Family Imports Ching Chong Chinaman in Pan Asian Rep Comedy, March 19-April 11

By Kenneth Jones
and Allison Klamkin
19 Mar 2010

New York City's Pan Asian Repertory Theatre continues its 33rd season with the premiere of Lauren Yee's Ching Chong Chinaman, beginning previews March 19 toward a March 24 opening.

According to Pan Asian Rep notes, "The Wongs are American as apple pie. Desdemona dreams of Princeton but could use some help with her calculus. Her brother Upton wants to be a World of Warcraft champion but needs more free time to train. Upton solves both their problems by bringing an indentured servant home one day, but they soon discover that 'Ching Chong' has American dreams of his own!"

Ching Chong Chinaman features Fay Ann Lee ("Falling for Grace," Private Lives at Pan Asian Rep), James Chen (Postcards From Earth at The Guthrie), Jennifer Lim (Cinderella at Yale Rep), Angela Lin (Broadway's Coram Boy and Top Girls), Ron Nakahara (Song for a Nisei Fisherman at Pan Asian Rep) and Jon Norman Schneider (Durango at The Public Theater). May Adrales directs.

Pan Asian Rep artistic director Tisa Chang said in a statement, "Ching Chong Chinaman addresses the cultural chasm between the contemporary Asian-American family and their culture of origin."

The creative team includes scenic designer Gian Marco Lo Forte, costume designer Kate Mincer, lighting designer Ji-Youn Chang and sound designer Robert Murphy.

Performances continue through April 11 at the West End Theatre, 263 West 86th Street (in The Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew). Tickets are $45 with discounts available for seniors, students and groups. For more information call OvationTix at (212) 352-3101 or visit PanAsianRep.org.