140 LBS
“140 LBS: How Beauty Killed My Mother” is a theatrical solo performance written and performed by Susan Lieu, a first-generation American born to Vietnamese refugees. “140 LBS” is the true story of how Susan’s mother went in for plastic surgery and died due to medical malpractice. At the time of her mother’s death, Susan was 11 years old. The performance weaves together several through-lines: the multi-generational immigrant experience; body insecurity and shame; repression and subsequent examination of personal loss; and lack of accountability in the medical system.
Two hours into surgery, Susan's mother loses oxygen to her brain and the plastic surgeon deliberately does not call 9-1-1 for fourteen minutes. Five days later, while in a coma, she flatlines. The surgeon is charged with medical negligence and her family falls apart; no one talks about what happened. Nineteen years later on her wedding day, Susan's mother's seat sits empty and Susan realizes she can no longer ignore what she's always wanted: to know who her mother was. Sifting through thousands of deposition pages and reaching out to the killer's family, Susan uncovers the painful truth of her mother, herself, and the impossible ideal of Vietnamese feminine beauty.
“140 LBS” made its world premier as a full-length production February 2019 to sold-out audiences at Theatre Off Jackson in Seattle, Washington. The show has been supported by local to statewide entities, including the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, 4Culture of King County, Artist Trust, and STG. Throughout 2019, Susan self-produced a nearly sold-out 10-city National Tour of “140 LBS” with press from L.A. Times, NPR, The Washington Post (The Lily), The San Francisco Chronicle, and The Seattle Times. Lieu has performed the show 51 times to 6000 people in 2019. Her work has been showcased with The Wing Luke Museum, The Moth Mainstage at Benaroya Hall, Bumbershoot, the World Economic Forum, Seattle Children’s Hospital, and numerous universities.
