Did you know that Asian American women have the highest rates of suicide and depression in the United States? Having said that, go see CAT LADY, written by and starring Kristina Wong and Directed by MAD CAT Theater’s Paul Tei. The work has been called “Hilarious and slightly frightening”
Kristina is an acclaimed solo performer, writer, actor, educator, culture jammer, and filmmaker based in Los Angeles. A Kristina Wong show takes you on a journey of discovery while laughing your ass off. It’s a great trip. This time, in a full length piece, with veteran actors Ken Clement, Jessica Farr and Noah Levine as a superb ensemble cast, she explores her relationship with her cat and comically nudges you into a world where PUA’s (Pick up artists) actually go to seminars to learn the craft. You wonder if each short video sequence is an elaborate put on, but then realize men actually do this to ‘get’ girls.
The message is serious yet delivered with an avant garde comedic intensity which doesn’t have to sell its premise. It gets delivered in hilarious bursts of consciousness by a true artisan of the craft. The subcultures of cat ladies and male pick-up artists form the nucleus of a performance rife with both nuanced and over the top comic inventiveness.
The actors break the third wall, or do they? How can a show that talks about suicide and depression be fun? When Kristina does it, it is. And you laugh while getting the message.
Overall, CAT LADY is a very effective tool for good utilized by a master on a perfectly crafted set in an intimate space.
CAT LADY is a Mad Cat Theater production kicking off its 13th season at Light Box at the Goldman Warehouse in Wynwood, Miami and runs January 4th through the 20th Thursdays through Saturdays at 8PM and Sundays at 2PM. http://www.madcattheatre.org/ http://kristinawong.com/