‘Chinese Republicans’- United Against Bias, Divided by Power

By Alix Cohen

Prejudice against Chinese women in corporate America often operates at the intersection of race and gender, where stereotypes about both Asian identity and femininity shape workplace experiences. Chinese women are frequently subjected to the “model minority” myth, which assumes technical competence but questions leadership ability, reinforcing a perception that they are diligent workers rather than strategic decision-makers.

At the same time, gendered stereotypes—such as being passive, submissive, or lacking assertiveness—can limit access to high-visibility projects and executive roles. Research from organizations like Catalyst and the Center for WorkLife Law document how Asian American women experience both racialized and gendered bias, including being overlooked for promotions and evaluated more harshly when they display leadership traits that are praised in others.

It’s 2019.Three Chinese executive women from the same financial services company have been lunching regularly at a fancy Chinese restaurant in what its leader, Ellen (Jennifer Ikeda), calls an “Affinity Group.” Now a Managing Director, she’s so single- mindedly ambitious, Ellen changed her name from Ailin to be more readily accepted. She’s playing the long game.

Her former mentor, Phyllis (Jodi Long), is there to “ameliorate corporate” disparaging “all this weird pc crap.” She’s now an Executive Consultant, a title Ellen points out is synonymous with out to pasture. Phyllis is arrogant, sarcastic, cynical and would just as soon be eating lunch at Paris Baguette.

Iris (Jully Lee), a software engineer, is tightly wound and paranoid having not yet achieved citizenship after several years. Overly solicitous, she seems perpetually daunted- until pushed too far.

Literally late to the table is Ellen’s mentee, 24 year-old Katie (Anna Zavelson), recently hired as Senior Research Associate. “The girl”, as Phyllis persists in calling her, is spunky and chirpy. Katie naively imagines she’’ll have’s been given the opportunity “to work in a place that really makes a difference.”

Phyllis is outraged at President Obama’s tax laws. Ellen comments she hasn’t been a Democrat for years. This exchange is only one of two mentioning the Democratic and Republican parties. Use of ‘Republican’ in the play’s title seems meant to represent a conservative, moneyed, me-first approach to work and social values, not a particular party.

Rising like irrepressible weeds throughout is awareness of the difference between “Heritage” i.e. pure bred Chinese and those who are hybrids. The women were raised with deep seated prejudices which continue among peers. Katie, for example, is resentfully envied for being able to pass- as White. Fluency in Mandarin and Cantonese, rungs on the ladder of professional ascendance, are used to both show off and as self identification.

Phyllis is attacked on the subway ostensibly because she’s Chinese. Less qualified men are advanced ahead of the women. Katie gets romantically involved with a white Irishman, and carefully keeps it secret.

When Katie is considered for considerable advancement, Ellen reveals a questionable plan to add both their names to the masthead. She supports her motivation with a story of being sexually harassed. Katie is visibly upset. If things go as planned, the young woman to whom Ellen seems maternal can be eminently useful. Things do not- go as planned. The women turn on one another.

Alex Lin’s play chronicles bigotry and deception in both American and Chinese culture, a subject perhaps only David Henry Hwang has previously tackled in theater. That its protagonists are women compounds betrayal. Though the story line is familiar in other guises, issues here are specific and illuminating, characters credible. Only a quiz show fantasy seems gratuitous.

The cast is uniformly good with Jodi Long and Anna Zavelson excelling.
Also featuring Ben Langhorst as a droll, gay waiter.

Director Chay Yew Keeps dialogue taut and rapid. With little movement, (a bit of stage business would enhance), personalities are channeled into tone, tempo and speech. Focus is excellent.

Wilson Chin’s classic Chinese restaurant Set serves well without distracting. The women’s power suits (Anita Yavich) don’t seem either stylish or expensive enough to suit their positions even seven years ago, Wig Design (Tom Watson) looks fake and unflattering.

The play is an intriguing microcosm of yet another aspect of unchecked bigotry.

Photos by Joan Marcus
Opening: Jodi Long (Phyllis), Jennifer Ikeda (Ellen), Anna Zavelson (Katie), Jully Lee (Iris)

Roundabout Theatre Company presets
Chinese Republicans by Alex Lin
Directed by Chay Yew

Laura Pels Theatre- Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for the Theatre
111 West 46th Street
Through April 5, 2026
www.roundabouttheatre.org