Cambodian Rock Band at Berkeley Rep Announces Full Cast

Casting has been announced for the Berkeley Repertory Theatre run of Lauren Yee's Cambodian Rock Band, which is set to begin previews at the Roda Theatre on February 25 ahead of an official opening night on March 1. Performances are scheduled through April 2.

Jumping back in time between the present day and the 1970s, Cambodian Rock Band is the story of one survivor and his psychedelic rock band, which was targeted by the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime. The play features a live band performing songs by the rock band Dengue Fever.

Billed as "a Signature Theatre Production," the show features most of the cast from the off-Broadway run in early 2020, including Abraham Kim (Rom/Journalist), Jane Lui (Pou/S21 Guard), Obie Award winner Joe Ngo (Chum), Moses Villarama (Ted/Cadre/Leng), and Francis Jue, who won a Lucille Lortel Award for his portrayal of the war criminal mathematician Comrade Duch.

Geena Quintos steps into the role of Neary, the survivor's daughter working through the International Center for Transitional Justice to prosecute Duch.

Kelsey Angel Baehrens, Alex Lydon, and Vi Tran will serve as understudies.

Directed by Chay Yew, the creative team of Cambodian Rock Band includes Takeshi Kata (scenic designer), Linda Cho (costume designer), David Weiner (lighting designer), Mikhail Fiksel (sound designer), Five Ohm Productions with Luke Norby (projection designer), Tom Watson (wig designer), Matt MacNelly (music supervisor and co-music director), Jane Lui (music supervisor and co-music director), Graham Schmidt (associate director), Merrick A.B. Williams (stage manager), and Caroline Duffin (assistant stage manager).

This production is presented in association with Alley Theatre, A Contemporary Theatre, 5th Avenue Theatre, and Center Theatre Group.

TheaterMania's review of the off-Broadway run called Cambodian Rock Band "the First Great Play of 2020." You can read the full review here.