What was it about?
Launching its first full length play, the Pork Filled Players (PFP) proudly present the Northwest premiere of Big Hunk O’ Burnin’ Love by the award-winning Prince Gomolvilas, at the Northwest Actors Studio (1100 E. Pike, Seattle), from March 2 to 24, 2007.
A romantic comedy about family curses, Thai brides and spontaneous human combustion, Big Hunk centers on Winston, a single Thai American man who must beat a different biological clock—get married by age 30 (four days away!) or be doomed to burst into flames! As each day passes, Winston feels the pressure from his kooky parents, his acerbic best friend, his troubled ex-girlfriend and a teenaged Thai mail order bride.
Who was in it?
Cast
Winston Jose AbaoagNick Christian Ver
Mom Leilani Berinobis
Dad Daniel Arreola
Noi Elizabeth Daruthayan
Sylvia Kellen Kaiser
Staff and Desginers
Written by Prince GomolvilasDirected by Miko Premo
Produced by/Sound designed by Roger Tang
Stage managed by Rachel Foote
Tech directed by/Lighting designed by Courtland Premo
Assistant produced by Toni Rose
Language coach Rungroj Muanggan
Executive producerd by Edward T. Tonai, Maggie Lee
What did people say?
"One
can't help but root for the actors, for the characters and for Winston
in this unconventionally romantic tale."
Seattle Times
"In short, it's a play worth seeing, especially if you're already a fan of PFP. And if you're not, this is a good chance to see them really stretch their acting muscle. I only hope this venture is something they'll continue doing, because I liked what I saw."
Seattle Gay News
"I can't imagine anyone hailing from a traditional background—Baptist, Jewish, Korean, whichever—and not liking this peppy play at least a little bit. Poking fun at Thai-American (or, really, any conservative) culture, Big Hunk takes the familiar theme of parents' hysteria over an unmarried child and gives it a metaphoric boost. "
The Stranger
"On top of everything, the Pork Filled Players add another dimension by sprinkling interesting nuggets of cultural information into the play. These tidbits were integrated seamlessly into Prince Gomolvilas’ script and in no way were they overbearing or tinged with that “educational” feel."
Northwest Asian Weekly
"Berinobis steals every scene that she is in, whether plotting with Noi (Elizabeth Daruthayan) about how to get Winston married or demonstrating the "Clapper" that she's just installed in
their house...While the play concentrates on Winston and his ambivalence about marriage Thai style, playwright Prince Gomolvilas has a nice light touch and an appealing plot reminiscent of the "Sex in Seattle" episodes."
Capitol Hill Times
Seattle Times
"In short, it's a play worth seeing, especially if you're already a fan of PFP. And if you're not, this is a good chance to see them really stretch their acting muscle. I only hope this venture is something they'll continue doing, because I liked what I saw."
Seattle Gay News
"I can't imagine anyone hailing from a traditional background—Baptist, Jewish, Korean, whichever—and not liking this peppy play at least a little bit. Poking fun at Thai-American (or, really, any conservative) culture, Big Hunk takes the familiar theme of parents' hysteria over an unmarried child and gives it a metaphoric boost. "
The Stranger
"On top of everything, the Pork Filled Players add another dimension by sprinkling interesting nuggets of cultural information into the play. These tidbits were integrated seamlessly into Prince Gomolvilas’ script and in no way were they overbearing or tinged with that “educational” feel."
Northwest Asian Weekly
"Berinobis steals every scene that she is in, whether plotting with Noi (Elizabeth Daruthayan) about how to get Winston married or demonstrating the "Clapper" that she's just installed in
their house...While the play concentrates on Winston and his ambivalence about marriage Thai style, playwright Prince Gomolvilas has a nice light touch and an appealing plot reminiscent of the "Sex in Seattle" episodes."
Capitol Hill Times