Theater
review: Comic takes on stereotypes, identity
issues
Comedy:
In a new one-man production, now playing
at the Gascon Theater TV and stage comedian
Byron Yee reflects back on the journey
he embarked on to discover his true self
and ethnic identity.
By
Richard Ables
On-line Forty-Niner
"Paper
son" is latest brainchild of comedian
Byron Yee. His one-man show delivered
a funny and, at some times poignant account
of his personal struggle to make it as
an actor/stand up comedian in the San
Francisco Bay area.
His
comedy act and playhouse autobiography
analyze the stereotypes that people of
Asian descent have been branded with.
Yee
used hilarious anecdotes about being type-cast
for movie roles that required him to speak
in a pigeon English he didn't know how
to emulate.
While
much of his material had been derived
from his childhood experiences as a member
of the minuscule Chinese-American community
in Oklahoma, he came to the realization
that he was not as Chinese as he had thought.
When
a random storeowner in Chinatown referred
to him as a "banana" (yellow
on the outside, white on the inside),
he decided it was time to reevaluate both
his identity and his heritage.
Like
many of us, Yee took his parents for granted
until his investigations revealed the
turbulent path they took take to get to
the United States.
The
term "paper son" refers to immigrants
who claim to be the children of Chinese-Americans
who have already obtained citizenship.
However,
"Paper Son" is told from an
American point of view, bringing up issues
that people from all backgrounds can identify
with.
With
superb direction and artfully employed
visual aids, Yee tells his story through
a numbers of different guises that attest
to his versatility as a performer.
He
switches from role to role seamlessly,
providing snapshots of his parents, and
others who influenced him on his journey
to self discovery.
EVENTS
LISTING
What:
"Paper Son"
When: 8 p.m. Thur.-Sat., 7 p.m. Sun. through
November 2
Where: The Gascon Center Theatre 8737
Washington Blvd., Culver City CA
(310) 428-6502
