Pan Asian Repertory continues the American trend of multi-cultural politics in the theatre world with their dedication to plays which reflect the experiences of the Chinese who have moved to America. Pan Asian's latest, Carry the Tiger to the Mountain by Cherylene Lee, runs Nov. 12-Dec. 5, at NY's St. Clements Church.
In Carry The Tiger, it's 1982 and week before a young Chinese American named Vincent Chin plans to be married to his sweetheart, Patti Lin. On the night of his bachelor party, a barroom brawl becomes racial and violent. Upon leaving the bar, Vincent is beaten to death with a baseball bat by two out-of-work Detroit auto workers. They blame the Asian Auto Industry for the declining jobs in American Automobile Plants like Ford and Chevy. His murderers plead guilty to charges of manslaughter and are let off on three years probation and payment of fines totaling a mere $3,780. Chin's mother, utilizing Tai Chi to survive her pain and anguish, fearlessly struggles to bring justice to her son's memory.
Tiger, opens the Pan Asian season and marks the company's second collaboration with playwright Lee (Arthur & Leila). The title of the play takes its name from a series of movements practiced in Tai Chi.
Pan Asian Repertory's production of Cherylene Lee's Carry the Tiger to the Mountain plays Nov. 12-Dec. 5, at NY's St. Clements Church. For tickets ($30), or more information call (212) 245-2660.
-- By Sean McGrath
