“Chinese Republicans”: It’s hard to climb the corporate ladder in stilettos

04/02/2026

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This theatrical production still from the play Chinese Republicans features four Asian-American women standing behind a long, formal table covered in a white cloth. In a moment of celebration, they are all raising small white teacups high in a synchronized toast. The women are dressed in professional and elegant attire: On the far left, a woman in a textured burgundy dress. To her right, a woman in a silky chocolate-brown blouse. Next, a woman in a light blue blazer and grey trousers, wearing a joyful expression. On the far right, a woman in a grey plaid blazer and a floral print blouse. Behind them is a sophisticated set featuring dark vertical wood slats and a large, abstract black-and-white ink painting. The table in front of them is set with teapots and dark red napkins, all illuminated by warm, bright stage lighting that highlights the triumphant and unified energy of the scene. — (l to r) Jodi Long (Phyllis/Young Phyllis), Jennifer Ikeda (Ellen/Ailin), Anna Zavelson (Katie) and Jully Lee (Iris) (Photo by Joan Marcus)

This theatrical production still from Chinese Republicans depicts a quiet, tension-filled encounter between two women on a modern stage. To the right, a woman in a grey plaid blazer and black skirt sits on a long, grey rectangular bench, holding an open script or folder and looking up with a skeptical, guarded expression. To the left, a second woman stands facing her, dressed in a long, deep burgundy wool coat with a black handbag tucked under her arm. The lighting is highly dramatic, with sharp, diagonal shadows—resembling window blinds or slats—projected across the dark grey paneled background wall. The polished floor is a deep, dark red, and the wide space between the two characters emphasizes a sense of professional or personal distance during their conversation. — (l to r) Jennifer Ikeda (Ellen/Ailin) and Jodi Long (Phyllis/Young Phyllis) (Photo by Joan Marcus)

The new play Chinese Republicans provides us a look back at the not-so-distant past. Offered by the Roundabout Theatre Company at their off-Broadway venue, the Laura Pels Theatre in the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre, this world premiere play by Alex Lin focuses on the New York business scene in 2019. Specifically, it focuses on four Chinese women, some American-born, of three generations. They all work for the same company and meet monthly for lunch as a small affinity group.

Phyllis (Jodi Long), the oldest, endured the stereotyping faced by many corporate women in the 1960s, compounded by racial profiling. She mentored Ellen (Jennifer Ikeda), guiding her through the 1980s, encouraging her to shed her Chinese otherness to climb the corporate ladder. Phyllis now mentors immigrant Iris (Jully Lee) while Ellen takes American-born Katie (Anna Zavelson) under her wing as the women enter the 21st Century.

The play moves through betrayals, insecurities, and the diamond-hard retorts forged by years of familiarity. Among the four, Phyllis faces obsolescence; Iris fears deportation; Ellen keeps running up against the glass ceiling; while the opportunistic Katie learns all too well the uses of betrayal, treating Ellen as once Ellen treated Phyllis.

This theatrical production still from the play Chinese Republicans features two Asian-American women on a stage designed to look like a modern corporate office. The background is dominated by a large, light grey wall with the words "FRIEDMAN WALLACE" printed in bold, black capital letters. On the left, a woman in a dark navy blue suit sits at a polished wood conference table, looking toward her companion with a concerned or questioning expression. On the right, a second woman stands wearing a patterned purple and white blouse under a quilted reddish-brown jacket and dark trousers. She is looking upward and pointing one finger toward the ceiling with a dramatic, declarative gesture. The stage floor is a deep polished red, and the crisp overhead lighting emphasizes the tension and professional atmosphere of the scene. — (l to r) Jennifer Ikeda (Ellen/Ailin) and Jully Lee (Iris) (Photo by Joan Marcus)

This theatrical production still from the play Chinese Republicans features two Asian-American women engaged in a focused conversation while seated on a grey rectangular bench. They are positioned against a large, textured grey wall that has the name "WALLACE" subtly embossed in large capital letters in the background. The women are dressed in stylish autumnal or winter professional attire: The woman on the left wears a long, deep burgundy wool coat over dark trousers and brown loafers. She holds a disposable coffee cup with both hands and leans toward her companion with an intent, listening expression. The woman on the right is dressed in a long, grey and black houndstooth patterned coat over light blue trousers and black loafers. She also holds a coffee cup in one hand while gesturing with the other, as if mid-explanation. The floor is a polished deep red, and a brown leather tote bag rests on the bench behind the woman on the right. The lighting is crisp and clear, highlighting the expressive faces and detailed textures of their clothing in this contemporary urban scene. — (l to r) Jennifer Ikeda (Ellen/Ailin) and Jully Lee (Iris) (Photo by Joan Marcus)

The cast pivots neatly from tense drama between Ellen and both Phyllis and Katie, to moments of manic hilarity from the perfectionist Iris and their cater waiter (a fine cameo by Ben Langhorst) at a corporate party the women are hosting.

Director Chay Yew gets fine performances from his cast, although playwright Lin offers a frosty landscape in which empathy or sympathy for the women is hindered by a small lack of depth in their background stories. The play is constrained by its sole act, and could do with a little more expansiveness.

This theatrical production still from Chinese Republicans depicts a man and a woman in a backstage or storage area filled with boxes and gifts. On the left, a man with glasses wears a white, traditional-style Chinese jacket over dark trousers, standing with his hands folded. He looks toward a woman on the right who is dressed in a tan patterned blazer and dark pants, her right hand raised as if in mid-explanation. Between them and in the foreground are several stacked cardboard boxes—some labeled "SILKY KITCHEN"—alongside a green crate of Tsingtao beer, a bag of colorful balloons, and numerous red gift bags decorated with gold Chinese characters. The scene is set against a backdrop of heavy red curtains, creating a sense of busy preparation or a moment of tension behind the scenes. — (l to r) Ben Langhorst (Waiter) and Jennifer Ikeda (Ellen/Ailin) (Photo by Joan Marcus)

Chinese Republicans (yes, the older women idolize Reagan) provides a satirical look at how women, no matter how much they try not to, contort themselves to fit the expectations of their male colleagues. It is sharp, funny, and at times exasperating. It also is surprisingly more moving than one may expect. To see how the more things change the more they stay the same, I recommend taking a trip to view the lives of these Chinese Republicans!

Chinese Republicans is presented by the Roundabout Theatre Company at the Laura Pels Theatre, 111 West 46th Street in New York, through April 5. For more information, or to purchase tickets, go to roundabouttheatre.org.