Fresno State University Theatre is back with its first in-person production of the year, featuring its first entirely Asian-American cast production.
The “feminist thriller” “Man of God,” written by Anna Ouyang Moench and directed by Thomas-Whit Ellis, had its opening day on Oct. 1, 2021.
The play stars Molly Heng, Reese Jade Herron, Madeline Nelson and Isabella O’Keeffe as four underage girls on a mission trip to Thailand, who discover their trusted pastor has hidden a camera in their hotel bathroom.
Andy Soukantouy, in his first live performance, plays the part of the pastor.
“When I found out it was an all Asian cast, I thought to myself ‘Wait, really? There’s a theater production that is casting people that look like me? Here’s my chance!’ … Since this is the first all Asian-American cast at Fresno State, in which it has been around for 100 years, I knew I had to be part of this historic moment,” Soukantouy said.
When asked what attracted him to “Man of God” among other options, Ellis said the choice came partly due to increased violence against Asian Americans.
“I was looking for a play to bring attention to the recent spate of violence against Asians in America. And secondly, the drama department at [Fresno State] has one of the largest number of Asian students in many years,” Ellis said.
“Man of God” is an approximately 80 minute play with no intermission. This allows the audience to remain immersed in the evolving drama playing out between the four young girls on their mission trip.
In those 80 minutes the play grapples with a range of difficult topics that the characters rarely agree on as they each come to terms with the betrayal of their trust by their pastor.
“It’s basically a snapshot of middle class teen issues, a condition many of our students are familiar with,” Ellis said. “…it deals with subject matter that can be found in today’s news. One of the themes deals with the characters’ ongoing struggle with the complicated world of religious awareness, growth and application. This is particularly challenging with religions of all stripes as they all seem to struggle from negative press, misunderstandings, backlash and other difficulties especially in the world of the American teen.”
The play marks University Theatre’s successful return to in-person performances. Actors were seen using hand sanitizer before touching props or each other.
“The university has laid out safety mandates and requirements that have made the rehearsal and performance process more arduous for all of us, but we have been able to adapt. Clearly, we’re all looking forward to returning to a relatively COVID-free experience hopefully by next year,” Ellis said.
During COVID-19, several virtual performances were held. Ellis was grateful to return to in-person performances.
“Our department should be commended for integrating these [COVID-19] protocols into our production process. Students, staff and faculty have been working tirelessly under very trying conditions in order to bring the theatre experience back to our audiences. Hopefully these efforts will pay off for all involved,” Ellis said.
Performances will take place at University Theatre on Oct. 5 – 9 at 7:30 p.m. Doors open 30 minutes before curtain. Latecomers will not be allowed entrance.
Tickets are $10 for students, $15 for Fresno State staff and $17 for other attendees.
The 2021-22 Fresno State University Theatre season continues this semester on Oct. 29 – Nov. 6 with “This Is Our Youth,” and Dec. 3-11 with “Wilderness.” Next semester will feature “Electricidad” from March 25 – April 2, and a 25th anniversary performance of the musical “Rent” from May 6-14.
University Theatre will be requiring attendees to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test from within 72 hours for admittance. Masks will be required at all times.
