Fire Gala celebrates Asian-Canadian theatre

Fire Gala celebrates Asian-Canadian theatre

For the patrons and fans of the fu-Gen Asian-Canadian Theatre Company, their 4th annual “Fire Gala” on Oct. 26, 2009 was a chance to support the future works of playwrights and actors who so entertained them in past performances.

For those not familiar with the company, the gala was an opportunity to preview their talents and enjoy, along with everyone else, the many scrumptious courses of the Chinese banquet held at the Bright Pearl Restaurant.

The festive and friendly atmosphere was constantly abuzz with the many tables full of friends and outgoing personalities. This did not faze the charming entertainers and hosts of the evening who performed on the banquet hall’s red and gold stage throughout the gala.

Planned or not, the red stage echoed fu-Gen’s latest production, lady in the red dress. Its playwright and current Associate Director of fu-Gen, David Yee, spoke following remarks by Nina Lee Aquino, a founding member of fu-Gen and its current Artistic Director. Aquino spoke fondly of her years leading fu-Gen, the 16 Dora Mavor Moore Nominations their productions have garnered, and their continued success in the future under Yee.

The guests responded with frequent cheers, laughter and applause to the company’s actors, who amused them with brief sketches. One included a procession of playwrights pitching their ideas, like the play about a grandmother who was once a dancer to be called, “Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl.” The evening’s entertainment included a speedy rendition of one of their most popular productions, Banana Boys, and videos featuring fu-Gen members.

A highlight of the evening was the adaptation of Catherine Hernandez’s play, Singkil. Performers casted off their traditional Filipino garb to reveal black outfits, mimicking Beyonce’s video, while dancing and singing, “All the Singkil ladies, all the Singkil ladies! Put your hands up!” Even the men from the Banana Boys joined in as background dancers, bravely donning tight, black onesies.

There were several ways to support fu-Gen that evening. A constant stream of company members sold raffle tickets for donated prizes, which included gift certificates and theatre passes. There were seven creatively named packages put up for the silent auction. For example the “Real Asian Stock Option Package,” which included passes to the upcoming Reel Asian International Film Festival on Nov. 11-15, 2009. The package also contained copies of the new Asian Canadian play collections, Love & Relasianships Anthology and Lang Lang: Journey of a Thousand Miles. The artful “Donate 88” card, which guests were encouraged to take home and display, facilitated future donations.

The “Fire Gala” was a delightful event to meet and mingle with Asian dramatists whose enthusiasm and performances had guests eagerly anticipating the company’s next season. The season includes their 7th Annual Potluck Festival scheduled for May 3 to 9, 2010, featuring full productions developed by the company’s playwrights and the first ever Asian-Canadian Theatre Conference. Like the gold dragon on the stage, there is no doubt the fu-Gen Asian Theatre Arts Company will continue to breath fire to the passions of play enthusiasts for many seasons to come.