Huen, costume design by JJ Javier, sound design by Kyle Cunanan, and props by Dana Schwartz. Together, they transform the intimate Moving Arts stage into a subterranean space that balances “big ideas” with raw, emotional storytelling.

Moving Arts: A Legacy of Risk and Recognition 

The production is a perfect fit for Moving Arts, a company that has spent over three decades pushing the boundaries of Los Angeles theatre. Founded in 1992 by Lee Wochner and Julie Briggs, the company began as a humble 22-seat venue in Silver Lake and has since grown into a resident artist company dedicated to adventurous new work. Moving Arts is well-known for its versatility, staging premieres in traditional spaces as well as non-traditional venues ranging from the Natural History Museum to parking lots. The company enters this production with significant critical momentum, having recently received several Stage Raw Theatre Awards and wins from the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle for their commitment to excellence in new play development.

Showtimes and Tickets

“In the Tomb of Ten Thousand Calendars” opens at the Moving Arts Theater, located at 3191 Casitas Avenue in Atwater Village LA, on August 29 and runs through September 20, 2026. Performances are scheduled for 8 PM on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Mondays, with Sunday matinees at 4 PM, and previews are available on August 27 and 28.

General admission tickets are priced at $33, while students can attend any performance for $15, and premium seating is available for $44. For those seeking more flexible pricing, the theater offers Pay-What-You-Can admission on Mondays, and audiences should note that the production runs without an intermission. Tickets and information can be found on the Moving Arts website HERE.