The Chinese Lady is scheduled to kick off Magic Theatre’s 2019-2020 season. Lloyd Suh’s play, inspired by a true story, tells the story of Afong Moy, the first Chinese woman to arrive on American soil. Mina Morita directs. The run is scheduled for October 9 through November 3, 2019.
In addition, three other plays were revealed as part of the upcoming season: Nassim Soleimanpour’s Nassim, Ricardo Peréz González’s Don’t Eat the Mangos and Caryl Churchill’s Escaped Alone. Magic Theatre is based in the Fort Mason Center in San Francisco. See below for more details about the season.
“I am thrilled to announce that we have restored a fourth play to our 2019-2020 season,” said Artistic Director Loretta Greco. “Magic’s audiences will experience a season of four astonishing and vastly distinct plays — each looking at identity with unique perspectives — offering us ways in which to see ourselves anew. Each play considers the idea of borders both real and metaphoric, and offers ways to circumvent, or better, obliterate them. These are plays, from four of theater’s freshest voices, that captivate us with their unforgettable embrace of language, laughter, and rich emotional intelligence, while enlisting us to engage with them in bold new ways.”
“It is with great pleasure that we welcome a burst of innovative new playwrights to Magic’s 2019- 2020 roster: Nassim Soleimanpour, Ricardo Peréz González and perhaps the freshest of all at age 80, the incomparable, Caryl Churchill, for the first time! We’re also thrilled to welcome home, Lloyd Suh, whose groundbreaking plays American Hwangap and Jesus in India premiered here in 2009 and 2012, with his most recent work.”
In addition, Magic Theatre will host a 12-day festival featuring work-in-progress by six writers.
Now in its 52nd year Magic Theatre remains one of our favorite places here on Stark Insider to see a show. If you haven’t been before, check it out, you may discover the excitement and energy that can only be experienced in live theater.
THE CHINESE LADY
By Lloyd Suh
Directed by Mina MoritaOctober 9 – November 3, 2019
Inspired by the true story of the first Chinese woman to arrive on American soil, The Chinese Lady, follows Afong Moy, after she is brought from Beijing to America and put on display for an eager public yearning to learn of the exotic East. Leavened with humor and insight, Suh explores the way we consider both ourselves and others.
NASSIM
By Nassim Soleimanpour
Directed by Omar ElerianNovember 12 – November 17, 2019
No rehearsal. A sealed envelope, A new actor in each performance. An evening unlike any other. The latest play from Iranian born playwright Nassim Soleimanpour (White Rabbit, Red Rabbit) is a wondrous consideration of live theater, language, and the transcendent power of friendship. Direct from sold out performances around the globe.
2019 Martha Heasley Cox Virgin Play Festival
December 2019
Six remarkable writers. Twelve days of vibrant work-in-progress with portals into Magic’s process along the way. Exclusive for Subscribers.
DON’T EAT THE MANGOS
By Ricardo Peréz González
Directed By David MendizábalFebruary 26 – March 22, 2020
Just outside of San Juan, three sisters take turns caring for their ailing Papa. As a hurricane wreaks havoc, secrets are spilled and ugly truths emerge. Confronting their legacy, the sisters wrestle with what it means to stay true to self, familia, homeland and…how to best seek their revenge.
ESCAPED ALONE
By Caryl Churchill
Directed by Loretta GrecoApril 14 – May 10, 2020
“I’m walking down the street and there’s a door in the fence open and inside there are three women I’ve seen before…”
Three old friends and a neighbor spend a summer of afternoons in their English backyard. Entwined histories, laughter, and song abound over tea and catastrophe.
With Clinton Stark in San Francisco.
