A.C.T. to present Qui Nguyen's Irreverent Road-trip Comedy, VIETGONE

By: Dec. 18, 2017
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A.C.T. to present Qui Nguyen's Irreverent Road-trip Comedy, VIETGONE American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) continues its 2017-18 season with Qui Nguyen's critically acclaimed play, Vietgone (February 21-April 22, 2018). Hailed as a "raucous, immensely moving comedy" by the New York Times, Vietgone is a modern twist on the classic story of boy meets girl. In this irreverent new comedy, three young Vietnamese immigrants leave a war-torn country for an eye-opening road trip across the bewildering and foreign landscape of 1970s America.

A vibrant mash-up of audacious language, pop-culture references, and kick-ass romance, Vietgone is an action-packed road trip that shifts gears instantaneously from hilarity to heart-wrenching drama. Following sold-out houses at Oregon Shakespeare Festival and New York's Manhattan Theatre Club, this sexy, sassy, freewheeling ride, backed by original hip-hop and Motown rhythms, will roll into The Strand in an all-new production this February.

Single tickets (ranging from $25-$90) are available at the A.C.T. Box Office at 415.749.2228 or online at act-sf.org. Ticket prices are subject to change without notice.

"Vietgone is a humorous and heartwarming play that reexamines the Vietnam War and tracks the refugee experience in an entirely new way through a mash-up of uniquely unconventional styles-from hip-hop and comedy to martial arts and video," says A.C.T. Artistic Director Carey Perloff. "We are delighted to introduce San Francisco Bay Area audiences to playwright Qui Nguyen and director Jaime Castañeda and look forward to partnering with the Vietnamese community on a number of cultural events throughout the engagement."

Under the direction of Jaime Castañeda (Associate Artistic Director at La Jolla Playhouse), Vietgone features (in alphabetical order) Jenelle Chu, Stephen Hu, Cindy Im, James Seol, and Jomar Tagatac.

The creative team for Vietgone includes Brian Sidney Bembridge (Scenic Designer), Jessie Amoroso (Costume Designer), Wen-Ling Liao (Lighting Designer), Jake Rodriguez (Sound Designer), Chris Lundahl (Projection Designer), Shammy Dee (Original Music), and Natalia Duong (Assistant Director).

In connection with Vietgone, A.C.T. will offer numerous InterACT events-many of which are presented free of charge-that will give patrons opportunities to get closer to the action while having an entire night out at the theater. Visit act-sf.org/interact to learn more about subscribing to these events throughout the season. • Bike to the Theater Night:
Wednesday, February 21, 6:30 p.m.
Providing a greener alternative to theater transportation, A.C.T. and the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition offer free valet bike parking, as well as a special discount on tickets, for these select performances.

• Tech Night:
Thursday, February 22, 5:30 p.m.
Join us at a neighborhood bar for a happy hour with hors d'oeuvres, drinks, and mingling with industry contacts and theatergoers before walking over to A.C.T.'s Geary Theater for the 8 p.m. performance.

• Prologue:
Tuesday, March 6, 5:30 p.m.
Before the curtain goes up, get a sneak peek at the artistic process at this fascinating preshow discussion with the director and artistic staff.

• Audience Exchanges:
Tuesday, March 13, 7 p.m. | Wednesday, March 28, 2 p.m. | Sunday, April 1, 2 p.m.
After the show, stick around for a lively Q&A session with the actors and artists who create the work onstage.

• OUT with A.C.T.:
Wednesday, March 14, following the 7:30 p.m. performance
The best LGBT night in town! Mingle with the cast and enjoy free drinks and treats at this popular after-party.

• Theater on the Couch:
Friday, March 16, following the 7:30 p.m. performance
This exciting postshow discussion series addresses audience questions and explores the minds, motives, and behavior of the characters.

• Community Day:
Saturday, March 17, 4 p.m.
Join us for a celebration of Vietnamese food, music, and culture.

• Wente Vineyards Wine Series:
Tuesday, March 27, 6:30 p.m.
Before the show, raise a glass at this wine-tasting event featuring the Bay Area's hottest local winery.

• PlayTime:
Saturday, April 14, 12:45 p.m.
Before this matinee performance, get hands-on with the artists who make it happen at this interactive theater workshop. A.C.T.'s production of Vietgone is made possible by executive producers Jerome L. and Thao N. Dodson and Nola Yee; producers Carlotta and Robert Dathe and Anne and Michelle Shonk; and associate producers Dr. and Mrs. Richard E. Geist, Helen M. Marcus, and Rick and Anne Riley.

A.C.T. would also like to acknowledge its 2017-18 season presenters Frannie Fleishhacker; Priscilla and Keith Geeslin; Fred M. Levin and Nancy Livingston, The Shenson Foundation; Burt and Deedee McMurtry; Arthur Rock and Toni Rembe; Mary and Steven L. Swig; Jeffrey W. and Laurie Ubben; season partner PG&E; lead education partner Wells Fargo; Season Airline Sponsor United Airlines; and Official Hotel Sponsor Hotel G.

Up next, A.C.T. will present Simon Stephens's hit play Heisenberg (March 14-April 8, 2018). This will be followed by Father Comes Home from the Wars (Parts 1, 2 & 3) (April 25-May 20, 2018), Pulitzer Prize winner Suzan-Lori Parks's explosively powerful and lyrical new play set against the backdrop of the Civil War. Closing out the 2017-18 season, A.C.T. will present the world-premiere musical A Walk on the Moon (June 5-July 1, 2018), based on the 1999 movie of the same name.



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