Just out., February 06, 2004, Page 35, Image 35

THEATER
▼
D
o you have a
poster of a piece
of art that you
love to look at,
even though it’s a
cheap reproduction
and not the original?
Have you ever formed
a first impression, only
to discover later that
the person is very dif­
ferent from who you
originally perceived?
36 Views, written
by Naomi lizuka and
prtxluced by Portland
Center Stage this
month, explores those
issues of perspective
and authenticity in
art and relationships.
lizuka, a rising star
of contemporary
drama, was inspired by
the woodcuts of
Japanese artist Kat­
sushika Hokusai, who
spent 10 years working
on 36 Views of Mount
Fuji. In this case, the mountain is a particular pil­
states, “and there are other people, who are on
low hook— a courtesan diary alleged to he 1,000
the other side, brimming to come forward to
years old that turns up in the Asian art world.
assume the positions...and the people of color,
From Darius Wheeler, an aptly named wheeler
women and gays and lesbians are trying to equal­
and dealer of art, to Claire Tsong, a skilled artist
ize, I would say, the establishment.” Watch for
who warns, “Always read the fine print— there is
the power shifts throughout the play.
always fine print,” the six characters come and go
Earlier productions of 36 Views staged in
from the spotlight as the authenticity of the pil­
New York and Berkeley, Calif., employed multi-
low Ixxik raises questions of value and reality.
media technology, which enhanced elements of
Wheeler wants the hook, hut does he want
traditional Kabuki theater. Don’t expect that
Setsuko Hearn, the young academic, more? Is
here. Yew keeps the set simple, inspired by the
Hearn’s older colleague, Owen Matthiassen,
subtler Noh theater traditions. “[Iizukal has
pushing her toward Wheeler in order to gain
written delicious characters," he says. “The hare
access to the book? Is Tsong taking advantage of
stage magnifies the performance.”
John Bell, Wheeler’s brilliant
Yew trusts the work to
assistant, and what does she
speak for itself. “ It’s fun, too,”
hope to gain from the play’s
he adds. “The actors get to do
mystery woman, Elizabeth
stupid things like create sound
Newman-Orr? (Hint: more than
effects. So I think that it’s total
just a professional opinion.)
theater in that way.”
And what is real about the
36 Views is a play that will
pillow book? W hat does it
challenge you to keep up. “ I'm
mean if it’s a fake?
probably doing a terrible
Gay director Chay Yew feels
thing,” Yew notes, “putting the
the work raises relevant ques­
onus of the storytelling onto
tions for the queer community.
the audience— saying that,
“ Inherent to the play,” he
look, if you do not listen, I’m
explains, “is the idea of what is
not going to spoon-feed
you... if you’re not gonna par­
real and not real, what’s
ticipate...and be active in the
authentic and what’s not
story, in the telling of the story,
authentic, and, honey, if you
then you’ll be lost.”
spend time in a gay bar, you
know what I’m talking about.”
Yew believes theater should
—Chay
Yew
Yew, former director of Seat­
raise questions, not answers.
tle’s Northwest Asian American
And he trusts Portland audi­
ences will be up for it.
Theatre, serves as director of Mark Taper Forum’s
Asian Theatre Workshop in Los Angeles. He
But the play isn’t all work, hzuka’s “dirty little
secret," he shares, "is she has a penchant for read­
began his career as a writer; his play Red was
ing Ruth Rendell mysteries, and she has techni­
prtxluced by Portland Center Stage in 1998.
cally
created a Ruth Rendell mystery in this play.”
Yew’s Porcelain, about a gay teen who murders
The mystery reveals itself in an ever-shifting
his lover, received the London Fringe Award for
way
as the 36 scenes unfold. “Every time you
Best Play. It was initially banned in his native
go into a scene you think this is the world that
Singapore for depicting a gay character who was,
we’re going to bring you,” Yew explains. “And
according to one U .S. publication, “too sympa­
the next thing you know, something else is
thetic and too straight-looking.” A Language of
happening. It keeps changing— like an onion
Their Own follows the interconnecting stories of
peeling off its layers of skin.” J H
four men exploring love, desire and sexuality.
Yew’s numerous honors include a G ay ik
Portland Center Stage presents 36 VIEWS Feb. 13
Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Media
to 29 at Newmark Theatre, 1111 S. W.
Award and the Asian/Pacific Gays & Friends
Broadway. Tickets are $ 16 -$5 / from the box office
Community Visibility Award.
or 503-274-6588. G ay and Lesbian Audience
Night is Feb. 17.
ew brings his own perspectives to 36 Views.
“There is this establishment in society
K aren KUDEJ is a Portland free-lance writer.
that’s .. .typically straight, white, male,” he
1Inherent to
the play is the
idea of...what's
authentic and
what's not
authentic, and,
honey, if you
spend time in
a gay bar, you
know what Tm
talking about”
Y
feb .10’ 29 503*274-6588 www . pcs . org
25 & UNDER-$I6 llllSWBROADWAY m NEWMARK
H. Pit Mi Tridy Ritz &
T li Ritz Faaily Fiuniitiin
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