Theater troupe struggles for identity with laughter
by Aki Yanigisawa
NW Asian Weekly
The Pork Filled Players know not only how to make an audience laugh, they also provide a view of Asian Americans that goes beyond the usual stereotypes.
The Asian comedy troupe opens its 199899 season with '`All Wallows Eve: Tales from the Sty," an all-new show which was to have its debut Oct. 9, at Northwest Asian American Theatre in Seattle's Chinatown/lnternational District.
In describing their work, Players say their various productions strive to mingle intimate sketches of daily life experiences of Asian Americans along with abundant comical lines to keep the audience laughing.
The group was formed by singer, songwriter, actor and playwright David Kobayashi, who wanted to see an Asian American comedy group that could produce work that intimately reflects Asian American topics and issues. Yet those productions should be suitable for all ages, races, sexual orientation and interests, he added.
"I think Asian American comedy is a great thing," Kobayashi said. "It's great to look at yourself and laugh, and comedy is a way to demystify our culture."
Roger Tang, who writes and produces the various Pork Filled Player performances, said the group is "always good for few laughs, but still can be looked at from the Asian American perspective."
The ethnicities of the members vary and include Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Chinese, Vietnamese, Taiwanese, Guamanian, Hawaiian, and Caucasian Americans. All were selected through auditions and interviews.
Tang explained that the group intentionally selects works that aim to depict characters in not-so-stereotypical manners.
"We don't see many Asian Americans in Seinfeld or Home Improvement, and a lot of people think that Asian Americans aren't so funny," Tang said. "We want asian Americans (to be portrayed) not just as nerds or insane."
Characters portrayed by the Pork Filled Players, however, can be unique in many ways —not just Asian American. In their last presentation, "At Work: Making Bacon," for example, one of the main characters was a Catholic, Filipino and a bad driver.
According to Tang, the current show also deals with a variety of topics and issues presented in people's everyday lives. But it's also happening in October, he said, in honor of Halloween, with an emphasis on the scary things in life, such as relationships and employment.
Kobayashi added, "It's nice to see a comedy you can understand. It allows you to laugh at the quirks of the culture without seeing the regular stereotypes."
The Pork Filled Players, whose name comes from Uwajimaya's lunch menu and its "ham reference," promise above all to keep the audience laughing.
"We're kind of funny people, with good chemistry and lots of talent in the group," Kobayashi said.
All Wallows Eve: Tales from the Sty features directors Cyndie Mastel-Rokicki and Leilani Wollam, and players Wollam, Kobayashi and Tang, as well as Daniel Arreola, Eric de los Santos, Wally Glenn, Sharon Holmes, Mona Leach and Richard Sloniker.
The show continues through Oct. 25, at 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings. The cost is $6 for general admission.
Email oink@porkfilled.com