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Neckties vs. High Heels
"Necktie vs. High Heels" is a classic black comedy from the Bay Area, adapted by San Francisco-Silicon Valley playwright Shen Yue from his earlier script "Who is the Winner?" Many years ago in 2008, the play was produced by Shen Yue, directed by veteran professor Lin Hongtong of the Beijing Film Academy's Acting Department, and performed in Silicon Valley. It received widespread acclaim, with audiences erupting in laughter over a hundred times during the show.
The story encapsulates the bittersweet struggles, joys, sorrows, and absurdities of Bay Area Chinese communities, condensed into the lives of four families—Zhao, Qian, Sun, and Li. This tale is one that could take place in any corner of the world.
Sixteen years later, the play makes its triumphant return with a professional production team comprised of alumni from the Communication University of China, Beijing Film Academy, and the Central Academy of Drama. Joining forces with Bay Area tech elites, multi-talented "slash" youth, and artistic talents, this production promises yet another round of laughter and reflection.
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This is a story about marriage.
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This is a story about men and women.
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This is a story about human nature.
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This is a story about the future.
This is not just a play—it’s a mirror that reflects us all.
Production Team
Playwright
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Joyce Hsu (Shen Yue) is a renowned playwright from San Francisco's Silicon Valley and also serves as an advisor for the New Hope Chinese Cancer Recovery Foundation.
After graduating from the Department of Chemistry at National Taiwan University, she pursued graduate studies at the California Institute of Technology and conducted biochemical research for ten years at both the University of California, Berkeley, and Stanford University.
Driven by a passion for art and theater, Hsu has written over 10 theatrical works. She previously served as a board member for the San Jose Repertory Theatre and the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco.
In 1996, she was inspired to fulfill her dream of writing and producing stage plays, collaborating with two performing arts groups, "Bridge and Door" and "Huayi." Nine of her stage plays premiered in the Bay Area, four of which were later selected by professional theater companies in Shanghai. Her historical drama "Fu Chai and Xi Shi" was adapted into a musical and included in the 2001 Shanghai International Arts Festival.
This April, her work "A Date in This Lifetime" was adapted into a musical by Stan Lai's theater team and debuted in Shanghai.
Major Works: Who Is the Winner?, A Date in This Lifetime, Fu Chai and Xi Shi, A Basketful of Love, Mistakes and Misfortunes, Changing a Wife is Too Troublesome, Flying Across Centuries, Fairy Tales of the 21st Century
Joyce Hsu
Artistic Advisor
Lin Hongtong
Chinese Film Screenwriter and Director
Professor of Acting at Beijing Film Academy
After graduating from the Acting Department of Beijing Film Academy, he remained at the school to teach, dedicating 35 years to film education.
Former roles include serving as a member of the Administrative Committee and Academic Committee of the Beijing Film Academy, Vice President of the China Film and Television Performance Arts Society, a jury member for multiple Golden Rooster Awards, a director and artistic advisor for the Youth Film Studio, among other positions.
Representative Works:
Death and the Maiden won the Honorary Award at the 13th Varna International Film Festival (1986), the Special Award at the 1st Red Cross Film Festival in China, and the Special Jury Award for Acting at the 8th Golden Rooster Awards, among other accolades. Dreaming Season won Best Children's Feature at the 9th Golden Rooster Awards (1988), the Government Excellent Film Award (1989), and the Artistic Pursuit Award at the 3rd Tongniu Children's Film Awards, among others.
In Silicon Valley, he has directed and staged over ten plays, including The Joy Luck Club, My Own Swordsman, A Basketful of Love, and more.
Director, Producer
Jingkun Yang
She graduated with a bachelor's degree in Drama and Film Performance from the Communication University of China and a master's degree in Creative Film Production from the Columbia University Chicago Film School in the United States.
His representative works include "Pepper Zhang" and "Blue and White". "Pepper Zhang" is based on a true story of Chinese Americans in New York and has received high praise from the education representatives of the Asian American Association.
He has participated in the production of theatrical films that have been nominated for the Golden Angel Award at the Chinese American Film Festival and the Red Maple Leaf Award at the Vancouver International Chinese Film Festival, and has extensive experience in film production.
Chief Director of the 2018 Miss Chinese Cosmos Pageant Southern USA Final Gala on Hong Kong Phoenix TV.
Representative works of stage plays:
She played Zhen Huan in "The Legend of Zhen Huan" and Zhang Yiman in "Mr. Donkey".
She played Yasuko Hanaoka in "The Devotion of Suspect X".
Stage Designer
Haibo Yu
Created over 200 works across diverse fields including stage, film, television, landscape design, museums, live-action performances, and large-scale events.
Academic Appointments
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Professor Emeritus, Department of Theatre, Film, and Digital Production, University of California, Riverside (UCR).
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Specially Appointed Professor, Ministry of Education of China and the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs.
