A two-hander that avoids being a “cute meet”, Lloyd Suh's The Heart Sellers unites two Asian women in a 1973 experience that has them revealing how they think and feel about coming to America under the Hart-Celler Act. That opened the door to immigrants other than from mainly Western European countries. Much of the play’s effectiveness hinges on performances and, at Florida Studio Theater, it gets them.
Thanks quite a bit to the solid direction of Kate Alexander, who never fails to bring out the best in actresses, there’s consistent characterization of two different people in a similar situation. Luna (Rona Figueroa) is the more effervescent, having invited a more stolid Jane (Michelle Heera Kim) to share a Thanksgiving meal at her apartment Their husbands are both on hospital medical duty.
Luna’s life in the Philippines was very family-oriented and the family photos she shows Jane are clearly a prized possession. The Marcos government was hard to take. How much, if any, better is the political situation under Nixon in the U.S. and in a small Ohio town?
Jane always projects an aura of more knowledge than does Luna, especially in practical matters like cooking. But Kim’s Jane wanted to become a painter and has obviously been disappointed. She did, though, escape a government constantly changing in Korea.
Despite their differences, Luna and Jane have finally found a real friendship, haven’t they? Their varied drinking and dressing may give a clue. It’s worth audience consideration and also gives insight into the immigration experience.
All of the technical elements are praiseworthy and realistic, even to the showing of outside light that marks time. A change in the women’s clothing goes smoothly, too, and has meaning.
The play’s glimpse into the past may well be predictive of what immigrants today can experience, however different they may each seem on the outside.
