Robert Kalfin (Happy End, Yentl) will direct Colton's 1918 play, which officially opens April 30 and will run through May 17 at the Julia Miles Theatre.

Chen will star as Mother Goddam, a Manchu princess who was sold into slavery and has risen to power as the proprietress of a successful Shanghai brothel catering to society's elite. The work culminates in a dinner party thrown by Mother Goddam that ensnares more than one guest and reveals the life-changing secrets of all at her table.

Joining Chen (Joy Luck Club) will be Pine (Angels in America, Bus Stop, Joe Egg) as Sir Guy Charteris. Complete casting will be announced shortly.

Designing the production are Michael Anania (set design), Gail Cooper Hecht (costume design), Margaret Pine (sound design/composer) and Paul Hufson (lighting designer).

Tickets for The Shanghai Gesture, priced $52 and $67, are available by phoning (212) 239-6200, or by visiting Telecharge.com. The Julia Miles Theatre is located at 424 West 55th Street in Manhattan.