The Chinese Lady
Awards and Recognition
- The New York Times CRITIC'S PICK
- REGIONAL PREMIERE
Reviewer Quotes
“ This is one of those rare evenings in the theater that rearranges something inside you. ”
Stage and Cinema
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Executive Producer
Gus & Mary Chabre
Sophie & Larry Cripe
Samuel & Tammy Tang
Associate Producer
Myrna Hamid
Supporting Producer
Bruce Goodrich
Executive Season Producer
Bette & Wylie Aitken
Corporate Sponsor
Associate Season Producer
The Family of Mary Kay Fyda-Mar
On the Cripe Stage…
In 1834, 14-year-old Afong Moy, the first Chinese woman to set foot in America, sailed into New York Harbor to be featured in a museum. She sees herself as a representative of China, here to educate and entertain. Or, in the eyes of the paying public, is she merely a mesmerizing display? Moving and sharply funny, this play follows the idealistic Moy as she travels through America as a living exhibit for decades. Over the course of her travels, Moy shares her impressions of a young country struggling to define itself. Inspired by a true story, Lloyd Suh’s critically acclaimed play is a poetic, whimsical tale that paints a unique portrait of the United States as seen through the eyes of this remarkable young Chinese woman.
“This isn’t a history play. It plays like Brechtian estrangement inverted. We don’t grow distant from the drama to observe it critically. Instead, the drama refuses to let us leave. What remains after the audience stops clapping, and the lights refuse to come up. I thought I came to observe. But I was part of the exhibit the entire time.”
Stage and Cinema“It’s powerful stuff as Suh has written it and even more so as directed with imagination and nuance at the Chance by Shinshin Yuder Tsai and performed to superb perfection by its two magnetic stars.”
Stage Scene LA“This production of The Chinese Lady doesn’t just revisit history, it reflects it. Through Afong’s eloquence and Atung’s quiet resilience, it becomes clear that the past is never far away. In a time when conversations about representation, visibility, and who gets to tell which stories continue to resonate, Chance Theater‘s staging couldn’t feel more urgent”
Fanboy Nation“The show is a sometimes humorous, sometimes disturbing, and ultimately poignant re-telling of Afong Moy’s journey.”
Stage Raw“the final scene where Krusiec questions us, and calls on each of us to really listen and understand one another, allows Afong Moy’s story to mesh with our own lived experience in a powerful way.”
LA Theatrix“Moving & Sharply Funny!… piercing and intimate… this quiet play steadily deepens in complexity as we trail the idealistic Afong and the more knowing Atung through the decades… by the end of Mr. Suh’s extraordinary play, we look at Afong and see whole centuries of American history”The New York Times
“It takes only minutes of The Chinese Lady to see that…playwright Lloyd Suh [has] constructed the dramatic equivalent of a perfect cabinet. Every hinge moves smoothly; the herringbone joins are a low-key marvel. You can almost see yourself in its hard-won polish…Suh’s version of Afong Moy is wonderful.”Time Out New York
The Chinese Lady deals with mature themes. For more info, visit this page.
Community Partner
Show artwork designed by KC Wilkerson, kcwdigital.com.
Special Events:
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Community Spotlight
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Pride Night
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Wine Night
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Join us before and after the performance for a happy hour and get to know our community partners. Schedule is subject to change. Saturday, May 31, 2025 starting at 2:00PM.- 2:00 PM - Mingling in the Chance lobby over light bites and Happy Hour drinks. Be sure to meet our Community Partners!
- 3:00 PM - The Chinese Lady begins! We can't wait for you to see this performance!
- 4:45 PM - Participate in a post-show conversation with the Cast and our Community Partner.
- 5:00 PM - Don't leave just yet! We have a second round of bites and drinks.
- 6:00 PM - Last call! The event comes to an end.
PRIDE NIGHT
Join us for our Pride Night, where theater lovers who share an identity can connect over refreshments and conversation before enjoying a performance. Schedule is subject to change. Saturday, May 31, 2025 starting at 7:00 PM.- 7:00 PM - Mingling in the Chance lobby over light bites and Happy Hour drinks.
