By Amanda VanNostrand.
Salt, Pepper, and Ketchup: three ingredients that when combined make a delightful condiment to some while creating something left to be desired for others. Three different colors, textures, and flavors mixed together can not possibly hope to be accepted by all. By themselves one or two or all three could be enjoyed by the same people who enjoy different numbers and combinations of any one type of food. That is the thing about people: we all have different tastes, different experiences. Different races, social classes, genders, sexual orientations, we see and feel the world differently. And to many, we often feel that we see the world the ‘right’ way. That we have the clearest lens. We may feel this until we listen to other perspectives. Not just hear them – really listen. This is how we gain understanding – we accept that whatever combination – whatever view of the world others have is a legitimate, authentic, truth. During these times what needs to happen is that those on the top – those who have achieved their dreams whether through difficult or fairly easy means, need to listen to those whose views and experiences have not been as easy. Those who have been oppressed. Oppressed people throughout history have always had the most clear idea of the world. Salt, Pepper Ketchup examines this: the well-intentioned ideas of the oppressors who have not realized that they have no clue.
Josh Wilder is a Philadelphia native and he has masterfully crafted this play to scream out truths of his city. A world premiere of Salt, Pepper Ketchup is currently showing at Drake Theatre in Philadelphia, PA until November 18th and although it is painful to watch, it demonstrates some of the issues of the City of Brotherly Love in a way that is comprehensive for all perspectives, and it allows viewers to leave with a sense of others’ positions. It is a story about gentrification in Philadelphia, and holds an incredible amount of relevance to the past and present in the United States, its cities, and Philadelphia in particular. (It would be encouraging to watch this show perform in other countries as well – the US is not alone in holding these issues.)
Salt, Pepper Ketchup takes place within a Chinese restaurant of the Point Breeze neighborhood of Philadelphia. There are seven main characters: Linda Wu (Chuja Seo) and John Wu (Fenton Li), the married co-owners of the Chinese restaurant Super Star; CeCe (Kendra Holloway), the happy, sweet black woman who is a native resident of Point Breeze and a local day care worker, frequenting Super Star daily; Tommy (Mark Christie), Raheem (Jaron C. Battle), and Boodah (Richard Bradford) who are friends, black men, and also natives of Point Breeze; Paul (Justin Pietropaolo), the white co-op worker who has lived in Point Breeze for three years; and Megan (Miriam White), another white co-op worker who is new to the neighborhood. The start of Salt, Pepper Ketchup reveals that a new Food Cooperative has moved in nearby and Tommy and Raheem are concerned. Tommy’s father has recently lost his business, as Paul (the worker at the co-op) has called the police and reported that the food truck did not have the proper license to sell food. Paul makes an appearance at Super Star and pushes his agenda incredibly hard at all in the building: he wishes for everyone to join to co-op, as fresh food is hard to come by in the area of town (according to him). His ignorance spouts out for one sentence too long and he is rudely made to leave by Mr. Wu, who accuses him of loitering. (But not before he sells a membership to CeCe!) Events roll out from here as the high prices of the co-op are revealed, negative Yelp reviews follow Paul’s forced exit, and eventually the cops come in and act as cops sometimes do in situations that are brought about by ignorance. The show’s tensions heighten as unknowledgeable characters talk (they talk so much), believing that they have all the answers and the people who actually know what is going on are silenced and ignored.
Each character in this show has a story, a side – an authentic reality to present. CeCe, for example, has a son and wishes for him to grow up in a neighborhood with clean parks and good schools, and acknowledges that the changes taking place are bringing these possibilities to light. Tommy is loyal to his father and his neighborhood and knows that these transitions are bringing an end to his world as he knows it. The Wu’s realize that having a restaurant in the area gets them by but know that bigger opportunities are in store for them if they allow changes to come into the neighborhood and change along with it. Their marriage seems to be at risk as Mrs. Wu takes her chances and challenges her husband, forcing her hand in matters that he feels only he should control. Paul does not seem to learn much in this story, but grows more powerful and takes his role as a man to levels that to most viewers, should not be allowed. He is the epitome of power and grows more infuriating with every scene in which he appears. (Paul sucks.) And Megan is well intentioned and tries to bring positive changes into the co-op but realizes that as a woman she does not have authority around Paul and as a white person she does not know much about the community for which she is working. As these complications (and others) arise drastic measures are taken and characters’ lives are forever changed.
The acting in Salt, Pepper Ketchup is what brings the sharp edge of the sword to reach out and cut every audience member. Kendra Holloway’s portrayal of CeCe is (should be) award-winning. This woman’s acting skills are phenomenal and no person could play this role as she does. She makes CeCe incredibly loveable and does not skip a beat in any scene –bubbly, angry, afraid, or broken, Holloway brings CeCe to life. Chuja Seo is an additional wonder as an actress in Salt, Pepper Ketchup. Mrs. Wu is a somewhat complicated character, as she feels invisible while acting like Super Woman. Chuja Seo fits precisely into this role and calls sympathy and empathy for her character. Lastly, Mark Christie plays the role of Tommy and his anger and frustration are believable and contagious. The cast as a whole work well together and make Salt, Pepper Ketchup simply amazing.
This is a show that is not likely to leave one’s mind after a viewing. The situations and characters are too real for it to be a one-night source of entertainment. Salt, Pepper Ketchup will remain with its viewers, as the stories of the characters are the same stories that many audience members have lived out. From lifelong residents experiencing unwanted changes in their neighborhoods to immigrants realizing that they are only just making it after a lifetime of longing and reaching for that American dream, to new residents coming in and feeling as if they are deserving of a welcome simply because they have good intentions, these stories are real. Wilder has done a phenomenal job of writing them down and it is up to the residents of Philadelphia to take these stories and make something of them. Salt, Pepper Ketchup is a great way to learn and understand your Philadelphia neighbor, and it will do the city well for every resident to see it.