By Ji Hyun Lim

Comedic yet edgy, real yet surreal, controversial yet acceptable.... Lodestone Theatre Ensemble presents another performance where the audience must examine these anomalies. What happens in a planned neighborhood where racial stereotypes are the norm, repression is acted-out in oddly sexual ways, and assimilation means hiding secrets? It leaves it up to the imagination of the audience.

The play A Dirty Secret Between The Toes explores the relationships between an Asian American couple named Chuck and Helen who move in to a cul-de-sac in a wealthy suburb. The interplay and politics between Jose (the Hispanic gardener), Jim, (the Caucasion president of the neighborhood association) and the Asian couple invite the audience to explore the racism, classism, and assimilationÑserious topics that are comedic in its own way. The fascination for horticulture and the need to ascend the socio-economic ladder of American society plight the "ethnically different" couple in predominately white neighborhood. Chuck, played by Ryun Yu and Helen, played by Emily Liu are successful executives who have an insatiable yet socially deviant appetite for each other. Jim who appears to be the up-standing representative of the community harbors a secret that can jeopardize his reputation in this insular elitist world. Jose, who seems innocuous at first, also has a secret of his own. The story unfolds to reveal the dynamics and the racial tensions between the four major characters.

This is the first of the four productions that Lodestone has used non-Asian actors. "[Lodestone has] always been about Asians in a multicultural context," says Director Chil Kong. By including non-Asian actors, audiences, and extending the play to the greater community, Lodestone reflects the growth of its production facilities. The 1 1/2-year-old production company that started with four core Korean-American members: Philip Chung, Tim Lounibus, Bokyun Chun, and Chil Kong, has expanded to include approximately 50 new members to bolster production capacities. Donations, network of people, fundraising, and ticket sales has added clout to attract talented actors, directors, designers, and production assistants while ticket prices remain nominal at $9.00-$13.00. "There’s a communal knowledge within the membership. Its growing skill levels have grown exponentially," says Kong.

Annette Lee, the Chinese-American playwright, has jumped on the Lodestone bandwagon. "I wanted to work with a group that would primarily focus on the message of the play and the intention of the playwright. We all seemed to be on the same page in terms of the artistic intention of the play. I like their artistic mission. It’s a well-run organization with enthusiastic members," says Lee.

Lodestone’s mission to present "edgy, compelling" works translates to a theatre company that is not willing to compromise artistic integrity. The first Korean-American graduate of the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London Ryun Yu embraces the challenge of being a part of the budding Asian American arts movement. "I think as a community we’re sort of young, it has all the benefits of a pioneering society. The guidelines, established channels aren’t thereÑartistically," says Yu.

Because Lodestone aims for high standards, they hope to follow in the footsteps of the highly successful theatre company called SteppenwolfeÑa group of 20 people who birthed approx. 12 great stars. Kong says, "We are focused on doing great works as a result we’ll become great stars. We hope to be the Korean American Steppenwolfe."

Taking a young script and molding the dialogue, juxtaposing the situations is constantly a part of digging deeper so each production is unique. Yu admits it’s a process, "It’s kind of like a baby. If you know what it’s going to be, you’ve already lost," says Yu.

A Dirty Secret Between The Toes expounds on the possibilities of racism, though it may be subtle, may also be in-your-face. "It’s all about pretense and fronts," says Lee. Helen and Chuck portray the "model-minority" who may not be the "honorary whites" despite their financial leverage in society. The fears and insecurities that may belie their ambition to assimilate threaten the socially constructed realities for these characters.

"There’s a sense of playful creation. Most real comedies are based on edgy things," says Yu. Although the setting and the plot seem "hyper-real" as Kong says, Lee’s play was inspired by observations of real communities in Southern California. She noticed that in some affluent neighborhoods, one was required to hire a professional gardener and the racial stereotypes such as a "white suburbia" with a "Hispanic gardener" posed serious questions about Asian American’s willingness to embrace that sort of social structure. Perhaps a planned community might have a comedic juncture.

The underlying theme is that "The price you pay to get what you want may not really be what you want," says Kong. The phrase may be sort of tongue-twister but ultimately, the message is "Everything has a price."

Lodestone’s price to get experienced performers, directors and writers is the dedication to cultivate talent. Some of Korean American director Chil Kong’s credits include working with the Huntington Theatre, American Reperatory Theatre, the Northwest Asian American Theatre, Asia On Stage. Korean American actor Ryun Yu’s credits include: Sisters Matsumoto in Seattle and Boston, Forgotten Valor, The Last of the Sun, Hamlet, among others. Chinese American actress Emily Liu who considers Lodestone her theatre home, has recurring role in ABC’s Port Charles, Forgotten Valor, Gila Rivers, Lodestone’s American Monsters. And Chinese American playwright Annette Lee’s credits include: From the Corner of My Eye, a radio play Walk the Mountain, The Bar Scene and several other projects in the works.

The interweaving of a thought-provoking script, depth in performance, artistic vision and delivery are crucial elements in the production process. "A lot of truth and drama are eternal. What any artist is trying to do is to find a frame for truth that is eternal. I feel like we’re trying to do that with our American bodies, voices, and imagination," says Yu.

A Dirty Secret Between The Toes opens April 20-May 13. For tickets and general information, call the Lodestone Theatre hotline at (323) 993-7245. Please note the contents of this play include mature adult themes. Viewer discretion is advised.