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Visiting Professor, Central Academy of Drama and Shanghai Theatre Academy.
Professional Memberships
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Registered Designer, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).
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Member, Society of British Theatre Designers (SBTD).
Education
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Central Academy of Drama (China)
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University of Leeds (UK)
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Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design (UK)
Awards & Honors
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World Stage Design (WSD): Selected for "100 World Stage Designers" (2013).
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British Design Selection: Works selected for three consecutive cycles (every four years) in the UK Design for Performance anthologies.
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Prague Quadrennial (PQ '91): Team member of the "Golden Triga" winning UK exhibit.
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USITT Award: Best Scenic Design (2002).
Publications
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Foundations of Western Stage Design (China Theatre Press, 2016).
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Opening the Door to Narrative Space: Western Museum Exhibition Design (China Theatre Press, 2020).
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Scene Narrative in Film: A Century of American Film Art 1920-2020 (China Theatre Press, 2023).
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Improvisation and Devised Theatre (Co-author, Crowood Press, UK, 2002).
Dance Design
Jason Chen
Jason Chen, Senior Professional Ballroom Dance Teacher
He previously taught at Huazhong University of Science and Technology and is currently a guest instructor at Dance Vita, a renowned dance studio in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. He also serves as a guest consultant and choreographer for the Bay Area Ballroom Dance Club. He focuses on teaching, choreography, competitions, and instruction in ballroom dance, and has won numerous awards both domestically and internationally, achieving remarkable success.
In 2023, he won the championship in the Blackpool International Dance Festival’s Teachers and Students Open Competition, a top global event, further solidifying his outstanding position in the dance world.
In addition to his outstanding achievements in ballroom dancing, he actively participates in ballroom dance competitions, group dance choreography, charity performances, as well as choreography and performance in films and plays, showcasing his versatile artistic talents. In 2023, he choreographed and performed in the Bay Area play "Columbia's Chair".
In 2024, she served as the choreographer and coach for the large-scale performance "China Night".
Executive Producer
Zezhong Luo
Major in Broadcasting and Hosting Art Communication University of China (CUC)
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Peking University (PKU)
Professional Experience Served as a host for various programs on national and provincial television networks, including China Education Television (CETV), The Travel Channel (China), and Guangdong TV.
Audio and Sound Effects Designers
Wenze Li
Composer, music producer, and educator supported by the CAC Foundation.
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Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Music Production and Sound Design for Visual Media, Academy of Art University (San Francisco).
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Bachelor’s Degree in Music Editing, Communication University of China.
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Violist for the Bay Area Rainbow Symphony (BARS), the premier LGBTQ+ orchestra in the San Francisco Bay Area, with over 20 concert performances to date.
He has contributed sound production to numerous independent films, including a high-profile project that surpassed $50 million at the box office. His portfolio includes producing impactful music videos for non-profit organizations, such as:
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When Love Dances (2020) for the Alamoc Counseling Center.
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Dream Friends (2021) for Friends of Children with Special Needs (FCSN).
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These projects have positively impacted over 50 children within the special needs and LGBTQ+ communities.
Entrepreneurship & Education
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Founder of Bruce Music Studio: Manages more than 100 music projects annually.
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Educator at Compass Point Mentorship: Teaches audio production to a student body of over 200.
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Community Advocate: Actively promotes local music education through participation in more than 10 community events each year.
Cast Introduction
Necktie vs. High Heels
Mr. Zhao Performed By
JJ
My job is product development.
A middle-aged man with multiple careers, a positive pessimist, and an emotionally stable madman.
Mrs. Zhao Performed By
Yifu Han
A graduate of the School of Stomatology, Harbin Medical University, with many years of clinical experience in orthodontics and prosthodontics. Enjoys the vibrant and whimsical world of comedy, but also accepts the complexities of real life.
Currently working at the medical school clinic in Sunnyvale.
Mrs. Qian Performed By
Liz
Graduated from the University of Miami with an MBA in Finance
I enjoy singing, dancing, and making short singing and dancing videos.
Have YouTube channel and other social media accounts
Mrs. Zhao Performed By
Zezhong Luo
Undergraduate degree in Broadcasting and Hosting Arts from Communication University of China
Master of Fine Arts from Peking University
TV host
Mr. Qian Performed By
Ben Wang
Graduated from Fudan University, Harvard University, and Georgetown University
A lawyer in the Bay Area, I enjoy skiing, playing sports, music, and theater. I have written plays and comedies and have also performed on the amateur stage.
Mrs. Qian Performed By
Wendy Liu
Graduated from Tsinghua University and Cornell University
Special skills and hobbies: Ballroom dancing, piano, and theatrical performance. She has starred in several plays, including *The Joy Luck Club*, *Love in Silicon Valley*, and *The Queen of Flirting*, and has participated in the filming of numerous short dramas and micro-films.
