lady in the red dress is a milestone production for fu-GEN in both size and scope.  It is our biggest and most ambitious production to date and it tackles an issue close to the Asian-Canadian, and specifically Chinese-Canadian, communities: the issue of redress for the Chinese Head Tax.  Although redress has already happened (June 22, 2006), the impact and the significance of this play have not diminished at all.  In fact, this play’s message to the Canadian community resonates louder than ever.  With all the post-redress issues that the Canadian Government and Chinese-Canadian public policy organizations such as the Chinese Canadian National Council (CCNC) continue to deal with, the Asian-Canadian community is still very much trying to cope with what happened in our history: we are still trying to deal with the consequences of Canada’s past transgressions, with the anger and rage, and we are still asking questions that Canada and its policy-makers have yet to answer. David’s play is a powerful vehicle for expressing all of these difficult and complex issues and emotions.  The play represents a means for the Canadian and Asian-Canadian community, in particular the Chinese-Canadian community, to gather together in one space and witness history as seen through their eyes, in their voice, and by their people.  It becomes a means of empowerment to own up and to confront this story – however ugly or painful it might be.  In the end, as with all of our work, we hope that lady in the red dress becomes a way of bringing awareness – a means of transforming the community one audience member at a time. We are honoured that you have chosen to take part in our company’s journey.  Thank you.  We exist for our artists and for you, our audience.  YOUR THEATRE’S READY! - Nina, Richard, Byron, Andrea, Andrew and Camie