Synopsis
Yankee Dawg You Die
Published by Dramatists Play Service
2 Male 0 Female
He has recently starred in a small independent film that is the darling of the art crowd, and he arrives in Hollywood full of himself and his politics. Vincent Chang is a survivor
He cut his teeth on the old "Chop Suey" circuit as a hoofer and went on to star in feature films, even garnering an Oscar nomination in the 1950s. Now, though still regal and debonair, Vincent is forced into taking often stereotypic and undignified roles
Through a series of quick-moving scenes, we follow the two men as they meet, form a tenuous friendship and together do battle amidst the often humorous and at times ruthless backdrop of the Hollywood film world
While maintaining the portrayal of integrity as all important, Bradley must face the reality of the same lack of work for Asian actors as Vincent faced in the early days of film. Vincent also teaches Bradley the dignity of survival as he learns to take on more of the cultural responsibility Bradley wishes him to accept
Opening to critical acclaim at the Berkeley Repertory Theater, this poignant and humorous play centers on the dilemma of working to survive versus compromising one's dignity
"Mr Gotanda is a polemicist who sees both sides of a question, a writer whose grievances are balanced by a wicked sense of humour " ~ NY Times