The plays are two tales of contemporary Filipino-American life in California, adapted from "Monsters," the acclaimed collection of short stories by San Francisco author Lysley Tenorio.
We know that there are Asian-American theater troupes throughout the country trying their best to perform the works of Asian-American writers, but what makes this unique is that it is being presented by the San Francisco-based American Conservatory Theater, one of the premiere performing groups in the country, which promises the possibility of a wider audience beyond the Filipino-American community.
We know that there are Asian-American theater troupes throughout the country trying their best to perform the works of Asian-American writers, but what makes this unique is that it is being presented by the San Francisco-based American Conservatory Theater, one of the premiere performing groups in the country, which promises the possibility of a wider audience beyond the Filipino-American community.
A vibrant array of characters strive for personal transformations that are seemingly impossible, wonderfully moving, and distinctly theatrical. The infamous headline-making eviction of Filipino residents from San Francisco’s International Hotel in the 1970s sets the background for Philip Kan Gotanda’s stirring Remember the I-Hotel, which illuminates the dangers of love that crosses forbidden territories.
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| Lysley Tenorio |
Sean San José’s retelling of the title story “Monstress” moves us from the streets of Manila to the Bay Area, where a B-movie director has been seduced by the opportunity to work with a shady American filmmaker. An evening of song and story about love and family, hope and indifference, triumph and failure, Monstress explores the resilience of a community struggling to find a home in the ever-shifting sands of the American dream.
Born in the Philippines, Tenorio currently lives in San Francisco, and is an associate professor at Saint Mary’s College of California, across the bay in Moraga, Calif.
Born in the Philippines, Tenorio currently lives in San Francisco, and is an associate professor at Saint Mary’s College of California, across the bay in Moraga, Calif.
In an interview after his book was released, Tenorio said:
"The Filipino/Filipino-American experience, as I know it, is full of fascinating historical facts and obscure news stories which, when looked at metaphorically, are full of emotional and psychological complexities and contradictions. And that kind of messiness is inherent in love, family, the American identity, so it often feels inevitable that my stories will evoke those themes in these weird, seemingly ludicrous, but ultimately (hopefully) believable and empathetic ways."The cast of “Monstress” includes Rinabeth Apostol, Melody Butiu, Danielle Firmer (October 20-November 22), Nick Gabriel, Jomar Taqatac, Sean San Jose, Kelsey Venter (September 16-October 19) and Ogie Zulueta.
The plays are being presented in A.C.T.'s Strand Theater at 1127 Market Street. Tickets available here or contact:
415.749.2228The American dream, says Tenorio, is “full of gains, losses, victories and defeats, joy and heartbreak. It’s life. If there’s any kind of truth, I hope these plays convey that."
tickets@act-sf.org
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