100th performance of the North American Maple Theatre's play 'The Citrus Magician

On the evening of October 21, 2023, the epic historical drama 'The Citrus Magician,' written by Zhang Xi and directed by Liang Yanwen, captivated the audience at Winchester High School Theater. Spectators praised the performance highly, deeply moved by North American Maple Theater's impact in the Greater Boston area. This marks the 100th original drama performance by Maple Fragrance in North America, and as the actors took their final bows, the audience gave them a thundering applause.

Zhang Xi, the founder of NAMCC, says, “Since 2015,North American Maple Cultural Center has engaged over 1,600 drama enthusiasts in 56 cities, reaching an audience of over 60,000 through 100 performances of 8 original dramas. It feels almost miraculous to me. My belief is to do the right thing that others might not have noticed yet. This belief and respect for history have earned Maple Fragrance recognition and respect from the audience.”

Even more inspiring is that after the show, one audience member went to a store to purchase Florida orange juice and mentioned that they would share the story with their family. This kind of emotional resonance demonstrates the moving power of the play 'The Citrus Magician.' It's not just a play; it represents an emotional connection between the audience and the production team.

The efforts of the North American Maple Cultural Center in cultural exchange and artistic expression have brought rich cultural enjoyment and inspiration to the local community and a broader audience. The success of one hundred performances will surely inspire NAMCC to strive for even more outstanding productions in the future."

New Haven Hosts "Doc Hay" Drama Performance

Authors: Monica Chen and Jessica Qi

On December 22, 2023, the North American Maple Connecticut Theater presented a theatrical performance titled "Doc Hay" at the Chinese Alliance Church in New Haven, Connecticut, and received praise from over 300 attendees. The play depicts the remarkable story of a first generation Chinese herbalist during the Great Depression. Originally named Wu Yunian, "Doc Hay" treated both Chinese and American patients with Chinese herbs. As a Chinese immigrant herbalist, he encountered numerous legal challenges, including three lawsuits reportedly suing him for practicing medicine without a license. Nevertheless, he was repeatedly ruled innocent and continued to gain respect from many. Known for his generosity, “Doc Hay” frequently provided free treatment to patients, accumulating approximately $23,000 in uncashed checks from those he had treated. Through their compelling performance, the North American Maple Connecticut Theater not only underscores the significant contributions of “Doc Hay,” but also highlights the resilience he demonstrated in the face of discriminatory laws in the U.S. This powerful portrayal serves to emphasize the struggles and triumphs of early Chinese immigrants, while also showcasing the influence “Doc Hay” had on the development of East Oregon.

In a mere two-month timeframe, the play’s dedicated case comprising approximately fifty performers, spanning various age groups, worked diligently to ensure the success of the theatrical production. Zhang Xi, the playwright and director, is also the creative mind behind two other plays, The Chair in Columbia University and Lue Gim Gong, that illustrate the story of first generation Chinese immigrants in the United States.  Notably, these plays have not only attained success, but have also significantly resonated within the Chinese-American community. 

(Photos courtesy of the North American Maple Connecticut Theater)

Lue Gim Gong Orange

This story is a tribute to the remarkable yet undercelebrated life of Lue Gim Gong, the Citrus Wizard of Florida one hundred years ago. In 1894, the Great Freeze devastated citrus groves across Florida. Lue Gim Gong Orange is acknowledged by its cold-tolerance and longer fresh life, and it saves the fruit cultivation industry millions of dollars. For his contribution to the practiced horticultural wizardry, Lue Gim Gong was awarded the prestigious Wilder Silver Medal by the American Pomological Society.

The Chair in Columbia University

This story is based on real people and events. It’s a recollection of a half-century of friendship between Dean Lung, a Chinese laborer from Guangdong and Horace Wapole Carpentier, a successful Scottish- American businessman during the implementation of the "Chinese Exclusion Act". It started when Dean Lung was employed as the valet in Carpentier’s manor, and the companionship was never diluted by clash of nationality, race, social status and culture.

33 years Dean Lung’s senior, Carpentier’s upbringing and temperament were entirely inverse. Impressed and influenced by Dean Lung’s innate qualities that carried traditional Chinese moralities, Carpentier’s compassion aroused and self redemption evolved after witnessing Dean Lung’s gentleness, kindness, moderation, benevolence, righteousness, wisdom and integrity.

In 1902, restrained by his Chinese origin and legal restrictions, Dean Lung’s life was jeopardized with imprisonment and deportation despite the effort from Carpentier to obtain his right of residence. Prior to his departure back to China, to promote understanding and diminish misunderstanding on Chinese culture,  Dean Lung donated his life savings to Columbia University to fund a department chair position. Touched by his philosophy of "heart for heart", Carpentier contributed almost all his fortune to secure Dean Lung’s ambition.  Their friendship had never ceased and lived through the last moment of their lives.

Dean Lung and Horace Carpentier might have submerged in history one century ago, but their legend still echos among those pursuing interracial amity nowadays.