In the newly created center of Berlin’s Northern Vietnamese community, Lili, a 14-year-old Vietnamese middle school student, and her sister Nathalie struggle to repair their relationship after the death of their late mother. When Lili befriends her German former bully – who has a dark secret of his own – the sisters' relationship to their adopted country and to each other will be pushed to the brink.
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Dong Xuan Center
Recommended by
Shaun Leisher:
13 Feb. 2022
“
A brilliant play about a piece of history so few know about. Can't wait to see this produced. ”
Nick Malakhow:
25 Jun. 2019
“
What a beautiful piece! Lili is a compelling protagonist, and her journey is unique and nuanced. What I admire most about this play is how subtle the shading is for every character. The natural rhythms of speech are captured beautifully, along with thoughtful and at times lyrical monologues that don't feel forced but, rather, feel like genuine moments of revelation for the characters speaking them. Like the best plays, the specificity and richness of these characters from a world so different from my own only heightens the universality of the themes. Citizenship, belonging, betweenness/cultural liminality--so much to think about! ”
Character Information
The actor playing JOSEPH and MRS. DAO can double as other small roles.
Lili
14,
Vietnamese-German
,
Female
Shy but an extrovert, inquisitive but defensive, open to new ideas, good at being on her own.
Can be played by:
Age:
Teens
Race/Ethnicity:
Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
Gender:
Female
Nathalie
27,
Vietnamese-German
,
Female
Lili’s older sister and legal guardian, current owner of her late mother’s restaurant. Protective, practical, family-oriented, funny.
Can be played by:
Age:
20s
Race/Ethnicity:
Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
Gender:
Female
Max
14,
White
,
Male
Independent, impressionable, confident he knows what he’s talking about – even a bit past the point at which he doesn’t.
Can be played by:
Age:
Teens
Race/Ethnicity:
White
Gender:
Male
Sinh
20s,
Vietnamese-German
,
Male
A German tutor living in Spandau. Kind-hearted, excitable, but hates confrontation. A German university graduate, you won’t find a more vocal supporter of the former West Germany.
Can be played by:
Age:
20s
Race/Ethnicity:
Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
Gender:
Male
Mrs. Dao
70s,
Vietnamese
,
Female
She can haggle, make a sale, babysit like a pro, and could probably beat you up.
Can be played by:
Age:
70s+
Race/Ethnicity:
Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
Gender:
Female
Tuan
40s,
Vietnamese
,
Male
Formerly a fighter for Vietnam’s National Liberation Front (aka Viet Cong), now a broke barber. Taciturn, intimidating, but now harmless.
Can be played by:
Age:
40s
Race/Ethnicity:
Asian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
Gender:
Male
Joseph
50s,
White
,
Male
Desperate, resentful, barely functioning alcoholic, looking for somebody to blame.