"Fortunate Daughter" - A one-dyke show

Photo Credit: Ann Borja

Fortunate Daughter

The secret to keeping your family happy is ... keeping your other family secret. A one-dyke show about the difference between coming out and coming home. Thao’s Vietnamese parents keep pushing her to marry – a man. Her other family – her Queer activist friends, coworkers, and community – wants her to come out. Thao doesn't want to do either! But the pressure builds from both sides and she is forced to make a decision.

Written & Performed by Thao P. Nguyen

Oct 6, 13, 20, 27
Saturday 8pm

Stage Werx Theatre
446 Valencia St, SF
Near 16th & Mission St BART
Google Map

Tickets $20BrownPaperTickets.com

Discount Code:

$10-$20 sliding scale w/ online discount code.
It's a scavenger hunt!  Find the code somewhere at ThaoSolo.com! 
Discount only valid online!

Credits

Written and performed by Thao P. Nguyen

Produced by Meanie Productions

Directed by Martha Rynberg

Originally directed by W. Kamau Bell

Developed in the Solo Performance Workshop

Buzz About the Show

"Theatrical magic; a pure story, with heart, passion and humor."

- NYtheatre.com

"Sure to go on my top ten list of the year."

- NYtheatre.com

"Fortunate Daughter is hilarious, insightful and engaging!"

- WBAI 99.5FM NYC

“Nguyen's versatility is remarkable, and she's, not to mention, very, very funny.”

- The Daily Californian

“With a finely-crafted story arc, Nguyen's performance is as moving as it is hilarious.”

- Culture Shot

“Thao P. Nguyen is multi-faceted. Her tale is beautifully drawn.”

- San Francisco Theater Blog

"This escapade is interesting and hysterically comical!"

- TheatreReviews.com

"My favorite part of Nguyen's work is the character complexity. So often in performance art, a character exists only to serve a purpose in the script. Thao's characters are fully human."

- Kimberly Dark, Solo Performer / Poet

  Two time winner of Curve Magazine's

  'Top Ten Performances of the Year'

"Thao P. Nguyen is a force to be reckoned with. She is smart and funny and her solo show is a ride worth taking. And, did I mention, she is really smart and really funny?!"

- Bill Bowers, Performer / Writer / Mime Artist

  'Zazu' in the Broadway production of 'The Lion King'

  Writer & performer of 'Beyond Words'

"Nguyen's work pierced my heart/made me had'ta call my Momma. These are stories I've been hungry to experience. Progressive/ deeply human/and funny as all get out. Can't wait to see the show again!"

- Sharon Bridgforth, Theatrical Jazz Artist / Writer

  Lambda Literary Award Winner

  Author of 'the bull-jean stories' (RedBone Press)

"Nguyen artfully weaves together powerful personal stories and nuanced understandings of critical theory in a show that is deeply moving and incredibly funny."

- Dr. Amy Kilgard, Solo Performer / Educator

  Professor of Communication & Performance Studies

  San Francisco State University

  Writer of 'Triskaidekaphobia: 13 Consumer Tragedies'

"Mad Love" and things in between

A play about the impact of mental health on interpersonal relationships and vice-versa.

Listen to the interview with Playwright/Director Roke Noir here: www.lesbeasian.com

For more details go to www.sirentheatre.org

To buy tickets go to http://madlove.bpt.me

"Mad Love", is part of a yearlong project launched by Siren called MWWA (Mental Wellness for Women through Arts). The aim of the project is to heal the community, raise mental health awareness, and break prejudices through courageous, authentic and collaborative creative work.

The all-women cast and crew of “Mad Love”, diverse in age, religion, race, sexual orientation and profession, have passionately collaborated to give shape to this play to reflect the delights and dilemmas of relationships involving love, madness and things in between. Six nights this October, they will come out with their exploration for you to witness.

DOORS OPEN 45 mins before Show Time. NO ENTRY AFTER DOOR CLOSES AT SHOW TIME.

October 5 | 7:00 - 9:00 pm
October 6 | 7:00 - 9:00 pm
October 7 | Matinee | 3:00 - 5:00 pm

October 12 | 7:00 - 9:00 pm
October 13 | 7:00 - 9:00 pm
October 14 | Matinee | 3:00 - 5:00 pm

VENUE
Vagabond Ballroom
830 Isabella St., Oakland, CA (near San Pablo & 24th St.)

Review of No Look Pass

by Honolulu Rainbow Film Fest!

LesbeAsian: Ks Stevens & "Big Excellent 20th Reunion"

Click here to listen to LesbeAsian's interview with Ks Stevens!

BIG EXCELLENT 20TH REUNION:

A musical comedy for the entire LGBTQA community

SYNOPSIS

ALLY is a single mother and lesbian, who passed away from cancer a few days before her high school’s BIG EXCELLENT 20TH REUNION. Before ALLY died, she asked her daughter, ERICA KLEIN, an 18 year old woman of color, to go in her place, and deliver her last message to her dearest friends. Because ALLY sent each of them a free plane ticket they all show up to attend the reunion. It is quickly revealed all were closeted during...

