Lloyd Suh Reveals Asian Women’s Dreams in Moving Comedy

by Lynne Stevens

In the kitchen aisle at K-Mart, two lonely young immigrant women recognize each other as frequent shoppers. Chatty Luna (exuberant Nicole Javier) from the Philippines and shy Jane (self-possessed Narea Kang) from South Korea meet and Luna invites Jane home to share a lonely Thanksgiving—just the two of them.

Luna is so excited to have a potential new friend: she talks too much and giggles constantly. I had a difficult time understanding her at first. But eventually, I could grasp most of what she says.  As they slowly reveal themselves to each other, the two young women share their frustrations with life in the U.S. And they realize most opportunities go to men.

Both their doctor husbands have been welcomed to the United States through the Hart-Celler Act of 1965 which stated that “those who can contribute most to this country. . . will be the first that are admitted to this land.” When Medicare was created, the United States needed more doctors. Our young heroines must find a place in Nixon-era America.

Jane comically struggles to prepare the turkey in Scenic Designer Arnel Sancianco’s 70s Harvest Gold kitchen. Jane has never seen a frozen turkey. She cavalierly throws it into the roasting pan, flinging in stalks of celery and turns on the oven adding yams wrapped in foil as an afterthought.

The time it takes to roast the turkey gives Luna time to thaw out shy Jane, who opens up to her new friend. Jane is shy and feels like a stranger in a strange land.

With two bottles of wine, Ritz Crackers and Cheese Whiz, the two let down their hair and reveal all their fears and heartaches. The title of the play comes from the touching monologue performed by Nicole Javier as Luna. She declares that immigrants must pay a price to come to America: Selling their hearts. “To get to the U.S., you have to dig your heart out of your chest and leave it with the man at the entry gate.” Cut loose from their families, they are not yet connected to their new country.

Jennifer Chang’s direction encourages the actors to play off one another like two sides of a coin. They riff back and forth about things they could do. Like go to the beach, or dancing. Watch Soul Train or take a taxi somewhere. How do you call a taxi. Look in the Yellow Pages. Remember those?

The play is 90 minutes with no intermission, so both actors shift flawlessly from comedy to serious and back, giving each time to unburden herself . For Jane, the Korean War hangs heavy in her memory. And Luna recalls the reign of Marcos in the Philippines. The fact that immigrants in the US are now facing uncertain times makes their stories even more poignant.

In an emotional moment, Luna sings a lovely song, perhaps in Tagalog, that is jaw dropping. It is so unexpectedly good. Jane’s evolution from shy visitor to extrovert is delightful. She is genuinely funny.

Everyone feels like an outsider sometimes. Enjoy this play of immigrant struggles in America.

 “The Heart Sellers” by Lloyd Suh, directed by Jennifer Chang, scenic design by Arnel Sancianco, costumes by Lisa Misako Claybaugh, lighting by Wen-Ling Liao, sound by Ed Lee, at Theatreworks Silicon Valley, Mountain View, California. Info: theatreworks.org – to April 27, 2025.

Cast: Nicole Javier and Narea Kang.

Banner photo: Jane (Narea Kang) listens as Luna (Nicole Javier) fantasizes about learning to drive. Photos: Alessandra Mello