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Po Boy Tango, by Kenneth Lin
 Seoul vs.
Soul
Playing with Food at Northlight Theatre
In
Northlight Theatre’s production of Po Boy Tango, the
ingredients are all on the table to make a great feast. Mix, in
a bowl, Richie Po (Ken Narasaki), a Taiwanese immigrant who
turns to his estranged friend Gloria B (Jacqueline Williams) an
African-American hospice worker and amateur cook, to help him
recreate his mother's (Jeanne Sakata) "Great Banquet." If Gloria
B can make the meals just right, then Richie Po will partner
with her to build her own Soul Food restaurant. Add in a
sprinkle of humor, a dash of conflict, one part character, pour
into a pot and turn the heat on high. Quite an unlikely pairing
for a play now-a days, but simmering is a tenuous relationship
about race, class, and culture.
The playwright, Kenneth Lin, describes countless recipes and
meals fit for a king or queen; however, we never see those
delectable meals on stage. It takes place in a house, with a
kitchen and a stove but the actors mime all of the food. A play
about food that doesn’t show any food at all seems like a “cop
out” Right? But maybe the director wanted us to focus on the
relationship of the two characters and allow our imagination to
create this “Great Banquet” in our head. But does this device
distract you from the dialogue? Go see for yourself. Northlight Theatre is a trek from the city, but if you’re
looking to get away it's worth the trip.
Audience 101: As an audience member, think about why you don’t
see the food at all. Is this to bring the characters together
or to draw you into their own biases? How did you feel after
watching Richie Po reveal his true feelings about Gloria B?
Does Gloria B play the “victim?” Share your thoughts.
Sydney
Founder of
The Tofu
Chitlin' Circuit Theatre Company
SoulLadie@yahoo.com
Po Boy Tango
continues through February 15, 2009.
Sophisticate
Special!
$10 Off per
Ticket! Use the code "SOLEIL"
when you purchase your tickets to receive this discount.
(Subject to restrictions.) |
