Avon Theatre

August 3 – October 26 |

Opens August 23

Modern

SALESMAN IN CHINA

By Leanna Brodie and Jovanni Sy

Suggested by the Memoirs of Arthur Miller and Ying Ruocheng

Chinese Translations by Fang Zhang

Directed by Jovanni Sy

World Première

“A SMALL MAN CAN BE JUST AS EXHAUSTED AS A GREAT MAN.”

In 1983, American playwright Arthur Miller travelled to China to direct a production of his classic play, Death of a Salesman. Working with the Beijing People's Art Theatre, Miller and his collaborators struggled to bridge the gap between languages, cultures and national identities with local audiences having been long shut off from the West. Salesman in China retells this daring act of cultural cross-pollination on stage.

MEIGHEN FORUM EVENTS

CAST & CREATIVE

2024: Judge Brack in Hedda Gabler and Arthur Miller in Salesman in China. 17th season. Stratford: Tom has spent 16 seasons with the Festival appearing in roles ranging from Richard III and King John to King Arthur and Captain Hook. Elsewhere: He has spent 10 years with the Shaw Festival and performed in many theatres in Toronto and across Canada, most recently as King Lear in Soulpepper's productions of King Lear and Queen Goneril and Bob in The Company Theatre's Things I Know to be True. Film/TV: Tom is fortunate to have been a part of the Canadian film and television industry for many years, appearing in such films as The Sweet Hereafter, Long Day's Journey Into Night and Room. Et cetera: Tom lives on a farm in Warkworth with his wife, Chick Reid, and their dogs.

2024: Wu Shiliang in Salesman in China. Stratford debut. Elsewhere: Annette in The God of Carnage (Theatre du Pif Hong Kong), Fumiko in Hana's Suitcase (Young People's Theatre), Celia in As You Like It (Canadian Stage), Poa Poa in China Doll (Nightwood Theatre). Film/TV (selected):Mean Girls, New York Minute, Take The Lead, Murdoch Mysteries, Regenesis,Blue Murder. Training: Brown University. Other: Writer and Director of One Small Visit, an award-winning short film and contender for Live Action Short in the 95th Academy Awards. Online: @jochimfierce. Et cetera: Love and gratitude to my family who give me incredible freedom to follow my dreams and to my kindreds who see me through thick and thin. For the memory of my mother, Miranda.

2024: Zhu Xu in Salesman in China. Second season. Stratford: Clown in Othello, appeared in Twelfth Night. Elsewhere: Kralahome in The King and I (Huron Country Playhouse); Serpent Kills (Crow's Theatre); Urban Donnelleys (Theatre Passe Muraille); The Taming of the Shrew (Skylight Theatre). Film/TV: The Unrestricted War, Mary Kills People, Mayday, Dark Matter, McKenna Shoots for the Stars, The Bridge, Cracked, Eloise at the Plaza, Plague City, The Tracker, Hawk's Vengeance. Musicals: Golden Lotus (Librettist/Composer). Albums: Golden Lotus: Sounds From The Musical(Deluxe Edition). Books: The Longest Shot: How Larry Kwong Changed the Face of Hockey, The Railroad Adventures of Chen Sing. Awards: Golden Lotus: Best Original Work (Hecklers Awards/Hong Kong); Best Picture (World Independent Cinema Awards, Film Fest International Paris); Best Musical Film & Best Original Score (numerous). Online: georgechiang.org, goldenlotusthemusical.com, @chiang_george, @goldenlotusthemusical.

