The satire dealing with interracial dating, leaping back and forth between reality and film-noir fantasy, has been seen in eight cities in Canada. Opening is Oct. 13. Performances continue to Nov. 7 at West End Theatre, 263 W. 86th St., second floor.
Ron Nakahara directs as cast that includes Pun Bandhu, Bea Soong, Mary Kickel and Henry Yuk.
Mom, Dad won the Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Award for Best New Work, and the Adams Chinese Theatre Society Award (at Harvard University). Chan has worked on the Gemini Award-winning TV series "The Incredible Story Studio." He has written other plays and TV shows, and hosted his own radio commentary show for six years. This year, his children's novel, "The Mystery of the Frozen Brains," will be published.
According to production notes, "in Mom, Dad, I'm Living With a White Girl, traditional Chinese parents are delivered their worst nightmare: their son wants to live with a white girl! Gasoline and Zippo lighters meet when Mark Gee introduces his girlfriend, Sally Davis, to his horrified immigrant parents. Interwoven into this domestic comedy is a ribald send-up of a B-movie called 'Wrath of the Yellow Claw.' The character of the Yellow Claw is, not surprisingly, The Mother, with Mark's dad taking the role of her henchman. They are pitted against Mark and Sally, who appear as secret agents. When Mark confesses his love for Sally, for example, his mother turns into the Yellow Claw, producing a poisoned chopstick to stab the poor boy in the heart!"
Pan Asian rep veteran Bea Soong takes on the choice role of the mother. Founded by artistic producer Tisa Chang, Pan Asian Rep is celebrating 27 years (this is season No. 28) as the pioneer Asian American Company presenting modern classics on Asian themes.
Highlights of the company's history include Fairy Bones, which gave newcomer Lucy Liu her New York stage debut; the long-running Yellow Fever, a spoof of Hollywood private-eye movies toured nationally and internationally, and last season's Kwatz! The Tibetan Project, dealing with the recent tumultuous history of Tibet.
All performances play The West End Theater, in the Church of St. Paul & St. Andrew 263 W. 86th Street, Stairs to Second Floor (between Broadway and West End Avenue). For more information, call Pan Asian Rep at (212) 868-4030.
Tickets are $40, with discounts for seniors/students/groups. For reservations, call TicketCentral at (212) 279-4200.
