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Wanna Play, a new play by Austin playwright Christine Hoang, explores the awkward courtship of making new friends as an adult. After two online video gamers get zapped into The Here – a mysterious realm without screens, cell phones, or technology – they must play old-school analog games to earn enough points to get back home. It’s The Wizard of Oz meets Squid Game performed live in a black box theatre. Wanna Play world premieres April 4-19, 2025 at Hyde Park Theatre. Recommended for audiences ages 14+. Wanna Play is directed by ACC Associate Professor of Drama Jamie Rogers. Christine Hoang plays Gemma, a blunt Vietnamese American woman with the personality of a black cat. Travis Owens plays Ethan, a Southern white guy with the energy of a golden retriever. Michelle Alexander plays The Here’s mysterious guide Cappy who the script describes as “not quite Dungeon Master, not quite White Rabbit, not quite Bob Barker.” Marc Pouhe voices video game characters Ograth the Ogre and Damon the Destroyer. Vanessa Hoang Hughes is the voice of video game character Capybara.
Wanna Play includes two original songs: “Play” by Tyler Mabry (music) and Christine Hoang (lyrics), and “Swim” by Johann Solo (music) and Christine Hoang (lyrics). The production also includes hip-hop choreography by Daniel Broxton.
SPECIAL SHOWS:
April 6 at 2pm (Sunday): Post-show Talkback on the Wanna Play creative process with the cast Travis Owens and Michelle Alexander and playwright/actor Christine Hoang. Moderator is Paul Alvarado-Dykstra (co-founded Fantastic Fest, film producer, screenwriter)
April 13 at 2pm (Sunday): ASL Interpreted Show
April 13 at 3:30pm (Sunday) - Post-show Talkback (ASL Interpreted) on creating community and connection through art and storytelling. Panelists are playwright & screenwriter Christine Hoang (Wanna Play, Fly Girl) and comic book writer & video game narrative designer Evan Narcisse (Marvel’s Black Panther, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales). Moderator is screenwriter & podcaster Nichole Abshire (The Voucher Scam).
April 16 at 8pm (Wednesday) - Industry Night
TEAM
Producer: Color Arc Productions
Playwright: Christine Hoang
Director: Jamie Rogers
Actor (Gemma): Christine Hoang
Actor (Ethan): Travis Owens
Actor (Cappy): Michelle Alexander
Video Game Voiceover (Ograth, Damon): Marc Pouhe
Video Game Voiceover (Capybara): Vanessa Hoang Hughes
Stage Manager - Lindsey Ollinger
Sound designer: Johann Solo
Lighting designer: J Mwaki
Properties designer: Liz Tyson
Set designer: CB Feller
Scenic Painter: Corinne Jones
“Play” - Composer: Tyler Mabry, Lyricist: Christine Hoang
“Swim” - Composer: Johann Solo, Lyricist: Christine Hoang
Choreographer: Daniel Broxton
House Manager: Aneesa Needel
TIX: $20-30 at colorarcproductions.com or tickets.atxtheatre.org/events/wanna-play-191854
ACCESSIBILITY:
ASL Interpreters. If you are a deaf attendee, please email [email protected] in advance so we can reserve you free seats in the front for our ASL Interpreted Show on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at 2pm.
Seating & Viewing. The venue offers seating in the front row for patrons who use wheelchairs and other mobility devices, are visually impaired, or could otherwise benefit. Seating is general admission, so we recommend emailing [email protected] in advance so that we can ensure your needs are met.
ABOUT COLOR ARC PRODUCTIONS: Founded in November 2015, Color Arc Productions’ mission is to shine light on diverse and inclusive stories through theatre, film, and music.
This project is supported in part by the City of Austin Economic Development Department.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Hyde Park Theatre, 511 W 43rd St, Austin, TX 78751-4213, United States,Austin, Texas
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