New York City Center. Photo by Lia Chang
Manhattan Theatre Club’s American premiere of Golden Shield, written by Anchuli Felicia King and directed by May Adrales, opened last night at New York City Center – Stage I (131 West 55th Street).
David Henry Hwang, Anchuli Felicia King and May Adrales. Photo by Lia Chang
Golden Shield‘s ensemble cast features Cindy Cheung, Fang Du, Kristen Hung, Daniel Jenkins, Michael C. Liu, Max Gordon Moore, Ruibo Qian and Gillian Saker.
Gillian Saker, Daniel Jenkins, Kristen Hung, Ruibo Qian, Cindy Cheung, Max Gordon Moore, Fang Du, Michael C. Liu. Photo by Lia Chang
The cast of GOLDEN SHIELD take their opening night bows. Photo by Lia Chang
The cast of GOLDEN SHIELD take their opening night bows. Photo by Lia Chang
The cast of GOLDEN SHIELD take their opening night bows. Photo by Lia Chang
The Asian American performing arts and literary community turned out in full support on the 17th day of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month – including David Henry Hwang, Amy Tan, Lori Tan Chinn, Jason Ma, Ali Ewoldt, Daniel K. Isaac, Joanna C. Lee, Telly Leung and Alan Ariano, Ken Leung, and his wife, Nancy Bulalacao and their son, Dash, Ed Lin, Jose Llana, Thom Sesma, Jo Yang, and Perry Yung.
Rachel Cooper, Stewart Wallace, David Henry Hwang, Lou DeMattei, Amy Tan and Joanna C. Lee. Photo by Lia Chang
Lori Tan Chinn. Photo by Lia Chang
Jason Ma and Joanna C. Lee. Photo by Lia Chang
Thom Sesma. Photo by Lia Chang
Telly Leung and Alan Ariano. Photo by Lia Chang
Jose Llana. Photo by Lia Chang
Perry Yung. Photo by Lia Chang
Ken Leung. Photo by Lia Chang
Ken Leung, Dash and Nancy Bulalacao. Photo by Lia Chang
Prayer for the French Republic cast members Betsy Aidem, Yair Ben-Dor, Pierre Epstein, Emma Geer, Kenneth Tigar, Richard Topol were giddy while taking photos after the announcement of their 2022 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play.
PRAYER FOR THE FRENCH REPUBLIC cast members Betsy Aidem, Yair Ben-Dor, Emma Geer, Kenneth Tigar, Richard Topol and Frances Benhamou.. Photo by Lia Chang
Also in the house – Producer Jamie DeRoy and Hunt Slonem, and directors Joshua Kahan Brody and Kate Whoriskey.
Jamie DeRoy and Hunt Slonem and Jamie DeRoy. Photo by Lia Chang
David James Boyd, Chad Kessler, May Adrales and Brad Kisicki. Photo by Lia Chang
From international playwright Anchuli Felicia King comes a riveting new play about loyalties, intrigue and the delicate art of translation. When enterprising American lawyer Julie Chen files a class-action lawsuit involving a multinational technology corporation and the Chinese government, she hires her strong-minded sister Eva as her translator. But what compromises will they make in order to win? And can they put aside their past differences to speak the same language? Directing this fast-paced production is May Adrales (Vietgone).
Director May Adrales. Photo by Lia Chang
The show’s creative team includes dots (scenic design), Sara Ryung Clement (costume design), Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew (lighting design), Charles Coes & Nathan A. Roberts (original music & sound design), Tom Watson (hair & wig design), Ka-Ling Cheung (vocal coach), and Alyssa K. Howard (production stage manager).
MTC Artistic Producer Nicki Hunter, Anchuli Felicia King, and May Adrales. Photo by Lia Chang
Playwright Anchuli Felicia King. Photo by Lia Chang
Fang Du. Photo by Lia Chang
Michael C. Liu. Photo by Lia Chang
Daniel Jenkins. Photo by Lia Chang
Daniel Jenkins, Fang Du, Max Gordon Moore, and Michael C. Liu. Photo by Lia Chang
Max Gordon Moore. Photo by Lia Chang
Kristen Hung. Photo by Lia Chang
Michael C. Liu and Kristen Hung. Photo by Lia Chang
Ruibo Qian, Fang Du, and Cindy Cheung. Photo by Lia Chang
Ruibo Qian, Cindy Cheung. Photo by Lia Chang
Cindy Cheung. Photo by Lia Chang
Ruibo Qian. Photo by Lia Chang
Gillian Saker. Photo by Lia Chang
Major support for Golden Shield is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation as part of The Sloan Initiative: Setting the Stage for Science and Technology. Additional support is provided by the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.
(from left to right) – May Adrales, Anchuli Felicia King, Kristen Hung, Ruibo Qian, Cindy Cheung, Max Gordon Moore, Fang Du, Gillian Saker (standing); Daniel Jenkins, Michael C. Liu (kneeling). Photo by Lia Chang
HEALTH AND SAFETY INFORMATION
Proof of vaccination and a Valid ID will be required to enter the theatre. Masks must be worn at all times. For up to date COVID protocols, go to www.manhattantheatreclub.com/protocols/.
MTC SUBSCRIPTIONS AND PATRON MEMBERSHIPS
To join MTC’s season of plays as a Subscriber or a Patron, call the MTC Clubline at 212-399-3050 or go to www.manhattantheatreclub.com.
To sign up for MTC’s “30 Under 35” program, offering $30 tickets for theatregoers age 35 and under, visit www.manhattantheatreclub.com/30under35/.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
·WEEK OF MAY 16: Wednesday and Thursday at 7PM; Friday and Saturday at 8PM; Matinees on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday at 2PM.
