An Enchanting ‘Red Thread’ by Ziggurat

If “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” brought the martial arts genre to the attention of Western moviegoers who had hardly noticed it, the enchanting “Red Thread” could do the same for Los Angeles theatergoers.

Writer, director and set designer Stephen Legawiec may not appreciate a comparison of his new play to a movie. He told a Times interviewer he believes that film lacks theater’s spiritual dimension.

Still, with a female protagonist who’s secretly a trained assassin but publicly plays a very different role within an ancient Chinese court--which is rife with intrigue--comparisons are unavoidable. And although the Ziggurat Theatre Ensemble production at Culver City’s Gascon Center Theatre lacks the film’s treetop fights, some of the other comparisons may well be in the play’s favor.

Adapting an old Chinese tale, Legawiec gives his heroine a burning personal conflict. She has just become a follower of the imported new religion of Buddhism, and its nonviolent precepts don’t jibe with her violent trade.

Her dilemma reaches a boiling point after her boss, who has just married off his daughter to another governor’s son, learns of a treacherous plot by his daughter’s new father-in-law.

Legawiec frames the story through a present-day narrator (Dian Kobayashi). She seldom strays from the side of the stage, but we eventually learn that she has a secret of her own.

The stage is generally bare but alive in color and shadow (lighting design by Leif Gantvoort). The back panels divide for presentations of flashback scenes from the life of the heroine. Richly brocaded costumes by Robert Velasquez and elaborate makeup enhance the sense of simple elegance.

Susan Christiansen’s lush music combines Western and Chinese strains. Although largely prerecorded, with a sound that’s a little too electronic on occasion, the score also includes one beautifully staged number that’s sung live.

The martial arts scenes are performed with solemn gravity and pristine grace. The wedding ceremony includes an acrobatic silk dance by Elena Goss and a magic act.

Even outside the fight scenes, the cast moves with a stylized polish that indicates months of training. Jenny Woo is a wiz in both contrasting sides of the central character. Luis Zambrano and Dean Purvis are commanding as the rival governors. Michelle Tenazas and Sebastian Kunnappilly play the amusing young marrieds, while Ogie Zulueta is a marvel as a cocky, nimble servant.

Except for one awkward transition between scenes, the play moves quickly, with no intermission and very little fat. This is a remarkably accessible yarn from one of L.A. theater’s most adventurous talents.

“Red Thread,” Gascon Center Theatre, 8737 Washington Blvd., Culver City. Fridays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m. Ends June 16. $15-$20. (310) 842-5737. Running time: 1 hour, 50 minutes.