Author Description

The volume contains two plays by Doris Chu, That Gentleman From China, and America America. That Gentleman From China is a true story of the first Chinese merchant who came to Boston in 1850 and returned to China in 1878. His success, wealth, and generosity warranted him status and respect in the high society. He was in love with a white American girl. Because of his marriage to her he had to adopt Christianity and became a U.S. citizen. He was the first Chinese to do so. He moved to Malden, Massachusetts and lived there for 12 years. As the wealthiest man in Malden he underwrote the entire cost for the centennial celebration in that city. Starkly contrasting to his enviable position was the suffering and persecution endured by the Chinese laborers in the West coast in the same period. Deeply saddened by the tragic fate of his compatriots, he felt guilty enjoying a privileged status and not able to do anything for them, this man left what was his home for twenty-eight years and returned to China where his root was. The play reveals an unfamiliar page of American history. America America portrays five young Chinese in Boston. Three of them were from China and two from Taiwan. With different backgrounds and aspirations they each strived to achieve a specific goal. The story epitomizes the lives of Chinese young men and women coming to Boston to pursue a dream. Some were successful. Some had to succumb to bitter reality.