·WEEK OF MAY 23: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 7PM; Friday and Saturday at 8PM; Matinees on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday at 2PM.
·WEEK OF MAY 30: Tuesday and Wednesday at 7PM; Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8PM; Matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2PM. The 1PM performance on Wednesday, June 1 is an Education Matinee.
·WEEK OF JUNE 6: Tuesday and Wednesday at 7PM; Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8PM; Matinees on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday at 2PM.
Lori Tan Chinn, Cindy Cheung, Jo Yang. Photo by Lia Chang
ABOUT THE ALFRED P. SLOAN FOUNDATION
The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation is a New York based, philanthropic institution that makes grants for research and education in science, technology, and economics
Sloan’s program in Public Understanding of Science and Technology, directed by Doron Weber, supports books, radio, film, television, theater, and new media to reach a wide, non-specialized audience and to bridge science and the humanities.
The Foundation has an active theater program and commissions about twenty science plays each year from Manhattan Theatre Club, Ensemble Studio Theatre, and the National Theatre in London, while supporting select productions. From David Auburn’s Proof to Bess Wohl’s Continuity, Sloan has partnered with Manhattan Theatre Club to commission 100 science-themed plays and produce 20 plays around the world. Recent grants from Sloan’s Theater Program have supported Mark Rylance’s Dr. Semmelweis, Sam Chanse’s what you are now, Charly Evon Simpson’s Behind the Sheet, Lucy Kirkwood’s Mosquitoes, Nell Benjamin’s Explorer’s Club, Nick Payne’s Constellations, Lucas Hnath’s Isaac’s Eye, and Anna Ziegler’s Photograph 51.
Ed Lin with his wife, Cindy Cheung, Kyung B. Yoon and Jason Ma. Photo by Lia Chang
ABOUT MANHATTAN THEATRE CLUB
MANHATTAN THEATRE CLUB, under the leadership of Artistic Director Lynne Meadow and Executive Producer Barry Grove, has become one of the country’s most prominent and prestigious theatre companies. Over more than four decades, MTC productions have earned numerous awards including 7 Pulitzer Prizes, 27 Tony Awards, 40 Drama Desk Awards and 49 Obie Awards. MTC has a Broadway home at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street) and two Off-Broadway theatres at New York City Center (131 West 55th Street). For more information on MTC, please visit www.ManhattanTheatreClub.com.
Manhattan Theatre Club is committed to being an anti-racist organization that respects and honors all voices while upholding the values of community, equity, access, and belonging. We understand that the United States is a country founded on white supremacy and anti-Blackness, and that these belief systems are tightly woven throughout American arts and culture. We recognize MTC’s place within that history, and understand that uprooting biases requires ongoing work. To this end, we have been reviewing, and are continuing to review, our policies and practices in order to create an inclusive, anti-racist environment for our artists, staff members, and audiences. We wish to express solidarity with and gratitude towards those from historically oppressed communities whose voices have raised consciousness and encouraged action. We will continue to post regular progress reports on our website at manhattantheatreclub.com/edi
Erich McMillan-McCall and Anchuli Felicia King. Photo by Lia Chang
Jo Yang, Lori Tan Chinn, Lia Chang, Cindy Cheung, Kyung B. Yoon and Joanna C. Lee. Photo by Ed Lin
Lia Chang
Lia Chang is a Chinese-American actor, a multi-media content producer, an award-winning filmmaker, and a photo activist and documentarian, who lifts up and amplifies BIPOC communities and artists and the institutions that support them. She recently received the 2022 Prospect Muse Award.
Lia moved to New York from her home in San Francisco when she was 17 years of age and made her stage debut as Liat in a national tour of South Pacific with Barbara Eden and Robert Goulet. She spent many years working extensively Off-Broadway, including Signature Theatre’s revival of Sam Shepard’s Chicago. Her film work includes Wolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, and The Last Dragon. The decades of being viewed by others through the narrow lens of “Asian actor” in the industry brought Lia to a turning point, and she picked up her camera, determined to create awareness by documenting the work and the lives of her BIPOC colleagues, resulting in the creation of thousands of photographs and pieces of video. Her photo archives are housed in the AAPI collection in the Library of Congress’ Asian Reading Room under “Lia Chang Theater Portfolio collection,1989-2011” and in the “Lia Chang Photography Collection” in The Billy Rose Theatre Division of the New York Public Library.
Lia’s awards include the 2000 OCA Chinese American Journalist Award and the 2001 AAJA National Award for New Media. She is also an AAJA Executive Leadership Graduate, a Western Knight Fellow at USC’s Annenberg College of Communications for Specialized Journalism on Entertainment Journalism in the Digital Age, a National Press Photographers Association Visual Edge/Visual Journalism Fellow at the Poynter Institute for New Media, and a Scripps Howard New Media Fellow at the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism.
More recently, Lia co-founded Bev’s Girl Films, which makes films that foster inclusion and diversity on both sides of the camera. She executive produced and starred in the indie films Hide and Seek (AA Film Lab’s 2015 72 Hour Shootout Best Actress Nomination), Rom-Com Gone Wrong, and When the World Was Young (2021 DisOrient Film Audience Choice Award for Best Short Narrative).
A retrospective of Lia’s photographs will be on view at the Museum of the City of New York later this year, documenting her BIPOC colleagues and contemporaries in the performing arts, which will include photos of Prospect Theater Company artists at work. www.liachang.com, www.liachangphotography.com
Lia Chang Photography 