When the founding premise of a plot is something a trope as well-known as fake dating, it might be fair to expect an enjoyable and entertaining but relatively predictable story to come from it. Out: An Asian-American Musical hits a few of those beats that are easy to see coming – but it ultimately manages to be something fresh and new.
Oliver’s mom is continuing to needle him about finding a girlfriend, wondering why he keeps ducking her questions with explanations of never having the time. Between the fact he’s getting ready to leave for college and the family dealing with his father’s ongoing medical concerns, Oliver is reluctant to want to disappoint her or give her a reason to worry – and he’s especially sure he can’t tell his parents he’s gay. So, as many do, he says there’s this girl he kind of started sort of seeing – and his mom promptly says to bring her for dinner. That night. Oliver’s friend, Kasey, has been working on developing an add campaign for his company’s new app, +1, which matches people looking for dates for events, and convinces Oliver to use it. The company would pay for Oliver’s fees, and he’d be used in the new ads. His add attracts the attention of May, who is desperately trying to find some cash to make her rent payment on time. It should be a win-win-win situation.
Naturally, it would not be much of a story if this mutually beneficial arrangement didn’t lead to complications. The writing team, however, comprising of Kalos Chu penning the book, Ian Chan composing the music, and Juhye Mun contributing lyrics, managed to skillfully avoid most of the common ones in favor of a route that focuses more on the three leads introspective journeys, considering their relationships with their families and the kind of bonds they want to have with others. It makes for a much more compelling journey.
Chu’s book is fun and engaging, and it’s good to have something focusing on the intersection of queer and Asian American identities. The score by Mun and Chan is gorgeous. It has a handful of fun numbers, the opening number Out sets up the main trio and their goals and priorities perfectly and the song Isn’t It where May first goes over for dinner is hilarious, and some stunning ballads. One standout is a song for Kasey early in the second act, Call Home. It’s beautiful and heartfelt and cathartic for anyone feeling like they just need to have the support of their parents and reassurance that you’re not totally failing yourself and everyone you care about. The downside is occasionally the book and the score don’t work as cohesively as they could in that a few of these very powerful and gorgeous ballads, particularly later in the second act, seem to just stop the action for a bit.
The show doesn’t end with a neat ribbon around every single relationship, there’s still work that needs to be done, but it leaves it in a place you can feel optimistic about these people’s ability to find their next steps forward. Given how complicated family relationships can be, especially when navigating heavy expectations and especially when dealing with coming out, this feels important. It’s nice to imagine everything working out perfectly with everyone happy and nothing left unresolves. But relationships take work and commitment. These characters end up making choices to actively put in the work, whatever that risk leaves them vulnerable to, and that’s beautiful to see.
For those interested, Chu has put a production of the show he directed and that was choreographed by Jennifer Chu and Caron Sujean Kim on YouTube. It’s beautifully orchestrated with some wonderful dancing and singing, though the staging occasionally tends too much towards sing directly to the audience, and a great way to enjoy the piece.
Words4Culture 