Citizen Wong

Pan Asian Repertory Theatre

April 17, 2022 - May 1, 2022

Citizen Wong, set in the 1870s-90s, introduces Wong Chin Foo, the pioneering 19th century activist and journalist known as “the first Chinese American” who tirelessly championed the rights of Chinese in America in a time of deep racial animus relevant to the current situation of renewed animosity. Epic themes from the Gilded Age are reflected in Wong's fictional romance with the liberal minded daughter of a railroad tycoon-politician inspired by the real life Leland Stanford. Other historical characters include the Irish-born labor leader Denis Kearney, socialite Alva Vanderbilt and "citizen" Wong Kim Ark, to re-examine Asian and American collision and co-existence. The world premiere engagement commemorates Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May.