Tourist Trap (Short)

by Elijah Guo

Grace, Deborah and Shu-Ling are trapped in Times Square. Will they find the World’s Largest Applebee’s before it’s too late? TOURIST TRAP follows three Asian-American mothers reckoning with their identity crises, a sense of dissociation… and Elmo.

Grace, Deborah and Shu-Ling are trapped in Times Square. Will they find the World’s Largest Applebee’s before it’s too late? TOURIST TRAP follows three Asian-American mothers reckoning with their identity crises, a sense of dissociation… and Elmo.

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Tourist Trap (Short)

Recommended by

  • Shaun Leisher: Tourist Trap (Short)

    I loved these characters so much. Loved getting to experience their disappointment along with their excitement. Guo has managed to pack a wide range of emotions in such a few number of pages.

    I loved these characters so much. Loved getting to experience their disappointment along with their excitement. Guo has managed to pack a wide range of emotions in such a few number of pages.

  • Scott Sickles: Tourist Trap (Short)

    For those of us with Asian mothers, this play is a special treat! Guo skillfully divides the turbulent and complex Asian Mom archetype into separate women — the hovering mom, the distant mom, and the mom who's all about herself — each complex, human, and real.

    But you don't need an Asian mom to enjoy their surreal quest. "Dot-nets," "Applebee's" and the phrase "essential amino acids" have never been funnier.
    Gloriously detailed, as universal as it is Asian American, this trap is a great trip!

    For those of us with Asian mothers, this play is a special treat! Guo skillfully divides the turbulent and complex Asian Mom archetype into separate women — the hovering mom, the distant mom, and the mom who's all about herself — each complex, human, and real.

    But you don't need an Asian mom to enjoy their surreal quest. "Dot-nets," "Applebee's" and the phrase "essential amino acids" have never been funnier.
    Gloriously detailed, as universal as it is Asian American, this trap is a great trip!

  • James Binz: Tourist Trap (Short)

    A fascinating study of three women. Friends and companions, they make a voyage through the Big City looking for the important things. We see cultural differences, where we are introduced to stinky tofu and white rice cooked on the brown rice setting. These women also display universal truths and face universal problems and dreams. Very nicely written and paced. This needs production!!!

    A fascinating study of three women. Friends and companions, they make a voyage through the Big City looking for the important things. We see cultural differences, where we are introduced to stinky tofu and white rice cooked on the brown rice setting. These women also display universal truths and face universal problems and dreams. Very nicely written and paced. This needs production!!!

View all 6 recommendations

Character Information

  • Grace
    Winner of the Sparkle Salsa Dance night's prize of a trip to NYC. Trying her best to hold everyone together and have a good trip. Feels disconnected from her culture and son due to her complicated past with her mother in Shanghai. Secretly loves Book of Mormon. The dreamer who is afraid to dream.
    Character Age
    40+
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any Asian
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Shu-Ling
    Unapologetically true to herself. Is not afraid to open her Tupperware container full of stinky tofu in the city streets. She moves with the flow of life rather than fight it - yet she is still very passionate about the things important to her (beans and her son).
    Character Age
    40+
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Asian
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • Deborah
    The pessimist and the logic in the friend group. Wants to go home -- Times Square is another form of hell that she must get her friends out of. A hard shell that will be cracked through her journey in the play. Is not afraid to use her Saint Laurent purse as a weapon. Loves her husband.
    Character Age
    40+
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Asian
    Character Gender Identity
    Female

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization The Brick, Year 2023

Production History

  • Type Professional, Organization Ars Nova (ANT Fest), Year 2024
  • Type Professional, Organization Chain Theatre, Year 2024
  • Type Workshop, Organization Cellunova x TheaterLab, Year 2023

Awards

  • Top 12 Finalist
    Samuel French Off-Off Broadway Festival
    Finalist
    2024