Vietgone NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (197)
See it if plays that cast a different perspective on a well-known historical event using the very best theatricality sparks you curiosity
Don't see it if you prefer the typical living-room dramas produced for this sort of audience or if you don't care for excessive profanity.
See it if you appreciate great new work and can't afford to see Hamilton - this is one of the best shows I've seen this season!
Don't see it if there is no good reason not to see this!
See it if You are interested in a different perspective of history, enjoy the Hamilton soundtrack, love great staging, want to see fantastic acting.
Don't see it if You dislike stories that jump time period and place, are uncomfortable with cursing and sex.
See it if you want to see Asian characters at the center of their own narratives, with great nods to Hamilton-style hip hop theater.
Don't see it if You need to have white people or white perspectives at the core of every story.
See it if A very interesting exploration on the Vietnam war from America Allie/ Immigrant point of view. Donald you need to se this Playđșđž
Don't see it if If your Donald Trump or don't like progressive Theatre. Great work on all accounts
See it if You want a fresh look at the Vietnam War from the Vietnamese pov. You like rap music, geek theater, romantic comedy & challenging ideas.
Don't see it if You want a conventional musical about conventional subjects, hate rap music and cultural references, don't like innovative theater.
See it if Poor person's Hamilton.Great songs, fights. Armadillos a rare sight on stage. Lucky audience members get a fortune cookie; in my case two.
Don't see it if Historically weak. Dialogue is way too contemporary for the time. Rap had yet to emerge. Opening scene w playwright way too cute and hammy.
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.
Critic Reviews (38)
"Astonishingly, none of this feels extraneous or gratuitous...And despite the (intentionally) broad playing style, passionate, complex feelings do indeed come through...'Vietgone' does not entirely benefit from the nonlinear chronology Nguyen has imposed, and the zaniness does start to wear a bit thin...Even during the weaker stretches, though, director May Adrales keeps the pacing sprightly and the froth bubbling, and keeps you from remaining at sea for long."
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âDowntown theatergoers know the work of Qui Nguyen from his productions at
the Vampire Cowboy Theatre Company which he co-founded in 2000. While
âVietgoneâ is often untidy and overly complex, this exuberant autobiographical
play is a fascinating look at the Vietnamese American experience from their
point of view written by an insider. Under the direction of May Adrales, the
versatile cast makes this an offbeat and absorbing evening in the theater.â
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"Sometimes funny, occasionally exasperating and totally confounding...'Vietgone' is garnished heavily with potty humor and a generous dollop of rap...It is the surreal aspects, under the helter-skelter direction of Adrales, that make this otherwise over-long skit defensible...Nguyen can be respectfully acknowledged for his decision to avoid anything close to reverential. Perhaps I just wasn't convinced that his honorable family story was best served through this style of politicized farce."
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"The story is moving, the rhymes are natural and poignant, and the characters touch on many real challenges of coping with refugee life. Director May Adrales has expertly drawn out wonderful performances from this cast...Nguyen has lovingly created a tribute to his family and his heritage through humor and heart, and without ever stepping foot on the proverbial soap box. 'Vietgone' is definitely not to miss."
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"'Vietgone' moves into newer territory for the usually staid pieces seen at Manhattan Theatre Club...Very contemporary, flippant and freewheeling play that includes rap, hip-hop (original music Shane Rettig), ninjas, ongoing expletives and frequent timeline changes that can be a little head-spinning...May Adrales directs this playful, yet serious piece and seems to know how to go with the flow, creating an excellent presence."
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"Qui Nguyenâs play has all of the ingredients of solid entertainment: a captivating love story, action-packed fight scenes, comedy that hits all the bases, and sculpted men having their shirts ripped off. What truly brings this production to the next level is its ability to challenge normative liberalism and racial stereotypes in a way that is illuminating without being force-fed. Itâs a delicate balance that is executed with wit and finesse by director May Adrales."
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"The emotional elements do not consistently fuse with the productionâs approach but itâs sexy, funny, and smart a lot of the time...One of the strongest elements of the play is Ikedaâs performance of Tong...Itâs nice to see a female character, particularly one in essentially a romantic comedy, be neutral (to hostile) about marriage and motherhood...Despite these smart and interesting choices, the play stumbles when it breaks into rap and R&B musical numbers."
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"Playwright Nguyen has developed characters with believable conflicts that drive an intriguing and transformative plot...Under May Adralesâs careful direction, Jennifer Ikeda, Raymond Lee, and the ensemble cast deliver captivating performances permeated with honesty and authenticity...'Vietgone' adds to the richness of the understanding of how love transcends indifference and adds richly to the dramatic fabric of contemporary American theatre."
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