Tawny's 411 on Asian Gay & Proud

I am a 2nd generation Chinese-amerikan (Half Cantonese/Half TeoChow) born to a mom who immigrated to the US from Vietnam. Born in Houston, grew up in Seattle. I’m a Monkey, Sagittarius Sun, Libra Moon, Able-bodied female. I grew up working class, but have now moved into more of a middle class lifestyle. I went to U of WA and got a BA in Communications and Philosophy and a Master’s in Social Work. I think I’m almost done with my Saturn return. I’m learning to love myself in all ways possible. I’m an only child. I don’t like rules or things that confine me. I want to run free in slow motion across a field, except I have a lot of allergies to flowers, dust and bugs. I’m also allergic to gluten, soy, dairy, eggs, and RICE. WTF, right?! That’s what I’m saying! I love to play and joke around and make fun of the people I love. When I’m excited, I like to bounce around. When I’m not, I’m all mopey. Lastly, I am a co-creator of lesbeasian.com, a website created for and by Asian Lesbians. I go by the alias “Tawny” in LesbeAsian, to protect our identities from crazy lesbophobes out there.

Top Picks of LesbeAsians in the Media

1. Davonee Sou (As Herself) Gimme Sugar: Seasons 1 & 2

Davonee Sou has been rockin the media industry for some time as a film and television feature, ranging from Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Bring It On. We know Davonee best however, as herself in the LOGO reality web series Gimme Sugar. She gets our pick for being one of the few gender non-conforming Southeast Asian lesbians out there. A refugee from Laos, she packs big character in her small frame. Throughout Seasons 1 & 2 of Gimme Sugar we witness Davonee get into trouble quite a few times with the girlfriend and close friends for her bad behavior and big mouth. What we heard loud and clear though – Davonee is all about the ladies. So even if her personality can come off as a bit abrasive at times, we can’t help but love another lesbeasian.

2. Li Ming (Performed by Mylène Jampanoï) Chinese Botanists’s Daughters

Li Ming is an orphan who has been selected to become an apprentice of a prominent botanist. During her time studying she finds herself attracted to the botanist’s daughter, An. Her attraction is reciprocated and the two women’s friendship turns into a passionate romance. What we love about Ming is how her level of confidence developed alongside her relationship with An. The famous botanist was a dominating and verbally abusive father and teacher. We found ourselves cheering out loud during the scenes where Ming stood up to him in defense of An, putting the botanist in his place. We give you props for standing by your love in spite of all the forces working against you.

3. Leyla (Performed by Sheetal Sheth) I Can’t Think Straight

Honestly, we were initially hesitant to watch I Can’t Think Straight because of the high femme appearance of both characters on the movie cover. We took a chance and were pleasantly surprised at not only the content of the movie, but especially with one of the main characters, Leyla. She falls in love with Tala, a woman from Jordan who is engaged and soon to be wed in a heterosexual marriage. Although Tala was presented as more steadfast in her radical values in the beginning of the movie, as the storyline progressed Leyla surpasses Tala in her self-awareness and politics. Without spoiling the ending for those that haven’t seen the film, we can say that we love Leyla for challenging Tala to come to terms with her full self. 

4. Emily Tay (As Herself) No Look Pass

We still can’t get over Emily Tay, Harvard basketball player turned professional out lesbian player in Germany. We became her admirers after No Look Pass, a documentary about her life as a Burmese immigrant navigating the complexities of her identity as an immigrant lesbian in a male-dominated sport. There aren’t many representations of sporty Asian women in media, and nil in regards to a lesbeasian before Emily came into the scene. Thank goodness for women like her to represent. Yeah she cool. We cool. 

5. Vivian (Performed by Lynn Shen) Saving Face

If you are an Asian lesbian in the US, you most likely have watched or heard about the movie Saving Face. In our opinion all the hype is well deserved. Both of the main characters are likeable, with Wil being the awkward closeted lesbeasian, and our top pick Vivian being the more aggressive lesbo comfortable in her own sexuality. We couldn’t help but empathize/sympathize with Vivian, as she patiently loved Wil without compromising herself through Wil’s coming out process. We love a romantic that goes after who she wants!

6. Kim (Performed by Supanart Jittaleela) Yes or No

With our recent movie review fresh in mind, we couldn’t pass up Kim from the first lesbian Thai film Yes or No. She is considered a “Tom”, a gender non-conforming or more masculine presenting woman who goes to college and becomes roommates with a femme “Dee” named Pie. Thank you Kim for showing us that a woman does not have to wear a dress and high heels to be comfortable with femininity and emotions. Kim was a hopeless romantic, who put it all out there despite her love interest being behind in the game and initially oppositional. College dykes are hot  : )


This list is in NO way exhaustive. There are a lot of other shows and movies we haven't watched yet, but we are sure that they feature some awesome lesbeasians. Who are your favorites?

Faith on Asian Gay and Proud

“Faith” Kong is a 1.5 generation Khmer/Cambodian lesbian born in the refugee camps in the aftermath of the Khmer Rouge regime. She fled as a hungry baby with her parents to the US.  Since then she has settled and grown up in South Seattle, WA, graduated with a Bachelors Degree with a double major in American Ethnic Studies and Speech Communication at University of Washington, and a Masters in Public Administration at Seattle University. She loves watching movies, surfing the Internet, being surrounded by nature, and sleeping. She and her partner are the co-creators of LesbeAsian.com, a website created for and by Asian lesbians.