CAMBODIAN ROCK BAND

[A Director]

Posted: 1/16/20 at 6:48pm

Don't miss seeing CAMBODIAN ROCK BAND. It's outstanding.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/BWW-TV-Director-Chay-Yew-Discusses-The-Importance-of-CAMBODIAN-ROCK-BAND-20200116

[macnyc]

Posted: 1/16/20 at 7:26pm

I have my tickets! Looking forward to this one. 

[DrowsyKaye]

Posted: 1/16/20 at 7:31pm

Saw this in Chicago. One of my favorite shows of 2019 and an utterly brilliant piece of theater. Emotionally wrought and brilliantly constructed. An absolute must-see, especially for those who have been following the career of Lauren Yee, one of our most exciting contemporary playwrights.

[Rosette3]

Posted: 1/16/20 at 8:30pm

Thanks for putting on my radar! I thought it it had runs on the west coast.

[LuminousBeing]

Posted: 1/17/20 at 12:26am

Seeing it on February 19! So excited. Thanks for posting!

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 1/17/20 at 1:04am

I saw the production at Victory Gardens, and I absolutely loved it. Excited to see where this show goes in the future!

[UncleCharlie]

Posted: 1/17/20 at 1:04am

Rosette3 said: "Thanks for putting on my radar! I thought it it had runs on the west coast. "

It did. It premiered at South Coast Rep in CA and then had a run at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival last summer which is where I saw it. I thought King of the Yees and The Great Leap were just OK but Lauren Yee really hit a home run with this one.

[SingOutLouise3]

Posted: 2/8/20 at 8:56pm

Previews began at the Signature this week, does anyone have feedback on this production?

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 2/9/20 at 3:48pm

I saw the first preview and it was fantastic. Intense, great music. Fantastic performances.
If you're worried about gunshots, don't worry — there aren't any onstage. There are some made to sound like they're in the distance, but that's about it.

[wolfwriter]

Posted: 2/12/20 at 12:23am

Saw this tonight and it may end up as my favorite show of the year. Everything that opens in the next 10 months has A LOT to live up to.

Lauren Yee hasn't just hit a home run. She hit a grand slam right out of the park. 

The less you know about the show, the better, although, a cursory knowledge of Cambodia in the 1970s is helpful. The play is so well written, however, that everything is well-explained.

This is as much a play with music as it is, a musical.

The cast is exceptional, with everyone playing multiple parts AND playing in a band and making it all look easy. Their collective talent is astounding.

Francis Jue as the antagonist is astonishing. There are not enough words for his performance. He is heartbreaking, real & terrifying. He takes the audience on a very uncomfortable rollercoaster ride. I’d love to see him play the Emcee in Cabaret.

The music is great and played very well. Yee keeps the play moving and surprising. For all its darkness, she imbues the play with a good amount of humor, which also serves to keep the audience off-balance. It’s very effective.

Strangely, a Bob Dylan song is used more effectively than any song used in Girl From The North Country.

This is one of the best things I’ve ever seen at Signature. I hope this has a long life.

Updated On: 2/12/20 at 12:23 AM

[UncleCharlie]

Posted: 2/12/20 at 1:33am

wolfwriter said: "Francis Jue as the protagonist is astonishing. There are not enough words for his performance. He is heartbreaking, real & terrifying. He takes the audience on a very uncomfortable rollercoaster ride. I’d love to see him play the Emcee in Cabaret."

Jue is a wonderful actor and one of my favorites working today. His range is fantastic from a comedic and loopy Larry Yee is one of Lauren Yee's other works, King of the Yees to a completely different type of king with a wonderful performance in The King and I. He grew up in and works frequently in the Bay Area and I've had the good fortune to see him in 6 or 7 different roles over the years. And he has in fact, already played the MC in Cabaret in several regional productions in the 1990's. I will go see anything he's in.

[wolfwriter]

Posted: 2/12/20 at 1:49am

UncleCharlie said: "wolfwriter said: "Francis Jue as the protagonist is astonishing. There are not enough words for his performance. He is heartbreaking, real & terrifying. He takes the audience on a very uncomfortable rollercoaster ride. I’d love to see him play the Emcee in Cabaret."

