SOURCE: Hwang, David Henry. “Bringing Up ‘Child.’” In Golden Child, pp. v-ix. New York: Theatre Communications Group, 1998.

In the following essay, Hwang describes the impetus behind Golden Child and traces the revisions that have been made to this play since its inception.

Each play defines its own journey toward completion. Some emerge relatively complete, needing only a few nips and tucks before going out to face the world. Some are problem children who, despite all efforts, never seem to find themselves. The Broadway opening of my most recent show, Golden Child, represents the culmination of an unusual voyage, one which began germinating thirty years ago in the mind of a ten-year-old child.

Golden Child is inspired by the story of my great-grandfather, who converted to Christianity in China around the turn of the century. The play reimagines the wrenching changes he set into motion, which forever changed the...