Genevieve Wang Presents WHERE IS MY MAPLE TOWN By Yuting He

WHERE IS MY MAPLE TOWN, an original ancient Chinese drama by Yuting He, produced by Genevieve Yiming Wang, directed by Xiaopeng Teng, premiered Off-Broadway in TheatreRow on August 24th. The play features Jae Woo, Fang Du, Kaidi Li, Theodore Lee, Shaotian Cai, Teddy Qin, Zoe Lau, XiaoRan (in order of appearance).

Li Liyan, cultural secretary of Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in New York; Yang Jun, educational secretary of Consulate General of the People 's Republic of China in New York; Liu Chengcheng, cultural consul; Yang Zhongbo, educational consul and guests from various cultural institutions including SinoVision China, World Journal, The China Press, Photographer Elvin Hu, supported the performance.

Tony Award winning playwright David H. Hwang comments on the play: "Where Is My Maple Town is a social drama set in ancient China which causes us to reflect on society today, and the price of our own success. This allegory illuminates the universality of human nature, across time and cultures."

Producer Genevieve Yiming Wang said in the premier, "I am thrilled to add to the diverse culture spectrum in New York City theatre through producing Yuting's work. I aim to create platforms for Asian theater talents and to offer our own interpretations of ancient Chinese culture. There is a universal theme within this timeless Chinese drama and we want to tell the story by heart."

Playwright Yuting He, Columbia University Visiting Scholar from Shanghai Theatre Academy, said, "The play is inspired by my personal experience. It leads the audience to introspect which side we choose in our life, and the consequences of our desire and conviction. With the impact that the social climate casts on every one of us, how we can, cannot, and should have dealt with the influence."

With set design by AO LI(Yale MFA), lighting design by SAMUEL CHAN(Yale MFA), costume design by YUNZHU ZENG(Yale MFA), this production incorporates Chinese heritage and cultural themes, including Chinese opera, traditional costume and music instruments through the lens of contemporary interpretations.

In the age of Trump, where lies and truth intermingle with immense (often grave) consequences, the play lives in a similar age where ethics, safety, and civil society, itself, are in peril. This is where the good people of Maple Town live. At the intersection of here and there, truth and lies, our best angels and our real selves, Maple Town, set in some ancient Chinese dynasty is an allegory for today, and tomorrow.

 

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