If You Can’t Love Yourself

Zac Efron

As Gay Pride Month spins toward into its final weeks of celebration, with the Pride Parade on Halsted just around the corner, an exciting, highly entertaining and enlightening new play is captivating audiences in Old Town. In the inaugural production of this brand new theatre company, audiences are treated to a fab look at the gay experience, as lived by two very likable Asian-American men. Co-written by David Rhee and actor Wai Yim, this absolutely hilarious, often deeply moving original 90-minute comic/drama provides a profound, empathetic look at what it means to be a minority in America.

As the iconic and outspoken host of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” often says to contestants, “If you can’t love yourself…how the hell are you gonna love someone else?” This beguiling new play is a resounding “Amen!” to that question. 

Until recently, an Asian actor’s only opportunity available was to be cast in either MISS SAIGON or THE KING AND I. But since the Me Too Movement, there have been many positive advances for every American. Among the changes is a diversity in the arts. We’re finally seeing minorities with talent being cast in leading theatre and film roles. But this play is set in 2020 when opportunities for Asian actors were still limited. Also, because Covid was raging all over the world, the pandemic had forced a shutdown of theaters, restaurants and every other public venue. Fear of the disease and narrow-minded prejudice was running rampant provoking violent physical assaults and death threats upon Asian-Americans. 

Wai Yim (who plays himself) has all but given up on his dream of being a theatre actor and has become a YouTube celebrity. The Chinese-American, who’s obsessed with Tarot Cards and gay culture, has thousands of followers. If, however, the number of his subscribers could reach a million members, Google and Amazon have pledged to become sponsors. Then the young man could finally begin to make some real money. His tiny apartment is adorned with all kinds of colorful toys, props and costume pieces, which he uses when hosting his popular social media broadcast, called “HornyScopes.”

David (beautifully played by handsome Hansel Tan) is a gay Korean-American teacher living in Manhattan. He’s also longtime besties with Wai Yim, often spendinglong evenings at his place. On the cusp of turning the big 5-0, David is filled with anxiety and feelings of inadequacy. He wants to find a boyfriend and often fantasizes about meeting a handsome, perfect-looking, ideal American guy, someone like “Zac Efron.” The television and film star is David’s ideal, the epitome of who he’s looking for on Grindr, Adam4Adam or Surge. But Wai Yim continually teases his good-looking friend about his prospective dates and sexual fantasies. Eventually Wai Yim coaxes David into joining him as co-host of his YouTube program. That’s when the complications arise. 

Both Asian-American men have the usual personal weaknesses and typical family problems found among the LGBT+ community. We’re treated to several FaceTime conversations between the men and both of their mothers. Wai Ching Ho portrays Wai Yim’s sweet, emotional mom and Cheryl Hamada convincingly plays Mrs. Rheem David’s caring mother. In a couple scenes, actor Gordon Chow effectively plays David’s father, along with portraying a couple other smaller uncredited roles, including a dream character from the Tarot deck.

This world premiere, directed with passion and polish by Emmy Award-winner Alan Muraoka, is an outstanding and extremely entertaining inaugural production for this new theatre company. Remember their name: Token Theatre. I look forward to enjoying more productions by this wonderful company in the near future. Yes, there are a few times when the pace could be tightened, especially toward the final scenes when the story becomes more dramatic. However, most of the dialogue, especially during the broadly comic earlier scenes, is skillfully delivered at breakneck speed—the perfect pitch for comedy. The manic, almost farcical bantering and comic interactions between Wai Yim and Hansel Tan are the best moments. Both talented actors, each possessing a strong comic timing, are equally excellent. In addition to being lots of fun, David Rhee’s new play is an eyeopening, realistic look at the discrimination that plague Asian-Americans, as well as many other gay minorities. And this play reminds us how important it is to first love yourself, so that you can fully love someone else.   

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented June 20-July 21 by Token Theatre Chicago at A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells St., Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the box office or by going to www.TokenTheatre.net.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.