AMWD
10-19-2004, 12:54 AM
http://www.asianmediawatchdog.com/heart/heartreview.html (Show info is available as well)
A message From The Heart
by Colleen Eustice-Sakai
National Asian American Theatre Company has been known for their performances of European and American classics with Asian American casts since its inception. This show “Eyes of the Heart” marks a departure from their original mission and their first original work .
“Eyes of the Heart” is a heartwarming story written by Catherine Filloux, and was originally meant to be a screenplay. The play takes place in Long Beach, California and Cambodia. The action revolves around a Cambodian refugee, Thida San (Mia Katigbak), who suffers from psychosomatic blindness, a condition afflicting a segment of middle-aged female Cambodian refugees in California who witnessed atrocities of the Khmer Rouge. Thida San reunites with her surviving relatives in the U.S., including her brother Kim (James Saito, “The Robot Stories”), and Kim’s only daughter Serey (Eunice Wong). Serey has a suitor, Savath (Alexis Camina, who plays multiple roles) who Kim is more enthusiastic about than Serey. Other characters include Chhem (Virginia Wing), Savath’s grandmother and Thida San’s doctor, Lynn Simpson (Nadia Bowers). The story evolves as Thida San tries to find her place in her new home while learning to heal from her past in Cambodia. Conflict ensues from the clash between Serey's modern views and Kim's more traditional views over who Serey should choose as her mate. But even Kim cannot fully deny the influence of this new country. Kim tries to resist his attraction to Dr. Simpson, who has a ghost of her own, but finds it difficult to confess his feelings to her.
Tying these plot threads together is Dr. Simpson's main objective – treating Thida San and examining other similar cases amongst Cambodian women with help from Kim - and the friendship that develops between Simpson and Thida San.
As I left the theatre, I wished that Filloux had explored the relationship between Kim and Dr. Simpson more thoroughly. Their awkward but mutual attraction was left underexplored. As a Cambodian man insisting that his daughter follow traditional Cambodian customs while he himself is falling for white American woman, Kim is full of inner and outer conflicts which could have been juicy subplots in this story.
The ensemble cast was strong and the chemistry between Mr. Saito and Ms. Bowers was excellent. Mr. Camina skillfully handled multiple roles as Savath, Serey’s suitor, Khumer Rouge Soldier, Barber and Mugger. Ms. Wong was effective as a rebellious daughter and later as Serey’s fiancée. Ms. Wing made the otherwise forgettable role of Chhem more feisty and interesting. Ms. Katigbak showed some good transition from totally emotionally unavailable blind person to the beacon for her family and Dr. Simpson.
Director Kay Matschullat skillfully utilized the limited space of INTAR 53 and the transition between the scenes was smooth. For that, lighting designer Clifton Taylor, sound designer Dave Morreale and set designer Mimi Lien also deserve credit. Morreale's use of body mikes to distinguish between verbal statements and inner thoughts was clever and artful.
A message From The Heart
by Colleen Eustice-Sakai
National Asian American Theatre Company has been known for their performances of European and American classics with Asian American casts since its inception. This show “Eyes of the Heart” marks a departure from their original mission and their first original work .
“Eyes of the Heart” is a heartwarming story written by Catherine Filloux, and was originally meant to be a screenplay. The play takes place in Long Beach, California and Cambodia. The action revolves around a Cambodian refugee, Thida San (Mia Katigbak), who suffers from psychosomatic blindness, a condition afflicting a segment of middle-aged female Cambodian refugees in California who witnessed atrocities of the Khmer Rouge. Thida San reunites with her surviving relatives in the U.S., including her brother Kim (James Saito, “The Robot Stories”), and Kim’s only daughter Serey (Eunice Wong). Serey has a suitor, Savath (Alexis Camina, who plays multiple roles) who Kim is more enthusiastic about than Serey. Other characters include Chhem (Virginia Wing), Savath’s grandmother and Thida San’s doctor, Lynn Simpson (Nadia Bowers). The story evolves as Thida San tries to find her place in her new home while learning to heal from her past in Cambodia. Conflict ensues from the clash between Serey's modern views and Kim's more traditional views over who Serey should choose as her mate. But even Kim cannot fully deny the influence of this new country. Kim tries to resist his attraction to Dr. Simpson, who has a ghost of her own, but finds it difficult to confess his feelings to her.
Tying these plot threads together is Dr. Simpson's main objective – treating Thida San and examining other similar cases amongst Cambodian women with help from Kim - and the friendship that develops between Simpson and Thida San.
As I left the theatre, I wished that Filloux had explored the relationship between Kim and Dr. Simpson more thoroughly. Their awkward but mutual attraction was left underexplored. As a Cambodian man insisting that his daughter follow traditional Cambodian customs while he himself is falling for white American woman, Kim is full of inner and outer conflicts which could have been juicy subplots in this story.
The ensemble cast was strong and the chemistry between Mr. Saito and Ms. Bowers was excellent. Mr. Camina skillfully handled multiple roles as Savath, Serey’s suitor, Khumer Rouge Soldier, Barber and Mugger. Ms. Wong was effective as a rebellious daughter and later as Serey’s fiancée. Ms. Wing made the otherwise forgettable role of Chhem more feisty and interesting. Ms. Katigbak showed some good transition from totally emotionally unavailable blind person to the beacon for her family and Dr. Simpson.
Director Kay Matschullat skillfully utilized the limited space of INTAR 53 and the transition between the scenes was smooth. For that, lighting designer Clifton Taylor, sound designer Dave Morreale and set designer Mimi Lien also deserve credit. Morreale's use of body mikes to distinguish between verbal statements and inner thoughts was clever and artful.