‘FOB,’ David Henry Hwang’s First, Is Stale

Things have changed in the 19 years since a Stanford undergraduate named David Henry Hwang wrote his first play, “FOB,” about “fresh off the boat” Chinese immigrants.

For one thing, Hwang became a star at 30 with his provocative “M. Butterfly,” a Broadway smash that skewered stereotypes of Asians. His most recent play, “Golden Child,” inspired by his great-grandfather’s life in China, just completed a successful run at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa.

But beyond that--and partly because of playwrights such as Hwang--cultural stereotyping has taken a 180-degree turn, which makes today’s audiences look differently at “FOB,” being presented through Sunday by the Asian American Repertory Theater of San Diego at the San Diego Chinese Center.

Hwang’s setup of the newly arrived immigrant clashing with the American-born Chinese man for a woman’s attention may have held surprises nearly 20 years ago. Today the outcome is predictable (cultural differences: good. homogenized American: bad).

Still, under Chil Kong’s impassioned direction, the year-old repertory theater provides memorable insights into both the playwright and the culture and gives three fine Asian American actors a chance to take center stage.

Particularly fine is Michelle Genevieve Lee, whose dance training shows during the fantasy sequences, in her elegant execution of martial arts skills choreographed by Sifu Dwight Love. Andy is passionate as Steve the immigrant. And Robert Lee’s Dale finds and keeps a delicate balance between insecurity and pride.

Lee also designed the set, such as it is, a simple table and chairs in the meeting room of the Chinese Center, just off the kitchen. The homey ordinariness of it all would work better if this were a tale about poor people. The ostensible wealth of the characters eludes the imagination here. And yet there is always something intrinsically magical about making theater where one can.

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The audiences who will most appreciate “FOB” probably will be those fascinated by Hwang’s later work. In “FOB,” one can see the seeds of themes that would pop up later, especially in Hwang’s skillful interweaving of contemporary angst with ancient myths.

But myths are ideas that endure, while social and political commentary are things that age. And those are the parts of “FOB” that seem dated.

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* “FOB,” San Diego Chinese Center, 428 3rd Ave., San Diego. Friday-Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 7 p.m. Ends Sunday. $6-$8. (619) 565-8287. Running time: 1 hour, 16 minutes.

Andy Lowe: Steve

Michelle Genevieve Lee: Grace

Robert Lee: Dale

An Asian American Repertory Theatre of San Diego production of a play by David Henry Hwang, directed by Chil Kong. Sets: Robert Lee. Lights: Andy Lowe. Martial arts choreography: Sifu Dwight Love. Stage manager: Margaret Paek.