Mixie & the Half-breeds theatrical play tackles the issues of Asian ancestry in a Mixed Race Canada.
Many Canadians are of mixed heritage. The Métis are mostly descended from First Nations and French-Canadian heritage. But what if you are part Asian?
Adrienne Wong and Julie Tamiko Manning might consider themselves Hapa, or Hapa-Canadians, as they count Chinese and Japanese as part of their genetic and cultural heritage.
Many well known actors are Hapa, such as Keanu Reeves, Kristin Kreuk (Smallville), Meg Tilly, Jennifer Tilly, Dean Cain (Adventures of Lois and Clark), Jason Lee – the son of Bruce Lee(The Crow), and even Kate Beckinsale. They all have Asian ancestry.
Piano performers Jon Kimura Parker, James Parker, and their cousin Ian Parker. Rocker David Usher is Hapa, as is Sean Ono Lennon – the son of John and Yoko.
Adrienne performed an excerpt from Mixie and the Half-Breeds at the 2009 Gung Haggis Fat Choy Robbie Burns Chinese New Year Dinner. It was an inspired performance, perfect for an event that highlights cultural fusion. She talked about growing up confronting the issues of belonging to this group or that group, but emphasizing her own uniqueness. AND… Adrienne congratulated ALL the “Mixies” in the audience and threw licorice Twizzlers to them!
I've known both Adrienne and Julie for a number of years, and seen them both perform. I am looking forward to this production which opens on June 19th, at the Vancouver East Cultural Lab.
mixie and the halfbreeds
WORLD PREMIERE
By Adrienne Wong and Julie Tamiko Manning
Directed by Maiko Bae Yamamoto
Produced in partnership with the Powell Street Festival Society
June 18-28, 2009
The Vancity Culture Lab at The Cultch 1895 Venables Street.
Tickets available through Ticketmaster: www.ticketmaster.ca 604-280-4444
Eggs, bananas and an aversion to rice.
Two
estranged neighbours are not as different as they think. Haunted by
peroxide teeth and blondissima hair, Mixie and Trixie tackle a question
that has plagued mankind hrough the ages: do blondes really have more
fun?
A no-holds-barred identity throw-down, Mixie and the Halfbreeds is an optimistic tale for a remixed nation.
Performances
Wednesday – Saturday, 8:00pm
Free Preview June 18, 8:00pm
PWYC Matinees Saturday June 20 & Sunday June 28 2:00pm
Tickets $20/$18, plus applicable service charges
Part of See Seven! Pass Holders can reserve through Tickets Tonight: 604-684-2787
Ancillary Events
Post Show Talkback with Adrienne and Julie: Thursday June 25
Stay after the show for a chat with the cast.
Afternoon Discussion: Saturday June 20, after the matinee
Presented in partnership with the Powell Street Festival.
A discussion with mixed race artists of different disciplines about how
identity informs artistic practice and creative process. Marcus Youssef
moderates with panelists Julie Tamiko Manning (theatre), cellist Cris
Derksen and Jay Hirabayashi (Kokoro Dance).
Ukulele Sing-A-Long: Sunday June 28, after the matinee
Guido Heistek leads a post show jam. Novice and experienced strummers welcome. Bring your own ukulele or borrow one of ours.
Silent T shirt auction: local artists and crafters create unique designs inspired by MIXING. Featuring work by Natalie Purschwitz (huntandgather.ca),
CBC diva Margaret Gallagher, Adrienne Wong, Ruthie Sumiko Tabata and
Kirsty Munro. Shirts are on display in the lobby throughout the run.
“Then
Bowie says, ‘Iggy would have loved you my little china girl.’ And I
say, ‘shhh…’ and throw my drink in his face. ‘I’m Japanese you
moron!’ Then I wake up.”