Author: C.C. Lilford

I have not been engaging in Wilmington’s theatrical scene long but I’ve already had the pleasure of attending two of Big Dawg Productions‘ previous productions, once as a regular and once in the capacity as a critic. At the start of both, Artistic Director Steve Vernon informed the audience of upcoming productions, and both times The Chinese Lady came up. I was intrigued by the announcement of a serious dramatic work in a sea of comedies and wondered what Big Dawg had up their sleeve. I could tell they were proud of this particular endeavor.

Now, having finally seen it, I can confirm that they had every reason to feel that way.

Written by Lloyd Suh, The Chinese Lady tells the life story of Afong Moy, a Chinese girl who, at the age of fourteen in 1834, became the first Chinese woman to set foot on American soil. Afong Moy was sold by her father to the Carnes Brothers, who ran an “oriental export” company and displayed Moy for the public, at a fee, with some statements made about educating the American public about Chinese culture.