大卫·亨利·黄概要1.pptVIP

Unit 8 David Henry Hwang I. Introduction to Chinese American Dramas Pear Garden in the West 1. Chinese Opera comes to America On October 8, 1852, at the height of the Gold Rush, a troupe of twenty Chinese male and female jugglers performed in San Francisco’s 2000 seat American Theatre. On October 20, at the same theater, Tung Hook Tong troupe presented the first classical Chinese operas. This marked the beginning of flourishing of Chinese American performing arts of modern America. Chinese opera staged in San Francisco from 1852 to the 1880s differed little from those staged in China at that time. 2. Guan Gong’s image was in the heart of every Chinese immigrant in Chinatown. He was the hero and the spiritual sustainer of the touring theatrical troupes and of the immigrants they served, esp., the seamen, the railroad workers and migrant farm workers, then a major part of the Chinese Community in America. Guan Gong in Chinese Opera 3. Mei Lan-Fang: Peking Opera Superstar in America Mei Lan-fang, the greatest modern Chinese actor of female roles, introduced Peking Opera to the Western world and America where it was virtually unknown. He excelled in the roles of heroic young women and gave fresh impetus to the struggle to emancipate Chinese women. His 1930 tour to America brought world recognition to Chinese Opera and greatly enhanced the status of acting profession. He performed in Washington, New York, Chicago, San Francisco and other cities. Mei Lan-Fang in the traditional play The Drunken Concubine; the actor plays the role of Yang Yuhuan, Emperor Minghuans favorite concubine who, after being rejected, drowns her sorrows in alcohol. 4. During the period between the Jazz Age and World War II, Chinese opera played a most active role in America from San Francisco to New York. New York Chinatown became the main Chinese opera centre, entertained and encouraged more than 15000 Chinese immigrants. For a century from 1850 to