Vietgone

by QUI NGUYEN 
original music by SHANE RETTIG
directed by MINA MORITA
Wurtele Thrust Stage

A love-and-war comedy

When Saigon falls in 1975, Quang and Tong, two Vietnamese refugees separated from their previous partners, have a sexy meet-cute in Arkansas that promptly becomes a no-strings-attached relationship to pass the time. Living in the land of “cheeseburgers, waffle fries and cholesterol” (aka America) proves to be an intoxicating adventure that leads Quang and Tong to question their futures, both together and in their new country. Part history play and part memoir, this whip-smart comedy is punctuated with flashbacks and bursts of rap songs, all while giving unabashed reflections on American culture and offering a human-centered view of the Vietnam War and its aftermath.

Three things to know

  • Vietgone is a music-filled, raucous romantic comedy set against the trauma of the Vietnam War. Playwright Qui Nguyen says this is not a play about war but a story about falling in love.

  • The play is packed with pop culture references, performances of rap music and witty banter. In this production, Director Mina Morita hopes to grapple with the enduring question, “What makes a home?” 

  • As a playwright, television/film writer and co-founder of the Obie Award-winning Vampire Cowboys Theatre Company in New York City, Nguyen is known for his innovative use of pop culture, stage violence, puppetry and multimedia.

Ticket prices

Tickets range from $20 to $79. 

See More

Group sales 

All student and adult groups of 15 or more qualify for discounts on tickets to Guthrie productions.

Learn More

Venue info

Vietgone will take place on the Wurtele Thrust Stage.

Pro tip: Can't do stairs or have a special seating request? Call the Box Office for details. 

Run time

Approximately 2 hours, 30 minutes (including intermission).

Content advisory

This production contains mature language and themes, strobe lights, haze and fog. See below or call the Box Office for more information.

See More

Health and safety

As COVID-19 prevention efforts continue to evolve, we are adjusting our health and safety policies as needed. Effective immediately, masks are required for all Sunday performances. Masks are encouraged but not required for all Tuesday – Saturday performances. Proof of vaccination is not required to see a performance at the Guthrie.

Accessibility

ASL-interpreted, audio-described and open-captioned performances are available on select dates.

Learn More about Accessibility

Memory mapping workshop

In partnership with The Southeast Asian Diaspora Project — known as The SEAD Project — the Guthrie hosted a memory mapping workshop in September where members of the Southeast Asian community in the Twin Cities traced their personal and family stories. The memory map is currently on display near the Wurtele Thrust Stage, and patrons are invited to view and add their own stories to the map throughout the run of Vietgone

Post-play discussions

Join us after select performances for a 20-minute conversation facilitated by Director of Community Engagement Rebecca Noon and featuring experts on topics covered within the play. Cast members may join the discussion as they are able.

See Dates and Speakers

Play Guide and program

Want to dig deeper into this story? Download the play guide or digital program.

Artists

Cast

Emjoy Gavino

Tong/Ensemble

Rebecca Hirota

Thu/Huong/Ensemble

Hyunmin Rhee

Quang

Eric Sharp

Nhan/Khue/Ensemble

Viet Vo

Playwright/Bobby/Giai/Ensemble

View More

Creative

Qui Nguyen

Playwright

Mina Morita

Director

Lex Liang

Scenic Designer

Enver Chakartash

Costume Designer

Masha Tsimring

Lighting Designer

Mikhail Fiksel

Sound Designer/Composer

Nicholas Hussong

Projection Designer

Anna J. Crace

Dramaturg

Keely Wolter

Vocal Coach

Darrius D. Strong

Movement Director

Aaron Preusse

Fight Director

Lori Lundquist

Stage Manager

Kathryn Sam Houkom

Assistant Stage Manager

Hyunmin Rhee

Dance Captain

Alessandra Bongiardina

Intimacy

Jennifer Liestman

Resident Casting Director

Oscar Pagnaroth Un

Rap Consultant

Anh Thu T. Pham

Cultural Consultant

View More

In the news

Review

Pioneer Press calls Vietgone "One of the best comedies to grace a Twin Cities stage in the past 10 years."

Read On

An interview with Mina Morita and Oscar Pagnaroth Un

The Star Tribune’s Rohan Preston sat down with Director Mina Morita and Rap Consultant Oscar Pagnaroth Un to talk all things Vietgone

Read On

Videos

Reflections on Vietgone

Hear from the cast of Vietgone as they share what performing in this irreverent-yet-heartfelt production means to them personally, here and now.

Teaser

Catch a sneak peek of Qui Nguyen's whip-smart comedy. 

Photos

Eric Sharp and Hyunmin Rhee. Photo: Dan Norman

Emjoy Gavino. Photo: Dan Norman

Hyunmin Rhee, Rebecca Hirota, Eric Sharp, Viet Vo, and Emjoy Gavino. Photo: Dan Norman

Rebecca Hirota. Photo: Dan Norman

Hyunmin Rhee and Emjoy Gavino. Photo: Dan Norman

Viet Vo, Eric Sharp, Hyunmin Rhee. Photo: Dan Norman

Emjoy Gavino, Hyunmin Rhee, Eric Sharp. Photo: Dan Norman

Explore more

Donate Now

Give a tax-deductible gift to the Guthrie today

Donate about Donate Now

Sally & Tom

A groundbreaking world premiere

Learn More about Sally & Tom

2022‒2023 Season

Celebrate 60 years of artistic excellence at the Guthrie

Explore the Lineup about 2022‒2023 Season
Call