The Art of Choosing

Our group consisted of Erica Loo, Daniel Seo and Chloe Chai. We initially chose this performance because of the director and playwright Young Jean Lee. We were trying to focus our choices on a theme of Asian American artists and how they were being represented in New York City’s artistic scene. When we continued to research more about Young Jean Lee we found that she was making a huge impact as a playwright because of her choice of issues that she tackles within her performances. Death, racism, and privilege are a few of those issues which Young Jean Lee brings to light in a variety of ways. Young Jean Lee doesn’t just stick to playwrights but exhibits the different issues through songs as well as dance. She has created her own space called Young Jean Lee’s Theater Company where she is able to direct, create, and perform her pieces. She is a dynamic writer that really dives out of her own comfort zone in order to make the audience jump out of theirs.

As the other groups have mentioned the story line and the interactions between the brothers starts off very light-heartedly, but the tension slowly began to build as it progressed. The climax was short and had an awkward atmosphere that was amplified because the play abruptly ended after Ed, the dad, had asked Matt to move out. This ending was really unsatisfying but it did have a huge effect on the audience. After the show we didn’t know how to respond to the ending or even the entirety of the show. We were all still trying to wrap our minds around what had just occurred because the ending really didn’t provide us with answers. After we silently walked out of the Public Theater and began walking towards the train station, we finally started to discuss our thoughts. We were all so confused and avoided answering what we thought about the play. But our confusion made us dig deeper into the play. We started analyzing the music, the actions of each brother, the jobs they had, the choices they made and the words they said. As we continued to talk about our individual experiences watching the play, we realized that we had learned about what it was like to be a straight white male. We were sympathizing with the characters, and were able to see a glimpse if not the entirety of the message. We each felt differently about the play and empathized with a different character, but all agreed that this play had a huge impact on the way we now see privilege.

— Erica, Daniel, Chloe

We highly recommend watching this play, but sadly this production has come to the end of its run. But The New York Times has written a review on this production which you can read here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/19/theater/straight-white-men-opens-at-the-public-theater.html?_r=0

Not only was this play reviewed by The New York Times but also chosen as one of New York Time’s Top 10 Best Theater of 2014, which you can read about here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/14/theater/charles-isherwoods-best-theater-of-2014-father-comes-home-from-the-wars-and-more.html?ref=theater&_r=1

Our group, consisted of Anthony Cacchione, Lucius Seo, and I, Christopher Chong, went on to see the performance “Straight White Men” by Young Jean Lee. In all honesty, we were driven to see this performance primarily because of the title, which we thought was very “out-there”, very strange, yet somewhat hysterical. Our immediate sense was that the performance was going to be some sort of comedy, perhaps joking around on the idea of being straight vs. gay, white vs. color, and/or men vs. women.

In the description provided by The Public Theatre, the show is a gathering of four guys, three sons and their father, during the time of Christmas. The wonderful evening eventually goes downhill as they start to evaluate their roles as being straight white men. Our group was very interested to see how this would all played out, and we solidify our decision to see it.

The stage of the performance was very well designed, and although the music was very vulgar and didn’t seem to fit the scene, everyone seemed to be quite content with what they were about to see (at least we were). I couldn’t help but to constantly laugh at the disparity between the music and the audience.

As the show starts and went on, one thing that really struck us was the game Privilege, which was a modified version of Monopoly. Created by the three sons’ mother, the significance of the game was that it was intended to teach the sons from not becoming that stereotypical “straight white men” by using monopoly rules. For example, instead of having “chance” and “community chance”, there was “denial” and “excuse”, which often led to a fine. As Tony has mentioned, Straight White Men deals with the idea of privileges that a straight white male have with respect to gender, race, sexual orientation, and this game was trying to depict these issues. The thing with the three brothers is their perception of privilege, which Matt (the oldest) attempts to disregard and completely depend on himself. The other two younger brothers, Jake and Drew, recognizes it and is indifferent towards it. As Matt continues to deal with his problems with privilege, his two brothers, and also his father Ed attempts to help him solve his problem, but ends up making the situation even worst. A supposedly wonderful Christmas evening ends up being one full of tension.

While the music is one that we thought did not suit the atmosphere, we also thought that the end was a bit abrupt, with everyone leaving the scene except Matt, who contemplates in front of us silently for about 30 seconds. We thought that it would’ve been better had their been closure to the situation, but the way in ended perhaps heightened the reality of the situation.

Although the show has ended its performances, Young Jean Lee continues to produce excellent plays, especially on subjects that are very controversial, like “Straight White Men”. We totally recommend anyone to go see it, and we do hope that the audience will be able to learn from what they see.

 

~Christopher Chong with Lucius Seo and Anthony Cacchione

P.S. Here is a cute video that I saw which teaches the idea of privilege

Straight White Men is a play that is written and directed by Young Jean Lee. This play consists of only four characters. Austin Pendelton plays Ed, the father. James Stanley plays Matt, the oldest child. Gary Wilmes plays Jake, the middle child. Pete Simpson plays Drew, the youngest child. This play was presented by the Public Theater, which can be found at 425 Lafayette Street.

The play addresses the issue of privilege and how privilege is actually problematic in society. Having such an interesting idea at hand, our group (Chris Pun, Elyssa Sur, and Tony Chu) wanted to go see what this was all about.

We were shocked when we walked into the auditorium to be seated. We weren’t surprised by how the theater looked. Instead we were amazed at the vulgar music that was playing. Considering how majority of the audience consisted of elderly Caucasian men and women, it was hard to understand why rap music was being played. The music did play a part as it set the stage for the amount of vulgar language that was used in the play.

The former half of the play was not as serious as we would expect it. The brothers were fooling around with each other. Jokes were made left and right. There was even some childish dancing that made everyone in the audience chortle. The latter half of the play became serious really quickly. Soon Matt was questioned about his employment status and why he was in the situation he was in. Jake starts to explain that there are many privileges that being a straight white man that homosexual people, colored people, and women don’t have. Jake then explains that Matt chooses to not utilize the privileges because he is being the noble sacrifice since not every Caucasian can use their privilege. Ed and Drew question Matt to see if Jake’s theory is correct. Matt however disagrees and displays how he feels like he needs to earn his way up in this world. In the end of it all, the family is torn apart over this issue of privilege.

We found the play to be quite powerful and a lot to take in considering how most of the issues unraveled themselves in the latter half of the play. Although we don’t have our own take on the idea of white privilege, we have come up with some thoughts on the play itself. Ed seemed to acknowledge and respect the fact that he has white privilege and uses it accordingly. Drew, like his father, acknowledges his privilege and feels indifferent to it. Jake abuses the privilege he has and it shows throughout the whole play. Matt despises the fact that he has privilege and rejects it. Matt feels that everything should be earned and because of this his family turned their backs on him.

This play as a whole was well written and almost perfectly executed. Our only criticisms would be that the crude waiting music should be changed along with the fact that the actors shouldn’t over-emphasize certain phrases. We would definitely go see another play by Young Jean Lee.

– Tony with Pun and Elyssa