EXPECT-ASIAN - Brickhouse Theatre (Write Act Repertory production)

Reviewed by Amalisha HuEck

At the lovely Brickhouse Theatre in NoHo, Write Act Repertory proudly presents the West coast Premiere of  Expect-Asian , written and performed by Jeffrey Han (Jack). The opening is a pleasant surprise - the lovely sound of a musical instrument being played by a beautiful young Chinese girl filled the space. I closed my eyes and sank into a pure bliss and feeling of being transformed to China overtaken by the incredible, heavenly sounds of ERHU instrument. 

Jeffrey Han (Jack) bases his story of becoming an actor in this delightful solo performance. His journey began at the age of five, when he was introduced to the theatre. Since then, the battle of his desire to be an actor started with his father who had a different vision of what his younger son should become. His older brother set the bar high, as everything he touched turned into a gold - A+. 

Throughout his childhood, Jack lived in his brother's (Baron) shadow until Baron graduated. In Asian culture, we learn, everyone follows the higher authority; son follows his dad; the citizens follow the emperor. With the great expression of his dad's face and body movements, Jack captured clearly the fight going on within him by listening to his dad and trying to obey him, but then eventually stepping into his own identity. He takes us on his journey of becoming an actor starting with the breath, 'breath in - breath out,' to walking with the purpose and by learning to be himself on the stage, eventually learning to become someone else as well.

'Han's solo show Expect-Asian as part of Pan Asian Rep's NuWorks, includes the most moving recreation of a college theater movement class. - Carole Real, New York Playwright.'

In his fast change of characters, Jack captured everyone with ease, and he expresses his love for the theatre 'Theatre is where I belong as an American & Chinese actor.'  

Under the guidance by Anne Tamanaha Mesa (Director/Producer) from Okinawa, Japan, "Annie" who grew up in California and wears many hats, this solo performance fully shows her directorial skills. Produced by Anne Mesa and Jeffrey Han with John Lant and Write Act Repertory, with the Live Music Pre-Show (Annie Zhang), Lighting (Zad Potter), Facilities (Jonathan Harrison), Stage Manager (Annie Zhang) and Angels (Eiden Family & Write Act Repertory Artists.

Expect-Asian  runs at Write Act Repertory and the Brickhouse Theatre - 10950 Peach Grove St., North Hollywood, CA 91601,on Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm (matinee), with  performance dates:  6/16 - Sun, 3:00pm | 6/22 - Sat, 8:00pm | 6/23 - Sun, 3:00pm.                                           Tickets:   https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/6325302