Review: VIETGONE at UNICORN THEATRE, Kansas City

"Vietgone", a play by Qui Nguyen and directed by Cynthia Levin now performing at the Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City. In Nguyen's jolting play-within-play format there are frequent laughs, rap fueled poetry, and culture clashing dialogue. There is an interesting juxtaposition as Nguyen reverses the stereotypes of Americans-vs-immigrants. The story revolves around the lives of post war Vietnamese who are adapting to life as refugees in America. While there are a few flash backs to war torn Saigon, this story is more focused on what occurs in America as they deal with the conflict and confusion of having so abruptly left their homeland.

As the show opens the character known as "The Playwright" introduces the story that "is not about his parents", the charismatic hero Quang and the beautiful yet bitter Tong. Events unfold at a refugee camp in Arkansas where Quang and his pal Nhan decide to embark on a motorcycle trip to California in hopes of making it back to Vietnam. The buddies adventure through the American west leads them through 1970s pop-culture and ultimately has them facing the reality that their homeland is no longer the same. The story bounces back and forth along a scattered timeline, and double casting of the cast as multiple characters is confusing, at times. However, the politically incorrect raw-emotion rap infused tome is infused with a rowdy sense of absurdity that drives the point home.

Vi Tran(as Quang) is adept as the heroic South Vietnamese pilot who whisks a chopper full of refugees to safety onto the aircraft carrier Midway after Saigon falls. He captures the roughness of this tough man (especially in his rap) with effective grittiness. Ai Vy Bui (as Tong) captures in the role the fierce independence, trash-talking and sexually tenacious young woman. As she all but drags her skeptical and world-weary mom, Huong (Andi Meyer), along with her to safety in America their relationship begins to change. Meyer's cynical yet motherly henpecking is perfectly irritating as she resists becoming Americanized. Eric Palmquist (as Nhan) delivers exquisite wit and comic timing to the "best friend" and in several smaller roles. Sean Yeung (as Bobby/Playwright/others) rounds out this terrific ensemble with suave charm as he tackles the multiple personalities with lightheartedness that provides levity in the midst of some more serious subject matter. Audience members will appreciate the excellent casting choices that make this ensemble hum like a Harley heading across the western road.

The set, property designs, and costumes are eye-catching yet effectively understated thanks to Emily Swenson, Eric Palmquist, and Gretchen Halle. Victor en Yu Tan's lighting and Alex Davila's projections help to establish the rapid switch between geographic locations and scenes with precision and proficiency. The sound, by designer Jon Robertson (and assistant engineer Wyatt Wooden), and musicians (Jacob Heinerickson on guitar & Caleb Fankhauser on drums) is both vibrant and perfectly timed. This show's demanding rapid fire scene changes went beautifully due to the earnest work of Stage Manager Tanya Brown and Crew. This production team also included Amanda Dawson (Dramaturg), Courtney Dozier (Production Assistant), and Zoe Spangler (Assistant Lighting Designer).

"Vietgone" embodies the look and feel of how diversity can be creatively honored in theatre. Exploring divergent viewpoints has the power to dispel our narrow pre-conceived ideas about others and this show hits that mark. And, where else can you find such provocative material and ninjas, too?

"Vietgone " continues through May 13, 2018, on the Levin Stage, at the Unicorn Theatre. Tickets may be purchased by phone at (816) 531-7529, in person at the Unicorn box office, at 3828 Main St, KCMO, or via The Unicorn website. www.unicorntheatre.org

Photos courtesy of Cynthia Levin and The Unicorn Theatre