STAGE TUBE: Artists at Play's CHING CHONG CHINAMAN

Artists at Play presents the Los Angeles premiere of the irreverent comedy Ching Chong Chinaman, written by Lauren Yee and directed by Peter J. Kuo.

Recently published by Samuel French and presented across the nation,Ching Chong Chinaman introduces us to the all-American Wong familywhile turning every cliché about Asian American identity on its head. Life in the Wong household is turned upside down with the arrival of an indentured servant from China, Jinqiang ("Ching Chong") who harbors his own American dreams! Opening on November 4 and running through November 20, 2011 at The Actors Company in West Hollywood, this show is the inaugural production for new theatre-producing collective Artists at Play.

"Lauren Yee introduces a new generation of writing to the American theatre scene," says director Peter J. Kuo. "I'm very excited to have this opportunity to tackle Lauren's provocative play and bring to life her fresh perspective on issues of multicultural identity." Lauren Yee has been a Dramatists Guild fellow, MacDowell Colony fellow, and member of The Public Theater Emerging Writers Group. She has been a finalist for the Djerassi Resident Artist Program, Heideman Award, Jerome Fellowship, PEN USA Literary Award for Drama, PONY Fellowship, and Wasserstein Prize. Ching Chong Chinaman-- winner of the 2007 Yale Playwrights Festival, East Bay Express Top 10 play of 2009, and City Pages Top 10 play of 2009-- has previously been produced in such major cities as New York, Seattle, Minneapolis, and Berkeley.

With an emphasis onbut not limited toAsian American theatre, Artists at Play seeks to bring new narratives to the stage that will challenge, engage and broaden the theatrical experience. Artists at Playwas founded by Peter J. Kuo, Julia Cho, Stefanie Wong Lau, and Marie-Reine Velez earlier this year. Having already collaborated on different projects in various configurations, these four are looking forward to continued growth collectively as Artists at Play.

The cast includes Artists at Play founding member Julia Cho (last seen on NBC's Whitney) as well as Elizabeth Ho(The Chinese Massacre [Annotated], Circle X Theatre), Steve Hu (Richard III, Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum), Ken Narasaki(No-No Boy), Helen H. Ota (Cold Tofu Improv) and Scott Keiji Takeda(Mysterious Skin, East West Players). Understudies include Sue Chan, Quincy Surasmith, Wanru Tseng and Kurt Yamamoto.

The creative team consists of Set Designer Chika Shimizu, Costume Designer Rachel Stivers, Lighting Designer José López, Sound Designer Dennis Yen, Property Master Ken Takemoto, Choreographer Rodney To and Stage Manager Amelia Worfolk.

Ching Chong Chinamanruns November 4 through November 20, 2011 at The Actors Company located at 916a N Formosa Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, Sundays at 3 pm. General admission is $20; opening night (including a post-show reception) is $30 per patron. Discount and group rates are available. Tickets may be purchased at http://bit.ly/AAPCCC.

 

 

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