2022 Reading of Marie Yuen’s Adaptation of “Xe-Yian: The Chinese Cinderella”

Fiery Seahorse Productions proudly presents the 2022 Reading of Chicagoan Marie Yuen’s adaptation of “Ye-Xian: The Chinese Cinderella" (working title “C2”), currently scheduled to be presented on Saturday, April 30, 2022 at the Chinese American Museum of Chicago – Raymond B. & Jean T. Lee Center, 238 West 23rd Street, in Chicago’s Chinatown (daytime afternoon). The writer has shared that this story is in the public domain and predates the French version of Cinderella by about a thousand years!

Marie Yuen’s adaptation is based on “Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story From China,” as retold by Ai-Ling Louie from a story translated from The Miscellaneous Record of Yu Yang as written by Tuan Ch'eng-Shih. Marie Yuen has adapted this magical story for musical theater, serving not only as book writer but as a lyricist on the project. Yuen and Liz Lai of the Greater Los Angeles, California Area worked from the Chinese version of the story, adapted into English by Yuen.

The 2022 Reading marks an important step in the eventual goal to present the musical in a fully-staged version, with all of the color and glory and funny, historical twists that come with it with an Asian instead of French setting. It is envisioned that one day, people from all regions of the world will hopefully get to enjoy the show.

ENERI Communications is serving as agency of record. Rieny G. Cualoping has been selected as Executive Producer for the 2022 Reading of C2.

DIRECTOR AND CASTING NEWS

Fiery Seahorse Productions and C2 Team’s Executive Producer Rieny G. Cualoping previously announced that theatre veteran Ginger Leopoldo of Chicago has been cast as C2’s director.

Leopoldo is an actress, director, producer, educator and community organizer. She is a proud founding member of Pintig Cultural Group, now celebrating its 30th Anniversary. She is the Founding Artistic Director of the Center for Immigrant Resources and Community Arts (CIRCA), among numerous other accomplishments.

Fiery Seahorse Productions and C2 Team’s Executive Producer Rieny G. Cualoping also previously announced that stage and musical veteran performer Lawrence Lin of San Diego, formerly of Chicagoland, is serving as C2’s Project Consultant, especially in the area of Chinese culture. Lin is a director, producer, singer, art director and performer. In 1993, he was the founder of the Performing Arts Club of Chinese Americans at Greater Chicago (PACCAGC).

The piece is written for a cast of seven, with two roles cast as multiple characters. Fiery Seahorse Productions and C2 Team’s Executive Producer Rieny G. Cualoping previously announced that the cast for Marie Yuen’s “Ye-Xian: The Chinese Cinderella,” directed by Ginger Leopoldo, includes Van Ferro (Jin-Yu (the fish)/Old Sage/Merchant); Ada Cheng (Stepmother/Villager) and Ginger Leopoldo (Stepsister).

Fiery Seahorse Productions and C2 Team’s Executive Producer Rieny G. Cualoping are pleaased to announce today that Victoria Li, a newcomer to the professional Chicago theatre scene, has been selected to play the role of “Ye-Xian: The Chinese Cinderella.” Li had the opportunity to study improv at The Second City. She has performed both virtually and in front of a live audience.

While studying at Dartmouth College, Li took an acting course and performed on stage in “Vagina Monologues” there. Multi-talented Victoria Li is also musical. As a flautist, she has played with the Chicago City Wide Symphony Orchestra, a community orchestra founded in 1947.

Born in New York City, Victoria Li holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics, with a minor in Chinese language from Dartmouth College. She also studied Chinese abroad at Beijing Normal University.

Veteran theatre performer Larry Leopoldo has joined the production in the role of “The King of Tuo Han.” Leopoldo trained at Acting Studio Chicago and has appeared in several productions for Pintig Cultural group and Circa Pintig.

In addition, Fiery Seahorse Productions and C2 Team’s Executive Producer Rieny G. Cualoping are pleased to announce that artist Edward W. Lai will join the production as “Reader/Stage Directions.”

Lai began his career as as art director in the Point-of-Purchase and advertising industry. A graduate of the American Academy of Art in Chicago in advertising and photography, he is the son of legendary Chicago on-site artist, the late Grace Lai.

Prolific musical composer, performer, filmmaker, educator, and producer Tatsu Aoki (Executive Director of Asian Improv aRts Midwest); and the firm Media Impact Group LLC have also served as a Pre-Production Consultants on the project.

ABOUT MARIE YUEN

A prolific writer, Marie Yuen has about 18 other pieces in various stages of development, including musicals, one-acts, scenes and shorter pieces. She also has written poetry. (Full profile attached.)

SPONSORS

Fiery Seahorse Productions is grateful for the generosity of its C2 sponsors, including the Chinese American Museum of Chicago – Raymond B. & Jean T. Lee Center (Venue Underwriter), and Patron Sponsors Edward Jung, Martino and Kartika Tangkar and Darryl Tom.

ILLINOIS ARTS COUNCIL AGENCY GRANT AWARD ANNOUNCEMENT

In addition, Fiery Seahorse Productions is pleased to announce that Writer Marie Yuen was notified this month (March 2022) that she has been named a 2022 recipient of an Illinois Arts Council Agency - Individual Artist Support grant in the area of Theatre.

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

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*In-person status is pending State, federal and local including the City of Chicago, health and safety protocols in position at that time. Otherwise, the production of the Reading will proceed as a virtual one to be released in May 2022 during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

TICKETS

Ticket information is expected to be finalized approximately April 2, 2022, after an updated assessment of then local health conditions. Tickets are expected not to exceed $10.00 each.

FOR MORE INFO

For more information about the upcoming planned 2022 Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Reading of Marie Yuen ’s “Ye-Xian: The Chinese Cinderella,” including other patron opportunities, media requests for images, cast and creative team profiles or media interview requests, please contact ENERI Communications at info@enericom.net or (312) 635-0888.

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