WORLD PREMIERE

The Lion's Roar: in the footsteps of the prince who became Buddha

LET ME TELL YOU A STORY ABOUT A PRINCE:
ONE WHO CARRIES THE WISDOME OF AN ELEPHANT,
THE GRACE OF A SWAN,
AND THE COURAGE OF A LION

Before the statues and beyond the legend, there was a man—Siddhartha, a prince who renounced his royal life in search of an answer to human suffering. In this solo dance theatre production by Wu Wei Company, choreographer and performer Emilie Anne brings this 2,500-year-old story into contemporary light through dance, mime, and poetry. With a rich musical score and visual projections created by a collective of artists, the stage becomes a landscape of inner and outer journeys. 

This performance takes the audience through pivotal moments of Siddhartha's journey from his birth to his enlightenment as the Buddha, unfolding across a series of five episodic vignettes. Along the way, a vivid gallery of characters emerge, including a queen who dreams of a snowy-silver elephant, a swan soaring above the Himalayan mountains, a horse whose stride spans rivers, and a tree with heart-shaped leaves...

We invite audiences of all ages to discover this timeless story and awaken their inner “lion’s roar” of fearlessness!

Special thanks: An excerpt of this production, titled "The Great Departure" has received support from the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance. Emilie Anne/Wu Wei Company has presented work-in-progress showings and excerpts as part of Mind the Gap showcase organized by Dance Source Houston in partnership with Midtown Arts and Theatre Center Houston in 2022, 2023, and 2025.

Poster credits: photography by Lynn Lane, Bodhi tree artwork by Elsa Klingeberg

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 @ 7:30 PM

MATCHBOX 2

RUNTIME:
1 hour with no intermission

TICKETS:
Pay-What-You-Can
$15/$25/$35

Please note that each ticket is subject to a $5 box office support fee at checkout.

This performance is suitable for ages 5 and older.

PLAN YOUR VISIT TO MATCH

🎟️ BOX OFFICE & TICKETING 

• Online sales end 30 minutes prior to curtain. After this time, tickets may be available in person at the MATCH Box Office. 
• The Box Office opens 2 hours prior to curtain for Will Call and walk-up sales. 
• All sales are final. No refunds or cancellations after purchase. 
• Why is there a Box Office Support fee per ticket? Click here to learn more. 

⏱️ BEFORE THE SHOW 

• MATCH Concessions opens 1 hour prior to the start of each event. 
  Enjoy a cocktail, wine, beer, or snack before the show. 
  View concessions menu. 
• Seating typically opens 30 minutes prior to curtain. 
• Please note: Some shows have a no late seating or re-entry after the performance has begun. Arrive early! 

🚗 LOCATION & PARKING: MATCH is located in Midtown Houston. Click here for directions and parking options, including garages and metered street parking.

🍽️ RESTAURANTS & BARS: Make it a night out! Click here for a curated list of nearby restaurants and bars within walking distance of MATCH.

♿ ACCESSIBILITY: MATCH is a fully accessible facility. For accessible seating or special assistance, please contact the box office in advance so we can help accommodate your needs. Click here to email the box office.