Milwaukee Rep Presents Lloyd Suh’s “THE CHINESE LADY” through March 24
Feature Photo: Lisa Helmi Johanson as Afong Moy. Photo by Michael Brosilow
Milwaukee Repertory Theater presents The Chinese Lady, a new play by Lloyd Suh, a leading voice in American drama, in the Stiemke Studio February 13 – March 24. Directed by Rep Associate Artistic Director May Adrales (In the Heights, Milwaukee Rep), the cast featuring two Rep new comers Lisa Helmi Johanson (Avenue Q tour) as Afong Moy and Jon Norman Schneider (House Rules, Ma-Yi Theater Company) as Atung.
The Chinese Lady centers around Afong Moy who was brought from Beijing to America in 1834 and put on display as the “Chinese Lady.” Over the next several decades, she performed in a sideshow that both defined and challenged her own view of herself as she witnessed stunning transformation in the U.S. Inspired by the true story of America’s first female Chinese immigrant, playwright Lloyd Suh unearths hidden history and questions the way we look at ourselves and others.
The Chinese Lady creative team includes set design by Collette Pollard (Hir, Steppenwolf), costume design by Melissa Ng (Vietgone, Writer’s Theatre) lighting design by Noele Stollmack(Guards at the Taj, Milwaukee Rep), sound design by Andre J. Pluess (33 Variations, Broadway), dialects by Clare Arena Haden, Dramaturgical Consultant Nancy Davis, and stage managed by Kimberly Carolus (Our Town, Milwaukee Rep).
The Chinese Lady is a John (Jack) D. Lewis New Play Development Program production. The Stiemke Studio Season is presented by Ed Seaberg & Patrick Smith and Four-Four Foundation, Inc. with Executive Producers Mara and Craig Swan. The Rep is sponsored in part by The United Performing Arts Fund.
The Chinese Lady runs February 13 – March 24, 2019 in the Stiemke Studio. Opening night is set for Friday, February 15th at 8pm. Purchase tickets at www.MilwaukeeRep.com, by calling the Ticket Office at 414-224-9490 or in person at 108 E. Wells Street in downtown Milwaukee.