The saga continues! The
Kung Fu Zombies saga, that is. I was introduced to the saga in 2023 when Theater Mu presented the first two plays in the eventual trilogy -
the original Kung Fu Zombies vs. Cannibals plus a prequel, Shaman Warrior. The third installment is finally here, but different than Lao American playwright Saymoukda Duangphouxay Vongsay originally intended. Everything changed early this year when our immigrant communities, including the Asian American community, were targeted by ICE. She wrote this play in response to that experience, describing a close knit Asian American community after some kind of apocalyptic event. But like in
The Walking Dead, and every other post-apocalyptic tale, they don't just have to fight off the zombies, but also other humans who mean them harm. The playwright notes in the program, "it’s our story; we can tell it however we want," so in this story, the community prevails. In a way it's a revenge fantasy, celebrating the resiliency of Minnesota's Southeast Asian community that has survived over 50 winters here, and survived the worst kind of ICE, and will continue to survive and thrive. And Theater Mu's commitment to telling Asian American stories is a part of that. You can celebrate that too, by seeing
Kung Fu Zombies vs. Southeast Asia Girl Scouts at the Frey Theater on the St. Kate's campus, now through November 15.
Don't worry if you didn't see the first two plays in the Kung Fu Zombies saga; TBH it was a three-hour play three years ago and I have little recollection of it, other than a lot of kung fu zombie ass-kicking mixed with Asian American culture. From what I can tell, this is a stand-alone story, except that it also exists in a world where zombies know kung fu (and Rick Grimes thought he had it bad!). It's been four years since the apocalyptic event, but our survivors are tough - they're Girl Scouts! They've formed a working society complete with rules and roles for various people. Our main heroes are a trio of sisters and their Mama (Lia Rivamonte), whether biological or of the soul variety is unclear, and unimportant; at this point they're a family. The community is strong, feeding and clothing each other, and gathering for storytelling time in the evening, but times are still tough. The sisters, who are charmingly named after Girl Scout cookies - Do-Si-Do (Hope Nordquist), Samoa (Dexieng "Dae" Yang), and Thin Mint (Mia Angelica Onia Guzman) - have to go out on runs to find food, medicine, and parts to fix their water filtration system. It's on one of these runs that they meet Gary (Ben Dutcher), a single father of two starving children, and reluctantly help him. When their community is threatened, they have to fight to keep it together.
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Thin Mint (Mia Angelica Onia Guzman), Samoa (Dae Yang),
and Do-Si-Do (Hope Nordquist, photo by Rich Ryan) |
In her second season as Mu's Artistic Director, Fran De Leon makes her directing debut with this show. She maintains the wild and fun spirit of the saga, but also grounds it in the humanity of these characters. She and violence director Mason Tyer do a great job with the action sequences - realistic fight scenes between humans and against zombies, using every weapon imaginable, and of course, kung fu. The large and talented multi-generational cast is great, some playing multiple characters, human and otherwise. Some are also making their professional stage debuts, including some "little girls" that are just as adorably spunky as those on stage in
Annie across town.
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| story time at Mt. Airy (photo by Rich Ryan) |
The large performance space at the Frey (2026's most popular new venue - the fourth time I've been there this year) has been transformed into a makeshift village, with three large rotating set pieces that are the outer walls made of various types of found material on one side, and the inner living spaces of the community on the other. Signs adorn the space, including a list of rules, and warnings against "deados." The characters are dressed like militant Girl Scouts, with familiar bits of uniform mixed with utilitarian wear, and weapons that include long fighting sticks. The action scenes are heighted by the sound and lighting design. (Scenic design by Mina Kinukawa, lighting design by Karin Olson, costume design by Eleanor Schanilec, puppet design by Kris Muas, sound design and compositions by Akiem Scott.)
This play is funny and action-packed, and features a strong community of people that band together to support each other and fight off outside forces that try to destroy them. It's a lot of fun (the opening night audience was audibly engaged), and also very satisfying to watch these
Southeast Asian Girl Scouts prevail. I'm betting on the Girl Scouts, every time.
