INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Repertory Theatre is honored to produce the Indiana premiere of Lloyd Suh’s critically acclaimed play, The Chinese Lady. Inspired by a true story of the first Chinese woman to come to America in the 1800s, this piercing and poetic portrait runs on the IRT Upperstage October 11 – November 6, 2022. This is the first of two productions in the IRT’s 50th Anniversary Season that is part of the INclusion Series, which celebrates diverse storytelling and hidden stories of our shared history.
Beginning in 1834, The Chinese Lady follows 14-year-old Afong Moy through the decades as she spends her life traveling across the country as a living exhibition for a paying public. A look at identity and perspective, her story unearths hidden history as a displaced woman and a young nation’s struggle with how to define itself.
This production at the IRT brings together many key partners from the initial development process of this remarkable play. Janet Allen first learned about The Chinese Lady from collaborator (and the show’s scenic designer) Junghyun Georgia Lee, who had been working on it for several years with director Ralph B. Peña. Peña is the artistic director of Ma-Yi Theater Company in New York City and had originally developed the work with playwright Lloyd Suh—a Greenwood, Indiana native.
In addition to the creative team’s connection to the work, both actors have previously performed their roles in other productions across the country. Mi Kang, who plays Afong Moy, made her professional Chicago theatre debut in The Chinese Lady at TimeLine Theatre earlier this year. Trieu Tran, who plays Atung, also performed in the show at the Artists at Play/Greenway Court Theatre in Los Angeles.
Tickets are available now for this Indiana premiere online at irtlive.com or at 317-635-5252.
