‘The Chinese Lady’ on the Hertz Stage at The Alliance Theatre
Video from The Public Theatre’s production:
THE CHINESE LADY
THE CRITICALLY-ACCLAIMED PLAY BY PULITZER PRIZE FINALIST LLOYD SUH
WILL PLAY ON THE HERTZ STAGE
SEPTEMBER 18 – OCTOBER 18, 2024
THE CHINESE LADY WILL FEATURE KEIKO AGENA OF TV’S GILMORE GIRLS AND
REX LEE OF TV’S FRESH OFF THE BOAT
THE CHINESE LADY marks the return of Playwright & Pulitzer Prize finalist Lloyd Suh (Bina’s Six Apples) to the Alliance.
Inspired by the true story of Afong Moy, THE CHINESE LADY is a darkly poetic, yet whimsical portrait of our past seen through the eyes of a young Chinese woman. Afong – thought to be the first Chinese woman to step foot on U.S. soil – is only 14 years old when she’s brought to the United States in 1834 and put on display as “The Chinese Lady.” Decade after decade, she performs as a living exhibit, showing curious white visitors how she eats, what she wears, and how she walks on tiny bound feet. As time wears on, the lines between her performance and her identity begin to blur. Described as “moving and often sharply funny” (The New York Times), THE CHINESE LADY examines the ongoing struggle for empathy and understanding across cultural divides.
THE CHINESE LADY is deeply rooted in history and is concerned with a young person navigating the tumult of history towards a sense of self-actualization,” said Playwright Lloyd Suh. “When I first heard about Afong Moy, her story haunted me. Afterwards, I did a deep dive to find out as much as I could about her, because I needed to understand her story even just on a personal level.”
THE CHINESE LADY features actors Keiko Agena (TV: Gilmore Girls) as Afong Moy, and Rex Lee (TV: Entourage and Fresh Off the Boat) as Atung.
“Not only does the historical record completely ignore Afong Moy, but there is absolutely nothing on record that comes from her point of view,” said Suh. “My hope is that everyone has a personal reaction [that resonates with] their own personal history, their social location, their relationship with all of what came before and especially what is happening in the world on the particular day they might experience it.”
Tickets are available at the Alliance Theatre Box Office in person or by calling 404.733.4600, or by going online to www.alliancetheatre.org/chineselady.
VENUE INFORMATION:
Hertz Stage at Alliance Theatre
1280 Peachtree Street NE
SPONSOR INFORMATION:
The Hertz Stage series is sponsored by Warner Bros. Discovery. Additional support for THE CHINESE LADY is provided by the Home Depot Foundation.
CALENDAR LISTING SYNOPSIS:
THE CHINESE LADY
September 18 – October 13, 2024
Hertz Stage at Alliance Theatre
1280 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
By Lloyd Suh
Directed by Jess McLeod
Inspired by the true story of Afong Moy, The Chinese Lady is a darkly poetic, yet whimsical portrait of our past seen through the eyes of a young Chinese woman. Afong is only 14 years old when she’s brought to the United States in 1834 and displayed as “The Chinese Lady” – the first to step foot on U.S. soil. Decade after decade, she performs as a living exhibit, showing curious white visitors how she eats and what she wears as merchants sell tea and Chinoiserie in the lobby. As time wears on, the lines between her performance and her identity begin to blur. Described as “moving and often sharply funny” (The New York Times), The Chinese Lady examines the ongoing struggle for empathy and understanding across cultural divides. For tickets and info, visit www.alliancetheatre.org/chineselady.
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