"In America, I will have a daughter just like me. But over there, nobody will say her worth is measured by the loudness of her husband’s belch. Over there, nobody will look down on her because I will make her speak only perfect American English. And over there, she will always be too full to swallow any sorrow. She will know my meaning because I will give her this swan, a creature that became more than what was hoped for."
Last Thursday, Chinese New Year, I was invited to the preview of Repertory Philippines’ season opener, “The Joy Luck Club”. I don’t know anything about this play, nor its book from where it’s adapted. But the Chinese theme of the play made me interested. Being one, I want to explore more of my culture I’m never entirely familiar with.
"The Joy Luck Club” is a chorus of eight voices of tightly woven stories. It tells of the lives of four Chinese immigrant women and their four American-born daughters. The four mothers create a mahjong group called the Joy Luck Club and audiences will see the stories of the members of this club unfold.
The directing style is very effective with the material. Minimal props and set but it compliments great to each character’s overflowing passion and frustrations-- heart-wrenching stories brought about by their oriental culture, folklore and superstitions.
媽媽 MOTHER.
Pinky Marquez as An-Mei Hsu is a great example of a wife wanting to fit in the society. You can never doubt Marquez’s acting chops; she has proven herself long enough. Frances Makil Ignacio as Lindo Jong is a favorite. Her comic timing comes naturally; and her portrayal is very believable. Jay Glorioso’s Ying-Ying St. Clair has an internal sadness despite the external weirdness according to Jing Mei Woo. She is an unlikely mother that only does her best for her daughter. I have always loved Jay Glorioso; her acting is very truthful and full of enthusiasm. And Rebecca Chuaunsu as Suyuan Woo is very hopeful and at times, demanding. She wanted the best for her daughter and would pressure her needed or not.
女兒 DAUGHTER.
Ana Abad Santos’ Jing Mei Woo is very commendable. Her monologues made so much sense and I can see the innocence in her. She is very flexible and… I love her. I just love her. Cris Villonco’s Waverly Jong is very ambitious, independent, intelligent, and as a child, a tomboy. You can’t not love her as Waverly, she has the wits and can throw funny lines effortlessly. Jenny Jamora as Rose Hsu Jordan is an effective perfectionist. Very much reflects her mother. Lily Chu as Lena St. Clair is a bit confusing; she is Lily Chu at one time and another person at another.
The ensemble is very efficient; they might play different roles in each time and other, but you can always distinguish who is who. They can be someone new in every scene. The ensemble includes Nellie Ang See, Arnel Carrion, Karen Gaerlan, Enchang Kaimo, Joan Menco, John Mulhall, Luis Nieto, Anthony Ong, Gold Soon, Only Torres, Oliver Usison and Trineth Villasis.
“The Joy Luck Club” is perfect play for mother-daughters, also, for fathers and sons to better understand the women in their lives. I highly recommend watching this beautiful piece of work, especially directed by the internationally recognized director, Anton Juan.
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Jing-Mei "June" Woo (Ana Abad Santos), center, visits her Joy Luck Club "aunties." |
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Jing-Mei "June" Woo (Ana Abad Santos), Rose Hsu Jordan (Jenny Jamora), Waverly Jong (Cris Villonco) and Lena St. Clair (Lily Chu), as children, talking about their mothers. |
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An announcer (John Mulhall) introduces Jing-Mei "June" Woo (Ana Abad Santos) at a local talent show where she will play the piano. |
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| Waverly Jong (Cris Villonco) talks to her mother Lindo Jong (Frances Makil). |
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Lindo Jong (Frances Makil-Ignacio) plans her escape from an arranged marriage in China. |
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Lena St. Clair (Lily Chu) and her mother Ying-Ying "Betty" St. Clair (Jay Glorioso) |
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| Ying-Ying "Betty" St. Clair (Jay Glorioso) in a flashback of her childhood in China. |
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Opera performance at the Moon Festival during Ying-Ying "Betty" St. Clair (Jay Glorioso)'s flashback to her childhood. |
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The Moon Lady steals an enchanted peach from her husband as villagers watch the performance. |
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Lindo Jong (Frances Makil) and An-Mei Hsu (Pinky Marquez), both new immigrants from China to San Francisco, become friends as they mock "Chinese" fortunes during their shift in a fortune cookie factory. |
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An-Mei Hsu (Pinky Marquez) and Rose Hsu Jordan (Jenny Jamora) look in despair as An-Mei's son drowns. |
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Lena St. Clair (Lily Chu) has a falling out with her husband (Onyl Torres). |
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Suyuan Woo (Rebecca Chuaunsu) makes peace with her daughter Jing-Mei "June" Woo (Ana Abad Santos). |
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