Christine Corpuz (and Her Mother) Don't Disappoint in "Their" LA Premiere

words and images by Edward J. Mallillin

The only way we can understand each other is when one of us is angry, and the other is happy. -- Christine Corpuz

It was nice meeting Mrs. Corpuz.  Both versions.

It was nice watching her daughter Christine perform, too.

The mother of Christine Corpuz mingled with lots of family, friends, and new fans outside the Whitefire Theatre just before showtime.  She was a charming lady; even introduced herself and thanked me for coming to see the show.  It's the personal touches that make supporting the stage such a pleasure.

Soon, I learned that Mother Corpuz was a lot like ... herself, as in the version that daughter Christine brought to life onstage for the Los Angeles premiere of I Am Nothing Like My Mother.  While the "real-life" Mrs. Corpuz charmed and chatted with everyone like any good hostess would, Christine Corpuz's stage version brought laughter, tears, and joy to an enthusiastic audience hungry for good entertainment.

The AUDELCO/Viv Robinson nominated Corpuz has wowed fans on the East Coast with her 1-Woman show, and Los Angeles appears to be next on her radar.  As if a standing ovation from a supportive audience wasn't enough proof, Corpuz has just been offered a six-week run of the show (details to come soon), followed by her addition to the Whitefire Theatre's repertory.

Christine Corpuz performs as herself and as her mom.

This gives you another six weeks worth of opportunities to catch Corpuz's hillarious observations on life, love, and ... her mother.  It also gives Corpuz the chance to continually learn about her own relationship with her mother, as new fans get a chance to reflect on their own relationships with their immigrant parents.  While her show certainly serves as food for thought for her audience, perhaps the greater pleasure is watching Corpuz's own catharsis.  I'm sure she has performed this role many times (both on and offstage), but her acting skills truly do her role justice; she looks like she's learning about herself all over again, for the very first time.

Corpuz, who also wrote the show, offered a poignant observation midway through as she lamented, "The only way we can understand each other is when one of us is angry, and the other is happy."  It's the kind of line meant for a laugh (which certainly happened), and maybe to reflect on later.  It will certainly make my short list of favorite quotes.

In the end, nobody was angry; everyone left happy, most especially Corpuz, who seemed genuinely thrilled that her show made such a connection with new fans in Southern California.

Whether it's I Am Nothing Like My Mother, or her starring turn in Return Shift Escape with Queer as Folk's Randy Harrison, or Filipinas magazine saying we should know who she is, Christine Corpuz is always doing something.

And mother is proud.