A Funny, Heartfelt Play About Two Newcomers, a Turkey, and Finding Your Way in America
There’s a new show opening this April at TheatreWorks, and it sounds like a real gem — kind of funny, kind of touching, and all about two women trying to make a home in a place that doesn’t quite feel like home yet.
It’s called The Heart Sellers, and it runs April 2–27 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts.
Two women, one frozen turkey, and a holiday that’s not theirs (yet)
The story takes place back in 1973, just after the U.S. changed its immigration laws. Luna’s from the Philippines. Jane’s from Korea. They meet by chance on Thanksgiving Day — both feeling a little lost in their new lives here in America.
Neither of them really knows what to do with this holiday, but they’re trying. So they decide to cook a traditional Thanksgiving dinner together. (There’s a frozen turkey involved. Things don’t exactly go smoothly.)
But it’s less about the meal and more about what happens between them: laughter, stories, a little heartbreak, and the start of something that feels like real friendship.
Warm and funny, with a lot of heart
This one’s written by Lloyd Suh — he’s a Pulitzer Prize finalist — and folks who’ve seen earlier productions have called it “breathtaking” and surprisingly funny for a story about loneliness and culture shock. It’s the kind of play that sneaks up on you: you’re laughing one minute and tearing up the next.
TheatreWorks is known for picking thoughtful, beautifully written shows, and this one seems to hit that sweet spot.
Planning to go? Here’s what to know
There are a few extras during the run that might be worth catching:
- Pre-show artist talk on April 3 if you like a little behind-the-scenes.
- Post-show chats with the cast on April 9 and 23 — a good chance to hear more about the characters and story.
- Plus they’ve got open captioning, ASL, and audio described performances sprinkled throughout the month for folks who need them.
- If you prefer a masked audience, they’ve got that covered too (April 11, 12, and 20).
The theater’s right in downtown Mountain View — 500 Castro Street — and tickets are up on TheatreWorks’ site now.