I've always wondered if West Side Story could be set in Vancouver East Side, but instead of Italians and Puerto Ricans... what would happen if the gangs were Italians and Chinese? East Side Story!
If the story is really good, does the actor's race really make a difference?
Look at Lucy Liu in Charlie's Angels?
If the acting is good, does the actor's race really make a difference?
Look at Kirsten Kreuk in Smallville?
If Vancouver's population is largely Asian, doesn't it make sense to have a regular Asian theatre series? With Asian actors?
Vancouver Asian Theatre is continually challenging the predominently Caucasian-minded Vancouver theatre community and audience. This month, they take a beloved traditionally caucasian theatre script and cast it entirely with Asians, with Chinese subtitles.... and runs in Richmond and Vancouver.
Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre challenged Vancouver audiences by presenting Sex in Vancouver, Vancouver's first serial soap opera theatre, running over a few episodes. VACT has also pioneered Asian Comedy Night bringing Asian stand-up and sketch comedy to a developing audience.
Now... Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre... is changing the face of Vancouver Theatre... again!
They are going after 3 audience target groups at the same time. 1) their established audience of young 20 to 30 something Asians born in Canada or raised in Canada, 2) All Canadians who love Neil Simon's 1965 comedy The Odd Couple, and 3) Asians who want to see Asian actors in an Asian-Canadian theatre company.
Hmmm.... now what would Shakespeare look like, done with an all-Asian cast, and set in Aberdeen Centre in Richmond? or Oakridge Centre in Vancouver? or Metrotown in Burnaby?
Check out their media release.
For Immediate Release
MEDIA RELEASE
Latest VACT comedy asks:
Can two polar-opposite Asian guys live together?
*THE ODD COUPLE July • 17–27 & August 13-21, 2008
VANCOUVER, BC (June 16, 2008) – This summer, Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre (VACT) is bringing a fresh and unique twist to the classic Neil Simon play, THE ODD COUPLE. In this hilarious version, the cast will be predominantly actors of Asian-heritage – and for the first time for the theatre company, all performances will include Chinese subtitles. Also, the show will run in two locations – in both Richmond and Vancouver. Through July 17 to 27, the play will be at the Richmond Cultural Centre and through August 13 to 21, the production moves to Vancouver’s Roundhouse Performance Centre. Tickets are available in advance online at www.vact.ca and at the door.
VACT, now in its ninth season continues its run as Western Canada’s only theatre group devoted solely to staging cultural stories focusing on the modern Asian experience in North America. With its new production of Neil Simon’s 1965 smash hit, THE ODD COUPLE, VACT is hoping to bring several segments of the community together. “We really have an opportunity here to grow our audience base in a big way,” says producer and VACT president Joyce Lam. “This production appeals to our core audience of first generation and “Generation 2.0” young acculturated Asian Canadians, but we think we’ll also attract recent immigrant Chinese especially those living in Richmond, plus older Asian Canadians and parents especially those who are familiar with the works of Neil Simon, and then finally every one else who aren’t Asian Canadian but are looking for a unique and entertaining cross-cultural experience.”
THE ODD COUPLE, first performed in 1965, is about two men – one divorced and one estranged and neither quite sure why their marriages fell apart – move in together to save money for alimony and suddenly discover they’re having the same conflicts and fights they had in their marriages. Oscar is a messy, slovenly sportswriter who takes in Felix, a neurotic neat freak news writer. They skip the honeymoon phase of their new arrangement and go straight into the hilarious bickering.
THE ODD COUPLE is directed by actor/director Raugi Yu. Most audiences will recognize him as the hilarious gangster Kam Fong from the CBC Television series, jPod. Oscar is played by actor/journalist Ron Yamauchi and Jimmy Yi plays Felix. In the supporting roles as the poker buddies are Sean Cummings (Speed) and past Sex In Vancouver members Jono Lee (Murray), Tom Chin (Vinnie) and Ed Fong (Roy). And rounding out the cast as the sexy Pidgeon sisters are Carmine Bernhardt (Gwen) and Lissa Neptuno (Cecily).
Event Details
The Odd Couple
by Neil Simon
Venue #1
Richmond Cultural Centre
7700 Minoru, Richmond
July 17 through 27
All evening performances at 8:00 PM, matinees at 2:00 PM
Thursdays to Saturdays (evenings) + Sundays (matinees)
Venue #2
Roundhouse Performance Centre
Pacific Blvd & Davie (Yaletown), Vancouver
August 13 through 21
All evening performances at 8:00 PM, matinees at 2:00 PM
Tuesdays to Saturdays (evenings) + Sundays (matinees)
Ticket prices
$23 in advance (www.VACT.ca)
$25 by reservation (cash only, pickup at the door) (Phone 778-885-1973)
$25 at the door (cash only)
Service charges are included
Please call for Group Rates
For more ticket information please visit http://vact.ca.
