Mu Announces Casting for David Henry Hwang's FOB

Artistic Director Randy Reyes directs and stars in Mu's production of Hwang's Obie Award-winning 1979 play at Mixed Blood Theatre (January 30­February 15, 2015).

(Minneapolis/St. Paul) Mu Performing Arts today announced casting and production details for FOB, the landmark 1979 play by David Henry Hwang (Broadway's Chinglish, M. Butterfly), about the struggles of Chinese immigrants living in the U.S. After winning an Obie Award for FOB, Hwang rose to national prominence in the early 1980s and remains the nation's preeminent Asian American playwright.

Commenting on Mu's hugely successful Minnesota Tour (June 2014, played to 95% capacity), the author expressed his appreciation for the company's work.  "I couldn't be more excited about Mu's Minnesota Chinese Restaurant tour of my play FOB. Like many Chinese of my generation, I had relatives in the restaurant business, and this play was written in part as a tribute to their spirit. Performing it now in those restaurants themselves brings the journey of this play back full-circle." ~ David Henry Hwang,

Playwright Mu's production returns home to the Twin Cities in an intimate and exciting production at Mixed Blood Theatre. Randy Reyes, (who plays Steve in the three-character play) reflected on Mu's first production of 2015. "It feels so great to bring this production back to the Twin Cities after such a successful tour to greater Minnesota. We learned so much from the personal stories of the Chinese restaurant owners, and we are excited to share those stories with our Twin Cities community through our talkbacks and other activities. There's nothing like performing in an actual Chinese restaurant, but our design team is working to bring that same atmosphere and intimacy to Mixed Blood's auditorium." ~ Randy Reyes, Artistic Director

FOB deftly explores relationships and conflicts between established ABC (American Born Chinese) and FOB (Fresh Off the Boat) newcomers in the 1980s. Mu is partnering with the Minnesota Historical Society on an extensive lobby display chronicling the history of Chinese immigration to Minnesota including the story of the state's first Chinese restaurant. In addition, the production will feature numerous talkbacks featuring Twin Cities Chinese restaurant owners who will share their own immigration stories.

The cast also features Michael Sung-Ho (Middle Brother, A Little Night Music) as Dale, and Meghan Kreidler (Kung Fu Zombies Vs. Cannibals, CTC performing apprentice) as Grace, both of whom are reprising their roles from the touring production. The production team includes Christine Richardson (Costumes), Katharine Horowitz (Sound), Mina Kinukawa (Props), Soren Olsen (Lights), and Sarah Brandner (Set).

Randy Reyes (Director/Performer) graduated from The Juilliard School Drama Division in 1999 and has worked as a professional actor, director, and theater educator in theaters and educational institutions including The Guthrie, Mixed Blood, Ten Thousand Things, Thirst Theater, Chicago Ave. Project, The Playwrights' Center, Cincinnati Playhouse, Seattle Children's Theatre, NYU Graduate Acting Program, University of Minnesota/Guthrie BFA Acting Program, Wagner College, The University of Utah, Augsburg College, and Macalester College. He is a board member of the Consortium of Asian American Theaters and Artists (CAATA) and the Minnesota Theater Alliance. Randy also represents Mu as a member of the newly formed Twin Cities Theater of Color Coalition (TCTCC) along with Penumbra, New Native, Pangea World Theatre, and Teatro Del Pueblo. Acting credits include A Little Night Music, Yellowface, Little Shop of Horrors, The Romance of Magno Rubio, at Mu Performing Arts, M. Butterfly, The Government Inspector, A Midsummer Night¹s Dream, both "Dromios" in Comedy of Errors at the Guthrie, Pacific Overtures at the Alliance/Cincinnati Playhouse/North Shore Theater, and Tibet Through the Red Box by David Henry Hwang at Seattle's Children's Theater. Randy¹s directing credits include FOB Chinese Restaurant Tour, Kung Fu Zombies Vs. Cannibals, Asiamnesia, Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them, WTF, Cowboy Versus Samurai, and Circle Around the Island at Mu Performing Arts, A Streetcar Named Desire at Ten Thousand Things, The Marriage of Bette and Boo, Summer and Smoke at Theatre in the Round, and God Save Gertrude at the Workhaus Collective. Randy was a recipient of a two-year Theater Communications Group New Generation Future Leaders fellowship under the mentorship of Rick Shiomi at Mu Performing Arts in 2006. Administrative positions include being the Theater in Education Director at The Guthrie, Associate Artistic Director, Outreach Coordinator, and Community Liaison at Mu Performing Arts, and the Artistic Director of The Strange Capers.

Mu Performing Arts presents
FOB by David Henry Hwang
directed by Randy Reyes
January 30 ­ February 15, 2015
Mixed Blood Theatre
1501 South 4th Street,
Minneapolis, MN 55454

PERFORMANCES
Thursday, January 29 at 7:30 PM ($18 PREVIEW)
Friday, January 30 at 7:30 PM (OPENING)
Saturday, January 31 at 7:30 PM
Sunday, February 1 at 2:00 PM
Thursday, February 5 at 7:30 PM
Friday, February 6 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, February 7 at 7:30 PM
Sunday, February 8 at 2:00 PM
Thursday, February 12 at 7:30 PM
Friday, February 13 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, February 14 at 7:30 PM
Sunday, February 15 at 2:00 PM (CLOSING)

TICKETS $10 Students (w/valid ID) $18 Preview (Jan. 29 at 7:30 PM) $22 Adults 10% off groups of 10+ Seating is General Admission Tickets on sale now at www.muperformingarts.org or by calling the Mu Box Office at 651-789-1012