Filipino American Artists Network

Michael Chih Ming Hornbuckle, Peter J. Wong & Greg Watanabe

The all-Asian American sketch comedy group – “The 18 Mighty Mountain Warriors,” is currently performing at THE COMPLEX (Ruby Theater), 6476 Santa Monica Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90038. It premiered last August 1 and will be running Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun @8p until AUGUST 24, 2008. The cast includes Junko Goda, Michael Chih Ming Hornbuckle, Kennedy Kabasares, Jully Lee, Greg Watanabe, & Peter J. Wong.

Junko Goda

Kennedy Kabasares

Jully Lee

I was able to see a preview of what their show would be like when they performed yesterday at the Tuesday Night Cafe, Aratani Courtyard/Union Center for the Arts. Make sure to see this company which created a skit about as simple as craving for a Korean BBQ, so hilariously funny.

San Francisco Weekly described them as,”..the home-grown troupe’s brand of no-holds-barred humor explores culturally specific topics as well as touchy social issues like the stereotype of Asian-American men as emasculated, all from a tongue-in-cheek “golden brown perspective.” Controversial and risqué, the Mountain Warriors shy away from few subjects, earning them comparisons to In Living Color, Saturday Night Live, and Monty Python.”

This group was originally formed as a comedy writing group called the Rough Edge Writers in the bay area around 1994. After writing material for a few months they decided to put on a show. Eventually they renamed their group based on their sketch at that time called, “the 18 Mighty Mountain Warriors.” It was a parody of the Chinese novel,“Water Margin,” which featured 108 heroes of the mountain. Since then, the Rough Edge Writers has faded away leaving only the 18 Mighty Mountain Warriors.

The original group members were: Harold S. Byun, Valiant Chow, Rhoda Gravador, Rania Ho, Michael Chih Ming Hornbuckle, Todd Nakagawa, Greg Watanabe, Pearl Wong, Peter J. Wong. Original members of the Rough Edge Writers that are in the group today are Harold S. Byun and Michael Chih Ming Hornbuckle. Most everyone else in the group has been around since about the time 18 Mighty Mountain Warriors was formed. The exception is Rhoda Gravador who is the “baby” of the group and joined around 1996.

Last year, they won the 2007-Emmy Award for documentary,”Mighty Warriors of Comedy.” They were also recognized in 2006 as Champions in International Sketch Comedy Championships. In 2005, SF Bay Guardian heralded them as – Bay Area’s Best Comedy Troupe.

I asked Greg & Michael what is the secret of their group’s longetivity:

“The keys to longevity are many. First, make sure the people in the group get along with each other. This sounds mean, but people who cause problems in the group should be let go. Second, make sure you have firm emotionally stable leadership. Leadership is dirty backbreaking work, but someone needs to do it. If a group lacks the leadership, then the group will dissolve. Also, if the leadership works hard but is emotionally unstable (say, prone to temper tantrums) then the group will break up. Third, accomplish something every once in a while. Whether it be winning an award or hitting a milestone. Accomplishments will keep members interested in the group. Our group has been lucky in having all this.”

Michael also advises young sketch comedy groups that:

“Give 100%, don’t give up, and show up on time. Organization-wise, I’d set up the charter or rules of the group very early on. This will eliminate a lot of arguments that can happen. Set up firm leadership guidelines early on. It’s a big mistake to form a group as a collective where everyone has an equal say. Collectives tend not to work. Have SOME sort of leadership even if it’s rotating chairs. Have some sort of decision making structure so meetings don’t dissolve into endless arguments. All this will save a LOT of headaches down the line.”

For a group who is in the business of being funny, this group is serious and dedicated about their craft.

You can read more about them on:

http://www.18mmw.com

http://www.myspace.com/18mightymountainwarriors

For Info/Reservations: 818-754-4500 or email 18mightymountainwarriors@gmail.com
or buy ONLINE at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/38603