UCR’s Department of Theatre, Film, and Digital Production presents

VIETGONE

by Qui Nguyen
Original Music by Shammy Dee

February 15-24, 2024
ARTS Studio Theatre

Director: Oánh Nguyễn
Music Director: Shammy Dee
Scenic and Video Design: Christopher Scott Murillo
Costume Design: Landis Maren York
Lighting Design: Jacqueline Malenke
Sound Design: Ryan Brodkin

When Saigon falls in 1975, Quang and Tong, two Vietnamese refugees separated from their previous partners, have a sexy meet-cute in Arkansas that promptly becomes a no-strings-attached relationship to pass the time. Living in the land of “cheeseburgers, waffle fries, and cholesterol” (aka America) proves to be an intoxicating adventure that leads Quang and Tong to question what their future will look like--both together and in their new country. Part history play and part memoir, this whip-smart romantic comedy is punctuated with flashbacks, pop culture references, ninja battles, and bursts of rap songs, all while giving unabashed reflections on American pop culture, offering a human-centered view of the Vietnam War and its aftermath, and grappling with the enduring question, "What makes a home?"

VIETGONE is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

Please be advised that this production includes the use of atmospheric smoke effects, prolonged strobing and flashing lights, and loud simulated explosions, bombs, and gunfire. VIETGONE contains adult subject matter, scenes of violence, and strong language.

The running time is approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission. 

View or download the program.

Please join us for a talkback with the dramaturg and members of the cast and production team following the February 23rd performance.

Tickets:
$15 General 
$12 Students, UCR alumni cardholders, senior citizens, & children.
Currently enrolled UCR students may reserve one complimentary ticket online. 

Phone Orders and Customer Service:
Monday-Friday, 10:00am-2:00pm: (909) 227-4788 / isabele@ucr.edu
For advanced in-person ticket purchases please email Isabel Edwards (isabele@ucr.edu) to arrange a day/time.
The box office at the theatre will open one hour prior to each performance for in-person ticket purchases and will call ticket pickup.

Ticket Policies:
Please order carefully; no exchanges, transfers, or refunds are allowed, except in the event a performance is canceled (this includes complimentary UCR student tickets).
Complimentary UCR student tickets must be picked up at the theatre at least five minutes prior to the announced start time of the performance, and may only be picked up by the student who made the online reservation with their valid UCR student ID.

Seating:
There is no reserved seating so arrive early for the best seats. We recommend arriving at least 20 minutes prior to the announced start time of the performance.
As a courtesy to performers and audience members, latecomers will not be seated until a suitable pause in the performance.
Latecomer seating is limited and not guaranteed.

Cast:
Quang: Edwin TolosaGonzales
Tong: Emily Luong
Houng (and Others): Ambereen Khan
Nhan (and Others): Ethan Dizon
Playwright (and Others): Bryan Fan
Bobby (and Others): Kow Nguyen
Thu (and Others): Samantha Leung

Production Staff:
Stage Manager: Dorothy Ledesma
Assistant Stage Managers: Stephanie Allison, Rachel Millar
Dramaturg: Por Tupsamphan
Fight Choreographer: Andy Lowe
Intimacy Choreographer: Shinshin Tsai
Assistant Director: Theodore Bao
Assistant Scenic Designer: Danica Hale
Assistant Costume Designer: Carlos Camacho
Assistant Sound Designer: Mireya Montalvan

Parking:Parking:
Parking is available in Lot 1 Blue for $8. Parking must be purchased in advance as there are no onsite parking attendants.
Click here to purchase. Please be sure to select the correct date and time of your performance.
Free parking for Friday and Saturday performances is available in lots further away from the ARTS Studio Theatre. Please visit https://transportation.ucr.edu/visitor-parking for more details.