From Lun On and Lun Hop to the Great China Theater, 1922–1925

In 1922, the Lun On troupe arrived in Seattle from Canada. It was quickly joined by other Cantonese opera groups moving across national borders, creating a network spanning the hemisphere from Vancouver to Los Angeles, New York, Havana, Mexico City, Mexicali, and even Lima, Peru. Through detailed primary source analysis Rao describes the financial and artistic accomplishments of these troupes even as they faced stigmatism and resistance from anti-Chinese organizations and exclusionary immigration policies. The interaction between the opera troupe/performers and local community was lively, reflected by the ritual practice, the publication of anthology for amateur, the opening of new theater, fund-raising performances, etc. In addition the chapter chronicles a series of distinctive actors, actresses and playwrights, as well as their signature repertoire that became most popular during this time.