2024: Auntie Zhao, Hui Li in Salesman in China. Stratford debut. Elsewhere: Titular role in Golden Lotus (Y-Theatre/Hong Kong); Eliza in The King and I (Gateway Theatre/Theatre Aquarius/Huron Country Playhouse); Sillabub/Victoria/Tantomile in Cats (Stella Produktions/Germany); Ballet Chorus in The Phantom of the Opera (Livent/Toronto); Ensemble in Iron Road (Tapestry New Opera). Film/TV: Titular role in Golden Lotus, Dancing Through the Shadow, M. Butterfly. Choreography: The King and I (Gateway Theatre). Albums: A World Away, Hold Me Tight (2025). Awards: Best Actress for Golden Lotus (Film Fest International Paris, Barcelona International Film Festival, Dreamz Catcher International Film Festival); Best Artist of the Future (World Class Film Awards). Best Music Video and Best Song (numerous awards). Online: harrietchung.com, @harrietperforming, hcpa.ca, @hcpaperforming. Et cetera: Harriet dedicates this performance to her supportive family and students.

(he/him)

2024: Gregory in Romeo and Juliet and Ding, Policeman in Salesman in China. Stratford debut. Elsewhere: Swing in Forgiveness (Arts Club and Theatre Calgary); Banger in The Five Vengeances (Affair of Honor); Passenger Seat (Library Performance Co.); New Societies (Re:Current Theatre); Collider (Single Thread Theatre). Assistant Directing: Forgiveness; East Van Panto 2023 (Theatre Replacement). Training: BFA in Theatre Performance (SFU). Online: www.howarddai.com; @howardai. Et cetera: 2022 digital-artist-in-residence with PuSh Festival and Royal Court Theatre with his play 菠蘿麵包Pineapple Bun; Associate Artist with rice & beans theatre. His performances and creations have existed in theatre, films, public spaces, Zoom screens, Google Sheets, automated phone calls, interactive websites and virtual reality. Much love to mom and every mentor/teacher/friend that's been in his life. Proud to be Taiwanese.

2024: Michael in Wendy and Peter Pan and Chinese Opera Performer, Theatre Patron in Salesman in China. Second season. Stratford: Richard II, Grand Magic, Love's Labour's Lost. Elsewhere: Gilbert Blythe in Anne of Green Gables - The Musical, Tell Tale Harbour (The Charlottetown Festival); Cinderella, Elf the Musical, Hello, Dolly!, Les Misérables: School Edition, Evita, A Christmas Carol, Home for the Holidays (Grand Theatre); The Great Cosmic Crisis (Theatre Direct); 365 Days/365 Plays, Everybody, The Most Offending Soul Alive, Bonus Points If You Have Air Conditioning (National Theatre School). Training: National Theatre School of Canada. Online: www.justineddy.ca, @jstneddy. Et cetera: Justin dedicates this season to his family; blood and chosen.

(he/him)

2024: Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet and Li Shilong in Salesman in China. Stratford debut. Elsewhere: Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream (Canadian Stage); Pirithous/Wooer in The Two Noble Kinsmen (Shakespeare Bash'd); Scott The Rat Man/Mr.Rumpelstiltskin in Storybook Search (Bad Hats Theatre); Cockroach in Cockroach (Tarragon Theatre); Duke of Burgundy/Gentleman in King Lear (Shakespeare Bash'd); Dionysus/Zeus in Trojan Girls & Outhouse of Atreus (Outside the March/Factory Theatre). Director: A Perfect Bowl of Pho (Kick & Push Festival/Toronto Fringe Festival); Death to Prometheans (Studio 180); Ordinary Days (Shifting Ground Collective). Training: Toronto Metropolitan University, RBC Emerging Artist Program with Musical Stage Company. Awards: Toronto Workshop Productions (George Luscombe Award); Harold Awards (House of Daniel MacIvor); RBC Emerging Director's Prize (Studio 180). Online: @steven_haoby. Et cetera: Steven is approachable, he rarely bites, please say hi!

2024: Bertha in Hedda Gabler and understudy in Salesman in China. 12th season. Originally from Deep Cove, Vancouver, Kim trained and lived in London, England for several years where she performed in fringe theatre, the King's Head Theatre and Chesterfield Civic Theatre. Kim then appeared in theatres across Canada and as a leading company member at the Stratford Festival. With over 80 productions and counting, Kim has enjoyed a varied career on stage, television and film, playing roles as diverse as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet to Morla the Ancient Turtle in The Neverending Story; from Constance in Madwoman of Chaillot to Mrs. Which in A Wrinkle in Time. Et cetera: Kim lives in Stratford, visits the ocean in Deep Cove often, and is so grateful for her loving friends, family, partner Ian, their late son Spencer, daughter Georgina, and grandson Aiden.

