Gotanda’s ‘Yankee Dawg’ Remains Timely, Pertinent

Do images have the power to hurt? That question haunts every female actor contemplating a role as a brainless bimbo, every gay actor considering a part as the swishy comic relief, every Asian American actor considering a part as an evil crime lord.

Philip Kan Gotanda wrote evocatively about this dilemma in his mid-’80s play “Yankee Dawg You Die,” and his observations prove as timely as ever in a sharp, smartly acted production at East West Players.

The play opened Wednesday as counterforces arose in the news: the release of census figures showing that the state’s Asian population increased 35.2% in the 1990s, just as watchdog groups were decrying the paucity of minorities involved in the fall’s network TV shows and as some Asian Americans nervously awaited the depictions of the Japanese and Japanese Americans in the new film “Pearl Harbor.”

Gently comic and quietly powerful, Gotanda’s story addresses such issues as it observes the interactions of a successful older Asian American actor and a politically activated up-and-comer who questions some of the elder actor’s roles. The show’s title playfully refers to a few of those jobs as the obligatory menacing Japanese soldier in old World War II movies.

Sab Shimono portrays the older actor--the same role he played in a popular production brought to the Los Angeles Theatre Center from Berkeley Repertory Theatre in 1988. As Vincent Chang, who has survived numerous roles as servants and crime bosses--and managed to win an Academy Award nomination along the way--Shimono is proud, stately, erect. At first, he remains aloof from the cocky young actor who approaches him at a Hollywood party. Yet later, when the two bump into each other again, Vincent begins to see something of his younger self in Bradley Yamashita, played by Matthew Yang King.

Fresh-faced and gym-toned, King possesses the charisma and intelligence that would make Bradley a prime candidate for stardom. Yet, as Bradley will quickly learn, Hollywood has a hard time seeing beyond his Asian-ness.

Under Alberto Isaac’s direction, Shimono and King find terrific depth in the playful moments--including a spontaneous reenactment of Vincent’s big, Oscar-nominated scene--as well as the verbal sparring matches.

A soundtrack of ‘80s pop hits keeps the action rooted in its original 1985 setting, as do Naomi Yoshida Rodriguez’s costumes, which evoke preppy casual and “Miami Vice” cool with tongue-in-cheek accuracy.

Gotanda’s script feels contrived as it strives toward both symbolism and flip-flop symmetry. But it eloquently states Vincent’s determination to accept any part that comes along, because he’s “an actor, not a politician,” as well as Bradley’s belief that those who pay the price will be the Asian American kids who get beat up after their classmates see negative portrayals in a movie. Between laughs, Gotanda gives us a lot to think about.

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“Yankee Dawg You Die,” 120 Judge John Aiso St., downtown L.A. Thursdays-Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 2 and 8 p.m. (except this Saturday, no 2 p.m. performance); Sundays, 2 p.m. Ends June 17. $25-$30. (800) 233-3123. Running time: 2 hours.

Sab Shimono: Vincent Chang

Matthew Yang King: Bradley Yamashita

An East West Players production. Written by Philip Kan Gotanda. Directed by Alberto Isaac. Set: Akeime Mitterlehner. Costumes: Naomi Yoshida Rodriguez. Lights: Jose Lopez. Sound: Aaron Sanchez. Production stage manager: Irma Escamilla.