- 8:00 PM - The Chinese Lady begins! We can't wait for you to see this performance!
- 9:45 PM - Participate in a post-show conversation with the Cast and each other.
- 10:00 PM - Don't leave just yet! We have a second round of bites and drinks.
- 11:00 PM - Last call! The event comes to an end.
WINE NIGHT
Back by popular demand, Wine Night features a signature wine for the first 50 patrons in the door. Members and their guests receive priority access. Schedule is subject to change. Friday, May 30, 2025 starting at 7:00PM.- 6:45 PM - Check-In Starts
- 7:00 PM - Wine Night starts. Enjoy free exclusive wines!
- 7:45 PM - Wine Night ends. Get prepared for the show!
- 8:00 PM - Show starts, feel free to bring in your cup!
Are you part of a Community Organization? Contact us at shinshin@chancetheater.com for information on special discounts and fundraising opportunities.
IN PERFORMANCE
IN REHEARSAL
Venue Bette Aitken theater arts Center
- Full-Service Bar
- Free Parking
- Conveniently Located
See the show? Share your experience with us...
At a Glance
- Upcoming Performances
- Approximate Running Time:
- 1 hour, 20 minutes with no intermissions
- Special Notes:
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- Post-show discussion after each performance.
- Join us for Opening Night as a Gold Member.
- Babes in arms and children under 4 are not permitted.
- 30% off for groups of 10 or more.
- Pay-What-You-Can Preview Performances
- Free, Convenient Parking
Waiting for show to start but I must say first impressions have been great. The staff has been very welcoming and quite charming.
It was amazing better and way deeper and more complicated than I anticipated I was mesmerized. I enjoyed it and maybe an intermission even though it’s 90 minutes would have been ok for some senior folks
The play was well written and the actors were outstanding. Their interpretation of history was somber, yet equally compelling and entertaining.
Great script, great writing, great actors. Exceeded expectations since I came in cold.
Actors, director, writer, scenery, costumes, sound, seats, front of the house….the whole experience was great
Well acted and interesting show
I love plays that expand my knowledge of the human experience especially on topics that are not often explored.
great quality performance, great subject for theater, easy parking, seat with lots of legroom. loved that this topic was historic, but ties to contemporary issues and was very politically relevant at this moment.
Character portrayal was very good. Subject material timely. Great, intimate venue
Love the performance, the size, and the friendly attitude of all the people I met. GREAT JOB. Continue doing the great work you are doing.
i enjoy watching play written by asian playwrights, and actors. they are not too many plays that are currently in production in the orange co area. the actors delivery was so on target.they invoked an emotions
excellent cast, setting and story
History plus emotional past. Revealing. Maybe connect with Asian organizations.. email or advertise there. I attended an Asian fashion show and the postcard was as in our gift pack. I have friends in LA and initiated them. LA is the next county over.
It was thoughtful, timely and well executed
Overall quality of the acting and the social message.
There is much to learn and much to think about. “As for me, a great Play presents to their audience aspects of our human nature; who we are and our strengths and weaknesses. Moreover it can provide us with a mirror, and if you see the mirror, you begin to see aspects of yourself, and you relate to the characters as you become emotionally moved. After the performance, you think about the theme, the “”take-home”” message. This is great theater and “”The Chinese Lady”” is just that. How timely that the CHANCE offers this play at this time. We are living in a chaotic time where many people feel helpless but feel empathy for Afong Moy and Atung. Trapped in their “”box”” their lives, aspirations, and needs and wants pass them by, while Chinese immigrants experience the horror of a cruel and xenophobic society.
“” The Chinese Lady”” speaks to us and tells us to do something with our life when we can. Starting out with an outstretched arm and an act of loving kindness is a good start.
Rob Greenfield MD
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It was educational as well as entertaining.
I found the play amazing and an eye opener.
It was amazing! That’s all I have to say
Interesting topic, good acting
Very thought provoking & excellent acting.
Michelle & Albert were excellent conveying this historical event. The timeline information of her life & the historical information on the violence & laws passed against the Chinese were educational & sad. Especially after contributing so much of their hard work. It should not be forgotten!