←Recommendations of The Bottoming Process

What begins as a meet-cute between an older white man and a younger Asian American one quickly becomes something much deeper—both in terms of the relationship and Pilapil’s thoughtful meditations on race, power, art, and what we give up to another person to be part of a couple. Sprinkled with quick wit and dazzling turns of phrase, the bottoming process is both entertaining and leaves you with a lot to think about. Would absolutely love to see this staged — highly recommended!

This hilarious and complex piece is so nuanced and gives voice to conversations about race, privilege, power, sexuality, and identity that need to be happening at this moment! Pilapil's exploration of the intersection of Asian American identity, sexuality, assumptions/stereotypes, and whiteness is so specifically rendered. It's also an intersection that's relevant/translatable to the experiences other people of color face as they navigate their proximity to white privilege, artistic colonialism, and the opportunities they have to tell their own stories in their own voices. Hilarious, sharp, indicting of privilege without being unfair to any of the characters, and poignant.

Somehow, “the bottoming process” manages to be a) an adorable bittersweet romantic comedy, b) an incisive skewering of our perceptions of race and sexuality, and c) a genuine, non-stop laugh fest, all at once. There are SO many complexities when it comes to the intersection of Asian American stereotypes and sexuality, and Pilapil tackles the topic with just the right mix of humanity, wit, and vitriol. Produce this play!!