The Chinese Lady (play)

The Chinese Lady is a dramatic stage play by Korean-American playwright Lloyd Suh based on the life of Afong Moy, a Chinese immigrant to the U.S. exhibited across the country under the titular name. The play premiered in 2018 at Barrington Stage Company in Pittsfield, Massachusetts in a co-production with Ma-Yi Theater Company, before debuting Off-Broadway in 2022 at The Public Theater.

Plot

The play follows the true story of Afong Moy, a woman from Guangzhou, China who is brought to the United States in 1834 to be the center of an exhibition titled The Chinese Lady. Set within the context of one of her exhibitions, the play featured Moy and Atung, her caretaker and translator. Moy would go on to be exhibited for 55 years, displaying how she dressed, ate and bound her feet in a criticism of voyeurism and cultural exploitation.

Production history

2018 World Premiere

The play had its world premiere regionally at Barrington Stage Company in Pittsfield, Massachusetts in a co-production with Ma-Yi Theater Company in 2018, running from July 20 to August 11, 2018. The production starred Shannon Tyo as Moy and Daniel K. Isaac as Atung with Ralph B. Peña as director. The play received positive reviews, with the Albany Times Union calling it an "exceptionally engaging world premiere", and Talkin' Broadway lauded the production as a "multi-layered, filled with dimension, and a show which provides invaluable insight."

2019 Milwaukee production

The play next premiered at Milwaukee Repertory Theater in 2019, running February 13 through March 24, 2019. The production starred Lisa Helmi Johanson as Moy and Jon Norman Schneider as Atung, directed by May Adrales. Milwaukee Magazine praised the show, claiming the cast "kept their audience transfixed" and "displayed remarkable dramatic range."

2022 Off-Broadway production

The next major production of the play was Off-Broadway in 2022 at The Public Theater's Shiva Theater, with Tyo and Isaac reprising their roles and Peña returning as director. The production ran from February 23 to April 10, 2023, and again received positive reception. The New York Times praised the "gorgeous cast" and the production as "more anguished, more mournful, more urgent than before." The production was nominated for three Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Play, four Lucille Lortel Awards, including Outstanding Revival and an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play. Tyo won the 2022 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play for her performance as Afong Moy.

2024 Atlanta production

The play premiered in Atlanta, Georgia at the Alliance Theatre in 2024, running from September 18 through October 17, 2024. The production starred Keiko Agena as Moy and Rex Lee as Atung, and was directed by Jess McLeod. Arts ATL lauded the show as "fascinating storytelling, well-presented by McLeod" and "excellent."

Cast and characters

Accolades

2022 Off-Broadway production