![Empress Wu Zetian @ <a href="http://sanjosetheaters.org/theaters/city-national-civic/">City National Civic</a> | 135 West San Carlos Street, San Jose, CA 95113 | United States](https://sanjosetheaters.org/wp-content/uploads/empress-wu180-300x300.jpg)
This stage play is a new production featuring famous actress Liu Xiaoqin and Tianjin People’s Art Theater. It is touring the U.S. in early 2016.
Wu Zetian (624-705 AD) was the first and only empress in Chinese history. She ruled Tang Dynasty in its prosperity, which included expanding territory, constructing buildings and bronze castings, placing Buddhism over Taoism as the state religion, drawing talented people into her reign, and developing agriculture. She was extremely cruel and merciless — murdering her relatives who intended to take over her position or fatally eliminating those who opposed her. Wu was commented pro and con by honoring her historical contributions and by repelling her ruthless performance.