(she/her)

2024: Zhu Lin in Salesman in China. Stratford debut. Elsewhere (selected): Woking Phoenix (Theater Passe Muraille); Orphan Song (Tarragon Theatre); Alice in Wonderland (Bad Hats Theatre); Mary Poppins, Cabaret (Grand Theatre); Beauty and the Beast (YPT); Comfort (Red Snow Collective). Film/TV: Wedding Season (Netflix), Tallboyz (CBC), Spin (Disney). Voiceover: Assassin's Creed: Mirage. Training: Randolph College for the Performing Arts, Sheridan College, National Taiwan University (B.A. in Foreign Languages & Literatures). Awards: Triple Threat Award - Randolph College. Online: thosewhowandertw.com/phoebehu, @phoebe.h.hu. Et cetera: Grateful for my agent Stephanie, and love to K, the furry kids, my sister Charissa & my chosen family in Canada.

(he/she/they)

2024: Tink in Wendy and Peter Pan and appears in Salesman in China. Second season. Stratford: Angel Dumott Schunard in Rent and Mrs. Whatsit in A Wrinkle in Time. Elsewhere: The Wizard in The Wizard of Oz: The Panto (Drayton Entertainment); Miss Understanding in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (Stage West Calgary); Derrick in Peter Pan: The Panto (Neptune Theatre); Papa Ogre/Bear in Shrek The Musical (Globe Theatre). Training: Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance, Sheridan College; Wexford Performing Arts. Online: @nestorlozanojr. Et cetera: Love to family, friends, 10 Talent and the Festival. Nestor dedicates this season to all the little fairies - may all your dreams come true with faith, trust and a little bit of pixie dust.

Birmingham Conservatory, 2002

2024: Tesman in Hedda Gabler and Anthony Calderon in Salesman in China. 15th season. Stratford (selected): Calogero Di Spelta (Grand Magic), Don Armado (Love's Labour's Lost), Iago (Othello), Dr. Caius (The Merry Wives of Windsor), James Tyrone Jr. (Long Day's Journey Into Night), God the Son (Paradise Lost), Pentheus (Bakkhai), Laurent (Tartuffe), Biondello (The Taming of the Shrew), Scrub (The Beaux' Stratagem), Andrei (Three Sisters), Apollodorus (Caesar and Cleopatra), Roderigo (Othello), Flaminius (Timon of Athens). Elsewhere: A&R Angels (Crow's Theatre); Pride and Prejudice, Robin Hood (Globe Theatre); A Doll's House (Montgomery/TNB). Film/TV: Fargo, Suits, Republic of Doyle, Murdoch Mysteries, The Ron James Show, Warehouse 13, Lost Girl. Training: National Theatre School of Canada; Birmingham Conservatory for Classical Theatre. Awards: Tyrone Guthrie Award (2003, 2007, 2018), John Hirsch Award (2004) and the Richard Monette Travel Grant (2009).

2024: Inge Morath in Salesman in China. Eighth season. Stratford: Zaira Marvuglia (Grand Magic); Countess of Northumberland (Richard II); Wolsey (Wolf Hall); Daya (Nathan the Wise); Norah (Birds of a Kind); Queen Elizabeth (Shakespeare in Love); Matilda (Zastrozzi). Elsewhere: Indecent, Normal Heart, Stuff Happens (Mirvish /Studio 180); The Message, Scorched, Mrs. Klein, The Collected Works of Billy…, Hope Slide, The Retreat (Tarragon); Glass Menagerie (Grand); Virgin Trial (ATP); The Millionairess, Blithe Spirit, Heartbreak House, Councillor at Law (Shaw Festival, 13 seasons); My Name is Asher Lev (HGJT/Studio 180). Film/TV: Station Eleven, Albatross, Orphan Black, Working Moms, Fugitive Pieces, Less Than Kosher. Assistant Directing: Oslo, King Charles the III (Mirvish/Studio 180). Awards: Best actress - Dora (Patience); Capital Critics (A Doll's House); Austin Int. Film Fest (Albatross); 2018 RBC Emerging Director. Sarah commits herself to new play development and mentorship of young performers.

