When was the last time you were at the historic Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Kalita Humphreys Theater? Odds are it has been more than 606 days…since March 1, 2020. That was the last day live performances were held by the Dallas Theater Center. However, that changes today October 28th, 2021, as DTC is set to premiere for the world, The Supreme Leader, a comedy by Don X. Nguyen.
The play follows a young Kim Jong-Un while in boarding school in Switzerland. It’s there he learns he’s next in line as The Supreme Leader after his older brother’s career-ending trip to Tokyo Disneyland. However, he must prove himself under the watchful eye of his minder, and he sets his paintbrush aside to spy on his pretty American friend Sophie. Will “Oony” get the girl? Will he make his father proud? Set in the snow-globe world of stinky cheese and mountain climbing, this coming-of-age comedy imagines Kim Jong-Un’s final throes of youth before his fateful return to North Korea.
“I loved Don X. Nguyen’s play from the first moment I encountered it as a reading at the Alley Theatre’s New Play Festival in 2019,” said Kevin Moriarty, Enloe/Rose Artistic Director. “The plot is inspired by the historical fact that, in the 1990’s, while a teenager, Kim Jong-Un attended an international boarding school in Switzerland. From that small bit of fact, Don has written a fictional teenage coming-of-age story that is witty, funny, surprising, and ultimately, emotionally moving. I’m thrilled that DTC is introducing such a smart, funny play to audiences for the first time.”
Nguyen was born in Saigon, Vietnam, and grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska. He has written several plays including Hello, From The Children Of Planet Earth, Sound, Red Flamboyant, The Commencement Of William Tan, and The Man From Saigon. Although he currently lives in New York, he has been in Dallas since the first day of rehearsal and will stay through opening weekend.
“I started this play about seven years ago when Kim Jong-Un had only been in power for a few years and the world didn’t really know much about him. It’s been a long and winding road to get to this moment but we’re finally here and I couldn’t be more thrilled to share this play with audiences,” says Nguyen, “There are very few places like DTC that would or could host an out-of-town playwright throughout the entire process. It speaks to DTC’s ongoing commitment to new work.”
The production is especially significant for Oscar Seung who portrays Kim Jong-Un in the play. Seung was born in Switzerland, but raised right here, in Arlington, Texas, and his studies in opera took him just up the road to TCU. Seung created, produced, and starred in American Dynasty. The short film has won prizes at four domestic film festivals, including Best Actor nomination for Seung at the Ouchy Film Festival in Lausanne, Switzerland. He is the first Asian American leading man to be featured at DTC and this marks the first time Seung has had the chance to share a scene on stage with another Asian American actor.
“Growing up as an AAPI (Asian-American Pacific Islander) immigrant, I’ve always wanted to be an actor but never saw a face like mine on stage or on screen. I remember telling myself that it simply wasn’t an option for someone who looked like me. I’ll forever be grateful to Kevin and Don for proving me wrong,” Oscar Seung, continues; “From our very first rehearsal, Kevin created a warm and inclusive space that empowered me to share my stories and bring my full and authentic self to this production. I’m blown away by the extraordinary staff and creative team at DTC who welcomed this cast with such open arms. Their effusive enthusiasm and excitement for this play were palpable. I know I speak for the rest of the cast when I say we are ecstatic to share this story with audiences.”
The Supreme Leader marks many historic milestones for Kalita Humphreys Theater, to Dallas Theater Center, to playwright Don X. Nguyen, and leading man Oscar Seung. Don’t miss your opportunity to be a part of that history. The Supreme Leader takes the stage live from October 28–November 21, you can find your tickets here.