FOB (“Fresh off the boat”) is Mr. Hwang’s first play. It was produced Off-Broadway at the Public Theater in 1980 in a production directed by Mako featuring John Lone and Tzi Ma. The play received the Obie Award for Best New American Play. In addition, John Lone was nominated for an Obie Award for Best Performance.
Moving between myth and reality, FOB explores assimilation, immigration, and the struggle of Asian American identity. Grace and Dale are cousins, living in the Los Angeles area. Dale, an “ABC” or “American Born Chinese,” just wants to fit in to white American culture. Grace, who was born in Taiwan, feels less ambivalent about her Chinese heritage. The arrival of Steve, an exchange student and “fresh off the boat” newcomer from Hong Kong, forces them to confront conflicting feelings about America, China and themselves.
