Robert Kalfin (Happy End, Yentl) directs the Off-Broadway production that began performances April 23 and officially opened April 30. Originally scheduled to conclude May 17, The Shanghai Gesture has now extended an additional week of performances through May 24.

The Marsha Sheiness adaptation of the John Colton play stars Chen as Mother Goddam, Broadway veteran Larry Pine (Angels in America, Bus Stop, Joe Egg) as Sir Guy Charteris with Hyosun Choi, Helen Coxe, John Fitzgibbon, Nadia Gan, Allen Lewis Rickman, Jacey Powers, Seth Powers and Nick Sakai.

In Colton's play, Mother Goddam is a Manchu princess who was sold into slavery and has risen to power as the proprietress of a successful Shanghai brothel catering to society's elite. The work culminates in a dinner party thrown by Mother Goddam that ensnares more than one guest and reveals the life-changing secrets of all at her table.

Designing the production are Michael Anania (set design), Gail Cooper Hecht (costume design), Margaret Pine (sound design/composer) and Paul Hufson (lighting designer).

Tickets for The Shanghai Gesture, priced $52 and $67, are available by phoning (212) 239-6200 or by visiting Telecharge.com. The Julia Miles Theatre is located at 424 West 55th Street in Manhattan.