Note From Director Vinh G. Nguyen

“Naomi Iizuka’s script is incredibly descriptive and vibrant, which demands us to be imaginative and creative when interpreting the play. In presenting the play in the round, I hope to fully immerse the audience in the action and to experience the play intimately. I am leaning heavily into the ensemble and physical movement work to bring this show to life. I want the show to have a ‘cinematic’ feel and dreamlike quality, which is wildly fitting for a story with elements of magical realism and an irregular timeline.

One of my favorite things about this play is that it is a modern adaptation of a classic Greek myth that many people are familiar with. It is a hero’s homecoming journey; but instead of the powerful King Odysseus of Ithaca, our protagonist is a lowly, nameless immigrant child. As far as the show’s relevance, I’m sad to say that no matter when this play is being presented, wars are still happening somewhere in the world, people are still being displaced from their homes, and families are still being torn apart. Also, considering the political climate of our country, I hope this production could shine a light on immigrant issues and foster more empathy and understanding during a time of national division.

At the core of Anon(ymous) are the central themes of love, family, and belonging, which are relatable to everyone no matter top our background. Being in the vibrant Bay Area, I am fortunate to be working with an incredibly talented and culturally diverse cast of storytellers, which helps bring a level of authenticity to the characters and experiences that we are presenting on stage. And for our audience members who are fans of Homer’s The Odyssey, I hope they will recognize the mythological inspirations within the modern characters of our show.”

Synopsis

A powerful journey of identity, resilience, and the search for home. Lost in an unfamiliar world, a young refugee named Anon navigates a perilous odyssey across a fractured landscape, encountering a cast of strangers - some kind, some cruel, all searching for something. Separated from his mother, Anon must rely on his wit, courage, and hope to survive as he moves through a tapestry of haunting, poetic, and surreal encounters.

Inspired by Homer’s The Odyssey, Anon(ymous) is a lyrical and urgent reimagining of what it means to belong. It is a journey that explores the power of memory, the pain of displacement, and the strength of an individual as he confronts his identity.

Cast

Zhang Bai Han....................……Anon
Kristy Aquino.......................…..Nasreen/Belen
Dan C..................................……Ali/Ignacio
Maya Capur........................…...Ritu
Raven Douglas...................…...Pascal
Aaishah Kelani...................…..Ensemble/Swing
Sheryl Lim..........................…..Serza
Isabelle Polito....................…...Calista
Efsun Alper Sweet.............…...Helen/Pet Bird
Natalie To.......................….....Nemasani
Christian Vaughn-Munck......Makus/Strygal
Zack Vaughn-Munck..........…Senator/Zyclo
Qian Zhang.......................…..Naja

Production Team

Director: Vinh G. Nguyen
Movement Director: Vinh G. Nguyen
Puppet Designer: Vinh G. Nguyen
Lighting Designer: Raven Manalo
Sound Designer: Foster Douglas
Costume Designer: Greet Jaspaert
Set Design: Louis Stone-Collonge
Stage Manager & Props Designer: Kelly Weber Barraza
Intimacy Coordinator: Bessie Zolno

Runtime

TBD.

Reviews & Press

Coming soon!