Advertising

The Seattle Times Company

NWjobs | NWautos | NWhomes | NWsource | Free Classifieds | seattletimes.com

The Seattle Times

Entertainment


Our network sites seattletimes.com | Advanced

Originally published March 16, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified March 16, 2007 at 2:00 AM

E-mail article     Print view

Family curse puts a fire under son to find a wife fast

The title of Prince Gomolvilas' play, "Big Hunk O' Burnin' Love," is meant to be taken literally. The play prominently features the twin...

Special to The Seattle Times

The title of Prince Gomolvilas' play, "Big Hunk O' Burnin' Love," is meant to be taken literally. The play prominently features the twin fires of love and spontaneous human combustion, linked inextricably by a family curse to the fate of a Thai-American man. Sure, you say, spontaneous human combustion is a myth, but it's a myth made moderately believable by the boundless internal energy of the Pork Filled Players cast at Northwest Actors Studio.

The Pork Filled Players are best known as a Seattle Asian-American sketch-comedy group — this is, in fact, their first effort at producing a play written by an outside author (Gomolvilas is an award-winning San Francisco playwright). And their roots do show in this effort, directed by "Sex in Seattle" veteran Miko Premo, which sacrifices some drama for comedy.

Theater review


"Big Hunk O' Burnin' Love," by Prince Gomolvilas, produced by Pork Filled Players, Fridays and Saturdays through March 24, Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E. Pike St., Seattle; $10-$14 (206-325-6500 or www.ticketwindowonline.com)

Despite the inherent zaniness of the premise, Gomolvilas' play actually has quite a bit of dramatic heart. The parablelike tale revolves around Winston, a second-generation Thai-American who finds out from his parents that a family curse will cause him to literally go up in flames if he doesn't marry by his 30th birthday. Winston is understandably skeptical but, doomsday being a mere four days away, he indulges in a frantic bride search to be safe.

The search, which spans everything from mail-order teenage brides to club-hopping desperation, exposes Winston's lost confidence and stagnation — qualities which Winston must quickly banish if he is to avoid his fiery fate.

As the increasingly sweaty Winston, Jose Abaoag brings a fevered energy to the proceedings which keeps the pace, if by glossing over some emotional truth. As his unlikely love interest, Sylvia (his best friend's wife, who has just been diagnosed with cancer), Kellen Kaiser brings the most subtlety to the proceedings, balancing comic timing with authenticity.

The play (and the audience) benefit from the environs of the Northwest Actors Studio Cabaret space, where comfortable couch seating gives the illusion that you have invited the Pork Filled Players to perform in your living room.

One can't help but root for the actors, for the characters and for Winston in this unconventionally romantic tale.

Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company

More Entertainment headlines...

E-mail article Print view      Share:    Digg     Newsvine

advertising

As glam as he wants to be: Adam Lambert's real debut

Disney's new movie chief recasting studio

CD review | BlakRoc's 'BlakRoc'

Freeloader alert: Dinner's on the house at Grand Cru

Local books | A new Jance thriller, Starbucks' corporate history and an orphan's tale

Advertising

Video

New Beginnings Christian Fellowship
Coming in this Sunday's Pacific Northwest Magazine: Pastor Braxton's mission is to preach a message that appeals to everyone.

PNW Magazine | Easy As Pie
Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup
Raw Video | Real Salt Lake fans celebrate
Raw Video | Real Salt Lake receives the MLS Cup trophy
Raw Video | MLS Cup Opening Ceremony
Real Salt Lake fans enter Qwest Field
LA Galaxy's David Beckham
Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman
MLS trophy arrives in Seattle

Marketplace

Open Houses

Find this weekend's open house listings.
Or search by location:

nwautos

Less is more: Group rides, good gas mileage have led to a scooter swarm in Seattlenew
Local riders say they've seen a surge in scooter interest in recent years, mostly from people wanting another commuting option. Seattle now ranks as o...
Post a comment

 
Most read
Most commented
Most e-mailed
 
 
Advertising