Firebone Theatre Sets All-Asian Cast for RED FLAMBOYANT

FIREBONE THEATRE is pleased to announce the casting for the world premiere production of Don Nguyen's RED FLAMBOYANT, directed by Laura Savia. RED FLAMBOYANT, winner of the Aurora GAP prize, finalist for the Woodward International Playwriting Prize, finalist for the O'Neill National Playwrights Conference, participant in the Ojai Playwrights Festival, finalist for the Bay Area Playwrights Festival, and Nominated for the L. Arnold Weissberger Award, will play a limited engagement at Anderson Hall at Calvary St. George's (61 Gramercy Park North, New York, NY 10010). Performances begin Friday, April24 and continue through Saturday, May16. Opening Night is Saturday, April25 (8 p.m.).

Based on the true story of Mrs. Pham Thi Hue, who runs the RED FLAMBOYANT Group (which is supported by the US organization Vietnam Relief Service Organization), a small group of women who are all living with HIV/AIDS, in present day Vietnam. Bricks smash the windows of their small house. The locals fear they will be infected by the women. Mrs. Hue is forced to seek help from a stubborn government official to protect her group.

This unique theatrical work tells its story with single bungee technology (aerial), puppetry, and straightforward acting in the round, unlikely heroes emerge both in this world and the next as these poor women reach new heights of courage.

Nguyen artfully weaves into RED FLAMBOYANT arguably the most badass warriors from the first century A.D., The Trung Sisters. These two legendary heroines of Vietnam fought to liberate the country from centuries of Chinese rule. These warriors serve to empower the current day women in their fight against ignorance.

The production stars Don Castro* (Turning The Glass Around; Teatro Círculo) as Diem, Criena House (Nat'l Tour The Faraways) as Nga/Triung Ni, Karen Huie* (Songs of Harmony; East West Players) as Mrs. Sau, Ruibo Qian as Vung/Trung Trac, and Nancy Sun as Mrs. Hue.

The production features scenic design by Anne Beyersdorfer (Out of the Basement; ATA), costume design by Stephanie Levin, lighting design by Alan Edwards, aerial choreography by Karen Furhman, Grounded Aerial, and fight choreography by Lisa Kopitsky. Josh Leibert (The Other Josh Cohen) is the sound designer, Jeanette Yew is the puppet designer, Kim Vockel is the mask designer, Alex Foley is the props master, and Arybells Figueredo (The Memory Show) is the Production Stage Manager.