Dancing In Their Light
A series based on the memoir Dancing in Their Light by Debbie Chinn
The House of Mah Jong is an envisioned dramedy series inspired by Debbie Chinn's memoir Dancing in Their Light, a coming-of-age story about growing up Chinese American in suburban Long Island in the 1960s and '70s. At the center of the story is Mah Jong Restaurant, Debbie's family's extraordinary Chinese restaurant and Polynesian nightclub.
What began as a potato barn was transformed by her family into a glamorous, wildly entertaining destination where television personalities, entertainers, musicians, and colorful local characters crossed paths. Debbie grew up inside this world and entered the family business almost as soon as she could walk—selling cigarettes at three, working behind the scenes as a child, and eventually becoming a Polynesian and sword dancer as a teenager.
Through Suzie, the young protagonist at the center of the series, The House of Mah Jong explores what it means to grow up between cultures while trying to understand where you belong. It is a story about family, ambition, identity, assimilation, and the complicated inheritance we receive from the generations before us.
The Mah Jong nightclub provides a singular backdrop: glamorous, funny, chaotic, and sometimes surreal. Behind the spectacle is an immigrant family working to build a life and a business in America—and a young girl gradually discovering her own voice within it.
Where the project is now:
The House of Mah Jong has moved from early-stage concept development into active marketplace development.
We are currently working with Buffalo 8 Productions to shop the series to potential showrunners, producers, production companies, financiers, and development executives. We are building the professional and creative infrastructure necessary to support the trajectory we expect to see in 2027.
The House of Mah Jong is positioned not simply as a period piece, but as a timely, emotionally resonant dramedy with enduring contemporary relevance. Combining the high-stakes family dynamics of The Bear, the dazzling glamour and humor of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and the rich cultural and intergenerational storytelling of The Joy Luck Club, the series explores universal themes of identity, self-discovery, familial loyalty, and the pursuit of the American Dream. Rooted in an extraordinary true story, The House of Mah Jong offers a distinctive and compelling opportunity to connect with today's diverse, multigenerational audiences.
At a time when questions of immigration, belonging, cultural identity, and the American experience remain deeply resonant, The House of Mah Jong offers an entertaining and distinctive way into those conversations—through one family's story, seen through the eyes of a girl growing up inside an extraordinary piece of American cultural history.
Current funding needs:
Our immediate goal is to sustain the project's momentum through the end of 2026 and prepare for opportunities in 2027.
Current contributions will support the practical infrastructure needed to keep The House of Mah Jong moving, including:
Updated pitch materials as the project evolves and new industry opportunities emerge
Legal, accounting, and business services to support continued development and potential negotiations
Communications and website maintenance to keep our public-facing materials current
Industry travel and participation in select festivals, film markets, pitch meetings, and other strategic opportunities
Continued relationship-building with showrunners, producers, production companies, financiers, and potential partners
These investments help us stay ready when the right opportunity arrives.
What comes next:
As we move into 2027, we anticipate a more focused phase of marketplace activity: deepening relationships with potential creative and production partners, refining the series package as conversations develop, and pursuing strategic introductions and industry opportunities.
The project has already come a long way - from a memoir to a professionally developed television concept now being activvely introduced to the marketplace.
Every contribution helps us keep that momentum going and be ready for the next set of opportunities.
Thank you for your interest, support, and partnership --
Scroll below to learn how to join in the journey to bring this story to the screen!
Debbie’s maternal grandparents, Mary Hartwell (seated, 2nd from right, and Yu Jung Kwoh). Behind them are their three sons. Debbie’s grandfather, Frank, is the boy standing in the middle. The photo was taken in China circa 1906 during the Qing Dynasty.
A Testament To The Strength Of Immigrants And Their Impact On Society
A Story of Immigrant Resilience
At the heart of the series is the Chinn family’s immigration story, which mirrors the struggles and triumphs of countless other Chinese immigrants during turbulent times. From surviving the Taiping Rebellion to escaping the Japanese occupation and the Chinese Civil War, "Dancing In Their Light" highlights their courage as they fled their homeland to seek new opportunities in the U.S., only to face exclusionary laws and discrimination.
