What I liked
The idea of re/introducing images of Japanese Americans in concentration camps and Vincent Chin (killed because he was Asian American) was powerful. Love the dichotomy of superheroes and secret identity.
What I didn't like
Too bad there are only 4-5 shows. This is an important piece of work that needs to be seen and heard more. Hope the author has the opportunity to expand this piece into a longer work.
My overall impression
Paul Yen’s Secret Identity Crisis probes into the heart of the issue of racism in Hollywood. Yen takes a symbolic route, via the world of comic superheroes, to dissect his journey as an Asian-American artist. The result is funny and profound with touching recounts of his own family’s passage from Vietnam to the United States and images of injustices against Asian Americans. The smart use of film and TV clips, photos, and sound effects weaves effortlessly into the narrative like a personal-theatrical documentary. Furthermore, the superhero monopolylogue (one actor plays multiple characters) enhances the narrative and reinforces the leitmotif (theme) of ethnicity identity and Hollywood. The “superhero” subtext also highlights the issue of racial identity in American pop culture. It’s clever that Yen chooses the Joker’s character as a message of contradicting dichotomy of a superhero and secret identity, which forces the audience to ask the question: Can an Asian be a superhero? In the end, the message of racism in Hollywood is conveyed with clarity sans preachiness. Yen’s performance
is natural and “at home” with the fluid narrative and smart use of mixed media. On a personal level, I walk away from the show feeling empowered and proud that there is a new generation of young Asian American artists, like Paul Yen, determine to shift, in small strides, the landscape of Hollywood. (Tony Lam)
