THE CHINESE LADY to make its Baltimore premiere at Everyman Theatre
Lloyd Suh’s critically acclaimed play inspired by the true story of Afong Moy
Baltimore, MD – Lloyd Suh’s critically-acclaimed play inspired by the true story of Afong Moy,
believed to be the first Chinese woman to step foot in America in 1834, will be onstage at
Everyman Theatre October 22 – November 19, 2023.
Audiences will be transported through a modern and dynamic retelling of Moy’s journey of
becoming a living curiosity in a museum. From age 14 in the opening act (when Andrew
Jackson was President and a time when the U.S. is intrigued with Far East Oriental imports)
through age 82 (when The Chinese Exclusion Act suspended Chinese immigration), we see
Afong Moy struggle to maintain a sense of self and connection to her heritage as she becomes
a popular but commodified oddity that people gaze upon with blithe curiosity. This powerful,
moving, and often humorous tribute to a woman who spent her life trying to bridge the gap
between East and West serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for understanding across
cultural divides. As audiences follow Moy’s travels through America as a living exhibit through
most of her life, she shares her impressions of our country struggling with define itself.
Suh’s historically minded, and evocative play has gone on to be one of the most produced
plays all over the United States since it’s 2018 premiere. The well-regarded play has received
accolades from critics, who have praised its thought-provoking themes, and its beauty. Some
include, “moving and sharply funny”- The New York Times, “a fervent and self- assured
deconstruction” and “an assertive, resonant, and moving play”- The Chicago Tribune.
Everyman’s production for THE CHINESE LADY will feature two prominent Asian-American actors
in local theatre: Resident Company Member Tuyết Thị Phạm (Dinner and Cake, A Doll’s House)
and Đavid Lee Huỳnh (Warrior Sister of Wu, Once Upon A (Korean) Time). The artistic and
creative team consists of Meghan Raham (Scenic Design), Deb Kim Sivigny (Costume Design),
Emma Deane (Lighting Design), Tosin Olufolabi (Sound Design), Denise O’Brien (Wig Design), and
Kate Kibane (Stage Manager). This production is directed by Nana Dakin, a Thai American
director who has served in multiple theatres across NYC as well as being the first Thai theatre
director to direct at the Royal Court Theatre in London and is known for her work in pursuing
social equity by examining culture and dormant biases. (nanadakin.com).
“The words “curiosity” and “display” are key for me in thinking about this play. What is being put
on display? What are we curious about? Who is looking? I’m excited to tell Afong Moy’s story
and examine the power of the gaze,” says Dakin. “We can learn not only from the things we see
when looking out to the world, but also in what others see when looking back at us.”
“This play is unlike any other we have produced at Everyman,” said Vincent M. Lancisi, Founder
and Artistic Director of Everyman. “Playwright Lloyd Suh has given audiences a hyper-theatrical
experience that is beyond exciting.”
There are 31 scheduled performances available to the public, beginning with rehearsals the
week of October 22 and performances on weekdays and weekends through Sunday,
November 19. Tickets start at $29, with accessible Pay-What-You-Choose seats available for every performance.
Special Opportunities
- Sunday, October 22 – Pay-What-You-Choose: This final dress rehearsal will be open to the
public the Sunday before preview performances begin. General Admission seating is on
a first-come-first serve basis. Click here for more information. - Sunday, October 22 – TNT (Theatre Night for Teens): A social event for high-school aged
students who want to see a play and meet other teens interested in theatre. Students
in grades 9-12 are invited to join us for dinner, inside access to the show, pre- and post-show discussions with production artists. All TNT events are $20. More details here. - Sunday, November 5, and Sunday November 12 – Childcare Matinees: The Everyman
Theatre Education and Community Engagement staff will provide childcare for children
ages 3 – 12 during the show. Pricing starts at only $25 per child. Take a moment to relax
and enjoy a show knowing your child is safe and having a wonderful time with
an Everyman Theatre Teaching Artist! Learn more about Everyman’s childcare matinee service here. - Thursday, November 9 – Cast Conversation: Often a popular event in a show’s run, on this
date we invite patrons to stay after the performance and meet the cast in a 30-minute
facilitated talkback discussion. Learn more here. - Tuesday, November 14 – Early Midweek Matinee: *NEW. Typically reserved for school
field trips and student groups, an additional midweek matinee performance will also be
open to the public this year. Show time is 12 p.m. (Note: There are also matinee
performances every Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.) Buy tickets here.
Box Office Information
Everyman Theatre box office hours are Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., and Saturdays 12-4
p.m. Visit everymantheatre.org or call 410.752.2208 for more information.
ABOUT PLAYWRIGHT LLOYD SUH
Lloyd Suh is the author of The Chinese Lady, Charles Francis Chan Jr.’s Exotic Oriental Murder
Mystery, The Wong Kids in the Secret of the Space Chupacabra Go!, Jesus in India, and others,
produced with Ma-Yi, Magic Theatre, EST, NAATCO, PlayCo, Denver Center, Milwaukee Rep,
ArtsEmerson, Children’s Theatre Co, and more, including internationally at the Cultural Center of
the Philippines and with PCPA in Seoul, Korea. He has received support from the NEA Arena
Stage New Play Development program, Mellon Foundation, NYFA, NYSCA, Jerome, TCG,
Dramatists Guild, and residencies including NYS&F and Ojai.
He is an alum of Youngblood and the Soho Rep Writer/Director Lab and was a recipient
of a 2016 Helen Merrill Award and the 2019 Herb Alpert Award in the Arts. From 2005-
2010 he served as Artistic Director of Second Generation and Co-Director of the Ma-Yi
Writers Lab and has served since 2011 as the Director of Artistic Programs at The Lark,
and since 2015 as a member of the Dramatists Guild Council. The Chinese Lady
become one of the top regionally produced plays in the U.S. following its premiere as a
co-production by Barrington Stage Company and Ma-Yi Theater Company in July 2018.
It was also recognized as a New York Times Critics’ Pick during its New York City run as a
co-production between the Public Theatre and Ma-Yi Theatre Company in 2022.
(https://newdramatists.org/lloyd-suh)
ABOUT EVERYMAN THEATRE
Everyman Theatre is a professional Equity theatre company celebrating the actor, with a
Resident Company of artists from the Baltimore/DC area. Everyman Theatre is conveniently
located in the heart of Baltimore City in the historic Bromo Arts and Entertainment District, near
the corner of Fayette and Eutaw and steps away from the historic Lexington Market. Founded in
1990 by Vincent M. Lancisi, the theatre’s mission is to provide transformative experiences through
professional theatre that are welcoming, relevant, and affordable to everyone. With the values
of people, community, and excellence at the core of its programming and operations, Everyman is dedicated to meaningful connections between artists and audiences both onstage and off, while creating opportunities to sustain artists that are local to the Baltimore/Washington D. C. area. Lancisi partners with Managing Director Marissa LaRose in leading the organization in diverse, equitable, and inclusive storytelling, which is vital to living up to the name, Everyman Theatre.
Everyman Theatre is supported in part by grants from Mayor Brandon M. Scott, Baltimore City,
and The Mayor’s Office of Recovery, The Maryland State Arts Council (msac.org), The Citizens of
Baltimore County, The Shubert Foundation, and the Paul M. Angell Foundation.
Everyman Theatre stands in solidarity with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, and AAPI
(Americans and Pacific Islanders) communities and is committed to an equitable, diverse, and
inclusive atmosphere at every level of our organization.
Visit everymantheatre.org to learn more.
EVERYMAN THEATRE • 315 W. Fayette St. Baltimore, MD 21201 • 410.752.2208