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<\/a>\nSet in 18th-century China during the reign of Emperor Qianlong, the story centers on two beings from the heavenly kingdom – a stone and a flower – who are reborn on earth as cousins Bao Yu (Precious Jade) and Dai Yu (Dark Jade). They fall in love, but their union is ill-fated as their elders favor a more suitable union for Bao Yu with his affable cousin Bai Chai. A counterpoint plot is of the noble Jia family heading for social disgrace and financial disaster who represent a crumbling society as the Chinese aristocracy finds itself increasingly unable to maintain the facade of noble infallibility and comes into conflict with ancient Buddhist and Confucian values.<\/p>\n
Playwright Jeremy Tiang says \u2013 \u201cA Dream of Red Pavilions (Hong Lou Meng) is regarded as one of the \u2018Four Great\u2019 novels of China. Since its publication in the 18th Century, it has become one of China\u2019s best-loved and most widely-read literary works, adapted multiple times in opera, film and television. Yet this work is little-known outside of Asia \u2013 something I feel is overdue for change\u2026 Pan Asian Repertory Theater has worked tirelessly to put the best of Chinese culture before American audiences, and is the ideal home for my play.”<\/p>\n