Jue is a wonderful actor and one of my favorites working today. His range is fantastic from a comedic and loopy Larry Yee is one of Lauren Yee's other works, King of the Yees to a completely different type of king witha wonderful performance in The King and I. He grew up in and works frequently in the Bay Area and I've had the good fortune to see him in 6 or 7 different roles over the years. And he has in fact, already played the MC in Cabaret inseveral regional productionsin the 1990's. I will go see anything he's in."

I can easily see why you’re a fan and I look forward to seeing all his future work. As great as the cast is, several hours later, I’m still thinking about him (and casting him in so many other roles). 

[A Director]

Posted: 2/12/20 at 2:05am

wolfwriter said: "Saw this tonight and it may end up as my favorite show of the year. Everything that opens in the next 10 months has A LOT to live up to.

Lauren Yee hasn't just hit a home run. She hit a grand slam right out of the park.

The less you know about the show, the better, although, a cursory knowledge of Cambodia in the 1970s is helpful. The play is so well written, however, that everything is well-explained.

> You don't need to know anything about Cambodia.

This is as much a play with music as it is, a musical.

> It is not a musical.  Depending on your point of view, it's a play with a rock concert or a rock concert with a play.


Francis Jue as the protagonist is astonishing. 

Duch (Francis Jue) is not the protagonist; he's the antagonist. Chum (Joe Ngo) is the protagonist.  He's outstanding!

. I hope this has a long life."  The show is being done all over the country.

 

[wolfwriter]

Posted: 2/12/20 at 2:22am

A Director said: "wolfwriter said: "Saw this tonight and it may end up as my favorite show of the year. Everything that opens in the next 10 months has A LOT to live up to.

Lauren Yee hasn't just hit a home run. She hit a grand slam right out of the park.

The less you know about the show, the better, although, a cursory knowledge of Cambodia in the 1970s is helpful. The play is so well written, however, that everything is well-explained.

> You don't need to know anythingabout Cambodia.

This is as much a play with music as it is, a musical.

> It is not a musical. Depending on your point of view, it's a play with a rock concert or a rock concert with a play.


Francis Jue as the protagonist is astonishing.

Duch (Francis Jue) is not the protagonist; he's the antagonist. Chum (Joe Ngo) is the protagonist. He's outstanding!

. I hope this has a long life." The show is being done all over the country.

"

I was thinking I used the wrong term. I fixed it. Thanks for the correction.

As I clearly said, it certainly helps to know about Cambodia but it’s not vital.

Glad to hear it’s being done elsewhere. I had no way to know that.

It’s not a rock concert at all and I can’t imagine anyone thinking it is, especially Act Two which is mostly drama, but everyone can call it what they like. I did.

[Susanswerphone]

Posted: 2/17/20 at 12:04am

God! This was truly wonderful! Francis Jue is every bit as terrific as others have said. Also of note is Joe Ngo. This is a must see! Beautiful, crazy, scary, heartwarming ride and a GREAT score!

[Ledaero]

Posted: 2/17/20 at 12:31am

Saw this on Saturday night and also thoroughly enjoyed it. I found Lauren Yee’s script to be just an incredibly ambitious work of genius. The production itself I had my hesitations about. Acting felt a bit over the top and the tone felt too light (I know, weird critique given the subject of the play). Definitely an impressive feat and something that everyone should make their way to see. Feels like the Off-Broadway hit of the spring

[A Director]

Posted: 2/17/20 at 12:34am

Ledaero said: "Saw this on Saturday night and also thoroughly enjoyed it. I found Lauren Yee’s script to be just an incredibly ambitious work of genius. The production itself I had my hesitations about. Acting felt a bit over the top and the tone felt too light (I know, weird critique given the subject of the play). Definitely an impressive feat and something that everyone should make their way to see. Feels like the Off-Broadway hit of the spring"

The scenes in S21 aren't light.

 

[Ledaero]

Posted: 2/17/20 at 1:24am

The scenes in S21 aren't light.

