The performance lasts 75 minutes and dramatically presents the Valleys of Search,
Love, Knowledge, Unity, Contentment, Wonderment and the Valley of True Poverty
and Absolute Nothingness.
Eleven pieces of music are heard during the performance. Some of these feature
live accompaniment on tablas or on a special drumset made from six drums (five
of which are hand made by Marty).
There is a family dance, two solo dances by Wendy, a solo dance by Caite, a
duet by Wendy and Caite, and a dance featuring the rolling Persian shaped silk-covered
doors.
The set consists of seven nine foot high Persian doors that roll and spin and
that are decorated with hand painted silks featuring imagery from the book.
In addition, each one features the name of a valley in masterful Persian calligraphy
by Burhan Zahrai. These are surrounded by a simple dark blue curtain which frames
the upstage area.
The doors and silk costumes are some of Vermont artist Ellen Spring's finest
creations.
Persian poetry by Rumi, Hafiz, Attar and others are scattered through the text.