VIETGONE - San Diego Repertory Theatre, 01/25/18-02/18/18

Vietgone

January 25 - February 18, 2018
Where:  Lyceum Space

By Qui Nguyen
Directed by Jesca Prudencio
Set Design by Justin Humphres
Costume Design by Anastasia Pautova
Lightind Design by Bo Tindell
Sound Design by Melanie Chen Cole
Dramaturgy by Jim Short
Assistant Direction by Christine Nathanson
Stage Management by Heather Brose

Cast
Ben Levin as Quang
Katherine Ko as Tong
Lawrence Kao as Nhan/Khue/Asian Guy/American Guy
Shaun Tuazon as Playwright/Bobby/Hippie Dude/Redneck Biker/Giai
Emy Coligado as Huong/Flower Girl/Thu/American Girl/Translator

This is the story of how Quang meets Tong, how they flee from Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War, fall in love in a refugee camp in Arkansas, take a life changing road trip across 1970’s America and eventually give birth to a playwright named Qui Nguyen (who happens to have written this play). This love story is like no other. Told through the eyes of a very contemporary young American who loves pop culture, this sexy comedy is a mash-up of comic books, hip-hop, martial arts and Hollywood action movies. Acclaimed as one of the most innovative playwrights in the country, author Nguyen embraces two cultures and two time periods using a uniquely infectious style that The New York Times calls “culturally savvy comedy.”

About the Show

“A raucous, immensely moving comedy.”
- The New York Times

“★★★★! High-energy triumph!” 
- The Guardian

"Riotous and simply honest."
​- LA Times

“Where else can you get a new perspective on America fighting the Vietnam War mixed with ninjas, rap, motorcycles, sex, profanities and lots and lots of love? Vietgone is a blast and is a perfect antidote to today’s anti-other rhetoric.”
–Kim Heil, Associate Producer

Note: Vietgone is told with explicit language.

BUY TICKETS

VIETGONE Press Links:

• Feature: James Hebert – San Diego Union-Tribune
• Review: James Hebert – San Diego Union-Tribune
     "And what a breakout show this proves to be for the San Diego actor Tuazon, who seems equally at home as the second-generation Vietnamese-American playwright and as a hopeless yokel of a U.S. serviceman who sweetly pursues Tong."
• Review: David Coddon – San Diego CityBeat
• Review: Carol Davis – Carol’s Reviews
  "But it’s Shaun Tuazon who takes the spotlight each time he’s on stage as one of his five different characters from playwright to hippy to Redneck Biker wrapped in the stars and stripes, to translator. He was last seen locally in  “The Buddy Holly Story” as La Bamba. Such star power is not to be overlooked."
• Review: Bill Eadie – San Diego Story
• Review: Pat Launer – Times of San Diego
    "The only local cast member is Shaun Tuazon, who plays five roles — though it seems like more — from the playwright to a Hippie Dude; a Redneck Biker to a shy Arkansas airman. It’s a terrific showcase of malleability and physical flexibility for him, and he gives a funny edge to every character."
• Review: ErinMarie Reiter – Talk Theatre To Me
     "Ko and Levin make the chemistry and the emotional bond that develops between their characters, and their reluctance to speak those feelings lest they make them real, feel genuine.  The rest of the characters are provided by the versatile supporting cast of Tuazon, Coligado, and Kao as they do quick changes and play over a dozen other characters between them."
• Review: David Dixon – Talkin’ Broadway