‘Driven’— a close-quarters look at Filipino American life

Alan S. Quismorio (right, as Arnel), Hector Ramon Zavala (Qulie, left), and Earl Paus (Danny, c center) in “Driven,” by Boni Alvarez. A production by Theatre Rhinoceros at Spark Arts, running through November 17. ANTHONY BONGCO

SAN FRANCISCO – Set in present time East Palo Alto, California, “Driven” is a Filipino American comedy with central themes relating to diaspora, family, and queerness that are common facets of contemporary Filipino American life.

Presented by Theatre Rhinoceros, the longest running queer theatre in the world, to kick off its 42nd season, it is one of those plays that could work in any space, large or small.  “Driven” is staged at Spark Arts, a small art gallery and creative and performance space in The Castro, lending a more intimate setting to an already intimate play of three characters. It feels like you are watching it in the living room of somebody’s home.

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The creative use of a rudimentary set—four stools with seatbelts and a steering wheel attached to a stand suggesting a car—and a simple lighting set up using a primary palette beamed directly at the actors give the performance a stark look as if the actors and the play itself were caught in headlights.

Not a lot of suspension of disbelief is needed for you to be drawn in by the characters and the story, which is a testament to the play’s strength and the level of acting by an ensemble cast with the right chemistry and intensity.

Alan S. Quismorio (as Arnel) and Earl Paus (Danny) in “Driven,” by Boni Alvarez. A production by Theatre Rhinoceros at Spark Arts, running through November 17. ANTHONY BONGCO

Alan S. Quismorio as Arnel is nuanced and convincing as a Filipino immigrant father to Danny, sensitively played with emotional intelligence by Earl Paus, who has to deal with the ironies and complexity of his relationship with his father as well as his evolving relationship with Qulie, played with vigor by Héctor Ramón Zavala.

Arnel’s old car that Danny drives him in becomes a metaphor for their personal journeys and their relationship. “Driven” explores what drives us, moves us forward, as well as what keeps us from moving toward a certain direction, or what keeps us from moving at all as prisoners of our own personal histories and circumstances.

Penned by Los Angeles-based Filipino American playwright and actor Boni Alvarez, the play is nearly excellent in its presentation of a relatable and universal slice of Filipino American life, except for one dramaturgical flaw in its rendition of Arnel in relation to Filipino American history. Arnel, in an effort to hide his sense of vulnerability, reminds Danny throughout the play of how he worked hard in the fields in Stockton, picking asparagus to earn a living and provide for his family—an allusion to being a part of the manong (elder) generation of migrant farmers and cannery workers whose lives and experiences form a significant part of early to mid-20th century American history.

Conceivably, it is to add more weight to the character’s backstory as well as to serve as a reminder to those who might have forgotten this part of Filipino American history; but the numbers does not add up for Arnel to be old enough to have been a migrant farm worker with a son who is only in his 30s. This is a bothersome detail, like a stray pebble in your shoe if you know the timeline of Filipino American history. However, this apparent artistic license does not diminish the overall merits of the play.

It is rare to see plays centered on the Filipino American experience written and directed by Filipino Americans that are presented in spaces outside the Filipino community.  “Driven” is an opportunity for an unadulterated, close-quarters look into a slice of Filipino American life through a father and son relationship. It explores the baggage of history, issues of identity, and the binding ties we carry on our road trip through life. A heartwarming comedy with love at its core, it is an intimate play done in an intimate space that deserves a broad audience.

Driven. Written by Boni Alvarez; Directed by Ely Sonny Orquiza; Cast: Earl Paus, Alan S. Quismorio, and Héctor Ramón Zavala; Stage Manager and Sound Designer: Marissa Ampon; Assistant Director: Vince Marie Cuison; Set Designer: Tracy Nguyen; Lighting Consultant: Jim McCunn.