SOMEONE BETWEEN by Chantria Tram (Apsara Theatre Company/SummerWorks). Factory Studio. Aug 5 at noon, Aug 6 at 7:30 pm, Aug 7 at 5 pm, Aug 8 at 5:45 pm, Aug 11 at 4:30 pm, Aug 12 at 6:45 pm. See listing. Rating: NNN
In this autobiographical solo show, Chantria Tram explores intergenerational family strife by contrasting her mothers experience escaping Cambodia with Trams own struggle to appreciate her Khmer parents traditions while growing up in Canada.
The play includes many amusing day-to-day moments from Trams life, such as watching American Idol with her critical, ex-singer mother or hanging out as a teenager at her Canadian friends house vs. her own.
Although Tram could delve more deeply into her emotional response to her mothers expectations of her as a single, 33-year-old daughter, she clearly appreciates how rituals like praying at the family shrine keep her culturally connected. Paula Wings direction includes innovative visuals, particularly the use of a beautiful piece of white lace to represent different generations of Trams family. But some of the scene transitions feel abrupt.
Note: the performance runs 20 minutes less than the 75 indicated in the program.
