"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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“Downtown theatergoers know the work of Qui Nguyen from his productions at the Vampire Cowboy Theatre Company which he co-founded in 2000. While ‘Vietgone’ 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.”
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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 Nguyen’s 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. It’s 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 production’s approach but it’s sexy, funny, and smart a lot of the time...One of the strongest elements of the play is Ikeda’s performance of Tong...It’s 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 Adrales’s 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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