The performer’s autobiographical journey from the fall of Saigon to new life in America
PlayMakers Repertory Company will present the regional premieres of three thought-provoking productions in its 2015-2016 PRC2 second-stage series. The series kicks off August 26-30 with Trieu Tran’s powerful one-man show “Uncle Ho to Uncle Sam.”
PRC² features innovative, topical presentations coupled with engaging post-show discussions with the creative artists and expert panelists following each performance.
PlayMakers describes the series as “dynamic productions followed by a ‘second act’ of conversation with our audience.”
“Uncle Ho to Uncle Sam,” written by Tran with Robert Egan, who also directs, is the performer’s personal tale of a haunting search for sanctuary. As a young boy, Tran and his family barely escaped the fall of Saigon and the horrors of a Viet Cong re-education camp to become refugees, at last coming to America. “Uncle Ho to Uncle Sam” is his riveting journey of hardship and brutality, leading to a new world of gang war, hip hop and Shakespeare on the other side.
The Seattle Times called the performance “a powerful tale of blistering force.” The Hollywood Reporter described it as “poignant … its power is so sustained and undeniable, it makes so many other autobiographical forays seem trivial by comparison.”
Tran’s screen credits include “Hancock” and “Tropic Thunder.” He was also a series co-star of HBO’s “The Newsroom.”
Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. nightly and 2 p.m. on August 30 in the Elizabeth Price Kenan Theatre in the Center for Dramatic Art on Country Club Road. Ticket prices start at $15 and may be purchased at www.playmakersrep.org or by calling 919.962.7529.
Also featured in the upcoming PRC2 season are “Highway 47,” written and performed by KJ Sanchez (Jan. 6-10, 2016) and “The Real Americans,” written and performed by Dan Hoyle (April 27-May 1, 2016).
Subscription packages for PlayMakers’ 2015-2016 Season, including these PRC² shows, are also currently available.
PlayMakers is the professional theater company in residence at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
PlayMakers contact (for press information, interviews, photos and art): Connie Mahan, (919) 962-5359, cmahan@email.unc.edu.