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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Friday, December 24, 2004

Egi shifts to comedy about growing up in Hawai'i

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Stan Egi, 45, has had a bi-coastal acting career, living 10 years in Los Angeles and another decade in New York. During this time, he appeared in scores of plays, films and TV shows, emerging as kind of a frontiersman among Asian-American actors from Hawai'i eager to find fortune, and maybe fame.

Actor Stan Egi, who has appeared in numerous shows while living on the Mainland, is re-establish-ing his career in comedy.


Comedy show

With Shawn Felipe, Stan Egi and Elroy; hosted by Augie T

8:30 p.m. Thursday

All Star Hawai'i (Niketown Building, third floor), 2080 Kalakaua Ave.

$8 cover charge

554-7243

"I had been thinking about coming home for some time, and I finally moved back last summer, when I hit the 20-year mark," said the Roosevelt High School graduate. Today, he has no regrets, just new agendas.

Including a career in comedy, somewhat still in its infancy here.

"I did it off and on, and actually did a spot on the David Letterman show a while ago," he said of his comic stance. "Comedy is something I've always enjoyed, but serious drama took over. In my heart, though, I've always loved comedy, especially doing it in Hawai'i, about growing up in Hawai'i."

Egi is re-establishing his career in comedy, gig by gig, with yet another on the horizon, Thursday at All-Star Hawai'i in Waikiki.

"Comedy is the ultimate challenge," said Egi, who has frequented local night spots such as Brew Moon, the Palace Showroom, Hawaiian Hut, and Dave & Buster's.

"With comedy, you're performer, writer, director, actor, producer — and if you find the connection with the audience, you instantly know it's working. There is no greater high, when all is going well."

He likens the experience to derring-doo. "The stakes are higher; you walk this tightrope. Up there, on the high wire, you're balancing yourself and you realize, here I am, all alone. It's a pretty far drop if I fall; but if I stay focused and balanced, I'll make it. I like this feeling of always being on the edge."

He likes it here because he can cut to the chase and unveil his pidgin side.

An MFA candidate at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa (he's seeking a degree in directing), Egi also teaches acting at UH.

One primary reason he's back — besides the weather and plate lunches, of course — is to share his experiences with other wannabes.

"When I left home to try my luck on the Mainland, I remember thinking: Wouldn't it be great to be able to talk to someone about how to go about this move," he said. "I didn't have anyone; so I had to give it a try myself, to face the frontier, to test the unknown. I gave myself one year to see how things would go, and one led to three, and three became 10. What's nice, now, is the feeling that I've come full circle. I've always regarded Hawai'i as home. It's where I'm from, and who I am."

He has had roles in major films, including "Rising Sun," which starred Sean Connery, an industry vet he holds in high regard.

"He was just the most generous, gracious person, who took me under his wings," said Egi. "Really gave me support and encouragement. I think being from Hawai'i, we grow up being aware of other people. Most of us are humble, and I think that's what Sean picked up. How we're always aware of other people's feelings."

He's never hurt for work or roles, said Egi. "Maybe my timing was good. Now, I think it's easier for Asian actors to get jobs; a young breed of Asian filmmakers are doing their own projects, and they're less willing to put up with old, clichéd images of Asians. To me, to launch change, you have to take charge yourself, and films such as 'Better Luck Tomorrow' have created a new generation of Asian-American voices."

Egi said he's fortunate to have worked in plays by eminent Asian writers like Philip Kanda and David Henry Hwang. "They've really done some breakthrough works for the Asian male image," he said. "That's the biggest struggle for Asian male actors — to improve the image and get ride of the clichés. Asian female roles are a lot more positive."

Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, or fax 525-8055.