Millennial Notes

Keiko Green Delivers Intoxicating Japanese-U.S. Delight

by Hamilton Nguyen

At SF Playhouse, Keiko Green’s “Deadly Exotic: Or the MSG Play” blends 90s teenage spices into a hilarious, heartwarming package. “The MSG Play” feels familiar, bringing back high school memories. Having grown up in the era of Street Fighter, Super Nintendo, and Britney Spears. I appreciate the awkwardness of the “stinky” lunch.

The suspect spice MSG forms the core of Green’s time-bending, surreal fantasy. She explores Japanese American family, food, and friends. Green keeps us enchanted with funny friendships and teen self-doubt—evoking lots of laughs. Director Jesca Prudencio’s cast delivers superb, rapid-fire performances.

Using SF Playhouse’s revolving stage, swirling smoke, and witty sets, Prudencio reveals MSG’s true origins. Charming, magnetic Ana Ming Bostwick-Singer plays teen-age Ami, who discovers her family connection to the 1940s discovery of MSG. Millennial Ami struggles with the evolution of MSG from pride to guilt and shame.

Fast forward to Y2K/1999, young Ami struggles socially in American high school. Bostwick-Singer impresses as the moody, immature and painfully familiar teenager. Her outbursts and crushes evoke familiar memories of teenage life—making me laugh and cringe.

Ami yearns for acceptance and independence, creating a tension with her strict, but loving mother (captivating Nicole Tung). Their comedic scenes show that mom and daughter cannot understand each other’s lives. The smell of Mom’s carefully prepared bento boxes makes Ami a target for her classmates, igniting shame.

Tung’s glaring eyes and snappy comments exude dominance and wry humor. When Ami requests chicken fingers, Mom replies deadpan : “Chickens don’t have fingers.”

Ami’s attitude draws the ire of her popular older brother, Kenji (charismatic James Aaron Oh). His code switching from teen slang to family talk brings smiles and embarrassment. Oh’s antics offer pure nostalgia and belly laughs. Remember the “Loser” and “Whatever” hand signs and a constant desire to hurdle over furniture?

Kenji dances and mingles easily. He dresses in typical 90s skateboarder style—a beanie and long sleeves under a “Purple Rain” t-shirt. Tony Hawk and BMX crews would be proud.

Green’s imagination springs forth in fascinating characters. She makes MSG come alive—literally! Exotic Deadly (flavorful Francesca Fernandez) personifies the spice. She’s dressed in red and white leather and leaps into action like lively, mysterious MSG, itself. Fernandez undergoes a fascinating transformation, shifting from nerdy to sexy to daring. She’s a star.

Phillip Wong and Edric Young make a flashy comedy duo, imitating heartthrobs Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. As obnoxious teenage jocks with broad SoCal accents, they look for love with endless energy and crude jokes. Wong and Young also play arrogant 90s surgeons, Japanese Gyaru, and wacky Yelp reviewer. The show is brightly colored and features exhilarating songs and dances.

Costume Designer Kathleen Qui’s shines with magnificent outfits and ingenious designs. Her 90s teen fashion show recalls the silliness of that fleeting time.

MSG is a raucous spectacle, worthy of 90s teen culture. Finally, the exciting Japanese American recipe brings down the house. Everyone takes home good humor and understanding from this must-see show.

“Exotic Deadly: Or the MSG Play” by Keiko Green, directed by Jesca Prudencio, scenic design by Heather Kenyon, costumes by Kathleen Qui, lighting by Michael Oesch, sound by James Ard, at S.F. Playhouse, San Francisco. Info: sfplayhouse.org – to March 8, 2024.

Cast: Ana Ming Bostwick-Singer, Francesca Fernandez, James Aaron Oh, Edric Young, Nicole Tung, and Phil Wong.

Banner photo: Ami (Ana Ming Bostwick-Singer), Mrs. Jamholder (Nicole Tung), and Ben (Edric Young) watch Exotic Deadly perform. Photos: Jessica Palopoli