Helen Young directs Suh's acclaimed portrait of the U.S. as seen through the eyes of the the first Chinese woman to come here.
For its 25th anniversary season finale, TimeLine Theatre will present the Chicago premiere of The Chinese Lady, Lloyd Suh's acclaimed play inspired by the story of the first Chinese woman to step foot in America.
Brought here from China in 1834 by enterprising American merchants, 14-year-old Afong Moy is put on display so the American public can get its first view of an "authentic Chinese Lady." Over the course of 55 years, Afong performs an ethnicity that both defines and challenges her own views of herself. Meanwhile, she witnesses stunning transformations in the American identity. As these dual truths become irreconcilable, Afong must reckon with herself and the history of her new home with startling discovery and personal revelations.
Suh's piercing and darkly poetic portrait of the United States as seen through the eyes of the first Chinese woman to step foot on U.S. soil unearths hidden history with humor and insight, illuminates the roots of the bigotry and hate facing today's Asian American and Pacific Islander community, and inspires us to see and understand each other anew. According to The New York Times, The Chinese Lady "steadily deepens in complexity. By the end of Mr. Suh's extraordinary play, we look at Afong and see whole centuries of American history. She's no longer the Chinese lady. She is us."
Helen Young returns to TimeLine to direct the company's Chicago premiere of The Chinese Lady. Previously, Young directed the 2021 online event Setting the Stage: The Chinese Lady - Building a Bridge Toward Asian Visibility as well as TimePieces readings of The Chinese Lady and The Paper Dreams of Harry Chin.
"The past few years, I've been writing about the forgotten moments in Asian American history," said Lloyd Suh. "I'm trying to understand why they were forgotten, what they mean about where we are now, and how these moments might help us find a way forward. With The Chinese Lady, I'm trying to excavate Afong Moy's story in a way, trying to conjure and honor her, because she was lost to history. She was unknowable."
For TimeLine's production of The Chinese Lady, Afong Moy will be played by Mi Kang (she/her). Kang will graduate with her MFA in acting later this year at Northwestern University, where her credits include Peerless, Cry It Out, and Hedda Gabler. She was previously based in Seattle where she performed at ArtsWest Playhouse, Seattle Children's Theatre, Book-It Repertory Theatre and Annex Theatre.
Glenn Obrero (he/him) rounds out the two-person cast as Atung. Obrero's Chicago credits include The Great Leap (Steppenwolf Theatre), The Scientific Method (Rivendell Theatre), 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (Lookingglass Theatre), A Wrinkle in Time (Lifeline Theatre), and Akeelah and the Bee (Adventure Stage Theatre).
TimeLine's production team for The Chinese Lady includes Arnel Sancianco (Scenic Designer, he/him), John Culbert (Lighting Designer, he/him), Izumi Inaba (Costume Designer, she/her), and Yiwen Wu (Dramaturg, she/her). i?? HEALTH AND SAFETY In accordance with protocols adopted by a coalition of more than 60 performing arts venues and producers across Chicagoland, TimeLine has been ensuring COVID-19 vaccination and mask requirements for audiences, artists, and staff attending the company's performances at Theater Wit. In general, protocols have required that patrons be masked and fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine in order to attend. These protocols are subject to change as the pandemic evolves. For the most current information about TimeLine's COVID-19 safety protocols, visit timelinetheatre.com/health-and-safety.
Previews of The Chinese Lady are Sunday, May 8, 2022 at 2 p.m.; and Tuesday through Thursday, May 10-12 at 7:30 p.m. Press and Opening Night is Friday, May 13 at 7:30 p.m. Regular performances continue through June 18: Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.; Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sundays at 2 p.m. There is an added matinee Tuesday, June 14 at 2 p.m. Exception: No 4pm performance on May 14. Single tickets to The Chinese Lady go on sale Tuesday, April 5 at 12 p.m. at timelinetheatre.com or by calling the Box Office at (773) 281-8463 x6. Preview tickets are $25. Single tickets to regular performances are $42 (Wednesday through Friday), $49 (Saturday evenings) and $57 (Saturday and Sunday matinees). Student discount is 35% off regular price with valid ID. TimeLine is also a member of TCG's Blue Star Theatre Program and is offering $25 tickets to U.S. military personnel, veterans, first responders, and their spouses and family.Ticket buyers age 18-35 may join TimeLine's free MyLine program to obtain access to discounted tickets, special events and more. Visit timelinetheatre.com/discounts for more about available discounts.
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