Chinglish on Broadway

It’s hard to write comedy. There has to be a punch line; either an ongoing joke or several quick barbs. In his return to Broadway, David Henry Hwang, “M Butterfly”, has chosen to satirically examine the cultural and language differences between the U.S. and China. In “Chinglish,” his new play at the Longacre Theatre, generally the U.S. fares far worse in the exchange.

A struggling businessman, Daniel Cavanaugh (Gary Wilmes) travels to China trying to revive his family’s failing business, Ohio Signage. He hopes to sell the company’s services in the small city of Guiyang, China. The city is building a multicultural center and will need signs in English to attract international people. In his sales pitch, Cavanaugh refers to poor translations done in another local city.

Daniel meets with Peter (Stephen Pucci) a former teacher-turned-consultant. Peter explains early on that Chinese business runs on relationships. (Should this be at all surprising to Peter? Is it really any difference in the US?) Peter hopes to reap a percentage of Daniel’s profits. Miss Zhao, the vice-minister, is secretly helping Daniel, because she says he has an honest face. As Zhao, Christine Lin manages to be sensual, stern and funny. Wilmes is adequate as the American businessman, but his portrayal of Daniel is not particularly likable or even sympathetic.

The basic humor of the play stems from poor word-by-word translations. Superimposing the language over the stage to provide translations, the show bases most of its humor on characters’ misunderstandings or lack of understanding. When Daniel makes his first pitch to the Minister, the young female translator uses her limited skills and she interprets rather than translates. So Cavanaugh’s small family business becomes an insignificant failing business. When Daniel learns how to say I love you in Chinese, he says it several times-each time changing the nuance and inflection and each time saying something far from the intended meaning, much to the enjoyment of the audience.

“Chinglish” is a slight evening diversion with some laughs. Despite being labeled a comedy, the play feels somewhat somber as if it wishes to presents great truths, but isn’t quite successful - unless the meaning got lost in the translation.