One of the joys of going to shows at South Coast Repertory is actually seeing new works on the Julianne Argyros Stage. And this new show sounds intriguing! Cambodian Rock Band combines music, politics, family dynamics, comedy and mystery into one show.
This world premiere of Lauren Yee’s play tells a father/daughter story with a twist. The daughter, Cambodian-American Neary, believes she has finally found the missing piece that might finally implicate a key member of the Khmer Rouge. When her dad make his first visit back to Cambodia in 30 years, it appears he has something else on his mind beyond tourism and a family reunion.
Chay Yew directs Cambodian Rock Band. The cast includes Brooke Ishibashi, Abraham Kim, Raymond Lee, Jane Lui, Joe Ngo and Daisuke Tsuji. The songs in the show are by Dengue Fever. It was Yee’s introduction to the music of Dengue Fever that inspired her looking back at the history of surf/rock band music in Cambodia. From there she was inspired by write this play.
Photo Credit: Tania Thompson/SCR