Agreed, but even during the S21 scenes there was something about it that didn’t feel grounded or truthful. Maybe it was Jue’s often comedic/flamboyant tone, but it rarely felt fully invested in drama. But it certainly had its moments that landed hard.

 

[A Director]

Posted: 2/17/20 at 2:34am

Ledaero said: "The scenes in S21 aren't light.

Agreed, but even during the S21 scenes there was something about it that didn’t feel grounded or truthful. Maybe it was Jue’s often comedic/flamboyant tone, but it rarely felt fully invested in drama. But it certainly had its moments that landed hard.

Did you feel Joe Ngo's performance was grounded or truthful in the S21 scenes?

"

 

[Ledaero]

Posted: 2/17/20 at 9:04am

I did, I thought he was far and away the most grounded in the cast. Particularly when he was playing younger Chum. And his performance of The Times They Are A Changin’ was a real knock out moment for me. But when he was with scene partners like Leng and Duch, there was something about the acting/staging that didn’t feel totally dropped in. Maybe it was just the night I went, but I’m inclined to think I just didn’t connect with Yew’s direction choices.

[Rosette3]

Posted: 2/26/20 at 1:01pm

I screwed up and forgot that this show was of course are going to get reviews. I procrastinated and now the show is sold out for my travel date.

Courtney Reed mentioned on the Liveat5 episode that except for last 5, the show is sold out but people should still come for waitlist since there will inevitably be cancelation from season subscribers no shows. Is this historically the case and would they sell at Sig Theater Initative price (if applicable) or assume full price regardless? I'm coming from out of town and already booked my train so I could always see another show but trying to figure out realistically if this show is even still feasible or just change my trip all together for a later date.

ETA: List of Reviews 

Updated On: 2/26/20 at 01:01 PM

[Anakela]

Posted: 2/26/20 at 1:24pm

Waitlist is for full-price tickets. Can’t help on the availability question, but I feel like I remember a lot of people on here talking about getting in from the waitlist during Octet?

https://www.signaturetheatre.org/shows-and-events/Tickets---Policies.aspx

On the day of a sold out performance, we will take a waiting list for full-price tickets in person at the ground floor Box Office window one hour prior to showtime (check individual production pages for exact pricing).

[Pashacar]

Posted: 2/27/20 at 11:59am

Ledaero said: "Saw this on Saturday night and also thoroughly enjoyed it. I found Lauren Yee’s script to be just an incredibly ambitious work of genius. The production itself I had my hesitations about. Acting felt a bit over the top and the tone felt too light (I know, weird critique given the subject of the play)."

I have to agree with this. Easily the worst direction and design I've seen on a professional NY stage in years, which really weighed the much-stronger text down. I too didn't understand the cartoonish tone, and it often felt like the characters were in different plays – which feels like a Directing 101 failure.

I also have to say that while I found Yee's script overall impressively ambitious and engaging, I found it a bit weaker on the sentence level than I expected given the hype. The direction certainly did not help in covering up its seams, but some of the lines (for example, "That's when I realized: I don't want want justice. I want revenge." ) felt hackneyed and false in scenes that otherwise read as human and sincerely emotional.

Also, for what it's worth, there were, oddly, at least 10 empty seats at last night's "sold out" performance, so you may have some luck standing by for one of the remaining subsidized performances. I just might temper my expectations a bit going in.

Updated On: 2/27/20 at 11:59 AM

[Umeboshi]

Posted: 3/5/20 at 8:33am

Echoing Pashacar's comments to "temper your expectations a bit" but still recommend. Tickets are still available.

I have multiple issues with the play but I appreciate Yee's ambitions and intent to remind/introduce a mostly Western audience to a truly horrific time in history. My hope is that even if the play doesn't accurately portray real-life events, people will be inspired to learn more information about what actually happened. Commendable effort. 

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 3/5/20 at 8:44am

It looks like I am in the minority here, but I really did not care for this. I found the writing, direction, acting, and design to be extremely amateur. The second act definitely fares better than the first act, but the whole play is just very unbalanced and all over the place. That all being said, I do admire the play for making an effort to explore a dark time in history that I personally did not know a lot about, and I definitely learned a lot.