MOCA PERFORMS – There is Always Sunshine on the Stage
A Staged Reading
June 8, 2024, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Free Admission | Registration Required
In continuation of celebrating AANHPI Heritage Month, the Museum of Chinese in America is honored to collaborate with Playwright/Director Patrick Lee to present a staged reading of his play, There is Always Sunshine on the Stage. Following its successful production run in December 2023, produced and presented by Four Seas Players in Cantonese, There is Always Sunshine on the Stage is a poignant play that emphasizes the importance of storytelling. The plot follows the ‘Sunshine Theater Group’ on a quest for the perfect play to commemorate their 50th anniversary — possibly their final performance due to financial challenges. Life brings forth a variety of narratives from different individuals, yet their unique tales ultimately converge toward a collective story – “The People’s” story. Often overlooked even within the AAPI community, these stories need to continue living. This play aims to celebrate and preserve the plurality of humanity. Centered on authenticity and cultural stewardship, the play embodies a sense of hopefulness. By retelling these stories genuinely, their narratives can be reclaimed from time and history’s erasure, ensuring the people are heard and respected.
The staged reading of There is Always Sunshine on the Stage will be presented in English.
ABOUT Playwright/Director Patrick Lee
A quintessential New Yorker, Patrick Lee is a vibrant storyteller making waves on both sides of the Pacific. While celebrated for his journalistic feats and indie film ventures, his heart truly beats for the stage. Through plays like “There is Always Sunshine on the Stage” and “Nights Without You,” he delves deep into the AAPI experience, while “An Old Lady Who Says She Knows Kung Fu” ignites crucial dialogues. Collaborating with the City Contemporary Dance Company on “The Odyssey of the Little Dragon” in Hong Kong, Patrick breathes life into AAPI narratives, transcending borders and cultural divides. Whether in the bustling streets of NYC or the vibrant scene of Hong Kong, Patrick Lee mesmerizes audiences, reshaping the conversation on culture and identity through the power of storytelling.