Silk Road Rising Stages Reading of PENUEL: THE SAMMY LEE STORY This Weekend

Penuel: The Sammy Lee Story, written by David Rhee and directed by Steve Scott, is getting a staged reading via Silk Road Rising at The Historic Chicago Temple Building, today and tomorrow, July 11 and July 12, 2015.

Penuel: The Sammy Lee Story is about the hard work, determination and triumph of an Olympian. As a twelve-year-old, Sammy Lee could watch as divers leapt gracefully into the public swimming pool. Despite his overwhelming desire to try diving himself, as a Korean (like any person of color) he could only use the pool once a week. Never would he have guessed that, sixteen short years later, Dr. Sammy Lee would become the first Asian American ever to win Olympic gold.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
Saturday, July 11, 2015 at 4 PM
Sunday, July 12, 2015 at 4 PM

Tickets are $10. Tickets sold online only. No processing fee to buy online.

The Historic Chicago Temple Building is located at 77 W Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602. Silk Road Rising is easily accessible via public transportation. If you plan to drive, take advantage of our $8 parking arrangement at Self Park, 230 W Washington St (corner of Washington & Franklin; building with Cosi Restaurant). Ask box office attendant for a discount coupon.

Playwright David Rhee spent over a decade acting on Broadway in productions like Tony award winning Thoroughly Modern Millie, M. Butterfly, Yellow Face, and Miss Saigon. Frustrated with the roles he was being offered and the roles for which he was not considered the right "type", David changed the trajectory of his career. A friend told him that he had three options: "realize that there are certain 'Asian' shows and just do them, quit, or write your own shows."

David began to write his own plays. His research unearthed the talents and accomplishments of a man named Dr. Sammy Lee, the first Asian American Olympic gold medalist. David began to wonder: why haven't I heard of him before? Inquiry led him to write Penuel: The Story of Sammy Lee. Many of Dr. Lee's struggles mirrored the struggles David faced as an Asian American actor. Learn more about David Rhee and read his artistic statement.

It's likely that you, too, have never heard of Asian American Olympic diver and gold medalist Dr. Sammy Lee before. Just like the Olympian Greg Louganis, whom he went on to coach, Dr. Lee never made it to the front of a Wheaties cereal box. The talented and inspiring subject of David Rhee's Penuel: The Sammy Lee Story discusses racism, Olympic diving and his supportive parents in this documentary clip. Play Video >>

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