WILL YOU BE MY FRIEND by Janice Jo Lee (Green Light Arts/Theatre Passe Muraille). At TPM Backspace (16 Ryerson). Runs to November 11. $17-$33. passemuraille.ca. See listing. Rating: NNNN
The working title of Janice Jo Lees in-your-face solo satire was The White Supremacy Smackdown. While that suggests the fierce attitude of the shows strongest material, the current title, Will You Be My Friend, is a little more accessible, something the writer/performer points out in the show.
The premise is that the Kitchener-based Korean-Canadian singer/songwriter and spoken word artist is looking for new pals. Her bestie, Leila, has moved away, and datings not going well. For one thing, Lees drawn to the same type of straight white male.
In the plays initially intriguing structural device, a lab coat-wearing scientist named Dr. West, whos landed on Earth from the planet Pluto, lectures us on why Janice is so lonely. The doctor has a formula about how she can attract friends: namely, if she erases her cultural identity and integrates into mainstream white society, shell eventually achieve success.
There are lots of sharp insights into the internal and external things affecting people of colour. And Lee has several zingers that anyone familiar with identity politics will relate to everything from the concept of being a bruised banana (someone whos yellow on the outside, white on the inside) to singing an immigrants lament.
One scene, set at a liberal non-profit fundraiser attended mostly by white people, is hilarious because its so true. And frankly, Lees advice to a well-intentioned but clueless benefactor about connecting with an Indigenous artist could be used as a teaching tool with many arts organizations today.
Director and dramaturg Matt White stages the show with care. Julia Kims sets and costume designs allow for many different looks, including one vivid scene where Janice and her earnest, outdoorsy boyfriend are canoeing. And a sequence in which Leila confronts a depressed Janice about all the generic white men shes dated is amusingly choreographed.
Lee has a mischievous twinkle in her eye and a marvellous spontaneity which is especially helpful during the shows improvised audience-participation moments. Be sure to fill out the pre-show quiz its dripping with satire.
Lee also has a pleasant singing voice and plays a variety of instruments.
The lyrics to her songs are a little vague, however, and at nearly two hours, the show feels overly long. A bit more tightening could make Lees necessary message come through with more force.
But shes definitely an artist with something to say.
