Review: THE HEART SELLERS at Seattle Rep

Seattle Rep has opened a deeply moving and heartfelt production on its stage. The Heart Sellers explores themes of political uncertainty, belonging, and the profound depth of female friendship, offering an intimate and affecting look at one night that likely changed everything for two women. Beautifully written by Lloyd Suh and meticulously directed by Sunam Ellis, The Heart Sellers is now playing at Seattle Rep, and it is not to be missed.

Set on a chilly Thanksgiving evening in 1973, the entire 90-minute play unfolds within the walls of a single apartment. We meet two Asian American immigrants who had just encountered each other in the supermarket below. What follows is the gradual, tender formation of a connection that simultaneously deepens our own affection for them. Luna, the apartment’s resident, is charismatic, energetic, and effortlessly funny, while Jane is more reserved and hesitant. With both of their husbands working late and no family or friends nearby, the two women turn to one another for companionship, understanding, and comfort.

Every aspect of this production felt top-tier. Scenic Designer Parmida Ziaei crafted a beautifully intricate space for the evening's events. With large and small details falling perfectly in sync with one another, creating the exact place you’d imagine the character of Luna to reside. The levels to the space, along with the perfect 70’s design and color scheme, made the production a visual treat. 

Costume Designer Ty Pyne’s work is another standout. Luna’s bold purples and playful stripes contrast wonderfully with Jane’s more subdued and classic attire, immediately communicating the differences between the two women before they even speak. As the night unfolds, the costumes subtly evolve, mirroring the characters' emotional shifts and growing intimacy.

Dialect Coach Joy Lanceta Coronel’s contribution is also vital and clearly effective; both actors maintain consistent, natural dialects throughout the performance, lending authenticity and grounding to the story.

With only two performers, the production rests entirely on the chemistry between Becca Q. Co (Luna) and Seoyoung Park (Jane), and they deliver beautifully. Their performances feel deeply connected, each responding intuitively to the other, creating a relationship that feels organic, layered, and emotionally truthful.

Co’s Luna is vibrant and energetic, filled with nerves and physical expressiveness that makes her instantly captivating. Her performance effectively conveys both the character’s humor and her underlying anxiety with remarkable precision. In contrast, Park’s Jane is quietly powerful; her shyness doesn’t come across as passive but instead reflects a rich internal movement. Park skillfully leads us through Jane’s emotional development with nuance and restraint, making her transformation feel earned and deeply impactful.

The Heart Sellers is an incredibly topical and important piece of work, and these two performers and the creative team absolutely knock it out of the park. If you are in the market for a heartwarming, critical, and topical night of art. This might just be the show for you.