[NoHo Arts District, CA] – A NoHo Arts theatre review of Write Act Repertory’s Expect-Asian, a solo show written and performed by Jeffrey Han, directed by Anne Tamanaha Mesa, running through June 23 at the Brickhouse Theatre.
Expect Asian is a brilliantly written, beautifully acted first-hand account of life as an Asian man who wants desperately to be an actor. Jeffrey Han plays the role of Jack, a first-generation Asian American with a traditional upbringing and parents who expect him to be either a doctor or a lawyer…preferably doctor. But from a very young age, Jack fell in love with performing after a school play and much encouragement from his teachers and friends. But from the beginning, his father sought to persuade him that an actor’s life was not for him.
Acting is hardly a secure way to ensure financial freedom. Either you hardly work, or you never work. Only the rare few are able to work enough to make a lot of money. But that does nothing to discourage the artist. And Jack is an artist. After floating through college for a few years, unsure of where he belonged, something drew him back to acting and a few classes in the theatre department made him realize that he was born to be an actor and couldn’t be anything else.
Explaining this to his family was another thing entirely though…but what he thought was disapproval by his father was actually love. His father only wanted security for his son, only wanted to protect him from a difficult life and from an uncertain future. You can hardly blame a parent for that.
But an artist can only ever be themselves and Jack was who he was. The sweetness in Jeffrey doesn’t take away from his determination to succeed. As he morphs effortlessly from character to character it’s easy to see why he longs to entertain. Perhaps Jack is his alter ego, but they are one person in their need to be on stage in front of an audience.
Expect-Asian is a lovely play. It paints a portrait of a beloved son, torn between his love for his father and his need to find himself. In the Asian culture, there is no secret to how determined parents are for their children to have a lucrative profession. The background of the hardworking parents and their struggles to give their families the protection that comes with money may seem cliche but they are not wrong. However, in this post-COVID world, where suddenly we are all more keenly aware of our fragile mortality, the conversation around the “why” of our lives feels more authentic and urgent than ever.
Director Anne Tamanaha Mesa does a wonderful job of supporting Jeffrey Han’s vision of his world while subtly crafting his nuanced and engaging performance. Bravo!!
Write Act Rep proves again and again their rightful place in our artist community and deserves our support in all they do!
Ticket:
https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/6325302
When:
Through June 23
Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm
Where:
Brickhouse Theatre
10950 Peach Grove St, NoHo Arts District 91601