(she/her)

2024: Mrs. Darling in Wendy and Peter Pan and Liu Jun, Qiu in Salesman in China. Stratford debut. Elsewhere: Sarah in The Birds and The Bees, Beckett/Jasmine/Lenore in carried away on the crest of a wave, Connie in The Great Leap, Phyllis in The Shoplifters, Jess in King Charles III, Amanda in 4000 Miles (Arts Club Theatre); Janet in Kim's Convenience (Chemainus Theatre). Film/TV:A Million Little Things (ABC), Superman & Lois (CW), The Good Doctor (ABC), Charmed (CW), Under Wraps (Disney), The Romeo Section (CBC). Upcoming: recurring role in Ellen (new series), 1000xResist (video game). Training: Studio 58. Online: @aggyT. Etc: Agnes is a breathworker and her offerings can be found at www.healingbreathworks.com. Much love to her husband Brahm, her agents Josh and Candace, her director and friend Jovanni Sy for all the magic that has unfolded thus far.

(he/him)

2024: Assistant Director and understudy in Salesman in China. Stratford debut. Directing (Elsewhere): They Must Have Smoked (Calgary Fringe); The Bystander Game, The Storm: Festival (Kingston Baby Grand Theatre); The Bus Stop, The Zoo Story (UCalgary School of Creative and Performing Arts); Rhinoceros in Love (Queen's University Isabel Bader Centre). Program: 2021-22 CanStage RBC Emerging Artist, 2022-23 Lunchbox Theatre Associate Artist. Training: MFA in Theatre Directing (University of Calgary), BAH in Drama (Queen's University). Online: fangzhengwang.net, Instagram: @nickw_096. Et cetera: An interlingual worker, director, actor and playwright. Researcher focusing on contemporary Chinese theatre.

(he/him)

2024: Mi Tiezeng in Salesman in China and appears in Romeo and Juliet. Stratford debut. Elsewhere: Greg in Peace Country (rice & beans theatre); Gilbert Blythe in Anne of Green Gables (Gateway Theatre); Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet (Bard on the Beach); Brad Majors in The Rocky Horror Show (Studio 58); Chorus in East Van Panto: Alice in Wonderland (Theatre Replacement). TV: Appears in Lucky Hank (AMC). Training: Langara College, Studio 58. Online: @anguzyam. Et cetera: Angus is a Hong Konger-Canadian artist based in Vancouver, BC, on the unceded traditional Indigenous territories. Shout-out to Mamei, hater sister, and friends. Glory to God.

2024: Director of Salesman in China. Stratford debut. Elsewhere: Directing: Murder on the Orient Express (Vertigo Theatre); Stitch (Native Earth);《食盡天下》(rice & beans theatre); God of Carnage, Antigone, Blackbird (Theatre du Pif 進劇場); The Orchard (After Chekhov) (Arts Club Theatre). Playwriting: Nine Dragons (Vertigo Theatre/Gateway Theatre), A Taste of Empire (Cahoots Theatre), The Five Vengeances (Affair of Honor). Acting: Mr Miyagi in pre-Broadway tryout of The Karate Kid, the Musical (Stages St. Louis); Prison Dancer (Citadel Theatre/National Arts Centre); Forgiveness (Theatre Calgary); Noises Off (Arts Club Theatre). Awards: Playwriting: Jessie Richardson Award - Nine Dragons; PGC Comedy Award - The Tao of the World; Playwrights Guild Drama Award - Kowloon Bay. Et cetera: Former Artistic Director of Gateway Theatre (Richmond, BC) and Cahoots Theatre (Toronto).