Brackish by Hope Villanueva

Sang Dao and his grown daughters own a restaurant in Galveston, TX, and are thinking the time has come to sell. When they gather for an important anniversary, the re-assess the meaning of home in the light of a racist act and the appearances of spectres from the past.
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Brackish

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear:
    22 Jun. 2022
    “ A powerful play where a family faces selling a huge piece of their past and taking the next steps forward. On top of that they're unpacking meaning of things as a racist act occurs. Rich, layered and well done. ”
  • Nick Malakhow:
    18 Jun. 2021
    “ A gentle and haunting piece that explores family, race, generational divides, the complexities of being outsiders in a hostile environment, and so much more. The intimate ensemble is full of well-developed and nuanced characters. The tension around the selling of the restaurant and the next steps in this family's existence is ever-present and escalating, but it manages to maintain itself without contrived theatrics or melodrama. Rather, little important seismic shifts between and within the characters keep things moving briskly. I'm so eager to see this on its feet one day soon! ”
  • Doug DeVita:
    21 Sep. 2020
    “ I devoured this play in one sitting, and was so haunted by its beauty I went back a few days later to read it again – and I'm still spinning from the experience. And for once, I'm at a loss for words except to say I love every word and every character in this script, and I'm deeply touched by Villanueva's depth of feeling in this this work. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone looking for an exceptionally moving, exceptionally well written drama. It's just so damn... perfect. ”

Character Information

All the characters are Vietnamese and should be played by Asian actors.

The actor who plays Quang doubles as Officer Garcia.

The actor who plays Hang doubles as Old Woman/Clarice.

  • Sang Dao
    48,
    Vietnamese American
    ,
    Male
    A fisherman and owner of Pho & Phish. Used to and loves a life of hard work. Was 3 when he left Vietnam
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American, South Asian or South Asian American
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Tuyet
    21,
    Vietnamese American
    ,
    Female
    Sang Dao's younger daughter, training to be a chef. Anxious and a people pleaser. Was 3 when Quang died.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American, South Asian or South Asian American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Linh
    24,
    Vietnamese American
    ,
    Female
    Sang Dao's older daughter, business savvy and nurturing of her father and sister. Was 6 when Quang died.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American, South Asian or South Asian American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Hang
    60s,
    Vietnamese American
    ,
    Female
    Female, in her 60s. Sang Dao's mother. A playful, smart woman. Immigrating to the States from Vietnam made her tough and eager to find joy.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      50s, 60s, 70s+
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American, South Asian or South Asian American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Quang
    18,
    Vietnamese American
    ,
    Male
    Sang Dao's oldest child and only son. Died as a toddler and this is what Sang Dao imagined he'd be like.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American, South Asian or South Asian American
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Old Woman/Clarice
    60s,
    Vietnamese American
    ,
    Female
    A customer. Or is she? (Same actor as Hang)
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      50s, 60s, 70s+
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American, South Asian or South Asian American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Officer Garcia
    20s,
    Vietnamese American (possibly half another ethnicity)
    ,
    Male
    A police officer who takes the report of the vandalism from the family. (Same actor as Quang)
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American, South Asian or South Asian American
    • Gender: 
      Male

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    The Parsnip Ship Play Reading Club
    ,
    2020

Production History

Awards

Semi-Finalist
,
Seven Devils Play Foundry
,
2021