Cambodian Rock Band Review – The Power of Music

Written by Lauren Yee, CAMBODIAN ROCK BAND is a powerful tribute to human spirit and the power of music. A recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New American Play Award, CAMBODIAN ROCK BAND was first produced in 2019, with its New York premiere in 2020. New York Times theater critic Ben Brentley deemed the production “ambitious…tonally mixed,” and the production has generally been well received by critics since its debut. Douglas Bursch, a Seattle critic for Fairly Spiritual opined that “CAMBODIAN ROCK BAND is indescribably good…part drama, part comedy, part history lesson, part rock concert, part Cambodian genocide…a story about the power of art and the power of creating and contending for beauty in the face of tyranny (10/6/23).” In 2025, The East West Players proudly brings CAMBODIAN ROCK BAND to Los Angeles featuring the music of Los Angeles-based band Dengue Fever, whose performances initially inspired playwright Yee to pen this compelling work. .

Joe Ngo, Abraham Kim, Kelsey Angel Baehrens, Jane Liu, and Tim Liu – Photo by Teolindo

Time if fluid, with scenes in 1975, 1978, and 2000; and the place is Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. Cambodian-American attorney Neary (Kelsey Angel Baehrens) has spent the last two years in Cambodia investigating Khmer Rouge war crimes committed in the last half of the 1970s by Duch (pronounced Doik and played by Daisuke Tsuji), the head of the infamous S21 prison (death) camp and known as Cambodia’s Himmler. Only seven inmates in the prison are known to have survived, and Neary discovers that there might have been eighth. It is 2008, and the trial of the first Khmer Rouge leader will soon begin. She is surprised by the unexpected visit from Chum (Joe Ngo), a Cambodian who immigrated to the U.S. over 30 years ago – and is also Neary’s father. What secrets has he been keeping for years?

Joe Ngo and Kelsey Angel Baehrens – Photo by Teolindo

The upcoming trial triggers memories in Chum, and the timeline folds into 1975 – a period when Phnom Penh was the center of a thriving music scene and Chum was part of the Cyclos, a rock band with high hopes. But this is just hours before Communist Khmer Rouge troops led by Pol Pot march on the capital – and everything changes in an instant. Fast forward to 1978 and the S21 prison, where two of the band members meet again, Chum as a beaten and tortured “spy,” and bandmate Leng (Tim Liu), now a prison guard and interrogator. Both under the eye of cynical and sadistic former math teacher Duch, who is “just following orders.” Can it be that Chum is the elusive eighth survivor Neary is searching for?

Abraham Kim, Joe Ngo, Jane Lui, Kelsey Angel Baehrens, and Tim Liu – Photo by Teolindo

CAMBODIAN ROCK BAND is fiction based on fact. A tale of hope – and some laughs – about the indomitable human spirit and its need to create and grow despite all odds. All tied up in a historical mystery and a rousing rock concert. Skillfully helmed by Chay Yew, the play with music doesn’t pull its punches as it follows Chum’s journey from young and enthusiastic musician to troubled and guilt-ridden survivor. The performers give powerful interpretations of pain and joy in this checkered production which almost defies classification. Co-music directors Jane Lui and Matthew MacNelly know how to grab the audience. Takeshi Kata’s scenic design spotlights key elements in the story and is especially effective when Dengue Fever does its thing. The production team is strong, including Linda Cho’s costumes, Megumi Katayamet’s and Mikhail Fiksel’s sound, Derek Jones’ creative lighting, and Cesar Cipriano’s fight direction. CAMBODIAN ROCK BAND is engrossing and frightening, but also exciting and entertaining, as it tells its story with music intertwined throughout. Despite references to genocide, the production manages to keep hope alive and end on a high note.

Kelsey Angel Baehrens and Joe Ngo – Photo by Teolindo

CAMBODIAN ROCK BAND runs through March 23, 2025, with performances at 8 p.m. on Fridays and select Mondays, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturdays, and at 5 p.m. on Sundays (Pay-What-You-Can Monday 2/24/25 at 8 p.m.). The David Henry Hwang Theater is located at the Union Center for the Arts, 120 Judge John Aiso Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. For information and reservations, call 213-625-7000 or go online.