Five Timeless Truths from Afong Moy’s Story That Still Resonate Today
When audiences step into The Chinese Lady by Lloyd Suh, they enter a quiet, powerful space of reflection. The play is based on the life of Afong Moy, the first Chinese woman known to come to America. This play unfolds a story that is both deeply personal and strikingly universal.
Though rooted in 19th-century history, the emotional currents of The Chinese Lady ripple into our present. It’s a meditation on perception, identity, and the longing to be fully understood.
Here are five timeless lessons this production teaches us:
1. We All Want to Be Seen for Who We Truly Are
Afong Moy arrives with hope, believing her presence will foster understanding between cultures. But quickly, she realizes she’s not being welcomed, she’s being watched. Not as a human being, but as an oddity.
We all long to be seen, not just looked at. Being visible isn’t about being on display; it’s about being understood and acknowledged for our humanity.
2. Every Voice Matters
Throughout much of her journey, Afong’s words are filtered or spoken for her. The play reclaims that silence, allowing her voice to finally take center stage.
It’s a powerful reminder that storytelling gives shape to identity. And when we truly listen, we open ourselves to empathy and deeper understanding.
3. History Isn’t Set in Stone
So much of Afong’s experience was forgotten or reshaped through time. The Chinese Lady resurrects what history tried to erase.
It invites us to seek out the stories that weren’t included in our textbooks. Doing so helps build a more honest and inclusive picture of our shared past.
4. Stillness Holds Strength
This is not a play of fast action. Instead, it leans into silence, into subtlety, and these pauses carry weight.
Stillness can be a form of resistance. A quiet assertion of self. It challenges us to be present and to sit with discomfort, beauty, and truth.
5. Culture is Meant to Be Shared, Not Displayed
Afong believed she was sharing her culture. In reality, she was being showcased, turned into a living exhibit. The play wrestles with this uncomfortable tension.
It’s a call to redefine cultural exchange not as spectacle, but as connection. Through respect and curiosity, we learn not just about each other, but with each other.
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The Chinese Lady doesn’t just tell Afong Moy’s story, it invites us to reflect on our own. How we see. How we listen. How we remember.
In doing so, it brings us closer to a more compassionate and connected community.
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Experience the story that history tried to forget. Join us at Chance Theater for The Chinese Lady and be part of the extraordinary journey of Afong Moy.
Get your tickets at chancetheater.com/thechineselady today!
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