Qian Yi in A.R.T.'s Snow in June. The New
York Times called her performance "a flat-out thrill".
Qian Yi starred
in the American Repertory Theatre’s 2003 production of Snow in
June, a startling blend of ancient Chinese theatre and contemporary
Americana, dance theatre, and vaudeville. Snow in June conjures the ghost
of a young girl who returns to earth to avenge the society that caused
her death. Inspired by an ancient legend and a thirteenth-century Chinese
drama, Snow in June unites three artists - director and adaptor
Chen Shi-Zheng,
writer Charles Mee,
and composer Paul Dresher,
whose music for the production blends traditional Chinese scores with
original bluegrass, delta blues, Appalachian, Tex-Mex, and Cajun music.
Qian Yi co-starred with David Patrick Kelly
(Warriors, Flags of our Fathers).
Acclaim for Snow in June:
The New York Times
Bruce Weber
"Winding through the ensemble is the girl, played by Qian Yi ...
with haunting, electrifying exoticism. The otherworldly quality of her
performance ... is a flat-out thrill."
The Boston Globe
Ed Siegel
"Qian Yi delivers the aria that gives the play its emotional force."
Boston Herald
"Qian's performance builds to an extraordinary crescendo when she
sings the operatic aria from the story in Chinese. Her voice, and the
character, soar."
Qian Yi stars as "The Girl",
seen here with David Patrick Kelly.