PANG SPA

On the outskirts of Los Angeles’ Koreatown, Daniel Pang has been caring for his dementia addled parents, Tae and Avy, for 3 years since his older brother David committed suicide. This formerly prosperous grocery family now lives in their K-town tenement. Their neighbors, Mrs. Weiss, a Japanese American “bubbe” and Yong, a minimum wage warrior and Tai Chi aficionado make up the rest of this idiosyncratic enclave...

On the outskirts of Los Angeles’ Koreatown, Daniel Pang has been caring for his dementia addled parents, Tae and Avy, for 3 years since his older brother David committed suicide. This formerly prosperous grocery family now lives in their K-town tenement. Their neighbors, Mrs. Weiss, a Japanese American “bubbe” and Yong, a minimum wage warrior and Tai Chi aficionado make up the rest of this idiosyncratic enclave, when a flinty young army vet (Dora) arrives on a mission. Dora deftly inserts herself into the Pang’s dementia driven world until her true identity tumbles out in a long drunken night. Paradigms continue to shift as Dora experiences her first “Spa Day” in the Pang’s backyard that’s transformed into an improvised Korean spa, complete with “waterfall” and “dipping pool”. PANG SPA is a place where despite dementia, depression, suicides and the violation & violence of The ’92 LA Riots, healing can, at least, begin.

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PANG SPA

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  • Shaun Leisher: PANG SPA

    I really loved this ensemble of layered and complex characters. A play about family the family you are born into and the family you make by being in community with others. This play deserves to be in conversation with the great works of Miller and Williams. Secrets are revealed and wounds are healed in this moving play. Loved how this play builds to the healing ritual of "spa day" and how we get to see these people really care for each other. I hope this plays gets productions all over.

    I really loved this ensemble of layered and complex characters. A play about family the family you are born into and the family you make by being in community with others. This play deserves to be in conversation with the great works of Miller and Williams. Secrets are revealed and wounds are healed in this moving play. Loved how this play builds to the healing ritual of "spa day" and how we get to see these people really care for each other. I hope this plays gets productions all over.

  • Ken Narasaki: PANG SPA

    Pang Spa is a wonderfully wry and moving play with a terrific cast of characters, somewhat reminiscent of Lanford Wilson's HOT L BALTIMORE, but much more diverse and a little more pointed. The older characters are absolutely delightful, especially mixed-race Korean/Caucasian Daniel's father Tae, and the main story upon which the play is hung, the mystery of the identity of young Dora (20, mixed-race, quarter Korean), is touching on multiple levels. A lovely play that mixes humor, history, identity, and pathos, painting a lovely portrait of the tenants of an aging building in LA's Koreatown...

    Pang Spa is a wonderfully wry and moving play with a terrific cast of characters, somewhat reminiscent of Lanford Wilson's HOT L BALTIMORE, but much more diverse and a little more pointed. The older characters are absolutely delightful, especially mixed-race Korean/Caucasian Daniel's father Tae, and the main story upon which the play is hung, the mystery of the identity of young Dora (20, mixed-race, quarter Korean), is touching on multiple levels. A lovely play that mixes humor, history, identity, and pathos, painting a lovely portrait of the tenants of an aging building in LA's Koreatown. Recommend.

Daniel Pang‐ A 48 year old hapa Korean ( 1⁄2 Korean 1⁄2 Caucasian)-‐ formerly an actor. Takes care of his parents full time.

Tae Pang‐ 87 year old 1st generation Korean, former owner of liquor/convenience stores that were destroyed in the 1992 LA Riots. He has mid stage Alzheimers Disease. Daniel’s father.

Avy Pang (pronounced Ah-vee)‐ 80 year old Caucasian woman with early stage Alzheimer’s Disease. She was in the US Army Nurse Corps in The Korean War. Daniel’s mother.
Dora Simon– A 20 yr old “quapa” ( 1⁄4 Asian 3⁄4 other) woman‐Army veteran who appears in the Pang’s lives on a quest.

Mrs Weiss-‐ a spry 86 year old Japanese American woman, born in America. She has a “yiddishy” way about her because of her late husband. She has lived in the Pang owned apartment building for many years.

Yong – A 30ish Chinese minimum wage warrior and Tai Chi aficionado. Lives across the hall from Mrs. Weiss.

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Garry Marshall Theatre, Year 2018
  • Type Reading, Organization Ensemble Studio Theatre/LA (Winterfest and Launchpad), Year 2017
  • Type Reading, Organization Playwrights Arena, Year 2016

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization Chalk Repertory Theatre, Year 2024
  • Type Professional, Organization Chalk Repertory Theatre, Year 2024

Awards

  • Outstanding Production of a Drama (Intimate Theatre)
    Stage Scene LA "Scenies" Awards
    Winner
    2024
  • The 12 Best World Premiere Plays of 2024
    Stage Scene LA (2024 Scenie Awards)
    Winner
    2024
  • Los Angeles New Play Project Award and Grant
    Los Angeles New Play Project
    Winner
    2022
  • Bay Area Playwrights Festival
    Playwrights Foundation
    Semi-Finalist
    2018
  • Ashland New Play Festival
    Ashland New Play Festival
    Semi-Finalist
    2018
  • 2018 O'Neil Center Playwrights Conference Workshops
    O'Neil Center National Playwrights Conference
    Semi-Finalist
    2018