A Glimpse Into The Golden Age of Polynesian Nightlife & The Gilded Age of Dining
One of the unique settings in the story is the Chinn family’s restaurant, The House of Mah Jong, a fusion of Chinese cuisine and Polynesian entertainment on Long Island in the 1950s and '60s. This vibrant venue becomes a focal point of the series, transporting viewers to a nostalgic era of cultural fusion, where the Chinns built a community with radical hospitality.
Asian hate: from the 1885 forced expulsion of Chinese from Tacoma, Washington.
Some of Debbie’s relatives after they emigrated to the United States. Front row l-r: her mother’s sisters: Edie, Bertha, Daisy. Back row l-w, her mother’s sister-in-law, Emily, and sister Grace.
A Tribute To Strong Women
"Dancing In Their Light" is a transformative journey that traces the Chinn family's experiences across generations, from China to the United States. It’s a story of cultural resilience, familial bonds, and overcoming adversity, brought to life through a film series adapted from Debbie Chinn’s book “Dancing In Their Light.”
Debbie’s mother, Nellie, at Mah Jong Restaurant. She is standing at the entrance to the Aloha Room where the Polynesian floor show took place. Note that she is standing in front of a photo of Debbie in one of her dance outfits.
Standing Against Hate
Tackling the rise of anti-Asian sentiment in the U.S. and drawing parallels between historical discrimination and contemporary issues, Debbie Chinn's own experiences with anti-Asian hate crimes have deepened the urgency of this project, aiming to counteract harmful stereotypes and bring attention to the invaluable contributions of Asian immigrants.
Educational and Cultural Advocacy
Beyond entertainment, "Dancing In Their Light" is also envisioned as a tool for education and civic dialogue. The project seeks to foster understanding and appreciation for immigrant stories, with plans for public engagement in educational settings, community centers, and cultural institutions, offering a platform for conversations about inclusion, history, and social justice.
Dr. Anne Smith interviewing Debbie at the Commonwealth Club Club World Affairs of California, the nation’s premier public forum. January 2023. Sponsored by the Osher Foundation
Join The Journey
As the project unfolds, "Dancing In Their Light" will offer opportunities for audiences of all backgrounds to connect with the story of the Chinn family. Through speaking engagements, community outreach, and partnerships with cultural organizations, this project aims to inspire and educate, ensuring that these stories of resilience and cultural contribution continue to shine brightly.
As Debbie builds the infrastructure to undertake this film project, please consider making a tax-deductible donation here.
“Dancing in Their Light” is a sponsored project of the New York Foundation for the Arts, with generous support from these wonderful donors:
Stay tuned for very exciting updates soon and often!
Thank You To Our Generous Donors
Susie and Stan Brusa,
Kevin Cartwright and Steve Eimer,
Susan Condon,
Ellen and Joffa Dale,
Sean Daniels,
Charles Dillingham,
Sandi Gerstung,
Katie and Tom Koch,
Lynn Kologi Youngs,
Marilyn Langbehn and Scarlett Hepworth,
Bill Melamed,
Gloria Meng,
Cathy and Mike O’Neal,
Judy and Scott Phares,
David Ronis,
Dan and Carolyn Sillin,
Katherine Slazak,
John Sterns and Martha Ross,
Dr. Alex Wilcox and Dr. Sheri Dewan,
Phyllis Wise,
and other wonderful Anonymous donors,
Susie and Stan Brusa, Kevin Cartwright and Steve Eimer, Susan Condon, Ellen and Joffa Dale, Sean Daniels, Charles Dillingham, Sandi Gerstung, Katie and Tom Koch, Lynn Kologi Youngs, Marilyn Langbehn and Scarlett Hepworth, Bill Melamed, Gloria Meng, Cathy and Mike O’Neal, Judy and Scott Phares, David Ronis, Dan and Carolyn Sillin, Katherine Slazak, John Sterns and Martha Ross, Dr. Alex Wilcox and Dr. Sheri Dewan, Phyllis Wise, and other wonderful Anonymous donors,
Meet the Team
LEE KAPPELMAN
HOLLY WARD, Producer
KARENA FIORENZA, Advisor
JIAN HUANG, Comms