Chinese American Theatre in World War II

The Chinese American theatres played a most active role in the war against the fascist powers. They produced inspiring patriotic operas and helped collect millions of dollars for defense and war relief.

New York Chinatown became the main Chinese Opera center. Its theatres entertained the 15,000 Chinese seamen who came there for rest and recreation while serving the vital Atlantic supply route to beleaguered Western Europe and the Soviet Union.

By the 1930s, the tour rote of Cantonese Opera troupes serving the overseas Chinese communities stretched from Canton clear across the USA to Cuba and Mexico. For a century from 1852 to the 1950s, Cantonese Opera was performed almost every night somewhere or other in America.