Deadline: Off Broadway’s Signature Theatre will take its acclaimed production of Lauren Yee’s play with music Cambodian Rock Band on the road, marking the theater company’s first production to tour. The production, with songs by L.A. band Dengue Fever and directed by Chay Yew, was praised by critics upon its Signature opening earlier this year, and has been mentioned by The New York Times as a potential contender for a Pulitzer Prize for Drama nomination.
5 comments:
This is such an incredible show. I am really glad that it is doing so well and is having a life in spite of the pandemic. I really hope things have cleared up enough for them to have a good tour in 2021. Seeing this show in Pittsburgh last year was probably the best theater experience I have had in my time at CMU, and I do not say that lightly. This show is incredibly relevant today with how it unpacks really complex ideas about dealing with our pasts, forgiveness, retribution, and accountability. All of these themes are being dealt with in real life by pretty much everyone in the world right now, so I can not think of a better show to be producing right now. I am glad to see that they are doing well and will continue to spread their message for more and more people to hear. Cambodian Rock Band is a story that everyone should hear for its incredible message and powerful historical relevance.
I could've seen this play at the Oregon Shakspeare Festival but unfortunately didn't have time and I am very sad that I didn't get to. I am excited that it is going to be produced at Berkely Rep as I may have an opportunity to see it then. I think it's interesting that next year's season is being planned already as the future still is looking very uncertain. Will this show still go on tour if there isn't a vaccine. How will rehearsals and performances be run if social distancing and masks are still required? I will admit that I am not optimistic about normalcy returning soon. I am sure the creative team behind this show is taking all of that into consideration. They really must be prepared for anything. I really hope no matter the state of the world they will have the opportunity to perform this show because it is very unique, important, and incredible show.
I have heard incredible things about this show. My partner who saw it last year could not stop raving about it. From what he’s told me, it sounds like a really complex play that makes the audience get uncomfortable with their emotions. For me, any parental dynamics explored on stage, are always going to hit close to home. I think tying that with the deeper ideas purposed about human nature and what people do when pushed by the fear of death or corruption of power makes this a really heavy show in a way that mainstream entertainment tends to avoid. One of my favorite things about theater as an artform is that there are a lot of plays that aren’t vested in the comfort of the audience. That are going to tell a compelling story, with great music, and really make the audience use their brain and think about what that story is saying and how it makes them feel. I am very happy to hear that it’s getting the opportunity to tell its story to people all across the nation, and hopefully I am able to see it during its tour.
I haven't actually heard of this show, but it sounds like an amazing concept. I like when plays and movies use music as a part of the story. In this instance, it is linking modern-day people to the past, and this is a smart of of showing it. The fact that it's rock music, though, is an interesting choice. It's super intriguing and I'm sure seeing the play would bring it together and have it make sense, which is an incredible power that plays have. I've never seen a play with multiple songs played live on-stage. I think the concert feel that the set up from the picture in the article seems to have would have a completely different effect from just playing music over speakers or how songs are performed in a musical. The topic of the story seems very serious, but it is also mentioned to be "darkly funny" which is a great combination from my experience. If I ever hear that this play is being performed my me, I'll try and check it out!
It makes me really hopeful to read a play about post-pandemic theatre. I love this show so much, I have seen it three times and would jump at an opportunity to see it again. And for the sake of theatre audiences across the country I sure hope this tour happens. I strongly think anyone who is a fan of any kind of theatre or entertainment in any way should see this show. I am glad they are looking at this tour to happen in over a year because I think that means there is a stronger chance this tour will happen than the things I am reading about of shows opening this year. I also think the way they talk about this tour happening and how passionate Lauren Yee is that it happens, means that it will probably happen whenever the timing is right with the pandemic even if it needs to be pushed back a bit. I am also excited that they talked about the play as a protentional nominee for the Pulitzer because I would love more people to know about this show. It’s just so good, I’m excited.
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