Cambodian Rock Band
By Lauren Yee
Directed by Chay Yew
Kicking off the season in February 2025, EWP will present the Los Angeles premiere of Lauren Yee’s Cambodian Rock Band, featuring music from Dengue Fever - the LA band that inspired the play after Yee attended one of their Long Beach concerts. This poignant new classic of the American theater canon has taken the country by storm, and EWP is proud to be the first to bring this production to Los Angeles County, the home of the largest ethnically Cambodian population outside of Cambodia.
This part-play, part-rock concert explores the story of a Khmer Rouge survivor as he returns to Cambodia after 30 long years. As his daughter prepares to prosecute one of the country's most notorious war criminals, the ghosts of their shared past begin to stir. This deeply moving story weaves back and forth through time as father and daughter confront history, turning to music as a path towards healing.
This production brings back Director Chay Yew and the original cast from the show’s world premiere at South Coast Repertory. Yew also helmed the off-Broadway premiere at Signature Theatre. Cambodian Rock Band is an experience that leaves audiences breathless and inspired.
Join us for a pre-show panel.
Join us at 4pm in the theater courtyard for a special Pre-Show Panel Discussion, “The Cambodian American Experience: Pathways to Healing and Joy.” Much of the Cambodian experience has been impacted by genocide and immense loss. Join this panel discussion that asks if joy is possible, and if so, what the pathways are towards healing.
Before the show on March 2nd, we're hosting an inspiring panel discussion led by distinguished members of the Khmer community. Moderated by EWP teaching artist Giovanni Ortega, this panel features three remarkable speakers:
Mea Lath
Founder and Artistic Director, Modern Apsara Dance Company.
A professional Cambodian classical dancer and instructor based in Southern California, Mea brings 20 years of expertise in traditional dance. She's performed at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival and the Smithsonian, and served as a cultural consultant for Disney's "Raya and the Last Dragon."
Sayon Syprasoeuth
Program Manager, United Cambodian Community.
An accomplished interdisciplinary artist whose work has been showcased internationally, Sayon creates art that explores his journey as a Cambodian refugee and life in contemporary America. He coordinates Global Hybrid, an arts exchange program between Cambodia, Korea, and the United States.
Dr. Leakhena Nou
Professor of Sociology, CSU Long Beach.
As Executive Director of Applied Social Research Institute of Cambodia (ASRIC) and a distinguished professor, Dr. Nou specializes in research on Cambodian refugee communities and the impact of the Khmer Rouge genocide. Her work focuses on healing, reconciliation, and the well-being of first- and second-generation survivors.
Don't miss this powerful conversation!