High school reunions can be about revenge for some, while striking fear into the hearts of others. They can be the perfect time for that acne-addled teen to show their former classmates that they have bloomed into the perfect swan. Or, it can be the place where the jock that peaked in high school throwing touchdowns and dating cheerleaders sits in a corner and mopes because of a receding hairline and a huge beer gut.
In Reunions, one of the five shorts that will be presented on Tuesday and Wednesday by the Taipei Players, a 15-year high school reunion goes even wonkier than usual. One former pupil turns into a warlock, another becomes a giraffe and a third transforms into Santa Claus. Then, the real fun begins.
“This is the first time Reunions has been done in Asia,” said director Mandy Roveda. “I like plays that make people laugh out loud and appeal to people universally.”
Photo Courtesy of Taipei Players
Roveda founded Taipei Players with Sara Zittrer seven years ago, and has been one of the driving forces in English-language theater ever since. Now, with Zittrer having returned to Canada to pursue theater, Roveda has been left to find new blood.
“Taiwan [can be] a transient place... For this show, we have a lot of the Taipei Players’ regulars, some new faces and we added some of the folks from Taipei Improv,” Roveda said.
“Let me talk about Lucas Salazar,” said Brandon Thompson, lead singer of many Taiwan bands and one of the aforementioned regulars.
Photo Courtesy of Taipei Players
“Lucas is brand, brand, new to Taiwan ... [and] I’d describe him as fearless, witty and quick. He’s odd, but endearing. It’s always nice to meet a few new people when doing this,” he said.
Thompson co-stars with Salazar in Brotherly Love, a touching and witty short written by Ean Miles Kessler about a brother coming out of the closet deep in the hills of Virginia.
Though she puts the word out through social media, Roveda finds most of the actors through word of mouth.
“We are usually all friends when we do this. If we weren’t at the start, we will be by the end,” Roveda said. “It’s fun because you look forward to seeing your buddies.”
Thompson added that it’s hard work, but the payoff comes in performing in front of the audience and thinking about what their next project will be.
“Doing this is tremendously ego fulfilling,” Thompson quipped.
Roveda says she has some ideas for the next few shows, but only hinted that they were to be a comedy and a cabaret.
An Evening of Shorts will include five plays ranging from 10 minutes to 30 minutes each, and the multi-talented hip hop artist Leo37 will be performing songs during set changes.
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