2025 Season Main Series

The Chinese Lady

May 16, 2025 — June 8, 2025

Written by Lloyd Suh

Directed by Shinshin Yuder Tsai

The New York Times CRITIC'S PICK
REGIONAL PREMIERE

“ by the end of Mr. Suh’s extraordinary play, we look at Afong and see whole centuries of American history ”
The New York Times

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Executive Producers

Gus & Mary Chabre
Sophie & Larry Cripe
Sally Ann Catering
Samuel & Tammy Tang

Supporting Producer

Bruce Goodrich

Executive Season Producers

Bette & Wylie Aitken

Associate Season Producers

The Family of Mary Kay Fyda-Mar

On the Cripe Stage…

In 1834, 16-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.

“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

Show artwork designed by KC Wilkerson, kcwdigital.com.

This play touches on mature themes of racism and trauma that may be challenging for some audiences.

Special Events:

Community Night
LGBTQIA+ Night

COMMUNITY NIGHT

Join us before and after the performance for a happy hour and get to know our community partners. Schedule is subject to change. Date TBD starting at 7:00PM.

7:00 PM - Mingling in the Chance lobby over light bites and Happy Hour drinks. Be sure to meet our Community Partners!
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 our Community Partner.
10:15 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.

LGBTQIA+ NIGHT

Join us for our LGBTQIA+ nights, where theater lovers who share an identity can connect over refreshments and conversation before enjoying a performance. Schedule is subject to change. Date TBD 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.
10:15 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.

Are you part of a Community Organization? Contact us at shinshin@chancetheater.com for information on special discounts and fundraising opportunities.