Vietgone

See it if you like shows that help you see something you thought you knew from an entirely new perspective. Great staging. Clever. Funny. A MUST SEE!

Don't see it if ??? Can't think of any reason to not see this enlightening and entertaining show. I know it's a cliché but-I laughed. I cried. I loved it.

See it if You like serious themes presented in a campy way. It's a historical drama, comic book, romantic comedy, and rap musical. (!)

Don't see it if The combination of styles seemed a bit incongruous at first, but it grew on me.

Also My 19-year old daughter loved it.

See it if you remember the 60's and are willing to reevaluate your memories with a joyous life affirming musical combing period songs and Asian hiphop

Don't see it if you find staged intimacy and crude language offensive.

See it if The topic interests you.

Don't see it if Even though it is an important story, the play feels disjointed and I found it hard to care about the characters.

Also The mother daughter relationship was unpleasant to watch. The mother did not seem at all like a real person. Some of the actors played multiple parts which was a times confusing. They did not differentiate the different characters well enough so it was confusing as to who they were supposed to be at times.... Read more Read less

See it if you like great sets and unusual storytelling and direction; you want a dose of humor with your war stories; touching, well acted ending.

Don't see it if it bothers you that much of the play's direction and acting are over the top and often cartoonish.

Also The play would have benefited greatly from tighter editing. The writer, who is clearly very talented, couldn't seem to decide if this was a musical or not. The rapping seemed out of place and to me, didn't benefit the story.... Read more Read less

See it if You like to have your assumptions challenged, like plays w historical reference, appreciate clever staging/projections, like work by MTC.

Don't see it if You don't like rap, loud music/sounds, don't like work about different cultures or experiences, not interested in a new POV about Vietnam.

Also I really liked this, but didn't really see the point of the musical interludes. Felt it was almost two different productions and that the musical pieces could have been removed entirely with no harm to the show. There's a lot of profanity, and some feels gratuitous, so factor that in if you think you'll be uncomfortable with that.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a brilliant play about the uphill climb faced by the Vietnamese who emigrated to the U.S. at the end of the war;with music

Don't see it if You are easily offended by offensive language and sexual acts; do not like rap or cartoonish action

Also Vietgone Is a love story and also a true one about the problems that the Vietnamese faced assimilating into the American culture, while longing for the family that were left behind.
They were interred in resettlement camps and felt isolated and forgotten.
The play manages to make you laugh and cry at the same time. It is one of my favorites of the season.... Read more Read less

See it if you like a show that's a bit off-beat; interested in history from another point of view with a bit of rap thrown in for good measure.

Don't see it if you prefer the ordinary, run-of-the-mill show; hate rap, profanity, and sex; you are not interested in history from another point of view.

See it if War's tragic outcome seen from perspective of S. Vietnamese helicopter pilot. Hijinx in relocation camp could not be funnier. Hip-hop, too

Don't see it if Uncomfortable denunciations of anti-war correctness. Raymond Lee & Jennifer Ikeda lead a stellar cast. Clever use of contemporary language.

See it if you're interested in a silly, spirited take on Vietnamese immigrants and their families during and immediately after the Vietnam war.

Don't see it if Comic book sensibility, Hamilton wanna-be, albeit well done, and no deep message. Was a bit long and the silliness offset empathy.

See it if you enjoy period pieces about the effect of the war on Vietnamese citizens relocated to USA.

Don't see it if the thought of seeing "Nam"-ilton isn't exciting

See it if you are interested in the Vietnamese-American struggle, or the inmigrant experience and like non-traditional romantic stories.

Don't see it if you do not like rap music, are not interested in the Vietnamese expirience in the US and would not like a different view of the Vietnam war.

See it if You like different and creative. War from Vietnamese perspective. Funny moments plus touching and insightful. Lots of action. Good visuals.

Don't see it if You are turned off by cursing (F..K said repeatedly) or by rap (just a few songs) or by long shows (2 1/2 hrs). Needs cutting and tightening

Also Despite some flaws a very worthwhile play. The "author" speaks to audience which is captivating. The last scene is so powerful - makes the play and brings it to another level.... Read more Read less

See it if you enjoy a lighthearted love story set against the historical backdrop of Vietnamese immigrants after the Vietnam war.

Don't see it if you don't enjoy plays about love or war.

Also There are some surprisingly good special effects in a limited space.

See it if if you like rap and are interested in what happened to the Vietnamese as they settled in the US. The actors were very talented.

Don't see it if you don't like rap and would rather get absorbed in the story of the people's lives.

See it if The antithesis of Miss Saigon: strong, sex-positive Asian female who doesn't need a man makes it in America and chooses a heroic Asian man.

Don't see it if Vietnam War is triggering. Discomfort with flipping meek Asian archetypes / stereotypes. Dislike refugees.

Also Ticket from online rush for $32.50.

See it if You remember the Viet Nam War.

Don't see it if You do not like innovative theater.

See it if Looks at a time in history and adds a fresh new view.

Don't see it if If you don't enjoy contemporary theatrical experiences

See it if you're up for a wildly fresh & funny take on the Asian immigrant experience — language, change, war, loss & love as seen from that side.

Don't see it if you're easily confused by nonlinear plays, don't like needlessly vulgar rap, asians, immigrants or have writ in stone opinions about Vietnam

Also Every family has stories; some are more colorful or epic, others more tragic or funny. Just the fact of parents, too, everyone's parents, are stories just waiting to be dug out and passed on; along the way, someone always says, "Someone should write this down." Nguyen has done just that, and then some.

Using the raw material of how his parents met in a US camp after the Vietnam War, Nguyen's constructed a pinball machine of a play, colorfully bouncing back & forth across time, culture & language. Disorienting from the immigrants' POV, they speak perfectly as the Americans speak pidgin and nonsense. It's all wonderfully well observed and very funny.

The ensemble cast is near-perfect and terrific, the last scene touching and quite moving & real.

The rap songs however are mostly weak & repetitive, though a great idea & well delivered; but is rap by definition that vulgar? The profanity seems gratuitous, at times out of character.

Still, it's a fun, unique & fresh ride; go see it.... Read more Read less

See it if you love fresh original plays

Don't see it if oh just see it!

See it if you want a show about the fall of South Vietnam and the aftermath of the displaced people. Predictable story.

Don't see it if gratuitous profanity that doesn't add much offends. Some characters not really believable and annoying to watch. 45min should be cut.

See it if refugees, the Vietnam War, or racial stereotypes are things that cross your mind.

Don't see it if ...you think stereotypes should be perpetuated...? Or I guess if language offends you.

See it if You remember the Airlift and want to know more about those people and what happened to them. You like a quirky romance.

Don't see it if You are a prude. You want to see the Vietnamese people as not quite like us.

Also This was another in a long list of shows that I went to see because there was nothing else and I wanted to see a show and it turned out to be much better than many others shows. It was very touching and romantic. It was heartfeld to see that love wins out.... Read more Read less

See it if want to a very original look at the effect of the Vietnam war on Vietnamese people; it's funny, has musical numbers & highly entertaining

Don't see it if aren't interested in Asian Culture, the Vietnam War or a different type of love story

See it if you are willing to be challenged, provoked and engaged. Great acting, passion, and thought-provoking. Put yourself in another's shoes to see

Don't see it if you are upset by profanity that fits the characters and the situation. you want to be entertained without thought