The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow

Last night, we went to see "The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow: An Instant Message with Excitable Music" at the San Jose Repertory Theatre. It should be noted that the phrase "Intelligent Design" is not about creation theory, but about designing intelligence. The main character designs a robot with artificial intelligence. In fact, Jenny Chow is the name of the robot.

Generally, I do not like to read reviews before I go see a performance. However, last week, I kinda "accidentally" read the first paragraph of the Chronicle's review of the play:

It's almost unfair. Rolin Jones' "The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow" is so snarkily funny, so filled with youthful creativity and satiric edge that it scarcely prepares you for the emotional depth it develops or the dramatic punch it delivers in the end.

I think this is an excellent overview of the play. I especially like the phrase "snarkily funny." The lead character has an attitude and is constantly making sarcastic comments. That is a really good description of the humor in the play.

Anyway, my wife and I thought the play was great. The lead actress (Sue Jean Kim) gave an excellent performance of a 22 year old home-bound agorophobic hi-tech genius. On the surface, the character is tough, abrasive and unemotional. As the play goes on, you begin to see the vulnerability lurking underneath. While the character seems to be continually trying to manipulate others, one discovers that she usually gives more than she gets.

All of the characters in the play seem authentic. In the program, there is an interview with the playwright (Rolin Jones), where he states that people come up to him and claim that he was writing about their family or friends. That is very believable, I think I recognized several people in the play. Furthermore, the characters are dealing with real life issues that affect all of our lifes.

A few posts ago, I wrote about a theme contrasting isolation versus warmth. In that case, it was big city versus small town. The same theme occurs here, but this time it is a contrast between the main character's alienation from real life (especially from her parents) and the intimacy she acheives through correspondence across the internet.

In summary, we greatly enjoyed this play and recommend that you go see it. It will be playing at the San Jose Rep for 2 more weeks (until April 16th).