Token Theatre, a new Chicago company that aims to “humanize Asian Americans and foster an environment that recognizes us as Americans,” started out during the pandemic and found itself working only online. Last week, though, Token made its live debut with a very, very funny little show.
“Zac Efron,” which has nothing to do with the actor Zac Efron beyond his ability to spark desire, follows the adventures of two gay Asian Americans seeking love, happiness and a measure of internet fame. The idea here, I think, is to show audiences that not every play featuring Asian American characters has to deal with past geopolitical conflicts or the present-day strife of the immigrant experience. The two characters at the heart of this piece, written by David Rhee and Wai Yim and directed by Alan Muraoka (a two-time Emmy winner for his work on “Sesame Street”) have self-deprecating senses of humor and love to poke fun at each other and themselves.
Happily, the actors Hansel Tan and Gordon Chow both have terrific comic timing.
In the context of Chicago theater, “Zac Efron” lands somewhere between the campy gay sitcoms that were popular at the Bailiwick Arts Center in the 1990s and the skilled, edgy sketch work from the longtime comedy company known as Stir Friday Night. The piece, set in a New York apartment, has few pretensions but bubbles along with splendid comic pep as the pair of friends try to hold off an internet audience for their YouTube live show that seems convinced they belong together, even as they themselves disagree.
This would not be Asian situation comedy (or at least not any I have seen) without complex parent-child relationships showing up, in this case mostly on Facebook-style videos featuring some hilarious older actors playing first-generation immigrants trying (and mostly failing) to figure out their offspring and the twists and turns of their American lives.
It’s not all frivolity; things turn darker toward the end of the show and, when they do, the two actors have built up so much empathy that you worry for their vulnerable characters.
But “Zac Efron” is mostly about warmth and positivity, both qualities that Tan, especially, exudes. Here you have a 85-minute comedy show, expertly staged in a nightlife district, that would be a good time for all kinds of folks maybe heading later to one of Old Town’s bars or eateries. I laughed my face half off.
Chris Jones is a Tribune critic.
cjones5@chicagotribune.com
Review: “Zac Efron” (3 stars)
When: Through July 21
Where: A Red Orchid Theatre, 1531 N. Wells St.
Running time: 1 hour, 25 minutes
Tickets: $40 at www.tokentheatre.net
