18 Mighty Mountain Warriors’ Battle to the Top:
Serious Fun and Serious Issues

Theater Review by Nicole Kim

It was a night of exploding Asian talent—different genres of course, but no matter, Asian American performers are finally in the spotlight. While some gawked, and were shocked, by the debut of a teenager’s dark, dramatic, coming of age story in “Better Luck Tomorrow,” others were all giggles at the 18 Mighty Mountain Warriors performance of “Psychotic Karaoke.”

The 18 Mighty Mountain Warriors formed in San Francisco in 1994, seeking to transform the perpetuated stereotypical images of Asians Americans set by the popular media. Their goal: to support Asianess in a positive light.

The originally authored skits, mainly for the Asian audience, have paved their way internationally. With over a dozen feature shows, the 18MMW are rising to take the unclaimed throne of SNL, oriental style.

Comedy is comedy, when people can laugh at themselves—that is exactly what is on the Warriors’ agenda. Widely targeting the Asian community to seek revelation and inspiration for their material, the multi-ethnic portrayals are politically incorrect, shocking, and hilarious.

Tamlyn Tomita said, “It’s not purely Asian American comedy. They step out and make a broader statement. And the difference is, they can make fun of themselves.”

The 18MMW conquer controversial issues including the Chinese women’s swim team to a parody of the Japanese-Korean tension during World Cup 2002 as co-hosts. The warriors tear apart the Chinese, Filipino, and even the imaginary Amphiberasians from the land of Sukiprata.

But is there anything too controversial to tease? Greg Watanabe, founder of the 18 Mighty Mountain Warriors said they often question what the group should represent, wrestling with touchy issues such as female circumcision, domestic violence and international violence.

“Is this what we want to put out. You just can’t please everyone. We have to be clear on what we’re presenting and what we have to say.”

The first skit was a gangster movie John Woo style, taking place during dinnertime. Tension rises as “old friends” of rival mafias meet the hollow barrel of a gun. The comedic entrée called for a hint of gunpowder, a dash of highly sequenced shooting-spree, and a sprinkle of madness to complete a five-star recipe for laughter.

Other skits included issues ranging from Asian body types, mocking small breasts and small eyes, immigrant issues, a rendition of the Lord of the Rings and even “proportional basketball” based on China’s massive population size.

In closing, Korea and Japan ripped each other apart with a harsh exchange of deviously humorous words. Extremely controversial and gutsy, they played on the generations of negative emotion due to the historical context of Japanese colonization of Korea. But as the sardonic tone of the skit revealed, the warriors got away with it in a rumble of laughter.

However, during the question and answer session, some audience members advised that the material was a bit sketchy and might offend others.

Although Asian American presence in media is on the rise, the actors felt portrayals are not up to par.

“A lot of roles are unrealistic, and I think some roles are pathetic. But some are actually positive, “ Harold Byung said.

Actor Valiant Chow added Asian characters do exist ”...but they also need to acknowledge the cultural difference. I think Hollywood has a long way to go.”

As a double minority, Pearl Wong, 34, expressed with encouraging words the roadblocks she faced as an Asian woman. In a moment of advice to females pursuing this path, she warned perseverance and thick skin are treasured assets.

“It takes a lot to be in this business. They shoot you down because of the way you look and sound. It’s all about rejection and bouncing back.”

Years of hard work are paying off as writing and acting are both maturing, according to Chow.

Riveting, wildly controversial and charged with energy, the Asian American sketch comedy group proves once again that Asians are funny indeed.

For performance schedules, check out their website at www.18mmw.com.