REVIEW: ‘Chinglish’ laughs about miscommunication

David Henry Hwang recounts an American businessman’s misadventures in China

BY MICHAEL SOMMERS

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

BROADWAY REVIEW

A witty study in modern-day miscommunication, “Chinglish” bowed on Thursday at the Longacre Theatre following its world premiere by the Goodman Theatre in Chicago last summer.

A funny yet rueful new comedy by David Henry Hwang, “Chinglish” spins around Daniel (Gary Wilmes), a nice Cleveland businessman striving to promote his sign-making firm’s products in China.

As Daniel explains to the audience during the play’s opening minutes, bi-lingual signage too often is mistranslated. A Chinese traffic warning regarding “Slippery Slopes Ahead” comes out in English as “To take notice of safe: the slippery are very crafty.”

Actually, Daniel skids down many a slippery slope himself while attempting to get a toehold in China. Not only does Daniel not know the language, he also is ignorant regarding Chinese ways of indirectly doing business.

When Daniel bids for work on a provincial cultural center, he discovers that Peter (Stephen Pucci), a Chinese-speaking Briton hired as his consultant, is not quite what he claims to be. Daniel also becomes romantically involved with Xi Yan (Jennifer Lim), a savvy cultural official who harbors her own agenda.

Then again, Daniel turns out to be not entirely aboveboard himself.

Sharply acted by a fine seven-member company directed by Leigh Silverman, the smartly-written play features a satiric streak that erupts into explosive laughter, especially during a wicked scene regarding a Chinese viewpoint on the Enron scandal.

Different sorts of laughs arise from a number of verbal exchanges via inept translators and the constantly funny mangling of both languages. Subtitles clearly flashing above the actors’ heads contribute another level of humor.

These projections, fluent sets handsomely designed by David Korins that glide by on a double revolve, some peppy music and admirable comic acting all smoothly mesh in Silverman’s keen production.

Wilmes depicts his good-guy Daniel with a vocal flutter that suggests a vulnerable nature. Contrasting as the cool Xi Yan, Lim is altogether lovely. An exuberant Pucci and the remainder of the ensemble make the most of their characters.

The maker of seriously sexy dramas like “M. Butterfly” and historical plays like “Golden Child,” Hwang achieves in “Chinglish” a perceptive synthesis of social satire and significant cultural clashing. Hwang’s thoughtful comedy will appeal to viewers craving laughter that is fresh in both senses of the word.

“Chinglish” continues at the Longacre Theatre, 220 W. 47th St., New York. Call (212) 239-6200 or visit www.chinglishbroadway.com.