Vietgone
Written by Qui Nguyen
Original Music & Music Direction by Gabriel Ruiz
Choreographed by Tommy Rapley
Directed by Lavina Jadhwani
About the Play
Equal parts road-trip adventure, buddy film, romantic comedy and Hamilton-esque rap musical, this epic new play repurposes pop culture from the last forty years to tell its “probably-mostly-true” story. Directed by Lavina Jadhwani, Vietgone takes a no-holds-barred approach, transporting you through time and across the globe to put an innovative spin on a critical moment in our history.
Advisory:
Recommended for ages 14 and up.
This production contains:
- Strong language and sexual situations
- Violent images
- Simulated drug use and vapor cigarettes
Please note that the production incorporates the use of fog and haze, as well as flashing lights.
Showtimes
Evenings
Tuesdays – Saturdays 7:30pm
select Sundays at 6pm
Matinees
Saturdays 3pm
select Sundays at 2pm
select Wednesdays at 3pm
- This is a reserved seat venue. Doors to the performance space will open approximately 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the performance.
- There is no late seating or readmittance.
- For performances listed as “Sold Out,” contact the Box Office for more information about our standby and wait list options as well as for assistance locating currently available dates and times.
Meet the Artists
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Aurora Adachi-Winter (Tong) |
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Rammel Chan* (Asian Guy/American Guy/Nhan/Khue) |
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Emjoy Gavino* (Asian Girl/American Girl/Thu/Huong/Translator/Flower Girl) |
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Ian Michael Minh (Playwright/Giai/Bobby/Captain Chambers/Redneck Biker/Hippie Dude) |
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Matthew C. Yee* (Quang) |
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Harrison Hapin (u/s Asian Guy/American Guy/Nhan/Khue) |
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Marissa Lichwick* (u/s Asian Girl/American Girl/Thu/Huong/Translator/Flower Girl) |
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Dan Lin (u/s Quang, Playwright/Giai/Bobby/Captain Chambers/Redneck Biker/Hippie Dude) |
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Emily Marso (u/s Tong) |
Qui Nguyen (Playwright)
Lavina Jadhwani (Director)
Gabriel Ruiz (Original Music & Music Director)
Tommy Rapley (Choreographer)
Yu Shibagaki (Scenic Designer)
Melissa Ng (Costume Designer)
Sarah Hughey (Lighting Designer)
Kevin O'Donnell (Sound Designer)
Rasean Davonte Johnson (Projections Designer)
Carol Ann Tan (Dramaturg)
Vahishta Vafadari (Dialect Coach)
Dwight Sora (Assistant Director)
Janelle Boudreau (Assistant Stage Manager)
David Castellanos* (Production Stage Manager)
*Denotes a member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers
Reviews
“This is, in the end, the story of love triumphing over despair— and Vietgone has a lot of heart!”
“[Don’t] miss this refreshingly different take on the refugee question and a stimulating story of love finding a way — from Southeast Asia to the American South!”
“Affectionately anachronistic and gleefully irreverent! A unique, playful and sometimes poignant examination of immigration, assimilation and love.”
“With exuberant theatricality, Vietgone ricochets through time and space...from Vietnam to Arkansas and the open roads of the American Southwest.”
“Vietgone is a play unlike any other you have ever seen!”
“Remarkably touching…with an imaginative, modern-day voice spewing no-holds-barred language that is very, very funny.”
Special Events
Save the dates for these special events!
Accessible Performances
Open-Captioned performance: Thursday, September 6, 2018 at 7:30pm
ASL-Interpreted performance: Saturday, September 22, 2018 at 7:30pm
The Making of... Vietgone:
MEANING THROUGH THE MUSIC
Monday, September 10, 2018 at 6:30pm
Featuring: WT Associate Artistic Director Geoff Button and Jeremy McCarter (co-author of Hamilton: The Revolution, founder of Make-Believe Association, director and producer)
Music plays a huge role in Vietgone, and the styles employed by playwright Qui Nguyen and composer Gabriel Ruiz are specific and intentional for each musical moment. At this engaging Q&A, WT Associate Artistic Director Geoff Button moderates a discussion with special guest Jeremy McCarter (co-author of Hamilton: The Revolution, founder of Make-Believe Association, director and producer) and others to break down the music in Vietgone, looking at the rich storytelling in rap and how popular music makes its way from radio waves to the stage. Seating is limited, RSVP is required.
Sunday Spotlight:
HISTORY FROM A NEW PERSPECTIVE
Sunday, September 16, 2018 at 11:30am
In Vietgone, playwright Qui Nguyen gives us a dynamic look at the Vietnam War and its aftermath from a rarely observed point of view. At this Sunday Spotlight event, we will be joined by a diverse panel of historians, activists and artists to discuss varying perspectives on this contentious time in history when the country—and the world—was undergoing great change. This free one-hour event begins at 11:30am, leaving you plenty of time for coffee or lunch before the 2pm Sunday matinee performance begins (though you may attend even if you are not staying for the performance)! Seating is limited, RSVP is required.
Post-Show Conversation: The Word
Join us after every Tuesday evening performance (excluding First Week and any extension weeks) for a 15-minute discussion of the play, facilitated by a member of the WT Artistic Team.
Post-Show Conversation: The Artist
Join us after every Wednesday evening performance (excluding First Week and any extension weeks) for a 15-minute talk-back featuring actors from the production, facilitated by a member of the WT Artistic Team.
Pre-Show Conversation: Up Close
Join us at 6:45pm in the Atrium before every Thursday evening performance (excluding First Week and any extension weeks) for a 15-minute primer on the context and content of the play, facilitated by a member of the WT Artistic Team.
VIETGONE First Rehearsal Photo Gallery
VIETGONE Photo Gallery
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