A Night! of laughter

Chicago-based comedy troupe entertains with poignant, ridiculous humor

By Joe Nguyen, AsiaXpress.com

Oct. 18, 2007

Harrison Pak and Melissa Canciller of Stir-Friday Night! perform Oct. 14 at the Broomfield Auditorium. [Photo gallery]

BROOMFIELD – The members of Stir-Friday Night! tout themselves as the Midwest's premier Asian-American sketch-comedy troupe.

The fact that they're the Midwest's only Asian-American sketch-comedy troupe certainly helps their claim.

Despite that reason, the Chicago-based company's hour-plus show on Oct. 14 at the Broomfield Auditorium proved to be an fun mix of sharp hilarity with tongue-in-cheek racial overtones. Ranging from poignant, thought-provoking messages about the lack of Asian-American role models to an absolutely ridiculous depiction of a ban on Chinese food at the turn-of-the century, SFN! created an evening of enlightenment and entertainment.

A skit that recurred throughout the show focused on a swordsman, played by Sun Hong, and his master, played by Andrew Lee with a white wig and beard. The master was absolutely amazed by his student's skills, blurting out, “Holy S---!” after he completed his test.

Harrison Pak, artistic director of SFN!, said afterward that the content was toned down for a more family-oriented audience. But the line drew some of the loudest laughter from the crowd.

One of the more amusing skits was a slow-motion battle for the last donut in the office. The cast members masterfully executed the slothful, yet intricate fight scene as a completely black-clad Sanjay Joshi held a fake donut on a pole.

“Donuts don't kill people,” Joshi said at the end of the skit. “People kill people.”

Hong stole the show with his skit about heroes in the Asian-American community. Walking down the aisle, he was dressed like a stereotypical pimp with a pink hat, gold chain, and a white, feathery robe.

“I know what you're thinking when you look at me,” he said. “'Man, he's got some small nipples.'”

Hong ranted about how other races have icons to look up to, but there are no visible figures for Asian Americans. His humorous performance created a light-hearted tone for a serious message, but allowed it to carry its important spirit.

At the end of the show, the group performed several improv skits, some of which involved audience participation.

According to SFN Artistic Director Harrison Pak, this is the last show of their fall tour, as they return to Chicago to prepare for their new season.

The performance was sponsored by the Filipino-American Community of Colorado.

For more information about Stir-Friday Night!, visit their website at http://www.stirfridaynight.org or their MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/stirfridaynight.