What I liked
I love how Jonathan “speed-dated” the audience through an experience of the acting process while yellow-washing an actor who played and infamous caricature that has been the bane of every Asian males’ existence over the last forty years.
By bringing an undeserved humanity to Mickey Rooney and his ill-conceived portrayal of Mr. Yunioshi, Jonathan was able to portray the absurdity of the entire idea of whitewashing without preaching while leaving us longing for what could have been if Toshiro Mifune had indeed taken on the title role of this one-man work of art.
Jonathan’s acting is on point, deliberate, and hilarious while his writing is very smart and well thought out. The show has you invested until the pivotal moment that is heartbreakingly cringeworthy.
What I didn't like
This show needs to go to a bigger venue for a mass audience.
My overall impression
Executives, writers, casting, directors, etc. all need to see this show. This is what Hollywood needs. During a time that being “Asian” is suddenly the Hollywood “it” thing, we need to take a trip down memory lane to see why so much damage has already been done. “Mr. Yunioshi” a huge step forward toward new opportunities.
