Theater spotlight: Road trip rom-com 'Vietgone' opens Writers' season

Posted August 07, 2018 6:00 am

Love story

Writers Theatre opens its season with the Chicago-area premiere of "Vietgone," Qui Nguyen's irreverent combination of a road trip, romantic comedy and immigration tale. Based on his parents' courtship, Nguyen's play unfolds in 1975 in an American refugee camp for Vietnam War survivors, which is where Tong (Aurora Adachi-Winter) and Quang (Matthew C. Yee) meet and fall in love. Lavinia Jadhwani directs. Previews begin at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15, at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. The show opens Aug. 22. $35-$80. (847) 242-6000 or writerstheatre.org.

'All Black Everything'

This week, The Comedy Shrine's standup showcase features an all African-American lineup. Hosted by Ronnie Ray and Mitch, "The All Black Everything Show" features headliner Em Brown and guest comedians Billy DiAngelo and Netra. 8 and 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, at 4034 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora. $20, plus a two beverage minimum. (630) 585-0300 or comedyshrine.com.

Dennis Schnell, left, Anthony Harden, Madeline Bunke, Mark Tacderas, Wendy Hayne, David McNulty and Deveon Bromby make up the cast of Oil Lamp Theater's "The God Committee," an examination of the issues surrounding organ donation. Courtesy of Oil Lamp Theater

Life & death

Oil Lamp Theater concludes its season with Mark St. Germain's "The God Committee," an examination of the ethical and emotional issues surrounding organ donation. The action unfolds at a major hospital where the members of a transplant selection committee - including doctors, a priest, a psychiatrist and a social worker - meet to determine which of four desperately ill patients receives the donor heart that has become available. Performances begin at 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16, at 1723 Glenview Road, Glenview. $35. (847) 834-0738 or oillamptheater.org.

Article Comments

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.